Hootie Hoot ! Meet Uncle Mike !

Is this not the CUTEST school photo you've ever seen?!?

This is my Uncle Mike. And when I saw that picture, I thought, THAT needs to be a cookie!!!

{Isn't that what you think about great pictures? Just me?}

Let me tell you a little about my Uncle Mike....

• He was just 16 when I was born,

• When I was about 4 or so, he took me on a ROAD TRIP! I think it was from Texas to my grandparents' house in Oklahoma. Apparently, during the trip, he waited patiently outside the ladies' room door for me...and waited...and waited. I didn't come out. It seems my mother had trained me very well to line the toilet seat with toilet paper, BUT it kept falling off! I'm not sure how this was all resolved, but I did eventually make it out of that bathroom.

• One of my Uncle's favorite expressions is "Hootie Hoot!" I've never heard another person actually utter these words. :)

• He and kiddo have a private joke that involves the "hi-ho" song from Snow White. (I'll spare you the details.)
• And I can't forget....he LOVES the RED SOX!!!

I've always loved my Uncle Mike. Not only because he forgave me when I was 6 and I sat on his glasses and broke them....when he was visiting us....out-of-town.

{I PRAY I was wearing a wig in this photo because otherwise, I'll be forced to call child protective services. 36 years later.}

After my mom died, he called. I mean, he called to check in on us every so often. To ask how we were doing, to ask about Kiddo, to have a laugh. My dad & sister & I had each other, but to hear my mom's brother's voice on the phone....it was a great comfort. It was another connection to her and I will never forget that.

I think some sort of border looks pretty on these edible image cookies....piping, a scalloped edge, sprinkles. This one was piped with a #16 star tip.

YES....these are EDIBLE images! Do not try this with your home printer. :) (You know, I had to say that, just in case.) My icing printer arrived a few weeks ago and I'm just getting to know it. The “paper” is a thin frosting sheet and the “ink” comes from food coloring jets.

I'll give a full tutorial on applying edible images in a future post, I promise! Until then, the quick version....format your picture, print on frosting sheets, cut and apply.

So, help me wish my Uncle Mike a Happy Birthday! Let's give him a Bake at 350 “Hootie Hoot!” ;)

LOTS of squealing going on in our house. . .

I hope you'll forgive this non-food related post, but this seemed like something blog worthy.

We're invited to a Halloween costume party and, of course, the first place I decided to check for ideas was Martha Stewart's website.

I started searching the section called "Your Best Halloween Costumes"...costume pictures sent in by readers.

And.
There.
He.
Is.

MY SON!!! On Martha's website!!! Oh, the screaming!

"J....YOU ARE ON MARTHA'S WEBSITE!!!"

deep breath. deep breath. deep breath. Is this what it feels like to win the lottery?

Thanks for letting me share. :) He's the traffic light (I think slide #12.)

No matter where you go, there you are...

When I worked for Mary Engelbreit years ago, that was always one of my favorite illustrations of hers...No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. Well, my sister, her husband, my nephew and baby on the way (!) moved back to Texas this week, and I thought they needed a reminder of where they are. :)


One thing I learned making these is that Texas is a lot harder to outline than it looks. My husband looking over my shoulder said, "I bet you're wishing we live in Utah right about now. " Yes, Utah seems like it would be a little easier.

These could really be done for almost any state just by shifting the wording. For a state like Rhode Island, I'd skip the outline altogether and just make the heart.

I made these using my usual cookie recipe, but substituting vanilla bean paste for the extract and doubling the amount of it. I just love those little vanilla bean specks!

We're so happy to have our family close by now....I'm thinking that means even more occasions for cookies, cakes, and pies...oh my! :)

Cookie decorating with the boys . . .

Last week as I was debating cookie ideas, my son said, "can we make some just to have around the house?" He never asks for cookies (I think he's eaten too many of my mistakes), so I jumped at the chance to make some together.

We decided to try out some mini Easter cutters and just do simple outlines and sparkling sugar.
I just love seeing that BOY'S ARM and digital watch cutting cookies! And boy, did we have cookies!!!

Hubby decided to join us for decorating. They actually had fun! (I was a little worried. Never fear, they are getting their "man time" in now watching Star Wars Clone Wars.)

Total concentration....notice the arched eyebrows! :)

I love the face on this little guy!

How about these? I can't decide which is my favorite....the bunny with the glasses or the "surprised" one.






One day left for Easter baking! Need some inspiration?

• Good Eggs
• Easter Baskets
• Easter Chick Flicks

Today (Saturday) Bake at 350's pantry is being featured at The Perfect Pantry. Go on over and check out Lydia's blog. It's full of great recipes, info and yes, pantries! :) Thanks, Lydia!

And, before I forget again....the winner of the King Arthur Scone giveaway was Lorie. Thanks for entering! :)

Have a Happy Easter!