Decades of Love

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Some people save their bouquets or monogramed napkins from their wedding day, but my Grandpa ate an olive on his big day and kept the pit. After all these years, he’s still got it. Nana & Willie 1940These are my grandparents on their wedding day in April, 1940. They were next door neighbors as youngsters and just last week, we gathered to celebrate their 73 years together.

73rd AnniversarySay what?! That’s right. Seventy three. We wait much longer now before we wed, so I’m sure these milestones will be even more rare than they already are. If my husband and I get to 73 years of wedded bliss, we will be 99 and 101 years old. Only 57 more years to go, my Dearest…

Nana & Willie 2013

My Gramps was a semi driver for over 30 years, being on the road for weeks at a time, while Nana was home taking care of the family. Maybe it’s true that absence makes the heart grow fonder?

joan & roy & 73

Oh, they have done (and still do) their fair share of bickering. One would wonder how or why they didn’t throw in the towel. But they didn’t. Through all the disagreements, they must have found common ground. 

ballroom dancesOne constant they have is their love of big band music and dancing. Nana and Gramps would travel every year to attend a garden party hosted by one of of their favorites, Jack Morgan and the Russ Morgan Orchestra. It was a long weekend of fabulous music, old friends, and of course, lots of dancing.

Nana, Willie & Me

When I was a kid, Sunday mornings at their house, post sleepovers, always had the radio tuned to the old standards.  Eating cereal out of Nana’s small, green, depression glass bowl and listening to Glenn Miller in their tiny kitchen will continue to be a cherished memory for me.

Helen and MomI made a ton of cookies for my grandparents, and the residents in their building to celebrate their anniversary, and a shout out goes to my Sissy for the ballroom dance idea. I was so excited to share with them what I had created. Each one was baked and frosted while reminiscing of times spent together.

73rd Anniversary platterHappy 73rd Anniversary, Nana & Grandpa!

I love you as hard as the sidewalk.

Kindness. Pass it on.

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IMG_1212Making cookies for a cause is one of the joys of being a baker. I can loan out my talents to help others bring awareness, raise money, or simply be supportive to a plight. Even if it’s someone I have never met.

UNO cardsI was contacted not too long ago from a woman who had recently lost her 8.5 year old son, Riley, to a brain tumor. Again, another sweet child taken by cancer. She was planning a fundraiser to collect video games for the children’s hospital oncology unit where he had been treated. The idea for the event originally came from Riley, who at the time, was excited to get his friends involved in the project as well.

Reverse Draw Two UNOUnfortunately Riley was never able see his plan through, but his mom is making sure it happens. As a way to pass on the kindness her son showed for others throughout his life, she is organizing an UNO tournament in her area to get those donations. She asked if I would make cookies with that theme in mind. And I did.

UNO deckThese stories are becoming far to common. The smallest people, wise beyond their young years, reminding us what is important as they battle their diseases. Their message is simple. Be kind to each other. Give freely. Help out. Love one another.

I just wish we wouldn’t have to be reminded in such heartbreaking ways.

Good Eggs

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Speckled Eggs

For those who know me personally, know my love of eggs. I eat them every day. Over-medium, poached, scrambled, or soft boiled. As a quiche, on a bagel, with cheeses or toast. So versatile. Can be devoured for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The perfect food! Love. Them.

I love speckled eggs

Know what else? Eggs are gorgeous. Warm browns, light or dark, some bluish, some green, speckled and perfectly shaped. When I get my carton from the farmer’s market or Organic Valley, I have been known to call the kids over to say, “Look at this beautiful egg!”. They don’t quite share in my enthusiasm anymore. Well, they are fine just looking at them or helping me crack them in a bowl, but they would NEVER eat one. Not fond of their stink when cooking. More for me then.

Speckled Eggs in Nest

Someday when I fulfill my longing for a piece of land and a red barn, I may get a coop and have chickens. Then I can have fresh-as-you-can-get eggs, all freckled and lovely, as soon as the hens allow.

Only thing is, I am terrified of chickens.

Bunny Mission Accomplished

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Finally the last of the Easter cookies have been completed! It took me a while to find my rhythm, but once I did, it came like gangbusters. Then I scrambled to get them all organized, wrapped, shipped or frozen. That’s usually the way it goes.

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Lots of ideas to try leads to lots of extra cookies. Can there ever be such a thing as extra cookies? I think not. They become Random Acts of Cookie Kindness to (somewhat) unsuspecting recipients. My boys and I shipped off seven boxes of surprises that I hope get to where they are going by tomorrow.

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It’s such a sense of relief and accomplishment to make it through a major holiday being a baker. It’s wonderfully exhausting, really. For some reason I still feel like creating more Easter cookies. Maybe it’s because Spring has just FINALLY started to arrive here, however, she’s still being stubbornly slow about it.

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So what’s next on the agenda with no major cookie holiday for months? A 73rd wedding anniversary, Uno Tournament and Family Fun Fest. That’s quite a range to think on, but for today, I’ve got potica to make.

Enjoy your holiday!

Egg-quality

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You know when I write most of these posts? When I should be in bed. It’s so quiet and there are no interruptions at midnight. A lot of times I can’t sleep anyway, because I am usually thinking about cookies. Not kidding. It’s a sickness. Who cares about the exhaustion, when there is coffee waiting for me when the sun rises. Coffee and eggs.

Carton of Eggs Close

Just as I was about to clean up the pastry bags of frosting yesterday, I was hit with the idea to make a couple more.

equal rights 2It was a little combo of listening to the news all day and an image I found from who knows where of eggs tied in twine.

rainbow eggs in carton

Sometimes it’s the simplest of ideas that make the loveliest statement.

I’m definitely no Cézanne

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Art class in school was by far my favorite. Always. I loved just about everything, but I was never really crazy about painting. I completely admire those who can create in this way though. I especially love watercolors and I’ve got a Pinterest Board to prove it. Some of my favorite children’s books are in that medium. Holly Hobbie’s Toot and Puddle series rank at the top, but most recently we’ve been reading The Story of the Easter Bunny. It’s a family fave.

Old Bunny Trio

Thanks to Arty McGoo, one of THE raddest cookie artists around, I’ve been inspired to try a little cookie painting myself. So channelling my inner Beatrix Potter, I attempted to paint some bunnies.

I came up with this shape by using a pear and bunny face cookie cutter. Using the “cut and paste” method, I created this shape for my hopper. (These pics are for a friend of mine from high school, A Bit of Scrappy Goodness, who suggested I show a how-to. For you, Miss!)

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For those of you that do cookie tutorials on a regular basis, I commend you. It’s hard not to get flour on the camera when doing the step by steps!

Once the cookies were frosted and dried overnight, I brushed diluted food color on a couple of them to get that antiqued look. It was really fun and easy, and I think they turned out pretty good for a first attempt!

Easter Bunny Trio

I also tried the same technique to make eggs and added the splatter of a more concentrated brown. I think there was more “paint” on me than the cookies, but it was worth the mess. These could be a new favorite for Spring! I may just have to break out the paintbrushes more often.

Wishing you a happy easter

Keep Calm and Hop On

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I finally got the cookie mojo back last week and began some Easter holiday goodies! Of course I am quickly running out of time to get them all done, but I will do my best to accomplish as many as possible.

Keep Calm and Hop OnI do not own a KopyKake (yet!), so my lettering always lacks the perfection and fonts I desire. I just practice a few times on wax paper, then hold my breath and hope for the best when I start on the cookie. I usually make extras in case they turn out truly horrible, but for this design I only had enough dough for one chance!

chick in disguiseThe old Cadbury Egg commercial (“Thank you Easter Bunny! BAWK BAWK!”) gave me the idea for something like this. I used the bunny face cutter for the ear “headband” and a small egg cutter for the chick. Once the pieces are cut out of the dough, fit the two together like a puzzle, bake and ta-da! Kinda cute!

ChicksThis is my Busby Berkeley inspired cookie shot. The little basket chick was a design from last year and I still love it.

Happy Easter EggsI’m always nervous about shipping cookies with appendages, like bunny ears, so I try to come up with shapes that will hold up better. Can’t go wrong with an egg then! I made these with an Easter buffet in mind.

Happy Easter Carrots 2I find it gets a bit crazy when I try and create too many different styles at one sitting. By the time I got around to these carrots, I was done. I know they could still use a little something. Next season perhaps!

Have you started your holiday preparations for the upcoming weekend? This Bunny has a bunch of shopping to do, but not before I get in a little more baking. I attempted painting on a few cookies that I will post next time. Definitely nothing fancy! I just wanted to give it a whirl to change things up a bit. I still want to try painting gingam patterns on some eggs that I didn’t get to with this batch. Better hop to it and get the dough started!

Too predictable of a pun?

Giving thanks to the present, past and future.

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sunny star

I recently took part in a cookie project called Operaton Cookie Takeover. The group was looking to send donated cookies to the U.S. troops in Afghanistan and their goal was to collect 1,200 of them to distribute to a base there. Once they had a facebook page started, it made the rounds to Cookiers near and far and you know what happens when we all get wind of baking for a cause…

According to their post a few days ago, they are expecting almost 13,000 cookies to start arriving, so they can now spread the love to even more troops on more bases! Donations are coming from those with cookie business to the neighbor lady down the street. The power of the internet and a small idea is truly astounding, is it not?

birds of peace-ribbon

All the thought that went into designing cookies to show support to those who serve got me thinking about my own family. I am by no means the family historian because I am horrible with remembering dates (I save that for my siblings), but that doesn’t mean I don’t truly enjoy the stories. It’s so important to know what our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents did before us. I thought these cookie creations would be a great chance to a little research myself.

Willie in frame

This is my Grandpa Willie. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945. Durning his service, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan as a foreman of sorts, getting things ready for the construction of airplane shelters. Though he never fought in combat, I was told he pitched a mean hardball for the men. There are letters he wrote to my Nana during his tour that are filled with everyday happenings and relayed with such sweetness, missing her and my aunt, as a toddler, who he jokingly refers to as “Gus”.

Grandpa Willie is 96 years old now, still keeps orderly notes on his coin collection, and has the best one liners ever. When recently asked why he doesn’t go down to Happy Hour in his building, he replied, “It ain’t so happy.” Well, what IS happy is his anniversary next month to my Nana at an astounding 73 years together. That’s right, people. SEVENTY THREE.

Mikey in frame

Here’s another Veteran in our family. My dad. Nineteen years old in this picture and so darn cute! He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956-1960, and was Airman 1st class by the time he finished. He had been stationed in California and Arizona, but 2.5 years of his tour was in Japan. Overseas he worked in the computer department of the parts depot, sorting through and fulfilling replacement requests for military vehicles and equipment. He also played on the Air Force tennis team and ran track, though he says he wasn’t very fast compared to the “superstars” he ran with. Some stories he told me are best left off the blog post, but I can tell you that if you ask him to recite the nine digit Air Force number on his dog tag, he still can.

Grandpa Willie & Mikey

Not only was I able to show a bit of thanks to those who are currently serving in Afghanistan by making these cookies, as well as give a little shout out to the veterans in my family, I had the opportunity to try out some new photography ideas with another challenge by LilaLoa. I’m finding that props are super fun to work with once you get the wheels turning and start digging around the house for things to use!

Stars and Peace Doves on Old Glory

The Old Glory that is the background for these photos belonged to my husband’s paternal grandfather. It’s an oldie and  only bares 48 stars, but unfortunately Grandpa Lloyd is no longer with us so we don’t have any information on where or why he had it. Guess some stories are meant to remain a mystery.

Willie & Mikey

I had started this blog originally as a way to simply share my cookie creations, but as it goes along I am discovering it is turning into much more. Sharing cookies here becomes research, therapy, history lessons, artistic challenge, and just plain fun. Thanks for stopping by…I hope you will continue to join in this journey with me!

Bunny Block

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I will admit that I just took down a very small Dept. 56 Christmas village that had been on my mantle since just after Christmas. Don’t judge. It didn’t really look Christmasy, but more wintery, alright? I dragged out the Easter decor in hopes of finally getting a spring vibe around here, though the weather just doesn’t want to comply. Four to nine inches of the white stuff is expected to fall overnight and the snowblower is out of gas.

Spring BirdiePerhaps this is why I am having a hard time coming up with anything fun and new, cookie wise, for the Easter holiday that is only a mere three {gasp!} weeks away. I thought maybe if I perused my photos of cookies past, I could get the juices flowin’…

bunny face by melissa joy cookiesHe was a new bunny last year and I got the design of these chicks from a greeting card. They were pretty easy to frost and like I’ve said before, sometimes easy is good!

chicks in basketsOne of my favorites to make is this old fashioned bunny with a basket. I’ve had the cookie cutter for so long, I forgot where it even came from. It’s copper and lovely though. Now that I’m looking at him, I think he might need a little makeover.

old fashion bunny

My other obsession for a while was collecting old Easter baskets like the one I used as a kid. I found out just how many I had acquired when I packed them up for our move across the state last summer. Yikes.

big bunny with ribbon

Well, I’m just going to keep scouring holiday stickers and magazines and decor until I find something to make into a new-to-me cookie idea, although I’m sure to do a couple repeats as well.

A couple dozen Easter from Melissa Joy past

On the agenda tomorrow is baking St. Patty’s Day cookies for the kid’s classrooms, but I am ready for chicks, bunnies and eggs. And while I’m brainstorming for Easter, I’ll just keep watching for a few blades of green grass to start peeking through the snow.

Hey Girlfriends!

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I’m like the kid on Christmas who’s got a gift and gives it early. When I am excited about a cookie idea, I just gotta show someone because I love it right then and can’t wait! That’s what happened with these.

{Here’s a spoiler alert to the Far Pond Ladies}

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My high school girlfriends and I get together once a year for a long weekend of catching up and foolishness in the summertime. Certain items are required to be there: wigs, taco dip, celebrity magazines, specific beverages, and sweets. Somehow the stars aligned and we are squeezing in a winter version as well. Woot woot! The perfect reason to make a cookie idea that had been brewing for a few days.

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What is so awesome about these is that they are so easy peasy! With this plan, I could make bunches of cookies with little effort to feed my friends and maybe there’d be some left to take home to their kiddies. I said MAYBE.

IMG_0593I first saw this image pinned by marthastewart.com and thought it would make a great cookie. Then I channelled this past blog post by Sugarbelle. If you are not a cookier, Sugarbelle has got everything you need to know on how to become one. Or you could just admire her pictures. She’s a master.

With these ideas, the result was a pretty design that’s impressive with not a lot of work. A win win!

sunflowerI realize it’s not a wintery theme for our weekend, but we’re all longing for the warmer weather anyway. This way we can look forward to our summer retreat which will be here before you know it. See you soon, Ladies!