This was a quick, last minute addition to the baking schedule. Friend at work asked for a box of cookies for a new baby boy. Such a happy time, the arrival of a new little one. Onesies are a go-to shape for new baby cookies and I must admit that I have a ‘thing’ for argyle. I also was happy to try a design that had been sleeping in the recesses of my mind: mommy loves daddy loves baby loves mommy…. a little more work to make that just right but you get the gist.
What else would one do after successfully getting your real estate license but celebrate with cookies? This particular cookie grouping was “commissioned” by a student (turned licensed real estate agent) grateful for his teacher’s humor and guidance. The idea was to do a study of home styles. Hopefully you can pick out which is which among the victorian, craftsman, salt box, colonial, tudor, White House, etc… Professor’s favorite architect is Frank Lloyd Wright so I included a pseudo.Falling Waters. Also included was the building where the class was conducted: the Williamsville (NY) Executive Center. All cookies were hand painted on royal icing.
What’s not to like when combining cookies and a trip to Hawaii? My marching orders were 12 Hawaiian themed cookies each for 2 couples heading to Oahu. And I had creative control of the com! I included sweets relating back to some of my fondest memories of our visits to the fair islands.
Heather Brown is this incredible artist that captures the brilliant color, motion and culture associated with the Hawaiian surf. So captivated by her style was I that I had an original piece shipped home to Buffalo; now I can stare at it and be transported back … This cookie was made in honor of her aesthetic and talent.
Um. The pineapples. Oh, those juicy, fresh, ridiculously sweet pineapples! If I remember correctly, the plant was not native to Hawaii but took quite nicely to the volcanic soil. Definitely quite nicely.
What would a tourist trip to Hawaii be without a luau? Here is my coconut bra and grass skirt ode to said celebration.
Lots of carvings and Polynesian culture on the islands. Or, you could just have a drink at the Tiki Hut…
Including sea turtles was the only request from my customer. Although I have only seen turtles on Hilton Head Island or in zoos, I hope this replica was close enough.
So the laid back culture is really, really true. Some flip flops, a little shaka, and you’ll be taking time to smell the hibiscus.
Boxed and ready to go! Wish I was “ready to go!”
So Jack goes nuts over all sorts of sports. His birthday invite showcased several balls so, of course, the favors followed suit (follow the bouncing ball?)! His thoughtful, loving mom even had a T-shirt embroidered specifically for the occasion. The last picture is a photo of the design from the embroiderer and the matching cookie made for the birthday guy.
Something old, new, borrowed, blue; and now I need you! The trend is to ask your bridesmaids to be in the wedding party with a cute card or with something clever. A cookie is the sweetest way I know to get across any message. Bagged and tagged adorable. OR… you can use these cute dress cookies as place cards at a bridal shower or some such celebration!
So this centerpiece platter is a perfect example of how my brain plays “association.” I latch on to a thread (spring time bridal shower and the bride.to.be’s love of happy flowers) and off my thoughts go! What is happier than daisies, right? Jump to “he loves me”, “he loves me not.” No negativity at such a happy occasion so that becomes “he loves me lots.” Which also rhymes with “we’re tying the knot.” And you pick a petal, so a big cookie that does so too, why not? And as I think of multiple daisies, I start humming the song “Daisy Bell” (circa 1892, thank you Harry Dacre). ***Google “Daisy Bell” and you will find a fun story about the origin of the lyrics– it always comes back to either love or money or both! Or Hal from the movie: 2001, a Space Odyssy*** Floated around the idea of using the “I’m half crazy” part but opted for a more appropriate “give me your answer” nod to the wedding vow “I do!” and placed that with the bicycle built for two! Back to picking things, the bride picked the groom and visa versa and Bob’s your uncle, platter is planned! Anyway, hope you’re not half crazy following my creation process. um. Enjoy the pictures, at least?
The high school play was “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and all 3 of the triplets were part of the cast. Tradition might suggest flowers for the final night performance but I beg to differ. Cookie bouquets are unique and so delicious (even if they don’t last as long as blooms! yum. yum.). I do believe Willy Wonka and the Oompa Loompas would approve.
Okay, Olaf is totally cool but Kaylyn is even cooler! And these are her birthday favors…
I started with a design of Olaf making a snow angel and a dried, white iced cookie. I drew Olaf’s basic shape with a blue edible food marker; this was to achieve that slight bit of blue to distinguish Olaf from his same colored background. I then filled in the face and the lower body and gave that a rest. Followed that (after dried) with the middle section and the feet.
I used a simplified brush embroidery technique (thank you Sweet Ambs) to give the snow angel effect and then added arms, mouth, nose eyes, buttons, and extra snow.
Finished the process with 1) black edible “paint” (see previous posts on how to paint) for hair and face details and 2) stamping “cool” and paint-outlining the whole cookie in blue. The favors were bagged and tagged but, alas, no final pics of finished favors. 
Wanted to make a “storyboard” for my niece and her rustic wedding.
Base icing for heart shaped tree slice and other cookies completed.
Next time I will stamp the bride and groom name and add their wedding date. Always room for improvements…
Little grapevine wreath.
Pinecones with dimension.
Ready for approval. Or not?
This is the one day to be completely “irrational!” Let’s hear it for never ending Pi and all of it’s crazy connections (NPR has some links to crazy Pi facts and activities!). The Pi platter included pumpkin and key lime pie, a cow pie, pirates and and a concoction or circular area and circumference.
And, in memory of a great physicist and mathematician, happy birthday Albert E! May we all go forth and passionately create our own theory of what is relative!
Mama Mayer Bakery 