Gratitude

"Have you had a kindness shown?
Pass it on;
'Twas not given for thee alone,
Pass it on;

Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another's tears,
'Til in Heaven the deed appears -
Pass it on.
~Henry Burton, Pass It On

It's simply amazing how someone you've only just met can change your life forever.  A few weeks back....fate introduced us to some amazing people.  We didn't know them by name...but they opened their arms and hearts to us without hesitation.  Our paths may not meet again...but the generosity they showed us will not be forgotten.   We are forever grateful.  These cookies are just a SMALL token of our incredible appreciation.

Thank you Sugarbelle and A Dozen Eggs for the inspiration behind the designs of these cookies.

Hip Baby Cookies

When I saw this design....I couldn't wait to try it!  I loved the bright pinks against the black tones...and it seemed like the perfect cookie for all those trendy new mamas!

I have to apologize to my source... I found this cookie design on the internet and printed the picture, and just tossed it in my "fav cookie designs" file, only to discover that I didn't write down the source.  I think I found it on flickr...but I am wishing I could credit the original decorator for her amazing design!!!!

Searching through my files has also reminded me that I desperately NEED to organize my cookie files.  I finally found a great way to organize my cutters....(oops...still need to take a picture of that system), but need to better organize my design idea folders and template folders.....it will definitely be an ongoing and lengthy project, but well worth it in the end.

Anyhow... hope all those new mamas to baby girls enjoyed these fun little cookies!  I'm a  bit behind on my postings... but hoping I can play catch up and put a few more cookie posts up before the end of the week:)

Some lunchbox love....

I am sending my oldest off to SECOND grade tomorrow with some of these...

She has met her teacher....

and laid out her neatly ironed uniform alongside her new shoes, still with that new shoe smell.

And I pray...

that she wakes up each day with the same First day enthusiasm that she will have tomorrow.

 Hope her year is full of new knowledge,  special friends, and sweet memories.

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:)