Oh, There You Are, Sweet B

If any of you out there are fellow Phineas and Ferb fans, I'm sure you recognize the title tribute.  To those of you that aren't and have no idea what I'm talking about, it's a kids cartoon on Disney that is incredibly clever and has me and my 37 year old older sister in stitches every time we watch it.  And in every episode, you hear the line "Oh, there you are, Perry" after Perry the platypus has been missing for most of the show.   (He's hasn't really been missing, he's actually a secret agent.  Don't look at me like I'm crazy, you just have to watch the show.)  And I know that I've been slack with the blog recently, so it made me think of the phrase. 

Anyways.  On to more non-cookie related things, the summer has been kind of slow for Sweet B's.  But I'm not complaining because my other job doubled the workload!  For about a year, nannying for the baby has been nice and easy.  Now that she's one, she's not quite walking yet, but she is into EVERYTHING!  I can no longer let her play in the kitchen while I bake because it's a constant battle of the baby seeing how much stuff she can pull out of cabinet before I stop her.  And then there's the 6 year-old who has swim team practice every morning and requires a snack or meal every 2 hours.  Once again, I'm not complaining because I love these girls, but if I bake, it's now at night or on the weekends.  But I have been doing a little.  Here's a few to share. 

These were sent to congratulate a newly-wed couple.  They had a small, western themed wedding.  I can't wait for another excuse to do these cowboy boots!  I love them!

These were for the annual Marietta Country Club (Ohio) Member-Guest party.  My brother-in-law's cousin lives up there and so my sister and her crew have been going up there for several years.  It was my sophomore trip and loads of fun!!!  (The shot isn't great. Sorry!)  The party colors were navy, lime green and teal.  They had koozies for party favors that I matched the cookies to. 

I've got a set of tiles on the drying table now for a new baby cookie jar and I'll be doing another next week.  I'm sure I'll throw some cookie stars and stripes together for the holiday, so I'll be sure to wish you a happy 4th then!  But mostly right now, I'm happy nannying!

Ode to Dad

I did a special post for Mother's Day, so of course, I can't leave the dads out.  (And yes, I realize I'm a day late.  I just got back from vacation, sorry!) 

My dad is nearly 58 years old and is the biggest kid I know.  The quote "Show me a day when the world wasn't new" (by Sister Barbara Hance) makes me think of him.  Always having that sense of child-like curiosity.  For example, he's funny to watch when he gets in a new car for the first time.  He has to push all the buttons, open all the compartments, check out all the features.  (Dad and I used to go test drive cars for the heck of it.  It was something we did for entertainment.  We're from a small town.  Don't judge.)  Or while he's enjoying a Sweet B's cookie, he does the dance of joy (which, he says he got his dance of joy from me, but I don't think I've ever moved like that). 

Like all dads, he definitely knows how to annoy me to the point of frustration.  (The usual dad things - stare at me while I'm eating, the age-old pull my finger, etc.)  And he laughs every time I yell, "Da-ad" or his favorite way I exclaim "Buh-dee!" (his name is Buddy).  Well, I've finally caught on.  Now, when he says something just to get a reaction, I react in the way that I know will make him laugh the hardest and we've both met our objectives.  Two can play your game, Dad.  It only took me 28 years to learn the rules. 

Well, I could spend hours telling you the fun stuff about my dad, but onto the cookies.  For years, like lots of other little girls, I gave my dad a tie for Father's Day, but since he doesn't wear that many ties anymore (just for funerals and weddings, he says) I thought he might enjoy cookies instead.  These seem right up your ally, Dad. 

And no worries.  Even though I didn't get this post out until today, I did call my dad yesterday!

Not all dad's are tie-cookie kind of dads.  Like my brother.  (Now, there's another prime example of never wants to grow up.  I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.)  My bro, Benj, is 6'4", father of four (miss them!), has a professional job, and THE biggest goof-ball you will ever meet.  If you haven't seen the Toyota Swagger Wagon video, check it out.  I swear my brother wrote this for them.  They probably didn't cast him because he was too clumsy when bustin' out his hip-hop moves - and he's got them.  (Think Kevin James in Hitch.)  Well, a few weeks ago I came across Star Wars cookie cutters.  I couldn't pass them up.  Combine Star Wars and my cookies, it might be the nicest thing I've ever done for my brother.  Unfortunately, I sent them to my brother without having a photo shoot, so I've just got my camera phone pix.

No worries though.  I'll being doing them again in August.  The cookies inspired the theme for the annual Family Birthday Extravaganza.  And I'll be making a cake to go along with!

(Now, these character cookies were done in my brother's honor.  I don't want to get into the character cookie business.  I'll just stick to my tiles and flowers!)

I know my dad and brother had a wonderful father's day.  And I hope the dad's in your life did too!

And if you've noticed that I've been a little behind on my blogging, I apologize.  Just trying to get adjusted to the summer nanny schedule.  Hopefully, I'll get it together and be back on track soon!

Until then, happy summer!!