A sweet "Thank You"

Things are heating up here in the Fort. Building season is in full swing, and so is work on the property. This week marked a very special milestone (other than official groundbreaking), we got a SAUNA! 
One of our friends called me up last week, saying that her old sauna was in the way of her building project, and asked if we wanted it (on condition that it be moved ASAP!).

Today, the sauna was delivered after much fuss, and I could not be happier! To thank my friend, I did what I know best: I made cookies.

It is not as though money was an issue, but rather, generosity. I worked really hard to create cookies which showed exactly how grateful I was; the butterfly cookies are my favorite cookie, and the iris cookies were hand-cut (since I don't own the cutter).

After inspecting the work and asking a few questions (the sauna is going to be a temporary shed for the builders while they get things in order), Hubbie and I went out for a celebratory supper. It was very stressful working to get the sauna to our property, and it has been a long time coming to get an official start to our new home, but I hope this marks the beginning of a very wonderful adventure.... with a warm ending.

By the way, I want to paint the sauna Pink... just in case you were wondering :)

Youth Leadership Conference cookies

HURRAY FOR YOUTH LEADERS! This post come a little late, as these cookies were made for Monday, but given the AWESOME weather we've had, I simply delayed posting them.

At our school, we have a group of students known as "Peer Mediators," whose job it is to help their fellow students resolve conflicts and provide a positive role-model to the younger students. As a reward for their efforts, our school requested some special cookies. Who could say no to that?

Each cookie was made as unique as the children; no cookie is the same. I made them in the same way I made my Cheerleader Cookies but I feel I've refined the process a little more.

But... there were quite a few kids. I was asked to do two dozen cookies (Some Earth cookies, some kids). Here are the kids; each one is unique (My apologies for the bad photography)!


Of all the cookies, this one was my favorite:


So, this weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving (Le Jour de Grace). My parents are driving down here to celebrate. So far, the cabbage rolls are done, I'm thawing my turkey. My soup is ready. Bruschetta is stewing... so much preparation! Happy celebrations to all!

BLOG LOVE! Lollypop Cookies

Of all the blogs on the interwebs, Kara's blog, Butter Hearts Sugar is my absolute favorite! Maybe it is the general aesthetic, maybe it is the fact that she has a wicked tattoo! Either way, many of her ideas scream to me! So, with her recent post on these cute lollypop cookies, I freaked. It has been years since I've seen them made (my mom used to make these for us). I just had to borrow the idea!


For a great tutorial, head on down to Kara's blog and check her step-by-step. For mine, I used my sugar cookie recipe and three colors of dough to make lollies. I decided that since my classic sugar cookie recipe is great with icing, but I needed a new flavor for the perfect lolly. So, I pulled out my LorAnn candy oils and added a few drops of the Key Lime into the dough. SO AMAZING! Key-Lime Lolly Cookies!

Of course, these cookies are a dream, and made my students super happy when they got them as a prize! I am very happy that I could be reminded of this great treat, and I can't wait to get back to creating. This is a wonderfully simple design that is great for kids! Or me :)

Thanks Butter Hearts Sugar, for inspiration, icing, and awesomeness~!

We're Homeless? House Cookies.

Hubbie and I have been doing a lot of house searching the last few months. While we've not been successful at finding the right place to call our own, we have met many wonderful people along the way. Honestly, I think of that in itself as a success.


I designed these house cookies to thank a wonderful couple who were quite happy to show us their home. Their dream of traveling across the country is truly inspiring, and we had quite the nice visit. To thank the couple for their hospitality (and a pair of heels as a parting gift -- WHOOT!) I made house-cookies.

The cookies are to symbolize the lovely house they have and want to part with... may they sell it quickly :) It was a fabulous house too!

Cookies: Two different designs for the roof. I don't know which I prefer. I do like the flowers and grass though!

Good luck Bill and Linda! I hope you are able to follow your dreams. And I hope you enjoyed the cookies. I love the shoes!

LINK PARTY!

I'm a Busy Bee

I have been one busy bee! In addition to helping Fort High with their set design for "Little Shop of Horrors,"I had the privilege of getting recognition from the Fort Frances Times (the local newspaper). The lovely Peggy asked me to do an interview, talking about baking and showcasing what I do.


To say the least, I was excited. I made the cookies above to honor one of my favorite bakers, Bridget at Bake at 350. She recently made a similar cookie for her friend. Using her design, I added a little twist, making the Busy Bee Cookie.



I think they turned out quite nice. I showcased these cookies at my interview, and presented Peggy and her crew with the cookies as a thank-you for the recognition. I honestly don't think I'm exciting, and probably didn't give a great interview, but I enjoyed the idea.
Thank you Peggy, hope your team liked the cookies.

Now, I had a little of the Blue (both light and dark) left after making the Busy Bees, so I decided to reattempt my favorite cookie: The Blue Whale.


I think that the Royal Icing is much better than the other, corn syrup type; I just like the lines, and the smile. I think the black does a better job of making the whale look happy. I could not resist! Fat Happy Whales. :) Still, there are some bakers who make the corn syrup icing look easy.