Please, Please Don't Eat The Daisies

Don't you just love that movie? No? Well to be honest I really only remember this song. Whenever I see a daisy I can't help but sing "Please, Please Don't Eat The Daisies" (don't worry just in my head).
But why am I posting pictures of daisies on a food blog and asking you to please, please don't eat them? Truthfully, you can eat these if you want. This is a picture of my first sugar flower - a daisy. Yes it is 100% edible but I don't think they would taste too good. Plus I have something better in store for them. Come back soon to see.

Care Bear Stare

Okay - so this isn't really a Care Bear but isn't he handsome? I actually "stole" this design from someone in the blogosphere (can't remember whom but if you know, please share so that I can properly credit). I use "stole" loosely because while her pretty cookies were slicky sweet like candy, my bear doesn't get that candy look . Instead of the cotton candy pink of the original picture, I used green royal icing left over from my oh so adorable frogs. I will definitely make this bear again with my own little touch. I'm also thinking he would make a great chocolate shortbread cookie.

My inspiration.

I was making frogs and dinosaurs (what? frogs and the brontosaurus were so BFFs back in the day) for a special little boy. I think the frogs are adorable and the dinos reminded me of animal crackers. No? Come on! I know I’m not the only one who used to have my animal crackers stand and walk before I ate them. Being as these dinos are 3 inches, I would have been able to play a lot longer as I ate.

This is me... now

I've always loved to bake. Seriously. I was hooked once I learned that my mother let her helpers lick the beaters. I come from a family of great cooks. While I don't share the joy of cooking, I've always appreciated the reaction I receive from giving someone a sweet treat. Be it a simple smile or a delightful giggle, it always makes my day.

I haven't attempted to create my own recipe because there are just so many great recipes I've yet to try. But with this blog, a few decorating lessons and a few helpful unknowing tutors (the blogs I follow), I will attempt to sharpen my craft and delve further into the world of baking. I know I've found my passion. Should this be my career? Only time will tell.

Oh yes - why Cookie Love?

A few years ago, one of my friends was getting married to a great guy. I had witnessed their entire courtship and was so happy that she had found the love she deserved. For her bridal shower, I didn't want a tacky shower favor and decided to bake cookies. But not just any cookie, the 8 inch wedding cake cookie from Martha Stewart. I had never made royal icing before nor decorated a cookie. Needless to say, I was in over my head. The week before, I tested a couple of recipes and purchased my supplies. After pulling an all-nighter, I created twenty 8 inch wedding cakes and 6 inch hearts wrapped in cellophane and tied with ribbon. On the back of each favor I created a little sticker stating "Cookies made with Love for (bride) and (groom)".

Baking may be a science, but for me, it is always done with love.

Oh the cookies - YUMMY. Over the years I've continued to bake favors for birthdays, showers and weddings and I'm hooked!

I literally was up all night decorating and didn't take a picture but this is the cookie I did for another bride a year later. (Note - the first set weren't as fancy. I mostly did stripes and dots.)

So now I'm continuing to bake with love one sweet at a time.