Fall Break...

Sarah's Sweet Shoppe is now closed for FALL BREAK. 
We will be open again on Tuesday, November 1 and will return all messages at that time.

Go Cardinals! 

How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?

Practice. Practice. Practice!

Today's cookie adventure was just that... practice.  For a couple of years now, I have been wanting to try a new icing recipe.  I had not tried it for a number of reasons... primarily because I am a firm believer in "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  I really love my standard cookie recipe, why would I want to try anything different.  Nevertheless, this cookie company adventure, along with the dreams of my imagination, and the encouragement of my friends, has compelled me to set aside my reservations and dive in. 

So, with the help of a tutorial from one of my cookie heroes, Sweet Sugarbelle, I tried my hand at Royal Icing.  (What's Royal Icing? It is a smooth icing that flows and then hardens.  As much as I love my fluffy frosting, it doesn't allow you do to as much detail as Royal Icing does... Also, there are a few things, that just look so much better smooth...)

Tada!

 

Candy Corns!

(Shiny, not fluffy...
just like candy corns should be.)

 And LEGO Mini-Figure Heads! Thank you again, Sweet Sugarbelle, for your inspiration and tutorial, and to Kristin Woolridge for encouraging me to try!  (Kristin is planning a Lego birthday party and had seen this idea online and asked if I could do it.  I said, I didn't know, but I would try...)

This LEGO head is made with Royal Icing.

This one is made with my Fluffy Frosting.

And my first Royal Icing Flower... I would call it "Candy Corn Hibiscus."  ;^)

So, honestly, I clearly need some more practice... I need to do some more research... I need a better recipe (because this icing was pretty, but, frankly, not so yummy), but I see so many possibilities with it.  I will still probably always prefer my fluffy frosting, but it is always fun to try something new. 

And so, the moral of the story is... If you have an idea, or you want me to copy something you already have, like an invitation or a napkin, don't hesitate to ask.  I will tell you "Yes," if I know I can do it.  I will tell you "I'll try," if I am not sure, and then we can decide if we can create your cookie or if we need to develop something else wonderful.

Sweet cookie dreams!
Sarah

Congratulations... all around!

Congratulations to the Blue Valley West Girls' Golf Team for finishing another good season!  Thank you, Mary, for your order for their banquet celebration!  I hope your banquet tonight was a special time... remember, "In the end, it is not wether you win or lose, but how you celebrate!" 

And congratulations to Keli Kincaid, who won my Cookie Contest on Facebook!  She had the closest guess (without going over... Sorry, Diane) to the correct number of dimples on a Sweet Shoppe golf ball cookie! 

There are approximately 58 dimples on a large golf ball cookie, which means there were 1,566 on the cookies I made for the BVW Golf Team!  (A real golf ball ususally has between 300-450, often 336, just for those of you who were wondering. ;^)

Sweet Keli will be finding a sweet treat in her mailbox sometime soon!  Thanks for playing! 

CONGRATULATIONS!

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"THANKS so much for the golf ball cookies!  They turned out great and were a big hit with the girls and their families.  And they were super yummy too!  Thanks for adding that special touch to the golf banquet!  I will definitely spread the word for your awesome cookies whenever I get the chance!"

- Mary

Fall Family Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

Gingerbread Pumpkins and Maple Leaves

We're headed to the pumpkin patch for our annual adventure (and family photo op)!  I hope you are enjoying this great fall day with someone you love (more than cookies)!

A House Divided?

Who will YOU be cheering for today?

Either way, don't you wish you had some yummy cookies
to help you show your pride your favorite team?

If you haven't already placed your order, I can't help you today,
but please think of Sarah's Sweet Shoppe when you plan your next tailgate or party!
Thanks!

Go Jayhawks! 
 err, um... I mean...
Go Wildcats!

Happy Birthday, Tennis Girl!

 I am super excited to help Tennis Girl celebrate her 9th birthday!  Happy Birthday, Juliet!

These tennis ball cookies are for her class party at school!  Her mom wanted to make it extra special, so I designed a fun tag to add to the party favor bags and tied them with coordinating curl-ribbon.

Thank you, Jennifer, for this fun opportunity!

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"Oh my goodness...the Tennis Ball Cookies look SPECTACULAR!!!
You "ACED" it, girlfriend!!  BRAVO!!  

And, Juliet is going to absolutely LOVE her surprise!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

~ Jennifer

Way to Go, Team!

It is time to CELEBRATE the END of soccer season! 

Cheers to all the players, coaches, and parents for encouraging their young athletes to always do their best!  In the end, it is not whether you win or lose, but how you celebrate!

Do you know a team that would like to celebrate a great season with some special treats?  Or a coach that deserves special "Thanks"?  Sarah's Sweet Shoppe would be happy to help you celebrate the end of the season, too!

Thanks, Holly, for your order!

An Apple for the Teacher -Happy End of the 1st Quarter

It was a perfect fall day to bake some APPLES!  We decided to make these Red Delicious and Granny Smith's as teacher thank you treats to celebrate the end of the 1st Quarter.

Reader R and
her Red Delicious Apples
for Mrs. Cox at HCA!

Curious K and
her curious orange and
lime green apples ;^)

My big girls each got a turn
to decorate their own apple cookies too!

Not only did we make these fun apples, but we also baked a delicious apple crisp with Elliot, the class elephant from Curious K's preschool classroom, along assistance from our own Horton.  So much fun!

(BTW- Those elephants really know their way around the kitchen.  I might have to bring them on as helpers during the Christmas rush! ;^)  Of course, they ate more than their share of the dessert too, so maybe that isn't such a great deal after all.)

These boots were made for eating...

Howdy!

This week it was time to "Cowgirl Up" and make some fun cowgirl boots and hats for door prizes for the Heritage Christian Academy Mom's Night Mixer - "Cowgirl Round Up."

Just enough cookies to share or gobble down yourself in the van on the way home! Enjoy!

LOVE these Sugar-Toed Sweeties!
  I wish I had a pair just like them.

These fun hats remind me of "Jessie" from Toy Story

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"Oh Sarah, that was THE BEST cookie I have ever eaten. If you ever want to make me a cookie again, I will gladly accept it. YUM. That frosting was delicious! Better than Connie's cookies."

- Gina

Happy Fall Y'all

I LOVE Fall!  It is my favorite season.  Leaves, pumpkins, apples, Thanksgiving, and GINGERBREAD!  Baking gingerbread has a amazing delicious smell that is just warm and cozy.

Gingerbread with Vanilla Frosting

I can't wait to start baking some yummy gingerbread treats this fall.  I baked these gingerbread leaves with vanilla frosting last fall.  Now, I would probably do two-tone frosting or sprinkles to make them an extra fun.  I will post them when I am do make them, but it will have to wait because this week I am baking cowgirl hats and boots, and apples for teacher gifts!

I am so thankful for the beautiful fall weather and amazing leaves turning, which remind us of God's creativity, beauty, bountiful provision, and the promise of new life after death.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Sarah

Life is a "Zoo" Sometimes

These are some special treats I made for a trip to the zoo with a good friend from high school and her son.  Thanks for the fun, Square and Mr. T!