May the "Fourth" Be With You, Jack!

The oldest grandson has been asking for Angry Bird Star Wars cookies since the beginning of December.  Jack was disappointed with the Christmas cookies, unimpressed with snowmen, and totally grossed out when he saw Valentine Hearts.  

Part of me secretly hoped that he would outgrow this phase before his birthday rolled around and he asked again, but that certainly didn't happen!

He was turning 4, and the theme of the party was Angry Bird Star Wars!

It was time for the cousins to party and definitely time for cookies . . .

Darth was easy enough, but it took Google and hours on the Internet to research who these characters were and what they were suppose to look like.

I was totally overwhelmed, not knowing anything about these creatures but with Cookie Creations by Jill as my guide and a few glasses of wine to calm my nerves, this cookie mission was accomplished!

I included five different characters and added some lasers to the collection. 



Guess which ones disappeared from the plate first?

 

 

Bringing cookies for the grandchildren to share on their birthdays is the greatest joy.

This is why I make cookies . . .

baking memories . . .

one cookie at a time . . .



It's a Surprise/No Surprise . . . Retirement/Non-Retirement Party

Originally, there was a surprise party planned, but the hostess decided to tell the guest of honor why they were having a party, so he could include me in the guest list.  (Awww, how special is that?)

Things got a little more complicated when the retirement only lasted one week.  The company decided they needed him back, so the retiree is now collecting severance AND is employed on a part-time basis.  (Are you confused yet?  He is!!!!)

Regardless, the party MUST go on.  (Who needs a reason to party anyway???)

Gary loves his trips, especially ones that involve surf and sand as well as his family and good friends, so I decided to honor his retirement with a beach theme.

Thanks to My Cookie Friend, Diane, for her inspirational brush-embroidered wave cookies  http://mycookiefriend.blogspot.com/2012/12/merry-beachmas.html.  Diane's design includes beautiful shells, but what the heck . . . I didn't have time to add that detail.  No one, except those who visit Diane's blog, will know that they are missing!

Happy "kind of", "sort of", "short-lived", "pretend" "practice" retirement, Gary! 

After retirement . . . Life's a Beach!

Sunshine & Smiles Bouquet

In the past few months, I have decided not to take cookie orders.  Those who scrapbook, quilt, or knit can understand that cookies are more a labor of love.  I can stay very busy just creating cookies to fill requests by the grandkids for birthdays and holidays.  I also enjoy making cookies for special people or special occasions.

I have not made a cookie bouquet for over a year, but I wanted to pull out the supplies and give it a try for a special gift.






It is for someone who has been very kind and has kept me smiling for the past two weeks.  Of course, the red roses he gave me were my inspiration for his bouquet.

So, here is to sunshine and smiles . . .

3M?  You ask?  Hey, he is My Mystery Man . . .

 



Peace * Joy * Cookies . . .

Choo Choo! Ben's 2!

Little Ben enjoys his trains, so his second birthday party centered around Thomas the Train.

My dearest Cookie Friend had made Thomas cookies for someone at Christmas http://mycookiefriend.blogspot.com/2012/12/holiday-collection-2012.html, so I followed her lead and pieced together the layer cake and a circle to create Ben's Thomas.

He was huge as well as a huge hit.

Big Brother Jack had to eat the cookie with two hands and in two sittings.

Cousins Kylie and Kendra are always the life of the party.  Kendra brought Simon to help celebrate.  The bear was spending the weekend with Kendra, because she was named Student of the Week.  I am sure the bear enjoyed our Thomas Party!

Happy Birthday, Little Ben!  He was so excited, he blew his candles out twice.

Choo Choo!  Ben's 2!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Let it snow . . .

On Dasher, on Dancer . . .

Winter Wonderland

Christmas Gifting



"Pick Your Plum" had clear boxes that package circle cookies perfectly for teacher treats.



Let there be light.

Individual Santa packs make great favors.

Tis the season for presents.

Star Light, Star Bright

When my husband passed away last August, my very dear friend surprised me with a jar full of star cookies and a beautiful card.  http://mycookiefriend.blogspot.com/2012/09/special-stars-for-special-friend.html  The Eskimo proverb has been a source of comfort for the past four months, so I decided to "pay-it-forward."

I created favor bags for others who lost loved ones during the past year.  The stars were cut in two different sizes and then spattered with gold luster following Sweet Sugar Belle's tutorial.

As I sat at the Memorial Tree Lighting Service hosted by Hospice, I began to think, "There is no way my husband would be sitting here doing this for me."  Rather than hanging a special ornament in his memory, I should have gone to his local watering hole and raised a beer or two. 

Regardless, those attending seemed to appreciate the cookie gesture.  One woman who lost her husband asked if she could take a second favor for her daughter.  She told me, "She has battled cancer for ten years.  It is close."  So much love in that room.  So many of us holding on to the past,  trying to navigate the present.  I can only hope that some will find comfort as they look to the stars.

May Peace, Love,  & Comfort embrace you this holiday season.