Giving Thanks 2011

It is a beautiful morning here in the Midwest...a perfect day for giving thanks with family for the many blessings in our lives.  I can not even put to words how grateful I am for my husband and my children who make my life FULL everyday.  I am thankful that we are all healthy and that we have the opportunity to live in this amazing Country.  

But I am also thankful for my fellow "cookier's" who share this love of baking with me.  We all may be miles apart...and never see each other face to face, but we are together in some way through email, Facebook, blogger, etc.  So many of these incredible women inspire me everyday....open my eyes to a creativity I wouldn't have known before, and are always willing to answer all of my questions.  

Thank you to Paula who never fails to leave sweet and encouraging comments on every blog post. She is amazingly creative and super sweet right down to her core!  And thank you to Callye for always inspiring and teaching me.  She is incredible beyond words.  Thank you to Linzy who always helps me with my royal icing dilemmas.  Thank you to Lila Loa for always making me chuckle, and for her fabulous ideas and willingness to offer suggestions.  Thank you to Pam for sharing recipes and ideas so readily, and for her amazing cookies that inspire me to work even harder.  And thank you to Amanda for sharing her beautiful creations, and for her always sunny disposition.  She inspires me not just be be a better baker, but also a better mother; and encourages me to challenge myself in more ways than one.  Thank you, thank you!

And my final cookie for this Thanksgiving came from an idea I found on a flickr photo stream here.  My mouth dropped when I saw them.  I tried to recreate...but I'm still loving hers better:)

Here is my rendition....

Wishing my family and friends and fellow "cookiers" a lovely Thanksgiving and a wonderful Holiday Season!