Cookies in the Mail

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and I've got a fun idea for a mailable treat that looks good enough to eat. 

With just a few simple craft supplies and some wall caulking, you can make these really sweet Valentine cookie postcards. 

But I suggest you get started now... they take a while to dry.

You can find my complete step-by-step instructions at SheKnows.

All my love - Sandra

Hotdog! It's almost Groundhog Day.

The groundhog - everyone's favorite weather forecaster - is getting ready to take center stage. This February 2nd, make him the center of your plate by creating these hotdog groundhogs for dinner. They're a silly way to celebrate an even sillier holiday tradition.

Place him inside a cornbread muffin mound, a "snow pile" of mashed potatoes, or a buttermilk biscuit bunker. He'll be delicious, no matter what kind of gourmet, hole-in-the-ground he pops out of.

For the super-simple (and certainly-silly) tutorial, pop over to SheKnows.com.

And don't forget dessert! These no-bake groundhog cookies I made last year are guaranteed to make your celebration complete.

Cinnamon or Cinnaman?

I added a whimsical (and vertical) twist to the classic cinnamon roll: Cinnamon Roll Snowmen.

Basically, you stuff dough balls with cinnamon, sugar, butter and cream cheese. Bake them. Stack them. And then pour cream cheese frosting all over them. Yum.

No one enjoys a good cinnamon roll more than me. (And I'm lucky to have a husband that bakes the BEST cinnamon rolls!) But I just had to try and put my spin on a classic treat. I think they turned out pretty cute.

If you like these and want to try them yourself, you can find my complete tutorial at SheKnows.

Football Field Goal Bites

Need a tailgating snack or a Super Bowl appetizer with a little kick? Then I recommend a plate of these cheesy, guacamole field goal bites. They've got layers of pepper jack cheese in them as well as some spicy guacamole. (You could even dip them in salsa for some added heat, as you eat.) 

Striped to look like a football field, and skewered with goal post toothpicks, you're sure to earn the MVPP (most valuable party planner) award.

You can find the step-by-step instructions at SheKnows.com. And while you're there, check out my Super Bowl Smoothies too. 

I wish I were making both of these this weekend to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. But alas.... we're done. Too bad. They had a great season. Maybe next year!

Hoot Cocoa Spoons

Brrrrr... 

Whooooooo else is freezing today? Owl bet you'd love to have one of these in your hoot cocoa.

With temperatures in the minus category this week << YIKES >> it seems like the perfect time to share my snowy owl marshmallow spoons. They're easy to make and melt when stirred into a cup of hot chocolate. Perfect for owl-themed parties, winter events, and good old-fashioned snow days!)

You can find my helpful, step-by-step tutorial on SheKnows.com. Enjoy. And stay warm this week!

Wiener Dog Rocker #3

Eric had a woodworking request for another rocker. This playful pooch is going to be a 1st birthday present for a little boy. Except, the grandmother asked if the dachshund could be a tiny bit taller. Absolutely. It just makes the pup a little "chubbier," but still very adorable. 

This rocker is made out of cherry with a natural finish, and is somewhat lighter than the previous one he build in November. 

I love how each dog is just a little bit different. Makes them special and one-of-a-kind. As is everything that comes out of Eric's workshop. 

****FABULOUS FOLLOW-UP! How cute is this little guy on his new doxie rocker? Ryan celebrated his 1st birthday today, and his mom sent us a lovely "thank you" and this adorable photo. Dang. That just makes me smile. Enjoy, precious boy!

Waffles by Mail

Happy New Year & Waffle Wednesday!

Ever wondered if you could mail a waffle? Wonder no more. 

Indeed, you can! Well, not a real waffle. But I made this fake waffle postcard, and it mailed just fine.

I sent one to my waffle-loving mother in September, and she couldn't get over how real the syrup looked. She keeps it on display in her kitchen on a plate and shows it to everyone that stops by. (I guess that's the equivalent of putting your child's artwork on the refrigerator door. Except that her child is now 42. Cracks me up.)

If you have any waffle-loving friends or family members that you'd like to mail a waffle to, you can find my easy step-by-step tutorial at SheKnows.com.

I mean, come on…. who wouldn't love to get a waffle in their mailbox?

Snowy Chocolate Pinecones

Looking for a simple, no-bake, edible craft project for the kiddos this winter? 

How about a chic and clever dessert for a winter-themed party or nature-inspired wedding reception?

These snowy chocolate pinecones are made out of Fiber One cereal, peanut butter and Nutella. Dusted with powdered sugar for the "snowy" effect, they look just like a real pinecone. (But they taste a whole lot better than Mother Nature's version.)

Check out my complete tutorial over at Handmade Charlotte. 

P.S. That little deer in the picture keeps showing up in photos and various places around our house since he made his first appearance on my sugar cookies at Christmas. The other day, I gave Bea a Poptart for breakfast and put him on top. She thought that was hilarious. I think he just might hang around this year and join in on my baking adventures. Keep watching!

Sugar Cookies, Simplified.

I have a confession. I hate decorating cookies. Well, I don't hate it. I'm just not very good at it, therefore I don't enjoy it. My hands aren't very steady, and I can't grip a piping bag for more than 5 minutes before my fingers start cramping. So I'm always looking for creative ways to "cheat" when it comes to frosting and decorating cookies (and cakes too, for that matter.)

As the designated baker for my large family, I'm expected to bring platters and platters of our favorite Christmas sugar cookies. This year, I tried to come up with a fun way to deliver maximum cookies, for minimum effort, and still present them in a creative way. (Plus, package them in a container that won't take up valuable trunk space in our car.)

My solution: 100+ scalloped square sugar cookies, filling a box I made out of foam core, frosted white to look like a snowy field, and topped with some little plastic deers and wintery trees.

They're still everyone's favorite homemade sugar cookies with buttercream icing, just simplified. And I didn't have to kill myself spending hours and hours decorating them. 

Happy baking and happy holidays!

Two foam core boxes with lids, filled with cookies, and ready to travel.

Gingerbread Man Postcard

Dear Santa Claus -
I've been a very good girl this year. Please bring me some new cookie cutters for Christmas.

Love - Sandra

Deliver an extra-sweet holiday "hello" by making and mailing a gingerbread man (or woman) postcard. It looks so realistic, your mail carrier might even try to take a bite out of this creative Christmas card cookie.

You'll find the complete, how-to-holiday tutorial at SheKnows.

Does this Santa suit make me look fat?

The kids bought a Santa suit for our cat this weekend at the PetSmart. Needless to say, it's a little snug.

Our Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la Feline is gonna have to start cutting back on the eggnog.

'Tis the Season for Holiday Treats

Here's a sweet little roundup for you. Ten of my favorite, fun & festive holiday treats from the last couple of years. Ho! Ho! Hope there's something here you love too. (Click the links below for the complete tutorials.)

1. Santa Weiner Dog Cookies
2. Olaf the Snowman Snacks
3. A Forest of Fudge
4. Snowman Jell-o Shot Pops
5. Colorful Christmas Tree Cookie Display
6. Cheese Reindeer Head Appetizers
7. Santa Sipper Champagne Glasses
8. Snowman Macarons
9. Ice Skating Penguin Sugar Cookies
10. Cherry-filled Gingerbread Man Tarts