Heather and Craig

Valentine Cookies

Heather — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:26:10 +0000

At the beginning of the school year, Ella came home with a note from her teacher indicating there was a child in her class with an allergy to red #4 food dye. I knew that this would prove challenging when it came time to make Valentine cookies. I LOVE the combination of a chocolate cookie with pink and red icing, check out these cookies from last year. I told Ella that I would make red and pink cookies and just set one aside to decorate with white icing. Nope, not gonna fly. She didn’t want her classmate to feel left out by having something different from everyone else. Pardon the proud parent moment, but my girl is an ANGEL. She has a heart of gold and is one of the most empathic children I have ever met.

As a result, you are looking at the Valentine cookies for her class this year… white royal icing with white details.

I was trying a new embroidery technique that I learned and I’m pretty happy with the results.
I asked my friend Michelle to time me while I attempted this cookie. Took me 6 minutes.
This design took 2 minutes.
And this one only took one minute. I wish I had countless hours to decorate cookies, but more often than not, I’m in a rush. This means that this design, along with the one above, will be dominating the boxes at school. I saved the fancy ones for her teachers.
Sugar cookie recipe: Glorious Treats (I used vanilla bean paste)
Royal icing recipe: Sweetopia

Evanator

Heather — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:38:50 +0000

We’ve been lacking snow this winter, which has me a bit disturbed. If it’s gonna be cold, and dreary, then at least give us some pretty snow!

Anyway, it snowed a few weeks ago and the kids begged me to make a snowman. The snow was pretty light and fluffy, so this is the best we could do. We basically piled up the snow and then carved out the snowman.

Look how big they are getting! Bud decided to name the snowman Evanator.
Then we had some fun sled riding.
I know it looks as if I am a neglectful parent, but this kid WILL NOT keep a hat on his head. Tells me he’s not cold. Oh my.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Heather — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:21:58 +0000

These cookies hold a special place in my heart. One of my mom’s closest friends, Alice, made groundhog cookies ever year (by the tens of dozens) to give out as gifts and to cheer up friends and family during the cold, dreary days of February. She became famous for these cookies in her little town of Ohiopyle (husband Doug is the retired park ranger) and beyond. Click here for a little Alice history. This world lost an incredible woman when she passed away in 2010 as a result of cancer, and we lost a very dear friend. I adored Alice, she was such an inspiration.

Last year, I decided that, in honor of Alice, I will carry on her groundhog cookie tradition. I will bake these cookies every year in February and give them away as gifts, but this inaugural batch will be sent to her late husband and daughter. I want them to know how much we miss her.

I used white royal icing to pipe the eye, and a black food writer to color in the mouth and draw the smile.
Chocolate sugar cookie recipe: Glorious Treats
Royal icing recipe: Sweetopia
My adjustments: I added Kahlua, coffee emulsion, and vanilla bean paste to the cookie dough. It was incredibly delicious. I used Americolor chocolate brown for the icing color, and also added coffee emulsion, giving the groundhogs a wonderful mocha flavor. If you’re gonna eat a groundhog, it should taste good!

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Heather — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:56:14 +0000

Oops, I meant to post these several weeks ago, but time got away from me once again. Had fun with my wrapped candy cookie cutter this year… made red and green candies, but forgot to photograph the red.

I was so excited when I found this set of vintage ornament cookie cutters. I love them!

I enjoyed making these snowflakes, I’m really trying to improve my piping skills with detail icing.

And of course, a Christmas tree.
Keepin’ it real. This is a photo of all the cookies in the trash can because I didn’t have the time to properly package all of them to give away as gifts (sigh).Best laid plans, and all.

She said YES!!

Heather — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:09:50 +0000

I was saving the best (Christmas) post for last. On Christmas morning, Uncle Brian got down on one knee and proposed to Maggie.

It was such a special moment and we were so happy to be there to witness it.
So cute.
We had unseasonably warm and sunny weather, so we headed outside for an impromptu engagement session. Love the tenderness in this photo.

Aren’t they fun?!
Awwwww, Uncle Brian.
I could not believe the light we had, it was PERFECT.
Congratulations Brian and Maggie! We are so happy for you!
The ring!