Is it really almost July??

Happy Saturday Everyone.

It is almost July which means that summer is flying by....

Which makes me very sad.

I love summertime-

long days

cool nights

pool time

Comfest

sunshine

and so much more.  

Given my blogging history you likely won't see me again until fall.

Until then.

Enjoy!

Happy Summer everyone!

Smiles-

Marci

2015...... a month late.....

Just to prove to you that I am still alive....

and I did bake some in 2015....

Here are a few pics to prove it....

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Chocolate Cupcakes with Biscoff Buttercream...

A personal favorite...

There is no excuse for bad lighting...

except for when you live in Ohio

and it is dark at 3pm in the winter....

I think I like the real thing better.  

Don't believe me....

Check out this post.

Fun cookies with an inside joke...

Mini blueberry pies...

because...

blueberry PIE in a portable package.

Oatmeal chocolate chip bars...

because oatmeal is good for you..

therefore...

these are good for you.....

We are already well into 2016...

So I better get baking!

Smiles,

Marci

who is most definitely still alive...

and still baking....

Snowflake Cookies, ankles, and brand new babies.....

Whew....

The past few weeks have been crazy....

Good and Bad...

I became an auntie again to cutest little guy ever....

I adore him so much I am even posting a picture of myself..

on the internet...

the horror...

I have been getting over a cold...

one that was generously shared with me by a cutie pie....

Then I fell down the stairs a sprained my ankle..

My foot is literally bruised on both sides and on the bottom of my foot..

Have you ever seen bruises on the bottom of the foot before?

not pretty...

I did get to spend some time with the cutest twins ever.

I had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family.

I participated in my first swap with a fellow blogger- Jenny.

She sent me the sweetest package of goodies!

I did bake a few cookies but not nearly as many as I had hoped to.

I kept it simple with the sugar cookies I made and only made one kind.

I hope everyone is enjoying the new year.

Mine has been off to a rough start with my ankle

but- I am hopeful that things will turn around!

Smiles,

Marci

Baby Shower Cookies

I made some baby shower cookies for my sister in law....

who is expecting my newest nephew....

I told her to hold him in till after Thanksgiving at least...

Now, I think she is just taking it too far....

I can't wait to meet the newest Johnson. 

I am way behind on Holiday baking.... 

I don't even have my tree up yet.

But, everything will fall into place...

But first- Baby Raleigh needs to come!!

Happy Sunday everyone!

Marci

A little bit about me.... and Minnie Mouse Cookies

I decided to shake things up a little and share some fun facts about myself....

I am a Social Worker (gasp!)

I mean there is no surprise there right?

I love my job.  I really do.   I just have days where I need to remind myself that I do.

This week was filled with those days.  

I bake for fun.  

I love to bake and decorate cookies.

But, I also love to bake all kinds of sweets.

Decorated cookies take time, so it is fun to make other kinds of cookies

that are quick to make and just as tasty.  

I love to make cupcakes but really don't like to bake cakes....

riddle me that...

And fancy cakes.... not my thing.

Fondant- yuck!

I love all animals, but have two cats.

I drink coffee and tea.

I sometimes eat store bought cookies (gasp!)

I refuse to eat certain things like margarine and diet soda....

But think nothing of eating Cheetos.

I went to OSU (Ohio State University) for graduate school. 

So, I am a true Buckeye...

But, my true love is for Miami University (Love & Honor)

where I completed my undergraduate degree.

I went back there recently with some of Miami Girls and had so much fun!

I am the auntie to three adorable nephews.....

with a fourth on the way. 

They fill my heart with joy.

I will eat leftovers, but once I have eaten something two or three times..

I am done with that food for a while.  

Which means I tire of foods quickly. 

I may love something one day.... and not want it the next.

But- in a few months- I will love that food again.  

I hoard napkins.  They are everywhere.  In my desk drawer...

In my glove compartment of my car....

And....

Fun facts to be continued.....

Enjoy your weekend.

And enjoy Minnie Mouse cookies. 

Smiles, 

Marci

Halloween Cookies

Trick or Treat!

Give me something good to eat!!!

Like Cookies....

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!!

Smiles,

Marci

Fourth of July Cookies.... and a funny.

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!

This one is for Nky....

I remember when I heard my first gun shot.  

Like real gun shot- not the movies or fake ones.

I was at my first 'real' job in a bad neighborhood.

I heard a 'pop' and I instinctively dove under my desk. 

My boss thought that I was nuts.

No one else even batted an eye at the gun shot. 

Sadly, I too became immune to the sound.

I heard lots of 'pops', 'ratatatats' and 'popopopop' noises while I worked there.  

Sooooooo...

There is no easy way to transition from gun shots to cookies.

Here we go...

I made cookies.  

Not for me.

Rather- for a bake sale at work.

Phew- transition done. 

They have their usual imperfections.  

But, they did make a pretty plate of cookies. 

If I have the energy, I may try to make up another batch before the actual holiday.

Happy Fourth Everyone.  

I hope that there is lots of burgers, fireworks and sweets to fill your weekend!

Smiles,
Marci

Batters up..... Baseball Cookies

Baseball...

I have such fond memories of baseball games....

We went to Reds games when I was young.

I remember sitting in the hot sun.

Complaining.

I remember my Dad buying me hotdogs and ice cream to shut me up....

I remember Mom sneaking in drinks because she hated the concession prices

I remember the cokes from the concessions stand

tasting so much better than the cokes mom brought from home.

I remember watching the game for like five minutes...

and then....

reading my book.

Yes.

You read that correctly.  

Reading my book....

I was that girl....

My friend Barb is contemplating crossing me off her friendship list right now...

I hope she reconsiders...

So,

This post is for all your Reds and baseball fans out there.

Go team.

Batters up...

batter... batter.. batter... batter....

And that is all I can recall.....

about baseball...

But, that ice cream in a cup with the wooden spoon on top....

That...

I remember clearly.

Smiles,
Marci


I linked up this cookies to Party in your PJ's- A Thursday Evening Link Party!
http://www.simplysweetsbyhoneybee.com/2014/05/party-in-your-pjs-4.html

Cookies for Cleveland

I have officially mailed my first batch of cookies.

Well, the first batch of cookies that were not going to family.

Family can be pretty understanding when a few cookies are lost....

Lost to the world of broken cookies. 

Kinda like the land of misfit toys in Rudolf.

Only in the land of broken cookies-

Gingerbread men run around without heads.

Butterflies lose their wings.

And animals end up with a few limbs missing.  

Luckily, I think that this bunch survived the trip.

To Cleveland!!

I was asked to create some cookies for a customer who worked on campaigning for issue 3 in Cleveland.

And my cookies were shared with the group.

The good news- 

Issue 3 passed.  

So, above is the actual logo used.

And below is my simplified interpretation.  

These cookies actually were a lot of fun to make.

And I enjoyed bringing the logo to cookie form.

Enjoy and I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day.

Smiles,

Marci

Chugging right along.....

I recently made some train themed cookies for a customer.

That's right...

A real live customer.

I think that they turned out pretty cute.

So, this cookie hobby of mine..

is chugging right along.

Although, I still stress a little when it come times to decorate.

As a critic, I always see the flaws and imperfections.

But, as long as the kids are happy...

I am happy. 

As always...

keep Chugging along...

whether that be trains...

beer...

oops did I say beer....

beer.. chugging...

anyway...

keep chugging away.

Smiles, 

Marci


I linked up this cookies to Party in your PJ's- A Thursday Evening Link Party!
http://www.simplysweetsbyhoneybee.com/2014/05/party-in-your-pjs-1.html

Let's get Swiggy with it.....

Swig.  Swiggy. Swiggy Sugar Cookies...

I first saw this recipe on Pinterest... big surprise there...

And I was intrigued.

Claims were thrown about.....

Best Sugar Cookie Ever..

Frosting is to die for....

Swoon Swoon Swoon.

So, I felt a challenge was on..

I made these swiggy cookies.

With pink frosting of course.

The cookie is denser...

Crumblier than a regular sugar cookie.

Not as sweet- almost shortbread like, but not shortbread.

And the frosting.  Good.  Very Good.

But, not life changing.  

I personally would have preferred my butter-cream on top.
The recipe made a lot of cookies.

Which made for a lot of happy co-workers.  

I found the original recipe here.

Vintage Revivals made them and blogged beautifully about them.  

I did make my usual alterations and only put a 1/2 tsp salt in the frosting.  

1 teaspoon seemed like a lot....

In summary, good cookie.  

Fun cookie.

Swiggy Cookies.  

Go out there and get your swig on...

Have a great week everyone!

Marci