A Day for Moms

Ask us moms. We don't really want presents on Mother's Day. It's all about the kids. And the fact that we have been blessed to have them in our lives. 

This year is especially meaningful for me. I am going to be a Gramma for the first time. Yes, my partner in this cookie adventure is preggers! I am beyond excited. I love my grand-dogs more than I knew I could, and talk about them incessantly to my patient co-workers. But this? This is new, and I am thinking I am about to be elevated to a whole new plateau of love and fulfillment!  So stay tuned ~ October is going to be an over-the-top month for us. I suppose she can always decorate between contractions. . (yes, my kids are THAT talented.)

We are again donating to the Nipomo High School Boosters' Silent Auction. It just so happens that the auction is tonight, and Mom's Day is tomorrow. We thought we could help out those last minute folks who wanted to acknowledge their moms by gifting them a box of decorated Mom cookies. Not your typical spring colors; we were going for Titan colors.

Good luck to the Titan Boosters.  And congrats on your recent Girls' Softball League Championship!

We are thinking of the moms in our lives today, especially.  

Happy Mom's Day to my Mom and Kimi's Gramma Grace. Missing You. . .

And to my mom by marriage and Kimi's Gramma Joycie. . . 

And to my friend and Kimi's mom by marriage, Dianne.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in our lives!

So much of me is made from what I learned from you;

you'll be with me like a handprint on my heart.

~ from Wicked

Bake Some Cupcakes - Then Bake Some More!

I've been wanting to try this Chocolate Cherry Cupcake recipe for quite a while. What a combination, huh? I've been trying to lose weight to limit how many recipes I try out. If I don't have a reason to bake something scrumptiously tempting, I shouldn't, right?  So I spend most of my time keeping my mind open to reasons for trying new recipes!  Don't judge. It makes sense to me.

This particular weekend provided the PERFECT opportunity to try something new. Kimi told me that there was a new baby on the way and the baby was going to need open-heart surgery immediately after birth.  Her colleagues are getting together for a fund raising slow-pitch tournament in honor of the new babe.  Say no more.  I have a reason.

So with great passion I started melting, chopping, mixing and baking. I love red. It's so cheery. The perfect color for this new baby. And for his delicate baby heart. (I hate to take too much credit, but the team did exceptionally well that day.  Just sayin'. . .)

I also have been wanting an excuse to try some chocolate malted cupcakes. The hubster loves malt balls almost as much as he likes Easter Peeps. Except that he actually EATS the malt balls. He mostly just plays with the peeps.  

Well, just so happens that MY office was celebrating hiring some awesome new employees who will surely help make our days brighter (and lighter!).  So I baked a double batch of these yummies for our office's brunch, and sent the others to work with the hubster. Since he's retiring soon *happy sigh* he won't be taking my 'experiments' to work for much longer.  It's the least I could do. 

This is my favorite shot of the day. Money shot, right? And I didn't even drop it into the water! I'm happy to report that both recipes were a success.  

Most importantly though, baby Frankie has had his surgery and is doing well!  Congratulations on the birth of your son from XOXO Cookies!  (Do you suppose he will want to play baseball?)

Peanuts? Popcorn?? COOKIES???

A friend emailed XOXO and requested some cookies for her hubby's birthday celebration.  The twist?  The party was being held at the Giants/Brewers game in beautiful San Francisco at the AT&T Park.

It turned out to be a gorgeous (make that sizzling!) day on the California coast.   Nearly forty of the birthday boy's fans celebrated the day together, occupying two entire rows in the right center outfield bleachers - the Giants beat the Brewers in an exciting extra-innings game - and we heard that the guests loved their themed-cookie surprises!

What's a game without a ball?  

Add a mitt and you have Baseball. . .

 Almost on their way - time for their photo shoot!  We LOVE this part!  :-)

We couldn't forget it was a birthday, so we added a few coordinating cupcake cookies.   We attached a tag to each cookie with wishes for the birthday boy.

All boxed up and packed in a cooler to make the trip North. Thank you Andrea for allowing us to be part of your fun day! Happy Birthday to Brad from XOXO Cookies!

If you want a couple of minutes of giggles, click on this link and listen to the:

Classic Abbott & Costello sketch

xoxo