If the holidays are all just one big happy family... then Christmas and Thanksgiving are like the Mom and Dad. And I'm not saying who is who, but one of those parents is all about presents and candy and fudging the rules and the other one is just trying to feed the world. The entire world. With just one meal. And Halloween is like the fun Aunt that legitimately loves having you come round so she can do all her favorite kid things again...and fill your pockets with chocolate when your parents aren't looking. I'm not really sure about Valentine's Day, but the 4th of July is DEFINITELY the older cousin. He's the only one old enough to drive and he's got the well-used car that takes him across the border to pick up illegal fireworks to prove it. But poor New Year's Eve...it's the pet turtle. It's there and people know it...but nobody really knows what to do with it. You just keep feeding and watering and hoping it doesn't die, but you're not...
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Decorated Snowman Cookies
Merry Cookie Season!! Are you all still crazy decorating? I finished these cookies ahead of schedule and kind of lost my head. I mean... not running behind ? At CHRISTMAS TIME? I don't even... does. not. compute. I started thinking all these crazy things like "Maybe I'll clean my house today" and "Oooh, or I could take all 4 of my children Christmas shopping. In the evening. When every one else in the entire world is also shopping. I could probably run out and back real quick before they get hungry and cranky and have a complete meltdown in the middle of the store." Luckily I came to my senses and we played "Salon Day" while eating cheesy chips instead. Best day ever. I even got to use one of my cousin's fabulous cards as inspiration for cookies. She makes cards and other incredible paper projects over at her blog -- Simply Pam's Creations. And once a month or so she lets me take one of her card ideas and remake it in cookie for...
Quick Wet-On-Wet Poinsettia Cookies
I decided to start exercising again this month. I'm super dedicated like that. I know it's the holidays and all and there is no time and just massive amounts of sugar all over the place. But really, when it's your health in question, can you be too cautious? It started out like this -- Day 1 -- Wearing my super-flexible and trendy layered black work out outfit that form fitted to my exact measurements, I anxiously waited for the clock to strike 9:00am. I had planned my day out precisely so I would have plenty of time to exercise, shower, and still get everything done on my to-do list while still engaging in thought provoking and developmentally appropriate activities with my well behaved children. I pressed play on my very exercisey video that has 2 letters and a number and rhymes with "Smee-Pinetee-Mex". I got all sweaty kind of fast. And took off at least 3 layers of clothes.... but I did *not* give up. I kept pushing through and I was feeling mighty proud ...
Candy Cane Christmas Stocking Cookies
I used to do Adventure Races. That's where they give you a map, some coordinates, and a paddle. And you have to run, hike, swim, bike, and paddle all over some strange location to find some flags or codes and bring them back to the start before anyone else gets there. And there are all these crazy challenges in the middle of nowhere. And you get super tired and kind of smell bad but it's totally worth it. Especially when my team came in before the all-guy teams that were making fun of us earlier in the day. Umm, yeah... I'm not what you would call "a good winner." But I LOVED the craziness. And jumping my bike off of things. It was kind of sad when I became a parent and I didn't get to do stuff like that all the time anymore. Until I realized that being a parent is JUST LIKE THAT. I mean, you're tired and kind of smell bad and there are these crazy challenges all over the place. Like throwing together a birthday gift for my son's teacher in exactl...
12 Days of Giving: Day 12
Day 12. It's finally here!! I have been containing this inside of me for longer than is healthy for any person. Especially for a cookie decorator. Especially for me as a cookie decorator. And now I get to tell you all!! But first, let me tell you a little bit about where this prize is coming from. The Cookie Cutter Company is easily one of my favorite places to get cutters. They have a great selection of low priced cutters that ship lightning fast.... and have you met Matt? He's th at guy that answers your questions and ships out cookie cutters with his lightning fingers and fixes any problem you could possibly have while telling you a joke at the same time. He's also the guy that says stuff like this -- "We at The Cookie Cutter Company believe that Christmas is a time for cheerful giving, and we do love to give! So we have decided to donate a New Artisan KitchenAid Mixer with choice of colors, (that we provide) along with a Nativity Cookie Cutter Set. Wh...
12 Days of Giving Extravaganza: Day 11
It is DAY ELEVEN!! Can you believe that? ELEVEN whole days of giveaways and mayhem! And it's not over yet. You guys are going to LOVE what's coming. Like...today!! Today we are giving away an ENTIRE YEAR subscription to McGoo U Online courtesy of Miss McGoo herself!! I'm pretty well obsessed with her videos, but you don't have to take my word for it. You can check out one of the rowdy after school sessions HERE for free. (Disclaimer -- I might have an identical twin. Just saying.) To enter, leave a comment below telling me who you would like to see on a future episode of McGoo U Online. For additional entries, be sure to visit Arty McGoo and check out SugarBelle's , LilaLoa , and Arty McGoo on Facebook. And because I love it so much, I'll even give you another entry if you watch that free episode . You must be 18 or older to win, all entries welcome. The giveaway will end at midnight MST December 15, 2014. a Rafflecopter giveaway We'r...
12 Days of Giving Extravaganza: Day 10
Only 3 days left!! And we still have a ton of fantastic things that need a good home! Like...$25 gift certificates to Rolling Pin Prints Custom Cookie Cutters for FOUR PEOPLE!! To enter, leave a comment below telling me your favorite cookie flavor. For additional entries, be sure to visit Rolling Pin Prints and check out SugarBelle's , LilaLoa , and Rolling Pin Prints on Facebook. You must be 18 or older to win, US entries only please. The giveaway will end at midnight MST December 15, 2014. a Rafflecopter giveaway And don't forget to go enter all the other fun giveaways on The Sweet Adventures of SugarBelle and LilaLoa. Day 1 -- Ultimate Cookie Cutter Collection . Giveaway Closed Day2 -- A necklace of your choice from Petit Four Miniatures and a $25 gift card from Whisked Away Cutters. Giveaway Closed Day 3-- "You Can't Judge A Cookie By It's Cutter" by Patti Paige and a $25 gift card from Cheap Cookie Cutters . Giveaway Close...
12 Days of Giving Extravaganza: Day 9
I told you yesterday that things were going to get crazy. And you didn't believe me. But here I am AGAIN... with another fantastic prize. And let me just tell you... Callye has one of her own over at The Sweet Adventures of SugarBelle today too! What?! 2 prizes in one day? Get used to it...because that's what's happening for the rest of the 12 days! Yeay! It's really a party! And what do we have for you today? A full set of the 12 Days of Christmas COPPER cookie cutters! To enter, leave a comment below telling me if you prefer warm winters or snowy winters. For additional entries, be sure to visit LilaLoa and SugarBelle's on Facebook. You must be 18 or older to win, US entries only please. The giveaway will end at midnight MST December 15, 2014. a Rafflecopter giveaway Don't forget to head over to The Sweet Adventures of SugarBelle to find out what fantastic prize she's giving away today! And... in case you missed them...check out th...
12 Days of Giving Extravaganza: Day 8
It's Day Eight, and let me just tell you... things are about to get crazy! Today Callye from The Sweet Adventures of SugarBelle and I are BOTH giving away one of our favorite new books! So that's TWO books with TWO winners! Yeay! And what could our new favorite book possibly be about? Cookies of course!! 100 Animal Cookies from Lisa at The Bearfoot Baker ! To enter, leave a comment below telling me your favorite gift to give to teachers, coworkers or neighbors. For additional entries, be sure to visit The Bearfoot Baker, SugarBelle's, and LilaLoa on Facebook! You must be 18 or older to win, US entries only please. The giveaway will end at midnight MST December 15, 2014. a Rafflecopter giveaway Jump over to The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle for another chance to win 100 Animal Cookies! And check out the other days of prizes for even more fun!! Day 1 -- The Ultimate Cookie Cutter Collection for 3 winners. Giveaway Closed Day2 -- A neckla...
12 Days of Giving Extravaganza: Day Six
We're halfway there!! It's such a busy, crazy cookie decorating season! I hope you're still with us! Day 1 -- Ultimate Cookie Cutter Collection . Giveaway Closed Day2 -- A necklace of your choice from Petit Four Miniatures and a $25 gift card from Whisked Away Cutters. Giveaway Closed Day 3-- "You Can't Judge A Cookie By It's Cutter" by Patti Paige and a $25 gift card from Cheap Cookie Cutters . Day 4 -- $25 gift cards to Copper Gifts . Day 5 -- THREE letter cutter sets from Cake by Ximena . Day 6 -- $50 gift card to Karen's Cookies. Day 7 -- $50 gift card for The Cookie Countess stencils and Stencil Genie from Creative Cookier . Day 8 -- 100 Animal Cookies cookie decorating book. Enter at LilaLoa and again at The Sweet Adventures of SugarBelle . Day 9 -- 12 Days Of Christmas Copper Cutters Callye and I are a little worried that you might be running out of cookie decorating supplies before all the orders are through this mon...
Decorated Silver Bells Cookies
I kind of love Christmas wrapping paper. I love that the craft stores have an entire aisle dedicated to the bright patterns and colors and endless square footage. I could swim in that aisle if they would let me. I would make a little camp and roll myself up in the red and white goodness to keep myself warm and use a pile of bows for a pillow. I love the perfectly smooth gloss of the paper as it comes off the roll and releases all the seconds of excitement and delight from little hands and eyes as they wait anxiously to see what is inside. And best of all...is just how darn clever those little rolls are. It's like they spend their entire lives plotting to move into my house. They send their friends out to do recon and then put their little heads together in the dark of night to plan exactly where they are going to go the second I bring them home. Somehow they manage to extract themselves from the rest of my shopping treasures and roll away unseen to hidden corner of my hou...