His and Hers

July is the month for anniversary celebrations in our family.  My parents are celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary today.  Now,  that is worthy of a few cookies...don't you think?

The hubby and I are celebrating our 11th anniversary tomorrow!  My... time sure does fly....We have changed so much since we first met each other back in grade school,....but...I can't imagine a life without him.

"Love is something eternal; The aspect may change, but not the essence."

                                                                             -Vincent van Gogh

A big thank you to Callye, who was, once again, the inspiration behind these cookies!!

    

A Special Christening

This set of cookies...I finally got to make for our own little family!! Our youngest little boy celebrated his Christening this past weekend.  And I loved making treats just to celebrate his day!  Of course there were sugar cookies...a layer cake, mini pound cake cupcakes and a few other appetizers and treats!  

I made my favorite white cake from the Best Recipe cookbook.  I always struggle with white cakes...they just seem drier than my chocolate ones....so this time I decided to make a simple syrup to coat each of the layers before frosting....in hopes it would stay moist....well...let's just say... I think I went a bit overboard...b/c I think the cake was tooo spongy.... hmmmm guess I need some more practice from Amanda....she is the Queen of cakes!!!

These little babies are my favorite  to serve at a party...they are mini....so perfect for picking up and putting in your mouth!  You can find the recipe here....

Here is our little family...so hard to get those pictures with all the kiddos looking in one direction! I just love getting a shot where we are all together in one place:)

And here is the SPECIAL little boy!!! What a gift he is to us and we are so thankful for the joy he gives us each and every day!!

Remembrance

A few weeks back....on a rainy day....the kids and I headed to the library for some summer reading.  One of the books we chose was called "Ghost Wings," by Barbara M. Joosse.  I had never heard of this story and had no idea of the powerful message it would tell until I sat down that afternoon to read it to my little ones.  The story tells of a little girl who has a very close relationship with her grandmother.  In the story (set in Mexico), one day, the grandmother passes away...the same day that the butterflies migrate north in the spring.  Each year the monarch butterflies return to Mexico during the Days of the Dead.  Many people believe that these butterflies carry the souls of the old ones-

The little girl is heartbroken and doesn't feel the "tickle" of the butterflies anymore.  Her Papa tries to teach her that with the endurance of  love and the power of memory....those you love never really leave.
It was a powerful story....one that I hope to read again and again.

A special family that we know recently lost their grandmother...and I immediately thought of this story.   Fortunately Glory had just posted a tutorial on how to make these butterflies...so I went right to work. 

  I did not know this family's grandmother well...but I know that she was an incredible care giver just like the grandmother in this story.  She was always reaching out to others.  And even in her time of pain and suffering....the family spoke of her continued concern for others rather than herself.  She lost a difficult battle to cancer....but her example will not be forgotten.

Independence Day!

When I saw these flag cookies on Sugarbelle's site....I immediately fell in love with them!! The perfect patriotic cookie for the Fourth!  Callye gave a fabulous tutorial here on how to make these lovelies.  I even learned a new way to draw stars!! Not only is she an amazing baker....but an excellent teacher!!!  I LOVE these scalloped circle cutters! I have many circle cutters and some scalloped...but the size of this scallop makes outlining easy peasy.  Callye told me that she found these cutters at World Market....I headed there the same day with 3 kiddos in tow...and found a bunch of them for only 99 cents!!!! 

My kiddos LOVE vanilla cupcakes....well...scratch that...my kiddos love the frosting on cupcakes!  I found this recipe on another of my favorite sites.  You can find the cupcake recipe I used here.  I made my "go to" frosting recipe (1 stick butter, 1 box powdered sugar, 8 ounces cream cheese and a tsp of almond extract), and found these cute cupcake toppers to download, print and cut!

A perfect little dessert basket  for sharing!!

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Fourth of July!  I'll be back later this week with some bright and cheery cookies for a very special family:)