KISS for Christmas!

Kept it simple. . .

Since my sister, Rita has carried on Mom's tradition of making thousands of Christmas cookies to share with family and friends, I do not need to make many cookies at this time of the year.  I am happy to add my sugar cookies to her platters of family favorites. 

 

This year, great-niece Avery helped pack the cookie trays for the family Christmas Eve 

gathering. . .

 

and proudly displayed them after donning her new Mira, Royal Detective costume.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Book Club 2023

 

 

When I moved to Park Ridge in 2018, it was a pleasant surprise to learn that there was a book club in our community.  The Uptown Girls Book Club has brought me new friends, interesting book titles and lively discussions every month.  It has become a tradition that I create cookies related to my book choices when it is my turn to host.

For my January book club meeting, I selected a book because I loved the story. . .or was it because of all the options for cookie designs?  I imagined creating pretty pink roses, blue puzzle pieces and so many more.  However, a broken wrist prohibited me from baking.

Although, we have a large membership in our club and I didn't need to host another meeting for at least 18 months, I decided to partner with a friend and host the Christmas party this year.  We chose a snowflake theme and I boxed cookies for party favors with a simple bow and a tag that said:

Books are like snowflakes, no two are the same.

It's Turkey Time

 

The cookie collection for our large family gathering includes the acorn turkey that is one of my favorite designs, a turkey from a seashell cutter and two "flips" from cutters that I have owned for years and have never used.

A turkey from a flower cutter inspired by the very creative, Jill FCS .  .  .

and a scarecrow from a manger.  This is the first "flip" that I designed on my own.  It won't be one of my favorite scarecrow designs, but it was fun to try something new.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Carol's Class Reunion

 I was asked to make cookies for my sister's 60th grade school reunion so I duplicated the cookies I made for my 50th reunion in 2016.  Simple caps and diplomas with a tag in our school colors.

160 cookies are bagged, tagged and ready for the party.  I hope Carol enjoys reconnecting with old friends as much as I did. 

Fall Brings Another Bake Sale

Cookies are bagged and tagged for the annual CCW bake sale.  Designs include traditional pumpkins, a gnome and several "flips."  

An ice cream cone = a turkey 

and turned upside down: 

A hamburger cookie cutter = a scarecrow

An acorn = a turkey

A tulip = corn

 

My Favorite Little Monsters

Halloween offers so many different options for imaginative cookie designs and bright colors, but I just love these little monsters.  I haven't made Halloween cookies since 2019 due to Covid and changes in the annual bake sale date. In addition, do the kids need cookies when they have so much candy?

 However, since great niece Mary Grace has been away at college for 3 months, I decided it was time to send her a taste of home. She might be on sugar overload because Grandma is sending her cookies, too! 

Summer Bake Sale

 

210 cookies. . .

15 designs. . .

10 colors . . .

 

70 bags tied with ribbon. . . 

 

for Leann's youth group bake sale.