Cookies for the Team Mom!

If your kids have ever played a team sport,

you know there is only one job harder than being the coach.

That's being the Team Parent.

Some seasons....its even harder.

Jack's team had the BEST Team Mom Ever!!!

Yup, its true.

You know how I know this?

Because it's on the cookie.

And everyone knows.....

...cookies don't lie.

Thanks again Deana!!

You were awesome!

Of course, you'd love to do this again next year....right?

Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B

Kites and Plane Cookies!

I think the two of the nicest words, both to hear and say, are

"Thank You!"

So easy, quick, straight to the point, easily understood, can't be misinterpreted....

"Thank You!!!"

My friend Mark volunteers his time to say 

"Thank You!!!"

to the city he lives in, Mission Viejo.

He coordinates a huge outdoor event, called "Up in the Air"

that showcases different vendors and sponsors throughout the city.

There's lots of free entertainment for families to watch and carnival games to try.

The remote control plane show was fabulous!!!

I know Ethan would love to try flying one of these!

I heard the dogs chasing frisbees and doing tricks were amazing!!!

Oh!  There were bubbles too!  The huge kind with kids inside!

(I wonder if they tried to put any of the dogs inside?)

And kites!!

Don't you just love kites?  I do.

Because Mark is amazing and thoughtful,

he gave these cookies to say

"Thank You!!!"

to all the people who helped say

"Thank You!!!"

to the city.

...and now I get to say 

"Thank you!!!"

to Mark.

For loving my cookies so much!

....and because I know they all would if they could...

I'll say

"Thank You!!!"

To Mark and his entire team for all their hard work and dedication,

from all the citizens who enjoyed the day and the vendors that who participated!

You all did an awesome job!

Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B

Baseball Cookies!

It's that time of year again for our family!

The Little League baseball season has officially begun!

This is an extra special year though.

After many, many seasons of watching Ethan's games,

cheering from the sidelines,

and getting to wear the 'mascot' jersey...

Jack gets to play Tee-ball.

He's pleased as punch!

So, this weekend was opening day, and of course...

there was a bake sale!

I've made baseball cookies before.

They were okay, nothing spectacular.

I needed to come up with a few new designs.

Baseball Fields!!!

These were fun...and sparkly!

(I do love sparkles!)

I used a party hat cutter that I opened wide,

then cut down the larger side into a semi-circle.

I piped, flooded and sugared the grass first, then filled in the dirt.

The baselines were added after they dried.

Jack noticed something after I bagged these up.

"Mom, where's the little line on the pitcher's circle where he puts his

toes when he throws the ball?"

Whoops.

Next came the ballplayers.

This was a great occasion to finally try some silhouettes!

I googled 'baseball silhouette clip art' to find some images that I liked.

I outlined with a PME #1 tip.

(I used my new Kopykake for the first time!!!)

All of these images has some skinny little parts.

I filled them in with thicker piping icing to try to prevent cratering,

then filled in the rest with flood icing.

I've had a few people ask about the different fonts I've used.

I love Keven & Amanda's site.  Lots of free fonts!

I like to print out the sayings I'll be using in a few different fonts and sizes.

(I leave lots of blank space on the page for 'practice space')

Then I just practice a few times.

Not much to it really.

Some of the fonts work out well.

Some...not so much.  They just end up looking messy.

But you never know until you try, 

and I'd much rather try on the paper than the cookie!

When I find one I like, I try to gauge the size and where it will fit.

I like the 'Home Run' writing and placement the best...

but I liked the silhouette the least.

Too much cratering in the middle.

So he was cut from the team....sorry man.

The other two were added to the line up and I cranked out a few dozen!

Do you like the edges!!

I saw these on The Sugar Tree Bakery's facebook page!

She made some beautiful nautical cookies that had this detail along the sides!

Click HERE to go see them!

I knew that would be perfect for baseball cookies!

It looks just like stitching!

So there's my new baseball team set!

Oh wait!

Can't play baseball with out the balls!!!

Have a great season everyone!

I'll let you know when Jack hits his first homerun!

Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B

Fishing Cookies!?!

Here's a little 'inside view' at how cookie conversations usually go...

This particular conversation occurred in downtown L.A., 

while on a buying trip with my girlfriends, Lisa and Chris.

We were in a huge floral supply shop, in the cellophane bag aisle.

My arms were filled with 6 bags of multicolored shred the size of bed pillows....

Me:  "Lisa, isn't Griffin having a birthday soon?  How is he already turning 13!!!!"

Lisa:  "I know, its crazy!"

Me:  "Does he have big plans with his friends?"

Lisa:  "He wants a fish party!  Like, real FISH!  

He wants to go out with his friends and go fishing!!!!"

(I should add that Griffin is an awesome nature boy and is known for being a fisherman.

They practically jump out of the lake and into his lap)

"You can make fish cookies right?  Maybe a fishing pole....a fish...?

Do you have time?  Would you mind?"

Me:  "How perfect!  He'll love that!  

Of course I can make fish cookies for him!

I'd be thrilled!"

(and yes, I am always excited to make cookies for my friends' kids.

No one in the world appreciates fancy cookies more than munchkins, even at 13)

Soon after, we paid for our supplies, piled in the car and started heading to our next destination.

That's when the whole 'fish theme' started to sink in...

Me:  (silently in my head so no one could hear the 'crazy talk')

"Fish!  Fish!

What the heck!!!!"

(I'm not sure why I panic every time I create a set for the first time, but I do)

"Do I even HAVE a fish cutter!?"

(no, I did not.  But I was able to order one in time)

"What color is an actual fish anyway?

Greenish, I guess, like pond color maybe?"

"Oh no....don't they have shiny scale things?

How the heck am I going to do that?! 

(I sprayed the body with Wilton pearl spray before adding details and fins)

"Fishing pole....fishing pole.....I must have a cutter that looks like that."

(nope...no pole.  I had an extra baseball bat cutter that I mangled

beyond recognition)

"....and there's that thingy on the end....the floaty thing.....

what's that called?"

(turns out...its called a floater.  Luckily, it looks just like a baby's rattle.

I did have one of those)

"...and Griffin always wears that great hat whenever he goes hiking with his family.

I can put that in there too."

(please don't tell him, but this is a purse, I just cut off the handle)

"What are those feathery things on the hooks?  Don't those

hang on the hats?  I guess I'll just google those."

 (it's suppose to be a feather....just pretend 'k?)

"okay...at least I have a plan.  

Hopefully they'll turn out okay."

Happy Birthday Griffin!

So that's how it goes, more or less.

First comes the occasion with a theme.

Then excitement...followed by panic.

But, with a little brainstorming, a lot of googling and flipping through clip art,

an idea starts to form....and then the fun begins.

Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B

The Super Bowl is coming!

The Super Bowl is coming!!!

The Super Bowl is coming!!!

Commercials and half-time shows and snacks, oh my!!!

(it is coming right, maybe I should check on that...)

Me:  Ethan, honey, the Super Bowl is soon, right?  Like this weekend?

Ethan:  uh...not yet Mom.  We're still in the playoffs.  There's a few games....

(insert lots of footbally technical terms and team names and statistics and stuff)

.....and then the Super Bowl.  We're still a couple of weeks away.

Me:  Oh....huh.

Ethan:  Why?

Me:  Well, I made these Super Bowl cookies thinking we'd be eating them soon, 

like in a couple of days.

Ethan:....yeah, I was wondering why you were doing those already but I didn't want to say anything....

Me:......(staring at cookies)

Ethan:  They look great though!  You got the yardage right and everything!
The little people in the stands are awesome!

Me:...(staring at Ethan)

Ethan:  You can just make them again in a couple weeks, right?

Me:....(staring at Ethan....eyebrows raised)

Ethan:...what?

Ethan:....so....can I eat one now?

Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B

Go Mustangs!!!

"Hey honey, those are neat...y'know those aren't the colors, right?"

"They're supposed to be navy and silver.  I know its really grey, but I can't make metallic icing..."

"...um, no. Navy and orange..."

"What?  I'm sure she said navy, silver and white.  Here, look at the cheerleaders..."

"....aren't they a little young to be cheerleaders for the Broncos?"

"Broncos?  Aren't they mustangs?"

"The Denver football team is the Broncos."

(silence)

"These are for the Trabuco Hills High School Freshman Pep Squad.  Nikki made the team and is having a pool party for all the girls...."

"...never-mind."


Congratulations Nikki!!!  Can't wait to see you cheering on the sidelines!!



Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B

Fore!!

One of my husband's best childhood friends had a 'milestone' birthday this month.

When we dropped of his cookies, my boys got a peek into his super fabulous Notre Dame media room.

For the past week, every time I see Ethan get that far-off look in his eyes and I ask "what are you thinking about Bud?" he tells me, "I just can't stop thinking about that movie room......".

He clearly has a new hero.

For Sean's birthday, I made golf cookies!

My husband tells me all the really great stuff happens at the 19th hole....

anyone care to explain this to me?

Pretty sure there are 18 holes....right?

I seem to have a habit of making cookies that make me laugh...

not sure if anyone else finds them funny.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Sean!

We hope you got to spend at least part of it in your super cool room!

Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B

Our great big Little Leaguer

Yes I drive a minivan, but no, I am NOT a soccer mom.

I am a very proud Little League Mom!!!

Ethan just finished spring season and we have a few months off until Winter Ball starts.
(Why they call it winter ball, I will never know.  Games start in September when the temp is in the 90's)

Uh, just look at him....I could kiss every freckle....but he'd die of embarrassment....

He was an Oklahoma State University Cowboy....#44, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, sometimes catcher, sometimes center field, pitcher a few times....big man does it all.

...and I got to finally open my orange americolor food gel!!!!

Cookies for everyone, as always!




Ethan started playing when he was 5, which still seems like yesterday.



Because, how could this little boy....

Be this young man?

This pile of cuteness....

Be this determined?

Thanks Cowboys for a great season.

Huge thanks to our manager and coaches, Kyle, Casey and Rich.

They were fabulous teachers and role models for our boys.

Love ya Big Easy....

Lizy B

(Mom)

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