It’s another disappointing year for Patriots fans, especially Dave. We had such plans for Superbowl snacks!

He’s assured me that he’ll still be watching the Superbowl, so I can stick with the menu plans…just a bummer for cookie sales. I suppose we can still make 49′ers and Ravens cookies, but it’s not the same when it’s not “your team”…

Anyway, we are gearing up for a WICKED cold spell here. It could get as low as -35!!! We’ve been having problems with our pellet stove for 3 weeks. That’s 3 weeks of Dave pulling it out of the fireplace, cleaning it, replacing various parts, and lots of frustration and swearing. Don’t worry though, we have oil as a backup, just not enough to get through the entire Winter. Also, the fact that we have two tons of pellets in the basement does not help. Seems like a waste when the stove isn’t working right.

Today we took a trip to Granville, NY to pick up yet another part for the stove…so far it seems to be working. But keeping it going all night long and all day will be the real test.

Keeping warm!!

Daisy and Casper can tolerate one another well enough to share the dog bed.

We’ve been working on cookies as usual. Here is the latest job.

These were the most difficult!

This was the third order from this client.

The first two orders were to replicate the INOA tube. We wrapped them in cello bags and finished the packaging with neon green, grosgrain ribbon.

I thought these were difficult!

Then she placed an order for three more designs.

All four so far.

This design required the airbrush, plus some hand painting of the design on the side.

I initially tried it with icing, but it was super sloppy. The spaces were just way too tiny for RI.

So I went with the paintbrush.

This design wasn’t as difficult as the others to figure out, but that tiny white writing with a super tiny tip is just as hard.

Most of the time figuring out which techniques to use to translate a design is the hardest part for these kinds of cookies. And that was true for this job. Also, there are many more details on the actual product packaging, but it would be impossible to get it all on a cookie with icing, so knowing which details to use and which ones to leave out is also a challenge.

I can’t wait to see what other packaging this client sends my way!!

This afternoon we’ll be working on some Baby Snoopy cookies, polka ducks and “preppy” birthday cookies…I like the idea of all of them. Plus, the designs will be much simpler to execute than product packaging!!

If you’re someplace cold, stay warm and don’t leave your pets outside!! They should all be as cozy as my Daisy and Casper!
PS don’t worry, Franklin and Lily are cozy too!!