Succulent

Oh succulent.  Adjective v. noun.  Dessert v. desert…. A prickly topic to be sure.  Hopefully you think it is a win-win!

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These cookies started out with a basic white coating, including some dimension.  The shapes were hand drawn on to card stock and then cut out of dough by tracing those shapes with a knife.

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To get the sandy effect, I used a microplane/zester to gently trim up the sides (or spare cookie scraps); these trimmings were later sprinkled over the still wet icing of the base cookie. Thank you Rebecca Weld aka TheCookieArchitect for this “fitting” tip.  I ‘zested’ each cactus until perfectly flat on the bottom, so they could stand without the aid of icing/support on the base cookie.

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After the cacti were painted and dried, I used stiff royal icing (colored with ivory and a dash of egg yellow) and a butter knife to coat the long base cookie.  The cactus were quickly set in place and sprinkled with the “sand.”

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I did place toothpicks behind the cactus for support (but they stood on their own without).  I had to transport them upright and I didn’t know if I needed that assurance…

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The Cactus flower is also edible.  I painted some edible wafer paper yellow, let that dry, & then cut a continuous inward circle  (tons of how-tos on the web).  Little dabs of water made the edges stick together as I wound it into a flower.

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One Smart Cookie

I have had the pleasure of meeting a LOT of bright and clever people over the years.  This young graduate is no exception.  Lauren has interned in a hospital already…and that’s before she heads off to a pre-med program at university!  Although her biology and chemistry acumen takes a major role of her life,  I threw in a few other interests that keep her busy (swimming, being from Buffalo, and graduating) as well.  Luckily, Lauren has a kind disposition and is forgiving of my love for word play….

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Uncle Sam and Miss Independence

Go 4th and celebrate! Here’s to a folksy Independence Day (and by that , I mean I hope you celebrate with some folks that you really enjoy)!

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FATHERS DAY 2015

I know quite a few Dads who are utterly amazing.  This is my quirky nod to that generalized word, no matter which way- a.MAZE.ing or a.MAIZE.ing- your find your guy to be.

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‘EARS to you Dad!

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Although my own chemical balance may be in question, my cookies are “elementally” correct.  I found the original idea of using actual properties of the elements to describe the written topic at Newton and the Apple’s Etsy shop. Gemma has clever, meticulously researched greeting cards and more.  Be sure to check it out!

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For Sure, Architecture

There is a lot of fun banter that goes on via the Instagram feed.  So it happened that the fabulous Rebecca Weld, aka the Cookie Architect, off-handedly inquired if a particular set of my cookies had a home.  And how she was willing to volunteer hers if not. Those cookies were spoken for but the wheels started turning for a “structurally” sound solution.  As ridiculous as it seems, there appears to be a pun/wordplay for every situation, including architecture.  If you want to have your socks knocked off, click on the link above to visit Rebecca’s blog- and prepared to be dazzled! Her cookie art is one of the Seven Wonders (of the Cookie World).

In’Tense’ Architecture: past, present, and future

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Arch Enemies

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Escher Construction Company

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packaged and ready to mail

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So Cheesy

A dear friend works as a “cheese guru” for Wegmans (utterly fantastic grocery store, for those who do not live in the northeast).  As she was approaching a milestone birthday, I wanted to send her something to lighten the mood.  You know, to encourage her to BRIE all that she could BRIE.  Go a little CRACKERS on her big day….

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Mother Lode

So Denver had 70 degree sunny days in January and, here it is, Mother’s day in mid-May, and we are expecting thunder snow.  That Mother Nature has a few tricks up her sleeve.  Moving on to other tricks, I included some word play and pictograms in this first playful Mother’s day set. See if you can figure them out (answers at the end of the blog. wink. wink.).

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In the second set, I overloaded in the gushy and the sentimental.  The aim was to make a story board in cookie form…along with writing a poem to my children. (It is our second-born that is the wordsmith so take my musings with a grain of salt).  My kids are anything and everything for which a mom could ever hope. Thanks to them, we’re celebrating me on Mother’s day.  Oh, and, thank you Hallmark.

Then I thought of my mother. My mom was a quiet role model of strength and perseverance. I never heard her complain, even though life threw a full arsenal of difficulties her way.  My dad died suddenly and unexpectedly when I was 3. In a time that it was uncommon, she went to university (graduated top of her class), converted the second floor of the house into an apartment as well as sold my dad’s cameras (he was a professional photographer)/anything else of value to help pay bills, took in my grandmother (after my grandfather died), sewed/made the clothes on our backs, took us on every.other.year camping vacations (the only way she could afford) to show us the wonders of the USA, and robbed.Peter.to.pay.Paul to put me through an expensive engineering school.  Such incredible people in my life.  Sometimes, you just get lucky as all get-out.

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(one in a million, the whole nine yards, fantastic)

The Whole Enchilada

This past weekend, we were visiting Hilton Head Island, SC – riding our bikes near Coligny Circle.  Low and behold, the Aunt Chiladas Tex Mex cafe appears before us like a cookie inspiration from the Cinco de Mayo gods! (Apparently there is a same name/totally different restaurant in AZ and CT too). Meanwhile, I was cookie-fying some book designs for a wedding in August and thought I’d raise the bar to include a literary reference (hmmm. more like belly up to…).  And so, I present my take on Cinco de Mayo 2015.  May your day be “the whole enchilada!”

Enchilada

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To Kill A Mockingbird

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Party Animal

I have a confession. Our eldest turned 25 this week.  Holy time passage!  Look away for a moment and our babies are adults!  Tori has found that lovely balance between working hard and keeping things playful and in perspective.  But, um, the girl does know how to rock a celebration.  With that in mind, I give you her ‘party animal’ birthday set. Hope all your birthday wishes come true, Tori!

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