Peppermint Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookies {for Sandy Hook}

This post is in honor and support of the victims of Sandy Hook. Bloggers unite on this day in support of the Newtown, Connecticut community after the tragic elementary school shooting one week ago, 12/14/12.

There's probably not a soul on the planet who hasn't heard of the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School one week ago today. And, like many, I want to help. If even in just a tiny way. So I join forces with a group of bloggers who decided to unite on this day with 'Cookies & Crafts for Sandy Hook.'


While this post is but a small tribute to the victims and their families, it's big in heart.

When I first sat down to write this, I was at a total loss as to what to say. Quite honestly, most of what I would like to say are ugly words directed toward the perpetrator of this completely senseless act. But ... I guess that's not really productive.

So, I'll leave my personal reaction at this ...

Continue Reading >>

This post is in honor and support of the victims of Sandy Hook. Bloggers unite on this day in support of the Newtown, Connecticut community after the tragic elementary school shooting one week ago, 12/14/12.

There's probably not a soul on the planet who hasn't heard of the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School one week ago today. And, like many, I want to help. If even in just a tiny way. So I join forces with a group of bloggers who decided to unite on this day with 'Cookies & Crafts for Sandy Hook.'


While this post is but a small tribute to the victims and their families, it's big in heart.

When I first sat down to write this, I was at a total loss as to what to say. Quite honestly, most of what I would like to say are ugly words directed toward the perpetrator of this completely senseless act. But ... I guess that's not really productive.

So, I'll leave my personal reaction at this ...

Continue Reading >>

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Come See Me at 'Frosting for the Cause!'

I'm guest-posting and sharing my personal cancer story over at Frosting for the Cause today.  Oh, and sharing these decadently rich and delicious Chocolate & Cheesecake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.  Come on over and see me!

Frosting for the Cause is a year-long project dedicated to raising funds and awareness for research into women’s cancers.  Beginning January 1, 2011 a total of 365 sugar cookie & cupcake bakers/decorators and bloggers from across Canada and the United States are taking turns guest posting at Frosting for the Cause, treating readers to new recipes and goodies every day. Almost everyone, everywhere, has been touched by cancer in one form or another.  Frosting for the Cause guest bakers will also share, in a very personal manner, about a woman in their life who has had to face cancer head-on.  Come read my story.

Show your support for all women currently battling this terrible disease by visiting Frosting for the Cause today.

I'm guest-posting and sharing my personal cancer story over at Frosting for the Cause today.  Oh, and sharing these decadently rich and delicious Chocolate & Cheesecake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.  Come on over and see me!

Frosting for the Cause is a year-long project dedicated to raising funds and awareness for research into women’s cancers.  Beginning January 1, 2011 a total of 365 sugar cookie & cupcake bakers/decorators and bloggers from across Canada and the United States are taking turns guest posting at Frosting for the Cause, treating readers to new recipes and goodies every day. Almost everyone, everywhere, has been touched by cancer in one form or another.  Frosting for the Cause guest bakers will also share, in a very personal manner, about a woman in their life who has had to face cancer head-on.  Come read my story.

Show your support for all women currently battling this terrible disease by visiting Frosting for the Cause today.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

I'm One of 'The Sweetest' Volunteers

... and that title has nothing to do with my personality!  I've never claimed to be sweet.  I'm kind, caring, somewhat funny, a tiny bit creative ... but I don't know about sweet!

But today I did start something 'Sweet' that I'm really excited about.  I started donating my baked goods to our local Hospice through their 'The Sweetest Volunteers' program.  'The Sweetest Volunteers' bake homemade goodies for Hospice patients and their families, and Hospice nurses then deliver the goodie packages when they make their home visits.  These packages, hopefully, bring at least a tiny bit of comfort to the patients and families during a difficult time.

When I started this blog, I had the goal for it to be about more than cooking, baking, and writing posts about it. I also wanted to turn it into an opportunity for me to give back to the community.  I've spent a few months figuring out the best ways to do that ...

Donating to Hospice is the first way ... inspired by the wonderful Frosting for the Cause project ... and I'm so pleased to have made my first donation today.  I plan to continue giving on a monthly basis (or more) going forward.

Packaging up ...

As this was my first time going through the packaging and donation process, I experimented with a few different types of packages.  Let me tell ya, I sure learned something about myself today -- I am box challenged!  Baking, frosting, and decorating six dozen cupcakes? - no problem!  Folding and assembling cake boxes? - huge problem!!  See that one little plastic clamshell-style 1/2-dozen box in the middle of the picture above?  The one like you get when you buy cupcakes at the grocery store?  I think I'll be going with that type from now on!  Sooooooo much easier.

After packaging, I put little labels on the boxes so goodie recipients would know what they were getting.

Labels

Check out my Giving Back page to learn more about Gaston Hospice and to see other ways I'm giving back to the community.  I'm looking forward to my adventures as one of 'The Sweetest Volunteers!'

Ready for delivery!

... and that title has nothing to do with my personality!  I've never claimed to be sweet.  I'm kind, caring, somewhat funny, a tiny bit creative ... but I don't know about sweet!

But today I did start something 'Sweet' that I'm really excited about.  I started donating my baked goods to our local Hospice through their 'The Sweetest Volunteers' program.  'The Sweetest Volunteers' bake homemade goodies for Hospice patients and their families, and Hospice nurses then deliver the goodie packages when they make their home visits.  These packages, hopefully, bring at least a tiny bit of comfort to the patients and families during a difficult time.

When I started this blog, I had the goal for it to be about more than cooking, baking, and writing posts about it. I also wanted to turn it into an opportunity for me to give back to the community.  I've spent a few months figuring out the best ways to do that ...

Donating to Hospice is the first way ... inspired by the wonderful Frosting for the Cause project ... and I'm so pleased to have made my first donation today.  I plan to continue giving on a monthly basis (or more) going forward.

Packaging up ...

As this was my first time going through the packaging and donation process, I experimented with a few different types of packages.  Let me tell ya, I sure learned something about myself today -- I am box challenged!  Baking, frosting, and decorating six dozen cupcakes? - no problem!  Folding and assembling cake boxes? - huge problem!!  See that one little plastic clamshell-style 1/2-dozen box in the middle of the picture above?  The one like you get when you buy cupcakes at the grocery store?  I think I'll be going with that type from now on!  Sooooooo much easier.

After packaging, I put little labels on the boxes so goodie recipients would know what they were getting.

Labels

Check out my Giving Back page to learn more about Gaston Hospice and to see other ways I'm giving back to the community.  I'm looking forward to my adventures as one of 'The Sweetest Volunteers!'

Ready for delivery!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad