Self-described "cookie lovers", Chelsea and Evan decided to forgo a traditional wedding cake in favor of a decadent spread of cookies. The couple, who married at Pippin Hill Farm in May, chose six varieties of classic drop cookies. In a nod to tradition, Chelsea and Evan also chose wedding cake shaped
cookies monogrammed with their initials.
The ever creative Meghan Streit of Shindig helped the bridal couple create a display that would not only wow the guests, but provide an engaging after-dinner attraction.
I'm told that there was not a single crumb left at the end of the night...
just what every baker hopes to hear!
Grab a cold glass of milk and enjoy Eric Kelley's wonderful photos...
I love Chelsea's expression (lower left photo, she's on the right) when she sees the cookie bar for the first time!
Well, well, well...those 20 years went by quickly!
This past weekend was my 20 year high school reunion. My husband (who was a few years ahead of me at the same school) and I enjoyed a great night of fun, laughter and a little bit of dancing to some of the great classics of the early 90s.
My tiny contribution to the evening was some cookies featuring the South
Lakes High School logo. The cookies were gifts for prizes for some
"superlative" winners, committee members and faculty.
Long-time friends from SLHS Class of 1992...we haven't changed a bit, right?
These first 5 weeks of summer vacation have flown by! I am loving summer with our 3 boys! This means less "social media" and more "socializing" in person, but rest assured that the ovens are still working and the cookies are still going out...there's just more emphasis on good-old-fashioned unplugged summer fun!
I'm giving away a
$10 gift certificate
in celebration of summer...here's how to enter:
1. Tell me what your summer fun cookie design would be.
Anyone who knows me knows that, at heart, I am and always will be, a Chocolate Girl. So, when the incomparable Meghan Streit of Shindig Wedings & Events suggested expanding my business to include additional varieties of cookies for what she terms a "Cookie Bar" I jumped at the chance to develop some new recipes!
Several months ago, just when the holiday sugar rush was coming to an end, I stocked up on some baking goodies (you should have seen the look on the grocery store cashier's face when she saw what was on the belt!) and set to work to develop 5-7 new varieties of cookies. Two days in the kitchen and untold pounds of chocolate later, I had recipes ready for taste-testing. 15 kind ~ and fabulously honest ~ friends graciously tested all nine recipes. Some even enlisted spouses and children! And now...
About that bride and groom who wanted a cookie bar in lieu of a cake...Chelsea and Evan were married on May 12th! I provided over 300 cookies for their guests to enjoy and in record time, not a crumb was left. I can't wait to see the photographs from the wedding and I promise to share! In the meantime, you can be dreaming of the occasion for which *you* might like to have a cookie bar!
In case you missed the photos of the Cookie Bar Meghan & I collaborated on in the fall (I did the library stamp edible image cookies in the middle of the table), follow this link: Cramer Photo - Annie + Walt.
~~ Finally, a huge Thank You! to Jen Maton of If So Inklined Calligraphy & Illustration for the beautiful tags for the cookies! Her work is simply stunning! And it's not just for weddings...she has some beautiful gift ideas, too! ~~
There is just something so warm and happy about welcoming a new little one. Even, or maybe especially, for second or third (or fourth) babies. When you have one or more blessings at home, sometimes the anticipation and excitement of preparing for a new baby can sort of get lost in the hustle of daily life. It's easy to focus on the blessings already in hand and overlook the wonderful months leading up to a new baby joining the family. A shower gives time for friends and family to gather in honor of the new baby and time for Mom to get a little special treatment, too.
When my {almost unfairly} beautiful and talented friend Gretchen shared the news that Baby No. 2 was on his or her way, the first words out of my mouth were to offer to host a get-together in her honor. She kindly indulged my enthusiasm and we set a date for a breakfast shower.
The next order of business was to contact the equally {almost unfairly} lovely and talented Louisa of Weehah! Greeting Cards & Invitations. For nearly 10 years now, I have had a constant stash of Weehah! treasures at the ready for whatever occasion comes up. I was so in love with the birth announcements Louisa hand-crafted when my youngest was born, that I asked her to use a similar design for Gretchen's shower invitations. I started with the theme of a silver rattle and Louisa went to town from there. When they arrived I literally squealed with delight as I took them out of the tissue. Sadly, I don't have a photo straight on of the invitations, but you can catch a glimpse here.
Finally, I set the menu. When you cook for a culinary genius {did I mention Gretchen is a Gluten-Free Registered Dietitian, the author of the awe-inspiring Kumquat blog & author of Fast and Simple Gluten-Free: 30 Minutes or Less to Fresh and Classic Favorites?} it could be daunting...fortunately, Gretchen is also kind and modest and most appreciative of any efforts made on her behalf! It was a simple breakfast of Southwestern Breakfast Casserole, Potatoes, Gluten-Free Cream Biscuits and fruit. Unfortunately, the most exciting part of the menu, and the only item not gluten-free, was the party-favor rattle cookie. At least Baby Kiddo No. 1 got to enjoy one!
It was a treat to spend the morning with Gretchen and some of her lovely friends, to celebrate Baby No. 2's pending arrival and of course, to bake!
About a month ago, I did some fun cookies for a program at The University of Virginia called the Super Temp Program. They wanted a festive cookie to reflect the UVA colors and their Super Temp logo. Here's what we came up with...
Custom Cookies for the UVA Super Temps Program
Luckily for me, there was a reporter for the Daily Progress at the party where the cookies were served and he became interested in tracking down the story behind these locally-made treats. Nate Delesline contacted me and asked if he could come chat and take a picture or two. Imagine my surprise and delight when the article ended up being a wonderful half-page article with a full-color picture! The online version of the article can be found here. Here is the photo Nate took for the article...
In the month of March, signs of Spring start to pop up everywhere in Charlottesville. Small shoots reach forth from the compacted mulch in my "garden" (that small strip that hasn't been taken over by the pounding of small feet and the constant pounding of a variety of sports equipment and balls), tentative buds appear on forsythia, geese fly over my home every morning and even today's thunderstorm signals a resurgence, a renewal, a new season of light and hope.
Inspired by the flowers starting to show up in Charlottesville and a sweet, spunky girl named Eloise, the Special of the Month is the "Eloise".
Read on for more about Eloise and how to order your cookies...
Nearly two years ago, just as Spring came fully to Charlottesville, my friend Annie lost her daughter Eloise to childhood cancer. I did not have the privilege of knowing Eloise, but I know many who did. I heard friends relay stories full of Eloise's particular brand of humor, courage and sparkle. They also spoke in awe of Annie, and Eloise's father Alex and sister Annabelle. Last year, to honor Eloise and support those who are in the depths of childhood cancer treatments, Annie and her family worked to organize a walk to benefit CureSearch. Their commitment to CureSearch and the walk provides a sure sign of light and hope for families in the midst of a childhood cancer diagnosis.
Hear from Annie, in her own words, in this short video...
When Annie went to her first CureSearch walk in Deleware, just a few months after losing Eloise, she asked me to design some cookies that she could take to the walk to thank all of the people who had worked to raise money in memory of Eloise. These cookies became knows as the "Eloise" cookies. The design is based on a painting that Eloise created and which is also on the "Eloise" bag by Olive Designer Totes.
These bright Eloise cookies are a delicious sign of Spring and a great way to support CureSearch.
During the month of March, profits from the sale of Eloise cookies will be donated to CureSearch. **Sets of 8 cookies are $36 and can be shipped anywhere in the US for just $6.**
In case you missed Part 1, some friends who are expecting their second baby asked me to be a part of the Big Reveal of their baby's gender. The couple planned to have dinner with both sides of their family and wanted to share the Big Reveal moment with grandparents, aunts & uncles. So, they entrusted me with the envelope containing that one special word and I set to work on some cookies...I dropped the cookies off at Dad's work on Friday. Here's my version of the the Big Reveal & a photo of the expectant Parents and Big-Brother-To-Be
Some terms to describe those born under the sign of the dragon are: Innovative, Enterprising, Flexible, Self-assured, Brave & Passionate (along with Conceited, Tactless, Scrutinizing, Unanticipated & Quick tempered).
I have had the honor of being a part of many of life's special events through my business, but this one may be the most unique and exciting to date...
Last Friday, I got a call from a great couple who is expecting their second child. They had just had their "big" ultrasound and had elected not to find out the gender of the baby at the appointment. Instead, they had their doctor write down the baby's gender and seal it in an envelope so that they could share the moment of excitement with their families at a dinner a few weeks later. However, instead of simply opening the envelope at dinner, they have asked me to create cookies for them to celebrate the Big Reveal! So, next Friday, I will deliver a gender-neutral package filled with onsie cookies...
pink or blue!
I picked up the envelope this morning from the proud father-to-be and I can't wait to get started on their cookies...I have to wait to bake, but I couldn't wait to open the envelope!
So, Pink...
Or Blue...?
What, you thought I was going to give it away?!?!?
The Big Reveal is Saturday, January 28th so I'll post an update (hopefully with a photo from the happy expectant Mom & Dad!) on Monday, January 30th!
