Simple Gingerbread

Well, it's here....Christmas Eve.

I don't have much to say, except that I hope everyone has a wonderful day with their family tomorrow.

Here, let me deliver Christmas well wishes with delicious gingerbread.....

Tutorial: Edible (OR Storable) Christmas Cookie Ornaments

This year, I think I've done more cookie decorating than ever before...which is ironic because I haven't taken any cookie orders this season....

I had this plan (last year) to make a whole cookie tree...not a tree made of cookies, but you know, our little 2 foot tree covered in cookies.

The 2 foot tree....it's our first tree as a married couple.  We still have it....

Anyway, best laid plans blah blah blah.... you know how it goes.  Didn't happen this year.  Of course.

But that didn't stop me from trying.  At least trying to kick the cookie ornament urge.

So I made a few and put them on the big tree :)

Wanna learn how to make them?  They're super easy.  And the best part is I only had to make one color of icing...woot!

Recipe: Easy Brownie Triangles with Mint "Buttercream"

So after the events last Friday, I didn't feel much like working over the weekend.

It's Christmas, a time for love and family and peace, and the thought of working through another weekend with my daughter was a little depressing.  So I didn't.  I had fun with her instead.

Every time I make cookies she asks me if she can be my little helper.  It's heartbreakingly sweet...that little face with those doe eyes looking up at me.... tho I know her real motivation is just to get her hands on a cookie and icing...to eat it.  Still...

So this weekend I made a project that she and I could do together.  Even got the hubs to join in.

So yeah, it's a family activity.  Something you can easily do with your kids this holiday.  And it's fun too!

No, these wont be OMG amazing or expertly done or perfect by any means....just clean wholesome down and dirty baking fun.

Faux Gingerbread: Brown Sugar Spice Roll Out Cookies

Recipe time!!

Let's start with a story.  Love stories right?  I'll just pretend you said "yes, love them, please tell me a tale...."

My dad hates molasses.  I mean can't stand it.  The look or smell of it....just not his thing.  And it's not that Dad is picky.  He eats just about everything.  He used to cook for a living before I was born.

See, when Dad was a kid he went to go work at the feed mill with my grandpa.  Well, one of the byproducts of the mill was molasses.  Or something like it anyway.  It was my dad's job to climb down in the tank whenever there was a back up and unclog it.  So he had to go down armpit deep into the pit to fix it.  Guess what kind of things like molasses?  Maggots.  Maggots love it.  And beetles.  Getting a visual here?

Really, I don't blame him.  Not one bit.

Appetite aroused?  Awesome.

Anyway, my family came up for my daughter's 4th birthday party and I was working on Callye's 12 days of Chirstmas project.  I was making a "gingerbread box".  But for some reason I didn't have molasses in the house.  Must be habit.  And good thing too because I don't know that dad would appreciate the molasses-eee goodness a bakin'.  SO I improvised with what I had in the house to make a gingerbread-like cookie that is molasses free....  And it turned out AWESOME!

So awesome in fact, that I just had to share it.  If your team NO MOLASSES then these cookies are PERFECT!

Tutorial: Christmas Bow

So like so many people this season, my schedule looks like this:

go go go...to-do to-do to-do....shopping shopping shopping...work work work...party party party...

Christmas.

Did I mention party?  I think there's something going on every weekend for the next month... maybe more.  Who knows.  Anyway, with all these parties going on (which I love btw....I mean who doesn't love a good party around Christmas?) I get asked to make a lot of cookies.

Yesterday I went to my first cookie exchange party.  And I had to bring cookies (duh).  4 dozen of them.  Well, with everything else going on this month, I don't have a ton of time to make really exquisite Christmas cookies in large batches.  And I would imagine neither do a lot of people...I mean we have to get everything done to get ready for Christmas.  There's social engagements, the shopping, the cooking, decorating.... and of course we want to spend time with our family.  So when it comes to cookies like these....I keep them old school simple.

Classic simple and festive.  Does the job.  And it's cute to boot.

WFD? Buttermint Marshmallows

I think I get excited for cold weather.  Which is weird for me because I don't like to be cold.... but I know that when the weather gets cold, I get to wear comfy boots, long sleeves, scarves.  I get to stay inside and do indoor crafts and games with my kiddo.  I get to light fires in the fireplace  decorate my house drink hot cocoa.

I think it's mostly about the cocoa if I'm going to be honest.

Anyway, I like to make my own marshmallows because they do this amazing melty thing on the top of your cup.  You literally get a creamy bit of mallow in every sip.  It's heaven.

Well, I like my peppermint cocoa...and since we have moved to a small town I haven't been able to find my peppermint cocoa.  I know, I know...there's Amazon.  I could order it...but that requires planning ahead...yuk.  I have a hot cocoa compulsion and I can't wait for 2 day shipping even if it's free.

So this year when I made my marshmallows....I made Buttermint Marshmallows

12 Days Guest Post: 5 Golden Rings

I am participating in Sweet Sugar Belle's 12 Days Countdown today!

I was given 5 Golden Rings...

Wanna see how I made it?  Head over to Callye's blog RIGHT MEOW and check it out!

The posts so far have been amazing!  If you aren't stalking her daily at this point then get on it!  You don't want to miss the rest of the countdown!!

Mayan 12-12-12

I'll get straight to it.

My very good friend (and Cookie Con roomie) Pam gave us all some beautiful new cutters while we were at Cookie Con.  And then she asked some of us if we would come up with some creative uses for her new homespun tree cutter.

I love Pam, so naturally I said....ALI BEE IS GO!

I thought about it for a long time.  An finally I came up with a design that has NOTHING to do with Christmas!

Because I'm a kook like that.

Nope, instead it has to do with THE END OF THE WORLD!

Festive huh?

WFD? Hot Cocoa Roll Out Cookies

So earlier this week, I posted some hot cocoa cookies inspired by a Christmas card.  It was all part of Haniela's post link up, which was super fun.

Anyway, I mentioned that they were hot cocoa flavored and I got a decent response for the recipe.

So here it is!:

Christmas Card Inspiration: Hot Cocoa

Thanksgiving is over so I can start talking about Christmas now right??

I love Christmas.  I love decorating, making cookies, listening to music, and doing those cool fun neighborhood activities like cookie swaps and Christmas parties.  

Thanks to the internet, it's possible to include all my cookie friends from around the world into traditions now.  I love it!  So now on my list of favorite things about Christmas, are cookie link ups and challenges.  :)

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all

Just a quick note to say...

Pumpkin Macarons: Recipe and Linky Party!

I enjoy trying new things.  Really...even when they turn out pretty crappy.

I also enjoy pumpkin.  A lot.

So when I get the opportunity to combine the two I do.  And since it's so close to Thanksgiving the opportunity to experiment with pumpkin has been frequent.

I've been playing with macarons lately.  And while I certainly have a LONG way to go....I think most of what I need is practice.  Technique practice.  So while these macarons might be less than perfect, they sure are tasty.

WFD? Perfect Pot Roast

So a weird thing happens to me when I get pregnant.  I go from a veggie loving (I could be a vegetarian, no problem) diner to a ravenous meat eating fiend.

I can't explain it.  But it's one of the ways I know I'm expecting.  And no, I'm not iron deficient.  My nutrients are in check...all is well.  It's just a craving I get.

Like with my first pregnancy....I decided, randomly, that for dinner one night I needed to hit up a Mongolian grill and loaded that to go box up with meat and noodles.  I didn't know I was pregnant at the time, but yeah, I should have known something was up then.

Anyway, this time around, I knew better.  So when I had an insatiable craving for pot roast for WEEKS....I decided maybe it was time to break out the EPT....and you know the rest of the story...

So anyways, POT ROAST!  I craved pot roast in the first trimester.  Mamma needed it bad y'all.  So I made it.... like 8 times.....tweaking it as I go.  I needed it to be perfect pot roast.  Not just any pot roast....perfect pot roast is all that would do.

It's pretty traditional.  Kinda like my mom would make.  But here it is.  My perfect pot roast... :)

Twilight Is Nearing An End....

I was sitting here chatting with my cookie friends instead of sleeping like all good pregnant women should be at 1:00am, and starting thinking about the Twilight movie coming out this weekend.

It's the end of the series.  The same nostalgia that hit when the last Harry Potter movie was released.

Well, except I still haven't accepted the end of Harry Potter.  I mean I have, but I still miss it.

Anyway, I was thinking back on Twilight over the years...and I realized I had a set of Twilight cookies that, for some reason or another, I don't think I ever got around to posting on my blog.  Facebook and Flickr yes... but the blog.... I couldn't find it.

So I thought I would go ahead and post them.  For old times sake.  To say goodbye to Twilight.

Have to give credit to Sugarbelle here.  She allowed me to use a few of her ideas...because really...she's already made the most awesome Twilight cookies.

Looking back.....I wish a year ago me would have taken the time to take prettier pictures....

Ah well.  Lesson learned...life moves on...

My Post Cookie Con Hand Painting Attempt

Also known as, my week trying to be as cool as Arty.

Well, I'm back from Cookie Con, and still not even kind of caught up on all the excitement.  I'm reeling.  It was AWESOME....with a capital AWE.

I'll do a Cookie Con recap later this week (or next), but for now I wanted to talk about something particular.

So Arty McGoo was there teaching in our little troupe that weekend.  And she did her all famous hand painting.  Really, if you enjoy damp dark places and have decided to live under a rock, and don't know who I'm talking about.... CLICK HERE.

Anyway, she did her demo on hand painting and somewhere during her presentation I said (aloud...why did I say it aloud?) "I think I can do that".

Then after Liz and I chatted, and she told me how fast and easy it was to paint on cookies.  I'm all for fast and easy....

And I came home.....and had a deadline to meet...and thought....quick and easy....ok... let's do this!

And after a WEEK this is what I came up with

Gothic Halloween

Happy Halloween Everyone!!  :)

Chocolate and White Halloween

I really don't enjoy black icing.

I just don't.  So I try and use it as sparingly as humanly possible.

Well during my design session for this years Halloween cookies, I noticed quite a few designs that required black icing....and we're talking lots of black......

Me no likey that....

So here's what I did instead

Right so it's not exactly black but the general point is made.  And the best part about it....you only have to mix one icing color.  If that.  It's just white.  White icing on chocolate cookies.

Now I suppose I could have added more cocoa or a little bit of Americolor black to the dough to make it darker....yes, that would have been nice looking.  But I didn't....because I didn't think of it till after I baked them.  Crikey.

But still....for some fast and easy cookies...not too shabby.  I used a little bit of Americolor black mixed with some water and painted on my remaining details.  These were seriously fast...and fun too!!  I even put a little sanding sugar on my ghost and moon.

I will be posting the last of my Halloween cookies tomorrow...on Halloween.  Seems fitting.

Till tomorrow!!!

Sweet Halloween

Ok, so I am arriving SO last minute to the Halloween Party this year.

Truth is, I've been so busy nesting for baby and getting ready for my big trip to Cookie Con, I've fallen a little behind.

 made like 5 different sets of Halloween designs and only finished 3.  Perhaps I can still re purpose some of them.  Or possibly post them late?  Dunno.  Haven't figured it out yet.

Anywho...  here's a quick little set I made for the kiddies.

Nothing fancy or WOW about them.  But cute and fun all the same.  All made with a little candy cutter.

I do have to say, I am SUPER excited and SUPER nervous about Cookie Con this year.
I'm teaching a class.....scary I know.  Now there is some REAL Halloween terror for you right there.

But I'm also really looking forward to seeing my cookie friends, and I know it's going to be a whole lot of fun.

I might post my teaching project and some pics of Cookie Con when I get back.  Perhaps a few tutorials of what I am teaching for those who are unable to make it this year.  It's all up in the air.  I dunno...

Anyway, I will probably have another post today....maybe two more...because I have 2 more sets to show you.  And I was hoping to have a tutorial for one of them but I don't know that I'm going to be able to get to it.  Boo....

Tell then.....!

WFD?: Almost Grandpa's Apple Cake

My whole family is from Georgia.  But when I was 8 we moved to Texas and my grandma left her home in Albany and followed us.  So basically I'm a Texan.

So when I was little, my grandpa used to come visit us in Texas for the holidays.  He would leave Georgia right after pecan harvest season.  And when he would visit he would bring pecans, peanuts and all these fresh ingredients from the farms.  I have a lot of fond memories of him.  We would do jigsaw puzzles together in the afternoon.  He had an infectious laugh.  Sun tea and pumpkin pie were some of his his favorites.  He made the best Mayhaw jelly....

Anyway, every season when he would visit, there was always apple cake.  It was my favorite.  I snacked on it every second I could.  And since he passed over 10 years ago, there has been no apple cake.  I miss the apple cake.  Every year around the change of the seasons, I start to think of him.  Grandpa and apple cake.

On Grandma's milk glass....so appropriate :)

WFD?: Decadent Double Chocolate Cake

Seriously, this is the best chocolate cake in the history of the world.  I'm not even making that up.  Would I fib to you??  

No, I wouldn't.  Mamma didn't raise that kind of girl.

It's perfect for a chocolate craving, a family function, just because.... pregnancy induced hormonal meltdowns.....

Tutorial: Stacked Pumpkins

So about 2 years ago, I made these cute little stacked pumpkins out of a snowman cutter......

WFD?: Spiced Pumpkin "Muffin Cakes" with Cream Cheese Butter Cream and Salted Caramel

Yes, it's a "muffin cake".

"Muffin cake": A term made up by me, just now, that describes a cupcake that is mixed like a muffin.  Which would technically make it more of a muffin, but it's very cake like in texture....and there's frosting so ya know...

Makes sense to me.

Lot's of parts to this "muffin cake", which should prove to be a rather long recipe packed post.  :)
So let's get right to it shall we??
Yes...yes we shall....
Ok then...

Surprise...

**Ok, well if your a friend of mine on Facebook this might not be such a surprise.... but I'm getting ahead of myself....**

You may have noticed my absence....or maybe not.  I'm not THAT important...just saying...I've been fairly unparticipative on the inter-web for the last...uh...4...5 months??  I have valid reasons....I think so anyway.

Firstly, and probably the most influential reason, is that my computer bit the dust.  I mean crash and burn.  Crash being that I was carrying it and tripped...*crash*.  I had a small service.  There were a few attendants...ok, so my husband and me really.... and that's only because I dragged him to the living room to pay his respects before it was shelved.  Shelved with all of my data trapped inside....*sigh*...sorry, it's still a little rough.

I'll be fine...

Anyway, without the good old technology, posting was well.....difficult.  So that's that.

On happier notes...a lot of good stuff has been going on since I rejoined the living here in the real world (where I tell people I run a cookie decorating blog - "I decorate cookies" - and they look at me very perplexed...."You do what?").  August has been birthday month.  My birthday was on the 14th.  The big 3-0.

30.....I don't want to talk about it....

But it was also my grandma's 75th birthday and she was here to celebrate with me in Joplin :)  Not to mention my sister in law and my father in law...it was their birthdays in August too.  So basically it's been a month long party.

I'm tired....and fatter.

Birthday present:  a new computer....yay!!!!  So it took a little while to catch up with everything I missed and get back in the swing of things.  Get all the work uploaded and edited that I have been making over the last who knows how long....  But basically, I'm feeling pretty good.  I'm caught up (as best I can) and I should be back to regular posting.

And you know, life isn't all about cookies and food (blasphemy!!!)
....look what else happened while I was busy living...
( this is the surprise ).....on the way...

We're due in March 2013 with kiddo #2!   :)

Beautiful Bridal Shower

 So there isn't going to be toooooo much talking in this post.  Basically, I made cookies for a local wedding shower.  And there's not too much to say about it.  Tho, I am going to show you, in one photo, my general inspiration to design process.  Exciting, yes?  Ok well maybe not thrilling....

 

Lemon Chevre Cheesecake Ice Cream with Berry Coulis Swirl

 So This recipe isn't diet.  Not even kind of.

But it is perhaps some of the creamiest, most indulgent ice cream I've ever eaten (that wasn't chocolate).  It's been calling to me from my freezer for days.....

I'm bringing it to our family 4th of July pool party. 

Anywho.  I could go on and on and on about the deliciousness of this ice cream but I won't.  I'll just give you the recipe and threaten you with a spatula to your throat STRONGLY ENCOURAGE  you to make it post haste.

Patriotic Pool Party - Star TUTORIAL

So, I know, I've been gone FOR-EV-VER!  My computer broke...for good this time.  Bye-Bye hand-me-down Dell laptop.  I would get a new one and get straight back to work but you know...there's a mourning period.  I've been moping about my house for a month, wearing black, crying at random moments, scaring my family with my mood swings.....but never mind my personal life....my computer moved on to a better place, namely the bottom shelf of my book case.  I find comfort in knowing that it will make an excellent makeshift coloring table for Sophie....  *sigh*

Anyway, I stole borrowed my husbands laptop while he was sleeping with permission to do this very special tutorial.

Tutorial: Writing in Cursive

 I've been a little MIA.

Things have been going on and it's been a little crazy and stressful.  But I'm still here.  And I haven't forgotten about my blog.  :)

Needless to say with all the action and adventure going on over here I haven't had a whole lot of time to work on new cookies.  So I thought I would post something I prepared a while back but never got around to posting.

Writing in cursive on cookies.  I know it's not the most exciting topic and tutorial but important none the less.  There will be SO many occasions when a client asks you to write someone's name on a cookie

WFD? Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Hooked on the ice cream maker.  :)

That, and the local store was having a fabulous deal on strawberries....

I wanted to make a strawberry rhubarb ice cream that I saw on cooking light but when i went back to the other store they didnt have rhubarb.  You see that's what I have to do around here.  I have to hit 2 different grocery stores to get most of my shopping done....because one has better looking produce and the other one has all the usual food staples.

Anyway, I didn't want to make straight up strawberry.  It's Sophie's favorite but straight strawberry sounded so boring.  And I was feeling....AMBITIOUS (I know, that like almost never happens)

Airbrush WINNER!!

 The winner of the FABULOUS airbrush system from Karen's Cookies IS.......

drum roll.....

WFD? Peppermint Patty Ice Cream

 So my MIL bought my hubs and I an ice cream maker forever ago. They have one and they love it.  Well needless to say it's me right?  So it's been sitting in a box for months....

Well the weather is getting warmer, and ice cream is beginning to sound good.  And I'm still waiting on my favorite frozen custard place to come out with their wedding cake concrete.

Not until June, just in case you're wondering.  (I know you were)

So I figured I would break out the ice cream maker and make something...

Giveaway!: Airbrush System from Karen's Cookies! - CLOSED

 So I know, I said I would post this one like last week.  Oops...

Truth be told, I have not only been sick, but also preparing to go out of town for the weekend.  Nothing quite like packing and working while sick...

Anywho, for the last of the 3 giveaways celebrating my 5,000 Facebook fans I saved the best for last (Or I think so anyway)

Watching the tutorials lately?  (The answer should be yes.... Please).  Notice the insane amount of airbrush use?  Because I'm hooked on my airbrush.  Seriously.

Tutorial: Sunflowers

I made these pretty little sunflowers about a week ago for a family friend

This certain family friend actually ran my wedding rehearsal years ago.  And now her offspring was getting married, and it was my turn to do something for her.

GIVEAWAY!: My Favorite Things - April

So I told you I was going to post another giveaway yesterday...

My bad.

So I thought I would make it up to you by posting the giveaway today in VIDEO

Gwynn Wasson Designs! WINNER!

Hey everyone!  Long time, no write.  These last two weeks have been nuts.  All piled on top of computer issues.  We've been destroying out front lawn, installing a new flowerbed and I have had to chose between getting the hubs to till and getting him to be IT guy.  But now I'm back!

Think I'll ask for a new computer for Christmas....

Tutorial: Orchid

My friend Haniela emailed me a while back.  Asked me if I would make an orchid.

Um yeah!  I would love to!

See I bought this gorgeous orchid cutter from Ecrandal YEARS ago but never had the opportunity to use it.

So I was thinking SCORE!  An orchid!  :)

And when it was all said and done, I ended up making this:

Giveaway!: Gwynn Wasson Designs!

Sorry bout the computer hiccups...

But I'm BACK with a new giveaway!!!

I am thrilled and honored to be giving away some lovely goodies from Gwynn Wasson Designs!!

Ecrandal Winner!

The winner of 3 fabulous Ecrandal Cutters is...

SimplySweetsbyHoneybee{Melissa} said...

I'm already a fan of Ecrandal & I stopped by their FB page and thanked them for the giveaway. I love their cutters. The corset has been on my wish list. lissahnybee76@yahoo.com

March 13, 2012 9:03 PM

Congratulations Melissa!  Email me at alibeesbakeshop.com so I can get your cutters out to you!

WFD? Guinness Chocolate Cake with Baily Scented Cream

EAT ME!  I'M IRISH!  That was going to be my alternative title...but I figured... yeah maybe not. 

St. Patty's Day is this weekend, which means we're going all Irish this week.

Remember St. Patty's last year?

yes, that's my hubs with his St. Patty's Day version of "green beer".  Green Chardonnay.  Just to class it up.

or was that the year before??

Anywho, I was just thinking about that St. Patty's Day and how my husband was the only one getting festive.  Trying to cheer me up after a bad day by being his usual silly self. 

So I thought maybe this year I should do something for him for St. Patty's Day.  Cheer him up after a long day at work.

Tutorial: Hand Painting - The Basics

So a couple days ago I posted these:

And I instantly got questions about these:

Giveaway!: Ecrandal! - CLOSED

Welcome to Giveaway Week #2!

Thank you for helping me celebrate 5,000 Facebook Fans!!  :)

This week I am honored to give away 3 GORGEOUS handmade copper cutters from Ecrandal!

Sugarlicious WINNER!

Well the first of 5 giveaways to celebrate 5,000 Facebook Fans is over!
And the winner of Sugarlicious is.....

Notes From A Kitchen - Bonus TUTORIAL

I was trying to thin of some clever, cute, witty way to start this post, but I'm blanking.  So let's just jump to the good stuff.  Save the witty banter for later. 

  

Oh La La! Fashion Fund Raiser

There is a foundation here in Joplin called The Lafayette House.

Founded in 1978 by a group of concerned volunteers, Lafayette House began as a short-term option for women who needed a safe place to stay overnight to escape abuse.

Today, Lafayette House is a 55-bed sanctuary for women, children and families who are victims of domestic violence or who struggle with addiction.

Through our residential shelter facility in Joplin and outreach office in Neosho, Lafayette House offers a full scope of services to support women and their families. Domestic violence intervention, substance abuse treatment, children's services, and child care are all available in a caring, nurturing environment.
 

 It's the only shelter of this nature in the southwest corner of the state and capacity has risen 30% since the tornado.  A safe place for women and children to go.  I can get on board with this.  Which is exactly what I did when I got a phone call asking if I would like to donate cookies for the annual auction.  No brainer, I said yes.  

This years auction (and I believe the previous years too) had a fashion theme and was called "Oh La La"!   There was a silent auction that led to a fashion show showcasing local clothiers, a buffet, and of course cocktails.  This year the guest of honor and MC was designer Anthony Williams from Project Runway fame.  

Now, originally I had planned to do handbags, because they have a handbag theme going on with their auction.  But I started Googling (aka texting my boyfriend), and watching past seasons of Project Runway.  I even have Project Runway All Stars on my DVR.  Mr. Williams was a contestant on the All Stars too, as well as a finalist on season 7.  So we can't deny, that the saucy southern designer has talent and style. 

So I ended up doing a set that features my interpretations of some of his Project Runway designs.