Finally Back!

Wow, it has been over two years since I last posted.  Life became extremely busy, and this blog was put on the back burner (and eventually off the stove altogether) while I managed the craziness!  I started I job as a Parent Educator that I adored, but left me with an insane schedule.  I became pregnant with  my second child, and for six months after she was born my husband and I were working opposite shifts while watching the kids.  After some soul searching and happenings that were out of our control, I am now a full-time stay at home mommy!  I have been able to do more baking, and I hope to only go up from here.  So!  This is just going to be a long post with a smattering of what I've done over the past two years.  It's good to be back!

Sugar cookies with royal icing

So many cookies! for a "Milk and Cookies" party

Shortbreads with buttercream

Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting 

Buttercream rosettes

Smash "cake": Cookies with sprinkles, cool whip/pudding frosting, decoration made from chocolate and sprinkles

Whoopie pies!

Smash cakes and cupcakes for a joint 3rd and 1st birthday party

Cakes were made with cool whip/pudding frosting

Thanksgiving Turkeys

I am really starting to enjoy making decorated sugar cookies.  There are so many possibilities for techniques and designs!  These were especially fun because they were for our Thanksgiving celebration.  Originally, I planned to put each person's name on the turkeys as place cards, but decided not to risk it and that simple was best.  They were a huge hit, and now it's time to start thinking about Christmas cookies!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.  Happy Thanksgiving!

First Birthday Party for Z

This birthday party was so  much fun! The colors were hot pink, white and black with polka dots, and brought to us by the letter "Z" and the number "1".  I'm thrilled with how the sugar cookies turned out!

Now, to be clear, I DID NOT MAKE THE CAKE.  The only thing I did were the black and pink monogrammed dots.  I did make the letters "Z" "O" and "E" out of chocolate (and made to stand up in the cake), but her mom and aunt covered them with a sugar transfer.  Props to them, because the cake was beautiful and delicious!!  I'm honored that they wanted me to be a part of it.

Sugar cookie fun

In one week, I had two different events: a first birthday party for a baby boy and a wedding/rehearsal dinner.  I had a blast decorating these cookies!  As I learn more about sugar cookie decorating, I am becoming more confident.  I enjoy trying new things, and I got to try some new products!  Personalized cookies really help make your event extra special.

Monograms are always a good choice,  in any style or color.  This black/white combination was clean and simple.

Bride and groom cookies for the happy couple!

A couple of different styles for the wedding dresses.

The first initial of the birthday boy.

Wedded Bliss

What a fun way to celebrate love than with dessert?  The lovely couple were having a dessert/coffee/wine reception, and the bride wanted some cookies and cake bites to compliment their cake.  The cookies are vanilla-almond sugar cookies with royal icing and chocolate monograms.  The cake bites are chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (green icing) and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting (yellow icing).  Can you say heavenly?! 

Labels so the guests know what they're biting into!

Valentine treats

When you want to show someone in your life how special they are, why not do so with some yummy treats?
 

Peanut butter and strawberry jam thumbprints

Sugar cookies with white chocolate chips and crushed honey roasted peanuts; a request from my husband.  Surprisingly good, and an example of a personalized treat!

Sugar cookies!

Who doesn't love sugar cookies?

A few holiday treats.

Due to lack of time and energy this holiday season, I was not able to bake nearly as much as I wanted to.  However, I was able to make a couple of fun, good treats that were thoroughly enjoyed.

Sugar cookies with a thin, almond-flavored icing.  I liked the "whimsical" look of the icing on these drop cookies rather than the royal icing I normally use.

Pretty and simple decorations, made from melting chocolate.

Happy 2011!  Numbers made from melting chocolate and decorated with sprinkles.

Very rich  but good parfait: Brownie bits, chocolate pudding, vanilla pudding with mini chocolate chips mixed in, and whipped cream.

Oldies but goodies

Before I started my blog, I enjoyed taking pictures of my food.  My photography skills have definitely improved (thanks to the Nikon my husband got me as a gift), but these are some "oldies but goodies".  Good for holiday celebrations, get togethers, or just a yummy treat to have around the house.

Snickerdoodle cookies for a shower

Whole wheat pumpkin apple muffins.  Very healthy, and very good!

Peach muffin with a pecan and brown sugar topping.

An amazing addition to brunch, or a snack.

Harvest cheesecake: All the flavors of fall!  Apples, nutmeg, cinnamon, pecans on a delicious pecan and graham cracker crust.

Side view of the yumminess.

Inside view of my most requested cupcake (lemon cupcake with blueberry filling, lemon cream cheese icing)

I accidentally spilled the sprinkles on this cake...at least it wasn't over the floor!  I just went with it.  Luckily, it was just for us and some friends.

Vanilla and almond scented cake, buttercream frosting, blueberry preserves filling and (homemade) lemon curd filling. I had a bunch of leftover filling/cake/icing from an order, so this is what happened!

Baby Shower cuteness

So much can be done with sugar cookies.  Any size, shape, color, theme....the possibilities are endless!  These cookies were made as favors for a baby shower (my own, actually...how fun to make something for us and our family!), as favor bags for the guests to take home.  People loved the design, and of course, everyone loves cookies, not to mention edible favors!  The colors (pink, blue and green) were used because those are nursery colors.  But again, with sugar cookies, only your imagination will hold you back!