Welcome to Paisley Petunia…part two!
I find inspiration in pretty pictures, endless possibilities in a bowl of Meyer lemons, the meaning of lifetime devotion in the wagging tails of our 3 rescue dogs, end-of- the-day bliss in a glass of red wine and now, the boundless, soul clutching meaning of life in the faces of my 2 little angels.
It's a happy, creative, joy-full life we've got here in the LA sun. Come play! Bring wine.
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Patisserie Party 2009
{COOKIES! photo credit: ckm}
One of my most favorite holiday traditions growing up was our annual Cookie Day. My mom, her sister, their mom, my sister and I would set aside one whole day to do nothing but bake cookies. Literally, we would bake for 10 hours. We churned out so many types of cookies: sugar cookies, spritz cookies, fudge, brittle, divinity, thumb print cookies and on and on that our our house would be covered with bits of creamy frosting and flour for days after that. And of course, every available tin, pie pan and dish was crammed full of treats. I loved that day more than anything else we did at Christmastime.
It’s one holiday tradition that even if it changes a little, will continue forever in this family. Since I’ve lived on my own here in LA, I’ve had my own version of Cookie Day with my friends (though there will never be a substitute for the original!) It was clear after year 1 (8 years ago) I needed to do something productive with all those sweets (besides eat them!) And so, each year my friends and I bake ooodles of yum and donate the baskets to a local charity. It’s such a fun day baking, eating, drinking champagne and sharing in the holiday spirit. This year I changed our name from Cookie Day to Patisserie Party…has a nice ring don’t you think? All of my chefs came armed with their favorite recipe and off we went. 6 hours later we had huge baskets of treats for the residents of Turning Point (a shelter helping people transition from homeless to self sufficiency.) We also created little personal care bags for them with the help of my mom and some generous donors.
{Gift bags ready to go}
It was an absolute blast and I want to thank everyone who helped: Jill, Steph, Sarah (all the way from Ireland!!), Nicole, Julie, Courtney, Vanessa and Donna (and even a little help from my husband Jeff!)
{Aprons for the chefs}
{the Dream Team}
Thank you from the bottom of my sugar cookie lovin’ heart.
You guys are the best.
PS: had to share a pic of Courtney’s cute vintage shoes and fuchsia tights. She rocks the vintage look better than anyone. Check out her Etsy store, The Vintagerie here.
{Courtney's sweet style}
I have to say there were some really tasty cookies produced that day but nothing beats chocolate fudge and colored marshmallows – thanks S!
Signed,
The quality control tasting committee
Courtney looks so cute with bangs!
I am so delighted that you have continued our wonderful cookie day. Fond memories of the past, loving family and sweet smelling kitchen….plate after plate of yummy delights…T and her sister racing with the spatulas to spread the piping hot peanut brittle as I poured it onto the pans (and tried not to pour it onto their hands!), then the wonderful moment when it has cooled and the “breaking” of the brittle…tummy aches and piles of dishes to wash….so much fun…I only wish I could have been there with you this year!
PS
Thank you for the wonderful photo (compliments of T) that I used for my Christmas cards.
You are too wonderful to continue the tradition, *and* expand it to include the donation aspect. You guys rock — the aprons are outstanding.
Thank you so much for including me in this wonderful event! It was so much fun gabbing and baking and even better that it went to a great cause. Thank you also for the amazing butternut squash soup that clearly has become my new obsession. I feel a cookbook in your future.
Ps – I love that you were able to subconsciously coordinate us to go from lightest hair to darkest in our team photo!
I’m loving the aprons! My Mom, sis and I are having our annual bakefest this weekend!
What a great tradition – I miss the baking day that I used to share with my mom (even though our household ate the cookies as soon as they were done). Love the aprons too!