I feel my life has truly begun during these past four or so years of becoming a mom and having a family of my own. I couldn't be any luckier to wake up to my husband, daughter (now 3 1/2 years) and son (18 months). We have found that one of the great joys of parenthood is getting to re-create the happy memories of our own childhoods. That, for me, could not be more true of birthday celebrations. Growing up, I might not have appreciated the homemade birthday parties my mom and dad would painstakingly plan for me with creative themes and unique activities (think, a "painting party" for 10 or so kindergarteners using our unfinished basement's walls as our canvas). However, I fully embrace them now and try to create similarly creative parties with my own children.
It was our daughter's 2nd birthday, and we were throwing a "Sesame Street" party. (Quite possibly the greatest tv show of all time.) The "theme" button was pushed in my brain, and I made games for kids like "Mr. Hooper's Store, Oscar's Trash Toss, Dorothy's Fishing Game, and Count with the Count." I was just googling my way around the internet, trying to find other ideas that would make the party special, and I ran across Annie's Eats blog, with the most amazing cupcakes and cookies I had ever seen. Actually, her entire "Sesame Street" birthday party was an inspiration. I have always enjoyed making drop cookies and refrigerator slice cookies, some with different icing/decorative touches, but I had never thought of decorating sugar cookies with colored icing and piping tips like this before.
My attempts were much less impressive, but definitely got me thinking about cookie decorating in an entirely new light. Here was something that took thought, creativity, a bit of math/science (eek!), and art...what a fantastic personal distraction for a busy, working mom...although only available during moonlight hours.
I began reading some amazing blogs and following some pretty incredible ladies. I was so humbled by their creations and their openness to let me get a peek into their cookie-baking lives. I was constantly in awe and inspired to try some "cookie art" myself. Their tutorials, pictures, descriptions, and my own attempts have taught me much more than I could have learned in a traditional classroom. I have followed many of their suggestions, from where I buy my food coloring to how to organize my cookie cutter collection (estimated now to be about 300 cookie cutters? Oy.) My work is not perfect, and I'm still learning...it's a hobby after all! (I have to remember that when I'm ready to throw away-yes, throw away-a completely tasty batch of cookies just because I don't like the icing details.)
This blog is meant to serve as a way to remember the cookies I have made and then deliciously devoured (or delivered to others for devouring...the more preferable choice for my thighs). For, although this new little hobby has seemed to take over quite a bit of my moonlight hours, I have greatly enjoyed learning a new skill and sharing it with those I love.
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