We Weep For You, Joplin

It's been four days since the devastating tornado smashed it's way through the heart of our town, leaving in it's wake death, destruction and broken lives and hearts. I feel that if I start crying, I will never stop. I think I've been in a daze since Sunday night.

We weren't directly impacted by the tornado. It missed where we live by about four miles. But you can't drive through town and not be touched.

The night it happened, my husband and son stayed out until about 2:00 am, came in and slept for a few hours, then headed back out by 6:00 am. We all wanted to do whatever we could, anything we could, to help those who had lost everything.

I was on facebook tonight and it breaks my heart a little more each time I read about another child, unidentified and alone, in a hospital in a neighboring town, or a story about another hero who sacrificed their life to save others. The hardest part of all is the missing.

Now there's a facebook page showing pictures of those who died. I just want to sit there and cry over each picture.

It's called grief, and we're all going through it right now.

Tomorrow I'll deliver some of my Smiley Face cookies to the doctors and nurses who are working tirelessly at a makeshift hospital since there's was destroyed. Just a little something else I can do.

Please keep Joplin in your prayers.

Balloon Birthday Cake For Shelbi!

A Balloon Birthday Cake for Shelbi.

Happy Birthday!!

Texas Cookies

Both of my daughters-in-law are from Texas. They're going to love these!!

Regular . . . .




. . . . and chocolate.



Congratulations, Anthony!!

Cowboy Boot Cookies

I've made several different colors and variations of these. Always fun to do!

Cowboy Hat Cookies

I've made these several times and always love doing them. Quick & easy!!

Longhorn Cookies

Sorry about the somewhat blurry picture! I take upteen pics of each cookie and usually get at least one close to perfect shot. Didn't happen with this cookie!!

I absolutely love how these turned out!

Another Day, Another Flower!

I'm still loving these! I made this one in my spare time a couple of days ago.



I love the floral fabric. I'm going to try mixing it with some coordinating solid fabrics and see what I come up with. Maybe try some pale blue or green. Might even try red!

Now I just need to find that spare time!!

Priceless Moments In Time

I've been carrying my camera around with me constantly the last few weeks, trying to catch some good shots of my grand kids. I really need to get some good closeups for an idea I have. Easier said than done with the younger three!

I did get these three. Four to go!







And here's our little Laker!



And here's his big sis!



I went to an amusement park with one set of grand kids last week. We had a blast!




That evil look in my son-in-law's eyes is directed at me! We were getting ready to leave, the rides were all closing down and the girls were just dying to ride one more ride. This was the only one that was still open. I assured him that I didn't think he would get that wet! How did I know that the kids waiting for him to come around knew him???



He got soaked!



But the girls had a blast!



And poor little Sydney spent the day in her stroller. She was so happy to briefly touch the ground!



In case you don't know, I love being Grandma!!

Hot Pink & Black Shower Cake

I made this cake last night for a friend's shower. It's really hot pink, although it doesn't look that way in these pics!!

This is the first time I've drawn those swirly thingies on a cake! I'm not real crazy about it, but I learned a lot.


This is the first time I made fondant ribbon roses as well. Learned a lot about them too!



Congrats, Charity!

More Fabric Flowers

I've been so busy lately that I've been meeting myself coming and going! I really should be at a meeting today, but staying home just sounded so nice . . . .

Here are some more fabric flowers I've been working on in my spare time. I love making these little beauties! Each fabric I use makes such a unique flower.





I especially like this pink one! It's so full and fluffy!



Now, I really need to get outside and work on the real thing in my flower bed!!

More Smiley Face Cookies Bound For Vanuatu!

My son, who lives in Vanuatu, has a birthday this month, on the 24th. It's always a challenge deciding what to send him. Whatever I do decide to send has to be sent at least a month ahead of time if it's going to get there anywhere near his birthday. So it's impossible to send fresh baked goods.

But this year, we have friends who are going to Vanuatu to visit family and they offered to take a few things along!




So I made these cookies, individually wrapped them, then wrapped them in several layers of bubble wrap. They will only be four or five days old when they get to my son. The freshest cookies he's had from me in the last couple of years!!



Bon voyage, Smiley Face Cookies! May you arrive in one piece!

Music Graduation Cake

This cake was made for a friend for his graduation. He's the music minister at his church so he wanted to mix the graduation theme with a music theme.

Since he is an avid piano player, he liked this cake that I made last year for another friend. So I made the same basic cake and added the graduation cap.



The cake is covered with fondant, with fondant add-ons. The graduation cap and tassel are not edible.

Since they were concerned that the one cake might not be enough for their guests, we decided to to a sheet cake as well.



Congratulations, Chris!!