Happy New Year! Welcome to 2009

It is finally here. 2009! I am so ready to get this year going in full swing. Each new year that begins I love to reflect on the blessings of the past year and know that the blessings in the new year are going to be just as wonderful.
There are many things that I set out to accomplish this year. Not so much resolutions for me but goals. Here are a few of them in no specific order .....

1. Grow my business (jewelry,cookies,art)

2. Be more active and healthy (aka Lose Weight, LOL )

3. Finish unfinished projects (paintings, books, DIY, etc..)

4. Work on my Blog more (format,content etc...)

5. Take a photography class

So there you have it, a few of my goals.

What about you? What are some of your resolutions or goals this new year? I would love for you to share them.

No matter what you are doing this New Year, I wish you all much JOY, Happiness, Prosperity and Health.

Happy 2009

Today is National Cookie Day~ Let's Celebrate!!!

Did you know that this tasty holiday occurs every year on December 4th? And Just in time for Christmas no less.

Here is a little history for you on this sweet dessert treat we all know and love.

The English word "Cookie" is derived from the Dutch word "Koekje" which means little cake. Bakers use to place a small amount of cake batter into the oven to test the temperature before baking the final cake. They soon discovered that these little bits of cooked batter were quite tasty on their own, and so the cookie was born.

There are many types of cookies that will tempt every taste bud in the world. There are drop cookies such as chocolate chip, oatmeal, and such. Cut out cookies like sugar cookies and gingerbread, and even press cookies called Spritz cookies. Personally, I have never met a cookie I did not love!

So to celebrate the sweetest of holidays I have included a recipe for you to try and even share with your friends this season. So make a batch or two, invite over those near and dear to you and celebrate Life, Love and COOKIES!!!!!

Snoozer Cookies ( Because they are so easy)

1 box butter cake mix

stick of margarine (not butter this time)

1 egg

1 tsp. Lemon flavor

Combine all ingredients into mixer and blend until dough is formed. Shape into 1" balls, place on cookie sheet and use your thumb to press into center. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cool on pan 1 minute. Using a cookie spatula, move them to a cooling rack.

Glaze

4 cups of confectioner sugar

4-6 Tablespoons of Lemon juice or milk

Food color if desired

Mix until you have a medium-thickness. Spoon glaze over cookies and allow to dry completely.

Enjoy!!!!

HAS IT REALLY BEEN TWO MONTHS?

I can hardly believe it has been two whole months since my last blog entry. What a whirlwind of busy days this has been! I made it through our Thanksgiving Holiday with an abundance of blessings and now find myself entering into the Christmas season just the same.

Somehow I have managed to decorate my home with not one Christmas tree but 4 Christmas trees plus all the trimmings.

There have been days of Trick or Treating

Days of Bread baking until all I saw was Banana's when I slept:)

Many Many Days of Jewelry Shows....I am loving this by the way!

and even a day for My Little Angel's Birthday Party....This was the best!

This is just a little recap of what I have been up to lately.

I hope that each of you had a Blessed Thanksgiving just as we did.

I promise to take so long in blogging next time.

xoxo

More Cookie Girl Cakes

What a busy weekend it was baking and decorating last minute cake orders. I was up to my ears in batter and frosting and boy was it delicious!

I just wanted to share with you what my customers had requested for their family members birthdays.

Kung Fu Panda is so popular for kids right now.

Autumn inspired cakes are big for the adults.

And let's not forget the Fisherman.

Not my best cake design but it was fun to do.

So there you have it... my Sweet Weekend Adventure.

Are you craving birthday cake yet?

Sugar Free Banana Pudding

With all the wonderful sweet confections that are available these days, we sometimes forget about those who love the sweet things in life but must be careful on how much they consume.

Well this recipe for my Sugar Free Banana Pudding is just for you my friends. Especially for my friend Pansy who takes care of her Father-in-law's sweet tooth. He is going to love you for this one! Everyone swears it isn't sugar free!!! ENJOY


Sugar Free Banana Pudding(*SF)

2 small boxes instant *SF french vanilla pudding mix
1- 12 oz tub *SF Cool-Whip topping
3 Cups Skim milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp Vanilla flavor
2 boxes SF Vanilla Wafers Murray or Nilla brand
4-5 bananas sliced

Homemade whip topping

1 pint of heavy whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla
3 single packs of Splenda

In a large chilled metal bowl combine all ingredients and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. (the Kitchen Aid Stand mixer works great for this)

Pudding Directions:

In a large bowl, combine pudding mix and milk. Blend completely until thickened. Mix in sour cream, vanilla flavor and cool-whip.

In the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish add a layer of vanilla wafers. Top with 1/3 of pudding mixture and a layer of bananas. Repeat with wafers, pudding mix and bananas ending with the wafers on top. Dollop, spread or pipe the homemade whip topping over the vanilla wafers. Add a few wafers on top for a decorated look if you wish.

** You may crush the wafers if you desire to do so and change up the bananas with pineapple for a variety. The pudding can be made into individual portions or in a clear trifle bowl for a pretty presentation.

My Cake Creations

As I was talking with friends last night, I was encouraged to display some of my cake creations. They seem to like them very much so I went through my pictures today and pulled some of my favorites to share with you.

This is one of my favorite birthday cakes I did for a friend when he turned 30. The Hear No, See No, Speak No evil Monkeys were so fun to create with Fondant. The cake flavor was chocolate with peanut butter frosting.

I made this traditional birthday cake with a political flair. I call it my Political Clown Cake. The two guys that I made it for have the same birthday and worked together. Pretty neat I thought.

Last but not least, this was a wedding shower cake for a couple that worked with my Mother In Law. It was the second time I had ever used fondant. Everything turned out great and the shimmer dust I used really set off the bow. It was so much fun to work with.

So there you have it! A few of my favorite creations. I hope you have enjoyed viewing them. I hope to add more soon as well as some delectable cookie treats that you will be able to purchase for the Holidays!