I, cookie elf

Sometimes I'm asked "How's the cookie business?" and I inevitably throw in the reminder that it's only a hobby, and that technically, I shouldn't be selling food out of my home kitchen at all.

But really, my orders are modestly sized and well spaced, so it's not like I have a full scale operation.  I follow all health department guidelines, and I'm under the line for declaring taxes. The business dynamic is more like you guys are just cool distant friends spotting me for gas and supplies because I was cool and made some cookies for your mom's birthday, or some other neighborly scenario. You get cookies, I run some errands on the way home. Meanwhile, this blog/portfolio grows.

But people ask, so here's a look at a few tools of my trade.  Pictures included here are: my wee hobbit stove.  For scale, that plate is 12 inches wide. My cookie sheets slide in deepways, not lenthways, so everything is baked one sheet at a time.

Also my drawer of sprinkles, which is 2 layers deep, and doesn't include a small bin of sanding sugar tubs and all my food coloring.  And all my several hundred cookie cutters, and the 3 drawers all this fits in.  All that, a toolbox of tools, a briefcase of stencils, and an 8 foot kitchen island counter, is my cookie empire, and the magic factory where I can actually still make a wedding's worth of cookies.
Imagine me in a commercial size kitchen. I could make cookies for one of Oprah's parties, or the inaugural ball. Now imagine me back in my tiny kitchen, taking your 2 dozen cookie order just as seriously.
[Spock eyebrow]
Because I do.
[Grin]
More magic is on the way, stay tuned!

Summer of my discontent

So about that stupid summer I previously mentioned:
Just when my bill filled life was getting a little easier, I took on a new morning baker position. Even better. Then hubby quit his job. Not better. Then they asked me to work afternoons. Shrug. Then hubby got a job, but his training hours interfered with mine, so better, then worse again. When everything was back to normal, they didn't need me in the morning, and I couldn't do afternoons. So it goes.

While I was there, I made foxes for the "Fox Trot" race day, squares of beach sand for summer, and apples for the farmers market, though I seem not to have that picure.
I'm currently in foodless seasonal retail, but don't be shy about dropping my name in foodie circles. And don't be shy about getting me to bake you cookies--once the gas got turned back on, it was like riding a bike. Yep that kind of summer ;)
I've since been baking, but not posting, bear with me. On the way are sweaters, baptism crosses, cancer fighting dresses and lots of Halloween. Till then, have a swell weekend!

Brittany got married!

Niece Brittany and her Scotty got married in May, (Jeez Katie, where ya been? Having a summer that made me want to punch a kitten, but back to cookies) and since no one in my family is allowed to have a joyful life event without my cookies (like it even takes any arm twisting tho) i made her some lovely wedding favors.

Her decor was reminiscent of a lady's vanity table--flowers, feminine fabrics, a sprinkling of sparkles and gems like casually placed jewelry, gem studded picture frames with the couple in cute moments.
All that was missing was a make-up compact.  I tried making the cookies look something like that, and a bit like a miniature throw pillow, or the lid to a porcelain candy dish. Or the hardcover of an old romance novel. Or a box of chocolate. The back of a hand mirror... So many ideas.

The final product was tone-on-tone pink or green airbrushed stencils, with a brush of pearl dust, and either a fleur-de-lis, a monogram, or a tiny ensemble of pearl dragees and molded fondant flowers and gems. I even managed to match the pink and green really really close to the bridesmaid dresses.

But even lovelier was the bride... Wedding day highlights included veil vs wind humor, footage of my kiddo line dancing, and mother-of-bride Libby tearing up during the father daughter dance with Brit and step (up) dad, my brother John. It was a really sweet day; kisses and well wishes for you two!
Upcoming: i did make cookies this summer (and punched no actual kittens, nor would i, c'mon) and i'll get 'em posted in between my chores this week, as my "adulting" is finally getting some traction (saving all those poor kittens from my frustration) so hang tight, cookies are coming, have a fabulous week!

S+B and bbl, xo!

back soon--working on cookie favors for a wedding...

narrowing down fonts. fancy!