You Know When You Are A Mother of Boys When...

You know you're a mother of boys when...
you can name every piece of heavy equipment and the job that it performs.
you always point out emergency vehicles to everyone in your car, even if they aren't children.
you understand that cowboy boots go with anything.
you visit stores like Tractor Supply just for fun.
you pull over at construction sites, sit in your car and watch the equipment in action.
you understand that masking tape + blocks = hours of fun.
you understand that anything like rocks, sticks, and cardboard boxes are not to be thrown away.
And, you know when you're the mother of boys when you receive a dirty, snot laden kiss and you don't even flinch, but rather smile, give a big hug and pull the child's shirt up to their nose and wipe.
Can I get an AMEN?

Cookie Review

Since I've directed folks to my blog to see examples of my cookies, I thought I'd post a "cookie review" so you wouldn't have to scroll though non cookie things. Some of these are early cookies and aren't even on my blog yet. So, here they are! This isn't all of them, but it will hopefully get you excited about coming to my cookie workshop! Now I'm not guaranteeing you will be able to be a cookie expert when you leave, but I hope to be able help you make awesome cookies without all of the mess and stress! And of course, your pack of diapers will go to help a very worthy ministry. If you're wondering what in the world I'm talking about, click here.

I'm going to show you how to do these dots!








I use cookies on cakes a lot. The train and the 1 are cookies.

We'll talk about cookies on a stick too!







These bunnies were iced in fondant!
more snowflakes. Love these!

Ladybug Cake and Olivia the Pig Cake

This ladybug cake was for my niece Sydney who turned 8 on the 31st! Happy Birthday Sydney!



Cookie favors for her slumber party.
I thought it turned out sweet. Love the pink and green. Special thanks to Lauri of Whimsy Cookie Co. for her cookie design. Check out her other cookies. She is the cookie queen!

Here's an Olivia the Pig cake for a cute little 4 year old. Thanks June Avery!



The boys are in bed, so off to the kitchen to bake!
Meredith

Howdy Pardner!

Our Family had the opportunity to go horseback riding! Yay! Thanks to a really nice family I met through my cakes and cookies, we had a blast on Friday out at their farm. The little boys were a little hesitant at first. This is Buddy the horse. He IS rather large!
But after a while, John Merritt warmed up. Here he is brushing Buddy.

Sam even managed to pet him a little.
We were so proud of John Merritt for even getting on him. John Merritt is very cautious!
After a few times around the ring, he was in the saddle by himself with Daddy leading.
I got to play with Lil for a little while. Man am I sore. It's only been about 5 years since I've been on a horse!
Daddy and John Merritt on Buddy
Here's a video of JM's first ride!



And here's a picture of the first and only time Samuel would get on!
It was a really fun day on the farm! Thanks so much to Cyndi, Taylor, Allyson and Grace Patterson. You guys were so nice and generous to spend some time with us! The boys are still talking about the experience!
Meredith

Good Morning Father

Here I am this morning Lord, ready to start my day.
I pray that you will guide me Lord, in each and every way.
Help me be kind an gentle Lord, and patience is a must,
especially with my children Lord, there's one that just won't hush.

Help me be a light for you each place I go.
Your love and goodness, mercy and care, help me Lord to show.
But most of all dear Lord I pray, that you would give me words to say,
when people I meet who need to hear of why I hold you Jesus, so dear.
Lord I want the world to know that it is because you love us so,
Your precious son was crucified.
Jesus died on the cross so we might have life.
Yes, I love you Jesus, and this I pray, that I might bring you glory today.
Amen

Cookies and Cakes, and MORE Cookies and Cakes!

Well, it's been a busy few weeks here at the bakeshop! my oven has been working overtime, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. My boys (all 3) have been so patient with me as I mix and roll and cut and bake and clean and do it all over again. I try really hard to only bake when John Merritt and Samuel are asleep, but for the last few weeks, I've been having to sneak in a few minutes here and there in the kitchen. I goofed a little on my calendar, and took on a little too much. It's been a hobby on steroids to say the least. It all began with this chocolate monster. This was a sweet sixteen cake for our niece Aubrey. This is called a candy barrel cake and I thought it was quite fitting since it was a chocolate themed party. Happy Birthday Aubrey!

The next day, I catered an entire party. ALL the food. It was lots of fun, but I was one tired puppy. And I have no pictures of my beautiful food.
The next weekend I created this pretty cake for a sweet 7 year old who wanted a "Jesus" birthday party. Thanks Christy, I hope Sidney Clay liked her cake.





That same weekend, I had another cake of monstrous proportions to complete. It's another cake and cookie combo and it had to feed 50. Word is the Birthday Boy loved it and wouldn't let anyone have a cookie. I also did star wars cookies on a stick for his party at preschool. Thanks again Abby!



Snowflake cookies for a dance class and a preschool class. Thanks Tracy and Elizabeth!


Melted snowmen cookies for a class party at Burlington Day School. Thanks Tracy...again!
Polka Dot Christmas trees for a preschool class party. Thanks so much June!


And finally, a farm themed birthday cake. Once again, it's a cookie and cake combo! Love those!
Thanks so much Tracy!



All of this may not seem like much to you, but each cookie takes a great deal of time and has to dry for 36 hours or so before you can bag them up. I really have to think ahead and can't leave everything to do last minute. Just keeping up with when I need to do what is a chore!
Only a few more projects before Christmas, and then a very special cake is scheduled for Christmas Day...a birthday cake for Jesus! Can't wait to bake that one with my boys.