Happy Valentine's Day!

Well this much anticipated sweets holiday proved to be quite a busy one for me this year!   

Once again my supportive family called me up and ordered some festive sweets.

This time it was my brother who requested some holiday sweets.

In my mind, sometimes the simplest treats are the best ones.

I think my brother felt the same way when he selected the sweets he wanted. He ordered some basic sugar cookies with sprinkles and some chocolate chip cookies. 

Here was the yield:

This just in: I just received a few texts from my brother and his family loved all the cookies I sent them.  I'm so glad! Especially since I tried out a new chocolate chip cookie recipe this time around!  Thanks for your support bro and I'm happy that the treats made it to you safe and sound before V-Day :)

In addition to baking for family, I also decided to make some sweets for some other important people - Leah's teachers!  The wonderful ladies that help Leah learn and grow each day are so fabulous. 

They put so much care and love into everything they do for her and all their students and I love to make sweets for them whenever I can to show my appreciation for all they do.  

Even though I am a teacher of young children, I can't imagine having a room full of 2 year olds all day...they truly are saints!

 

So while I was in the "sugar cookie mood" I decided to keep going and make more for Leah's teachers:

I attached the valentine's that Leah and I made together to each teacher's "goodie bag" for a special touch.

Now, as if all that baking wasn't enough...I truly am a glutton for punishment and volunteered to make the cupcakes for Leah's school Valentine party.  Hey, I'd been wanting to try out a new cupcake recipe anyhow, so why not try it now for 12 tough 2 year old critics?!  Here is the final product:

They came out light and fluffy (Yes, of course I tried one before I sent them to school with Leah today! Quality control!) and Leah's teachers said the kids gobbled them all up, so I was very happy!

So, after all the baking of the past week, I can safely say I am ready for some rest and the long weekend that is coming up!

I hope you all had a great Valentine's day filled with some yummy treats!

Til next time...Eat your sweets everyone!

Counting Sheep...

Mary had some little lambs, their fleece was white as snow...

Then Baa, Baa Black Sheep came along as said, "Come on ladies, let's go!"

They all had fun, had a good run... that is, 'til things got weird...

The sad part of the story is, those poor sheep all got sheared!

So perhaps I'm a better baker than a poet, but I think I'm pretty funny! :)

These little lambs came to be for my dear friend Carla's baby shower....shower #3 that is - her work shower :)

The theme for her baby's nursery is little lambs, so naturally that was the theme for her shower too!

I was pretty excited to try these lamb cake pops out because I've only ever made traditional cake pops.  This was definitely an adventure.  Being the baking perfectionist I am, I had a specific vision in my mind that I wanted to achieve. (Yes I will use the tiniest possible heart shaped sprinkle for a nose!)  And after some definite trial and error (and a lot of love!) these sweet lambs came out just as I'd hoped they would!

Here's how my little flock was displayed in their "grassy pasture":

They were very well received at the shower, which I was thrilled about.  I get such a nervous stomach when I'm unveiling a new creation!  To quote one of my co-workers, "They're cute and delicious...it's usually one or the other, but these cake pops are both!"  What a great compliment that was!

But the most important part was that the fabulous mother-to-be loved them!

So now I know I can take on any cake pop request that comes my way...so get those orders in people!

Well, this weary "shepherd" is off to put her feet up and enjoy the fruits of my labor!

I hope you all enjoyed my latest creation and that you're eating your sweets too!