Thursday, November 22, 2018

Let's Give Thanks

 

Baking for Thanksgiving started with a collection for my friend, Jim, to share with the caring nurses that he sees at the Infusion Center on a weekly basis.  I chose simple designs and traditional fall colors for this collection.

Our family gathering includes a large crowd, so this year I opted to make multiple cookie platters for our celebration.




Since the Chicago Bears are playing on Thanksgiving Day this year,  football cookies and a navy blue and orange turkey needed to be part of the treats.


It has become tradition for the younger generation in the family to receive a special cookie and they challenge me to find a new turkey design every year.  This year, I opted for a turkey made from a Halloween skull cutter.  Of course, Leann's version had to be in puzzle form. 


A holiday wouldn't be the same without the itty- bitty, bite size cookies.  I love making them and who can resist just one,  little bite?


Cookies always look better when they are dressed up for the party with cute little toppers.


Finally, some special cookies to celebrate some special school achievements for great nieces, Mary Grace and Leann.

 Mary Grace, was one of six students in her 8th grade class selected to make a trip to observe a Federal Court session and interview the judges.  In addition, Leann received a report card with straight As, which was a nice reward for her year of hard work and intense tutoring to improve her reading skills.

I practiced a few techniques that I don't use very often and they cookies are not my best work, but pretty packaging always makes the cookies look better.


Although turkeys are the center of attention on Thanksgiving Day, it looks like the Eagle might be a good luck charm for Mary Grade and Leann.







Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Early Days of Cookie Decorating


When I started a blog in 2012 it was all about the cookies-the decorating, the techniques, the tools. However, over the years it has evolved into a record of special family events

Unfortunately, I did not always take pictures of my cookies, so this will always be an "incomplete" record.  Nevertheless, I decided to update the blog to include some pictures that I found from my early days of this cookie adventure.

In 2009, Kaley, the oldest of my "great" nieces/nephews, was the first to receive cookies for a Graduation celebration.  Looking back, they are quite a mess, but at the time I was proud of them.


A year later, Kaley's cousin, Chiann, graduated and some improvement can be seen in my decorating skills.  At least I added the point on the mortarboard!


As graduations followed, I added different designs and my decorating skills improved.




Diplomas with heart shaped ribbons and the book cookie have been part of every grade school graduation set since 2011.

Over the years, cookies have been part of major life events. 
 
School celebrations-- There have been so many with this large family, I am sure I missed many achievements, but I tried to acknowledge them whenever possible.


 Birthdays. . .





Special cookies at holidays. . .






a baby shower when Elliot arrived early .  .  .


and a serious illness from start to finish.



I hope the kids in the family have enjoyed receiving their special cookies as much as I enjoy making them.

Finally, this Peter Rabbit cookie became my cookie "identity" along with the moniker, Cookie Friend,  when I first started sharing cookie photos and ideas on FLICKR, then via Facebook.   It is still one of my favorite designs.





Thursday, November 8, 2018

Veterans Day 2018



Lady Liberty will be part of the Elk Grove High School fifth annual salute to Veterans.  Sixty-five cookies are bagged, tagged and ready to be delivered to our Veterans.


Here's a look at cookies from prior celebrations:


Thank you to all who have served.

References: 
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