Friday, October 31, 2025

Spooky Season

 A variety of mini cookies and a wreath in cute bags for family and friends.  

What's your Halloween name?  Mine is Evil Pumpkin, I like it. 

 

                    HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

Halloween Treats for Avery

 

Last spring while attending cousin Leann's soccer game, Avery proudly displayed the blisters and callouses that she earned while climbing the monkey bars!  She then said, "I want you to make cookies of my hands."   So, Halloween seemed like the right time to make these designs.

In addition, I added a few K-pop cookies to her trick-or-treat bag.  Since I knew nothing about this global phenomenon, I spent some time reading online and then hand cut the designs rather than purchasing more cookie cutters.   

Avery always joins Grandpa Bill to distribute candy on Halloween night, she switched out her pink wig for a clown mask to match the Halloween decorations in the yard! 


 

 

 

Friday, August 29, 2025

Happy 75th Birthday!

 

A few cookies + a cute card  

 to wish my pickleball loving brother-in-law a happy birthday.

  

          Dinking of you on your birthday! Hope it's a great one!

 


 

 

Sunday, August 24, 2025

A Special Day For Mary Grace

After two years of hard work at the University of Iowa, great-niece Mary Grace began her junior year with her white coat ceremony to signify the beginning of her clinical practice for the College of Nursing. 

 As Mom and Dad sent pictures, the family shared the following text messages: 

 Grandma Rita:

Happy tears, so proud of you. You were only 21/2 when you sat on Grandpa's lap in the emergency room during my stroke (on the day baby sister, Leann was born)  until Uncle Billy could come and get you.  You never made a peep but for the next months and months every time I talked to you, you would ask, "Grandma, you feeling OK?"  You will be a wonderful nurse.


Grandpa Bill:

This is very cool!  You will save some money with that jacket, you can dress up as a nurse for Halloween.  Oh, silly me, I have a hard time sticking to the point.  Looking at those pictures I see a beautiful, smart, enthusiastic woman.  I am really happy for you.  PS your parents did a fine job. 

Aunt Heather:

Yes, I will always remember Mary Grace as wondering "you feeling ok?"  The heart!  The brain! The EVERYTHING!  Go get 'em!!!!


 

Although she might have laughed at Uncle Billy's note, there is a LOT of truth in his words.

Uncle Billy:

"Way to go MG!  You make us all proud.  Toddler MG didn't know she'd be signing up for decades of helping this aging family." 

 


 

                                So proud of this special young woman!

  

 

 

Sunday, May 4, 2025

End of School Year Celebration

 

A friend asked for a couple dozen cookies for an end of the school year celebration she is planning.  


 

 

 

Saturday, April 26, 2025

A Little Cutie Is About To Arrive

 

A fun theme for a friend's baby shower.  A platter of minis to serve and larger cookies boxed for favors.

 



 

Sunday, April 20, 2025

Happy Easter

 

Many, many years ago, I purchased these teeny-tiny crystal bunnies in St. Thomas for 1.00 each.  Buyer's remorse, I should have purchased dozens for gifts.  Of all the things in my home, those bunnies are what people commented on the most.  Over the years countless nieces and nephews played with them, loved making them kiss and they survived it all.  They now happily reside at great-niece Jody's house and have become a family "heirloom."

So, although I keep telling myself to stop buying cookie cutters, when I saw this set from Mike at Semi Sweet Designs, I couldn't resist.

This cute little pair were added to the family cookie platter and boxed as gifts for friends. 

I also finally got around to making this guy that has been on my "to do" list since 2016 when Montreal Confections first posted the design on YouTube.  I couldn't decide if I wanted a fuzzy bunny or not, so he is sporting a beard of sorts. 

In addition to cookies, the lamb cake tradition continues.  Great-nieces Leann and Mary Grace are representing the 4th generation to decorate the cakes.  I baked, they decorated!