Girls Day Out 2013

 We girls have a tradition in our family.

Girls Day Out.

It started about four years ago, I think.

My mom, my sister, and I all went out for a special day.

The first year we did pedicures.

The second year we did manicures AND pedicures.

But by the third year, it had turned into a shopping extravaganza. 

 We now spend the entire day shopping, having lunch out, and grabbing a special coffee treat together.  This year, my niece joined the ranks of Girls Day Out.  She is 13 years old, and so much fun!  I was so excited she was joining us this year!

And what better way to commemorate a special event?

With cookies, of course!

I made a little gift box of cookies for my niece Raegan.

A simple cookie with her name and "Girls Day Out 2013" and then a few minis to go along with it.

We had such a great time...chatting, eating, and shopping!

I hope this tradition continues for many  years to come!

Mother's Day 2013

 I have never been...and probably never will be one of those bloggers who gets my holiday cookies blogged about "before" or "during" the season.

Between working 55+ hours a week, AND baking on the side...I'm lucky to get the blogging done at all.  Soooo...I'm going to use the excuse that I don't post "on time" because I don't want the recipients to see their creations online before they get them in person...yeah, that works!  Hehe!  These are some Mother's Day cookies that I did and gave to my mom for Mother's Day.

I used sanding sugar on the edges of most of them.  I absolutely LOVE the crunch and sweetness that sanding sugar adds to sugar cookies!  It also gives it that extra little "sparkle", I think.

 I have finally found the method/medium/means that I am sticking with.

I now flood all of my cookies with "glaze".  I like the taste of glaze MUCH better than royal icing.  I've had royal icing from many different bakers, I've tried a variety of recipes on my own...and I just don't care for the taste of it.  By flooding the cookies with glaze, I get the yummy taste that it brings, PLUS I like the smoothness of glaze.  I never end up with air bubbles, cracking, separating, or any of the other issues that royal icing can bring on any given day.  Glaze also brings a nice sheen to it when dry.  Royal icing always dries so matte and dull.  Weather doesn't seem to play into glaze as much as it does with royal icing either.  We all know how humidity just KILLS royal icing!

I just LOVE these "petals" above.  They are actually paisley fondant cutters, but I thought with the floral theme I was working on, I'd call them petals!

I mentioned that I'm now flooding with glaze...HOWEVER...I'm not giving up royal icing all together.  Glaze is VERY difficult to work with for the intricate piping details on many cookies.  It just doesn't hold shape like a stiff royal does.  So I'm still using royal for all of my intricate details.  This way we get the yummy taste of glaze and the great details with royal.

These squares I did with some fondant cutters I purchased a while back as well.

Fondant cutters make excellent cookie cutters as well!

 The whole collection.

I added some springtime flowers to the Mother's Day mix as well.

I LOVE doing flowers.

 I have to say, flowers are one of my favorite cookies to decorate.

The whole collection!

I hope all you moms had a very Happy Mother's Day and those who aren't mothers, I hope you were able to spend time with the special ladies in your life!

May The 4th Be With You...

May 4th was Star Wars Day.

Anyone who is a Star Wars fan probably already knew this.

My boys have always been HUGE Star Wars fans.

From the time they were able to sit still, they started watching Star Wars movies.

The actual feature films, the cartoon series, the books, the toys, birthday party themes, bedroom decor...you name it, they've had it.

As they've gotten older, they've developed other interests too...but we have a huge tote in the basement full of their old Star Wars Legos, action figures, light sabers, and blasters!

I don't think those will ever be going anywhere.

I'm assuming we'll probably be waiting to see if their children will enjoy them someday.

So for Star Wars Day, I decided to try my hand at some cookies.

I had some cookies in the freezer and some leftover icing that needed using and I "played".

They didn't come out perfect.

But they were fun to attempt and play with.

I'm not sure the "Force" was with me as I decorated these cookies, LOL!

It didn't help that my icing was a bit runny either.

But I had fun...and they were tasty!

May The 4th Be With You...ALWAYS.

Wedded Bliss...

 MASSIVE.

That is the only word to describe the project I took on.

I was contacted by a local bride (referred by my new friend Madri).

She wanted to know if I'd make favors for her wedding.

 As someone who usually takes on smaller orders (i.e. two or three dozen)...

I was hesitant...but welcomed a challenge!

I decided it would be good to push myself out of my comfort zone.

 Thankfully, the lovely bride was easy to work with and very flexible.

We decided on 6 mini cookies per favor, each tied with ribbon, and a thank-you card attached.

  The final tally she needed was 1380 cookies.

I think I made enough extras that I was more in the ballpark of 1400-1500 minis.

 It was quite a project.
My mom volunteered to come up and assist me one day.

I had all the cookies baked...and then we started an assembly line of sorts.

She did all of the "flooding" while I started "detailing" the dry cookies.
It got to the point, where my youngest son actually said to me, "I CAN'T TAKE THE SMELL OF COOKIES ANYMORE! WHEN WILL YOU BE DONE?"
LOL!
For a child to tire of the smell of cookies...you KNOW you've baked a lot of cookies!
I put together a few collages of my journey on this project.
Below is a look at my journey with this project...enjoy!

If you are ever challenged to take on something you've never done before, I encourage you to try it.  You may just surprise yourself...I know I did!

Remember planning and preparation are key!

...and they lived happily ever after...

Wedding Samples!

These are a few samples of some wedding favors I did for a bride and groom of an upcoming wedding this spring.  I will be posting pictures of the actual favors within the next month, as the packaging will be a little different.  We are going with long, skinny "strip" bags, 6 to a bag, and tying them off with ribbons and a "Thank-You" tag with the bride and groom's names/date.

If you are considering placing a large order with Sweet Ivy (i.e. wedding receptions, large parties, etc.)...we do offer samples/tasting for large orders.

Please let us know if we can ever help you out with your next wedding, shower, party, reunion, or get-together!

Recipe...Coconut Poppy Seed Cake

This recipe is a simple one that's great for potlucks, family gatherings, or any time you need an easy dessert!

I got it from my friend Shelly years ago, and I'm sure she won't care if I pass it on (right Shel?)...hehe!

Because recipes are meant to be shared!

I've never been a huge fan of "top secret" recipes.

Now that's no fun, is it?

This recipe is great because I love coconut.  It also has poppy seeds in it which give it a nice little "pop" when you bite into it.

Disclaimer:  If you have to take a drug test in the near future for a physical or a potential job, you may not want to eat this cake, LOL!  It's FILLED with poppy seeds!  Ha!

Ok...here we go...

Coconut Poppy Seed Cake

1 pkg. (18-1/4 oz) white cake mix

1/4 cup poppy seeds

1/4 tsp. coconut extract

3 1/2 cupcs cold milk

2 pkgs. (3.4 oz. each) instant coconut cream pudding mix

1 carton (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1/3 cup flaked coconut, toasted

Prepare cake according to package directions, adding poppy seeds and coconut extract to batter.  Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool completely.  In a mixing bowl, beat milk and pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes.  Spread over the cake.  Spread with whipped topping.  Sprinkle with coconut.  Yield 20-24 servings.

I hope you enjoy this recipe!

This is a great addition to your Easter dinner, a springtime brunch or any potluck!

Hope you like it!

RECIPE SHARE DAY...Attempting something new...let me know! "Easter/Resurrection Cookies"

Ok...we're trying something new! I am "attempting" to do a "Link-Up"...but I'm not sure if it is working correctly yet, so you readers will have to attempt it and let me know! I'm going to share an Easter recipe today with you and I'd like you do do the same! Your recipe can be anything that you and your family enjoy making and eating for Easter. It can be a dessert or something you enjoy making for Easter dinner. Just use the "inlinkz" icon to link-up your recipe! If the "Link-Up" icon is not working correctly, leave me a message in the comment section and I will attempt to correct it. So without further ado...here we go! Our first "Link-Up".

Today I am sharing... "Easter Cookies" (also known as Resurrection Cookies)
A friend gave me this recipe and I can't remember who...so I apologize in advance for not being able to give credit where credit is due. These are a great project do do with your children to teach them the true meaning of Easter!
You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
Ziploc bags
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees-this is very important to do first.
Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27
 So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loved us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 an John 3:1-3.
Fold in the broken pecans. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door, and TURN OFF THE OVEN!
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66. GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are HOLLOW! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! Read Matthew 28:1-9.
Let me know if you try the recipe and how it turns out! Also "Link-Up" and leave your favorite Easter recipe! And like I said, if the inlinkz icon is not working, leave me a comment and I'll work on getting it corrected! Thanks for sharing!