Birthday Cookies for Audrey

A 3-D cookie on top. 
The #8 cookie was baked and iced separately
then "glued on the round plaque with royal icing.

I was so tied up with Thanksgiving and the things afterwards, that I just realized I didn't blog about my granddaughter, Audrey, and her 8th birthday.  I did it for her sister's birthday, but not hers...and if you are a Grammy, you know that is not going to be okay!  So, better a few days late than not at all.

She had a grand birthday party at Jumpolene in South Austin - tons of family and a few friends.  She definitely had fun.  As usual, I made cookies.  I asked for her current favorite color...which was purple...no surprise there.  It's also been made clear that the grandkids prefer Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies instead of anything with spice in it.  So, she had a box of purple iced sugar cookies from Grandma.  Here are a few photos of the end result.  Now, her Dad can show her that she got a post showing off her birthday cookies...just like sister did!

Royal icing transfer roses surrounding a
stenciled "A" for Audrey, and a stencil
for the base layer of this large cookie
shaped and decorated like a very fancy
birthday cake.

Unfortunately, I left my good camera at the hotel.  I had only a cell phone which does not capture movement well AT ALL.  Since the primary activity was jumping on trampolines...I have about 40 photos of blurry little and big people playing and jumping.  Oh well.  At least I have one fairly decent one of her blowing out her candles.

Happy Birthday Audrey!  You are sooooo loved!!!!

A big 6 1/2 inch plaque cookie with double layered stencil
and royal icing roses made for a pretty display.
I'm so happy to have a new Happy Birthday
stencil from DesignerStencils.com.  The background
of the cookie was made with a full-page stencil.
I mostly have 5x5 stencils which don't work
for big cookies like this.  I may have to invest
in more stencils!

Bon Appetit, Y'all!!!

Birthday Cookies for Lola

A 6 1/2 inch by 6 1/2 inch plaque cookie using:

*a cutter from Etsy seller Plastics in Print.

*Stencil from Michael's on the base royal icing flood

*sprayed with Wilton pearl sheen edible spray,

*royal icing transfer roses I made

after watching a SweetAmbs tutorial (sample of tutorial here). 

I'm still working on that skill but each attempt is slightly better,

*bead work and shell borders, and

*another stencil on  top of the base stencil...lots of work! 

My oldest granddaughter turns ten years old today (do I feel old???).  Her mom and my son are not together but they do a great job of co-parenting, taking turns with parties, and helping each other whenever needed.  Together, they have been rearing a bright, polite, and amazing young girl.

Mr. Flip Flop and I enjoyed visiting the old neighborhood for a fun at-home birthday party.  Last year's fun was at a Lazer Tag and gaming facility, which the younglings adored.  However, I really enjoyed seeing some more old-fashioned fun going on via games on the patio, a piñata, cake and cookies and ice-cream, and presents opened and appreciated in a more quiet environment.

Perhaps I sound old school, but the kids had fun and conversation was actually possible.  Turn-taking, courtesy, and enjoyment was evident.  Can't imagine a better memory to carry forward.

Crowns for Princess Lola
These royal icing roses were
accented with pink lustre dust.

As usual...I made cookies.  I made a special set for Lola and we shared a cookie with each child from the Halloween batch.  The birthday cookies were Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies with the addition of 1/2 teaspoon of LorAnn's Princess Cake and Cookie Bakery Emulsion.  I love this new form of extract!  It is suspended in water instead of alcohol.  Don't know how they do that, but it sure makes for a nummy cookie!  The Halloween cookies were without that new addition.  I could taste the difference...not much, but the emulsion gave it a depth of sugary goodness that makes me think I will be adding it to many of my cookie batches!

My son deciding which cookies to hold back for his girls!

I think they were enjoyed, lots of questions about the cookies, and one comment from a young man "did you make this icing?" to which I replied "yes".  He said "you should make it softer - it's too hard", to which I tried to reply convincingly "it has to be hard to hold the shapes".  His dubious response?  "well, it would taste better if it was softer".  I laughed and have to admit he is right.  Softer is tastier to the tongue...but royal icing décor has to be quite firm.  Maybe he'll appreciate that aspect as he gets older...or maybe not!  It did make me laugh though.

This "cake cookie" was also stenciled with Wilton
spray - a silver spray this time. The stencil was a
quatrefoil stencil from SalsaStencils.
Unfortunately, I managed to move the stencil when spraying...
not my best work.  I didn't have a back-up cookie either.  Yikes! 
Thankfully, Lola didn't seem to notice!

So, Happy Birthday my sweet girl.  You seemed to have a great time, and after ditching you pretty fairy wings, you were fully into sweating off your fairy make-up.  Hope the rest of your day was just as awesome.  You are very loved!!!

Bon Appetit, Y'all!!!

King Bob's Birthday 2013

I was so happy to be invited to the 2nd Annual King Bob's Birthday party on the beach!  Bob's wife, Sally, puts on a great party...which included beach-front umbrellas and lounge chairs in front of Wanna-Wanna, ice chests filled with icy libations, yummy snack trays. Sand Castle Queen of the Island, Sandy Feet, her very entertaining "sand slaves", and a bunch of interesting people to talk to!  I really enjoy meeting new friends.  I also love talking to people who have moved to the area and find out where they come from.  There's always a story...I just love hearing the tales!

I enjoyed using some of my stencils on the minis!  These
came from Designer Stencils

My offering was a set of cookies made for King Bob (Bob's 71st birthday and his 1st anniversary of retirement makes him King of the Day!).  The cookie set included a large layered cake-shaped cookie, some crowns for the king, and a few minis to fill in the set.  He was kind enough to share the cookies and it seems the Acorn Squash Sugar Cookies were a success.  Even my trial with a new royal icing recipe seemed to work out okay (I didn't have time to taste a dry cookie before leaving for the beach so I wasn't sure how taste and texture would be after drying...risky on my part but...whew...it apparently worked).  Nothing makes me more happy than people enjoying my treats!

These were drying to the very last minute!

Photo by Sally Scaman
I was having a big hair humidity day...the
curls were blowing wildly as Sally snapped
a photo of me and Bob and the box of cookies

While a lot of the United States is enjoying Fall weather, folks on South Padre Island are enjoying one of our favorite times of year.  The beautiful days of September and October are PERFECT beach weather.  So, it being a perfect day on the beach, I'll just end the post with a slew of photos featuring Sandy Feet, Dennis,and Ken working hard (did you know, it's important to place your beer higher than the sandcastle...else you fill your can with sand???) Enjoy!

This stuff is hard work!

Things are shaping up as the creative genius kicks in!

Hot work when you are working on the side where there is no wind!

Sandy Feet carving the King's Sculpture

Dennis (L) and Ken (R) carving supporting castles on each side
of the King Bob sculpture 
(yep, they are a lot more than just sand slaves - 
they are talented sculptors themselves).  
This is the status when I had to leave.


Following Photos from Sally Scaman

The King and his Pampered Princess
The Sand Sculptors (behind)

Bob and Sally...beach royalty.  Great party and Fabulous Sand Sculpture!

Bon Appetit, Y'all...and May Your Day be Filled with Sunshine!!!