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.

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.

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: 

Statue of Liberty Tutorial from Lila Loa 

Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite cookie seasons.

An annual favorite, Frank, met some new friends this year.

 Same cookie cutter, different designs.

 And of course, some itty bitty, bite size treats.

Happy Birthday Ninja Elliot

Great-nephew, Elliot, loves participating in sports.  Basketball, baseball and hockey keep him busy during the year, but for his eighth birthday it was a "Ninja Warrior" obstacle celebration.

The goodie bags his Mom prepared included a medal that his friends could wear or eat.

Love, hugs and cookies to my favorite little warrior. 

Elliot is always an award winner in my heart.

Linda and Cliff are Retiring

Congratulations to Linda and Cliff, as they retire from teaching.  Elk Grove High School is losing two of the most creative teachers I have ever known, they were an inspiration to their students and their colleagues.

Relax, reinvent, recreate, renew, rejuvenate, reimagine .  .  . retire.

Celebrating Maddy's Journey

Great-niece, Maddy, is graduating from high school and it is cause for celebration.  She has had a difficult journey and learned at a young age that life is not fair.  Maddy has faced many challenges, nevertheless, she persisted!

Since she took an alternative pathway to graduation, I decided non-traditional colors and designs were appropriate for this special occasion.

Maddy is passionate about art and taught me a great deal about Mehndi a few years ago, so when I saw these sugar sheets, I decided to include them in her collection.  I hope she has fun painting them, but I don't recommend EATING them!  Although they are edible, they seem to have a "plastic" texture to them.  .  .Yuk!

Within a span of a week, Maddy is celebrating the end of the school year, then moving on to a challenging program to help her take the next step in her journey toward adulthood.

The world needs Maddy's gentle spirit, caring heart and creative energy.  I wish her good health and happiness as she continues on her journey.

Love, hugs and cookies to an amazing girl.