Christmas 2024

Hundreds and hundreds of cookie cutters can be found at my house and I always say I don't need to buy more, but it never works.  When I saw these designs I knew I wanted to include them in my holiday collection this year.  Dozens and dozens of tree cutters, but not one with a star on top, so another cutter has been added to the cutter closet.  It was worth it, these designs make me smile.

As I was decorating them, I remembered some other non-traditional trees in the past, so here is a look back at some previous designs.

 

In addition, great-niece Avery, received a special collection of cookies reminiscent of paper dolls.

 

Love, hugs, cookies and Merry Christmas to all!

Reference:   Tutorial for the tree designs can be found at Little Cookie Co.

 

Cookies or Toys?

Once upon a time great-niece, Mary Grace, challenged me to make cookies that were "real" toys.

Her sister, Leann, always requested puzzle cookies. 

  

 

Their cousin, Elliot, told me he likes looking at the cookie designs and enjoys the stories I've written about their special cookies.

 

Now that they are getting older, I took inspiration from the three of them to create some special cookies for their younger cousin, Avery, to enjoy on Christmas Eve.

Hopefully, the cousins will read the story together and play with the puzzle pieces (covered in plastic wrap!), but the big kids don't get to eat them because they are Avery's special cookies.

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'Twas the day before Christmas and all through the house, the creatures were stirring, even the mouse!

 

Santa woke up very early, took his shower and strolled into the kitchen in his underwear to drink a cup of coffee and eat the breakfast Mrs. Claus had prepared for him before she went to the barn to feed the reindeer.

After breakfast, Santa got dressed and went to the workshop to help the elves put the final touches on the toys.

Santa worked all day and skipped lunch and dinner because he knew children would leave him lots of treats to eat during his journey.  At last, it was time for Santa to dress up in his special suit, gather the reindeer and start his long trip delivering presents to children all over the world.

Once Santa finished his long journey, he arrived back at the North Pole and donned his special pajamas and slippers, drank a cup of hot chocolate and told Mrs. Claus all about his long trip.

 

So, what does Santa do on Christmas day while all the children are enjoying the surprises he delivered to them?  Well, if you look very closely, you might find him on vacation, enjoying the beach at Riviera Maya in Mexico.  Unfortunately, he won't be there in February when Avery makes her annual trip.  He will be back at the North Pole busy working on toys to deliver next Christmas.

    Merry Christmas to all and a special thank you to Santa!

 

Fall Cookies

 

After baking a large quantity of cookies for a baby shower just a few weeks ago, I opted to keep it simple for Thanksgiving and the annual bake sale this year.  The scarecrow and the acorn turkey have always been a couple of my favorite designs, they make me smile.

Books for Baby

 

The invitation for great-niece Kaley's baby shower was the inspiration for her cookies.  I edited the art work to remove the time and place, then added "Oh, Boy!" as a book title.  

 Large cookies were packaged for favors for the guests with a tag that said, "Thank you for starting the next chapter with us."

 

In addition, mini cookies were prepared for the dessert table at the brunch.

 Finally, some Halloween designs were included for the children at the party.

It's Elliot's Day to Shine

It's time to celebrate, great-nephew Elliot's eighth grade graduation and an opportunity to take a look back at his K-8 years.

 From play dates at the local park when he was just my "little buddy" to becoming a regular fan cheering him on at sporting events, it has been a joy to be a part of this special guy's life.

 Sports has been his passion from an early age.  Baseball . . .

Hockey. . .

Basketball and flag football!

Elliot displayed his unique style through the years.  His mismatched hockey socks became his trademark and all those hairstyles!

Never one to shy away from wearing costumes, Elliot did manage to find time away from his demanding sports schedule to enjoy improvisational theater experiences at school.

When Covid forced the shutdown of schools, I became a tutor in his home classroom. His teachers did an incredible job of providing engaging lessons online,  so we just had fun supplementing his learning with online museum visits and playing games including our creation, "Where in the World?"

Although, Elliot enjoyed playing in the kitchen at the park when he was young, it did not inspire him to become an adventurous eater.  No amount of coaxing could get him to deviate from Covid classroom lunches of pizza, dinosaur chicken nuggets and white cheddar mac and cheese.

The interrupted school years due to the Covid pandemic will forever be a part of his elementary school memories, including the adoption of  his beloved Bailey. 

When schools finally reopened, Elliot returned to his local school, Portage Park Fine and Performing Arts Center for sixth grade.  However, in 7th grade he traded in the blue and gold at Portage for blue and silver at Taft where he will continue next year in the International Baccalaureate program.

Elliot brings so much joy to his family each and every day.

 

Gold stars for a special young man as he celebrates this milestone.

 

 

You are loved to infinity.  .  .

. . . and beyond!

It's Fun to BEE five!

 

Great-niece, Avery is five!

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In 2019 when Avery was celebrating all of her "firsts" she was not happy with everyone who wanted to have a photo op with her.  Fortunately, she now LOVES parties and time spent with her large extended family.

Her many adventures this year included her annual trip to Mexico and a much anticipated trip to Disney where she met her favorite doctor.

A curious girl who loves learning, Avery showed an avid interest in larvae this year, so I hope she likes her bee cookies as much as she liked observing the creepy critters.

 Avery loves spending time with the cousins .  .  .

but Mom, Dad and Lincoln, continue to be her best pals.

 

 

 

 

Avery has so many interests, but she still manages to spend plenty of time in the kitchen.  Perhaps one day she will inherit my large cookie cutter collection.  

From rock climbing to hanging with a rock star and all the activities in between, Avery is a busy bee!

Love, hugs, cookies and happy birthday wishes!