It was a simple yet lovely request put out by Anita of Sweet Hope Cookies just over a week ago and on the anniversary of her brother’s death.  Today would have been her brother Randy’s 65th birthday and to honour his memory, she asked her readers to commit to performing one random act of kindness on May 1st.  It was Anita’s hope that on this day she would have at least 65 people performing a kindness in memory of Randy who passed away from ALS two years ago on April 19th, only 18 months after being diagnosed with ALS.

Today I’m happy to be counted among the 121 readers who responded to Anita’s request.  Anita has been baking cookies and raising awareness and funds for ALS in honour of Randy since February of 2011 (over $18,000 raised to date and counting).  In light of that, I decided that my random act of kindness would be to bake some cookies for the people at my closest Canadian ALS Society.

When I deliver the cookies, I will be including a note telling them about the selfless work that Anita has been doing for the American ALS Association in memory of her brother and the address of her site Sweet Hope Cookies will be highlighted.

One of the best blog series I have ever read was Anita’s 13 part “Remembering Randy” which she wrote last year.  If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, I urge you to take some time at some point to do so.  You will come to know Randy through the words and cookies of his sister.  In opening herself up to share her brother’s story, readers not only come to know of his wonderful character and compassionate heart, but so too do they come to know very much about the spirit of his amazing sister, Anita.  Her words, his story, they will stay with you and perhaps prompt you to do a random act of kindness…whenever you can.

This post is for you Anita, with a thank-you for all you have done for ALS and continue to do in Randy’s memory.

Ron and I are normally what I consider to be light packers whenever we travel.  One suitcase each and if we are flying, we will also have one carry-one each.  When we spent a month in Florida this past February I made an exception and insisted that if I was going to be out of my own home for five weeks, I was not leaving Perth without some of my baking equipment.  Thank goodness we were making the trip in our van and not a plane because *some* of my baking equipment included my Kitchen Aid Mixer and my KopyKake projector.  Yes, it was a heavy storage box but I’m so glad that I had it with me during our stay down South.

You see, as I mentioned in the prior post, birthdays are special and while we were in Florida our friend Bill celebrated his birthday.  Now Bill and his wife Nicole who have been Ron’s friends long before Ron and I met and were married, welcomed me with opened arms five years ago.  In fact, we spent a week at their place in Florida the month after Ron and I exchanged our vows and just prior to our trip to Venice and cruise of the Greek Isles.  They are as warm as they are generous and before you have a chance to step into the entry of their home, you know without hesitation that you are going be comfortable there.

Over these past few years I’ve come to know a few things about what Bill loves.  Buffet Restaurants, Costco, Golf and Sweets.  Yes, Bill loves his sweets and while Nicole is a fabulous cook (just ask Ron about her seafood pasta) she does not bake.  But I do and while we were in Florida Bill became slightly addicted to homemade chocolate chip cookies.  Suffice it to say that my discovery of Ghiradelli Chocolate Chips in the local Publix grocery store was not lost on Bill. (I’m so happy that I found a shop a half hour from Perth that now carries Ghiradelli Chips.  Hooray!)

But I digress.  February 16th was Bill’s special day and Ron and I held a little birthday dinner for his long-time friend.  Ron’s lasagna was served along with Ceasar salad and chocolate birthday cake.  At the end of the dinner we happily presented Bill with an extra lasagna to take home along with some special cookies that not only conveyed his love of golf but hopefully, our love of Bill.

These cookies are representative of the course that Bill and Nicole belong to at their *snowbird’s* Winter home in Florida.

A course by the way, where I took some golf lessons from their local Pro, Kelly Lagedrost.  Bill and Nicole, along with my husband Ron are all great golfers.  I am not.  Yet, they are all very patient with me and my game.  This past Winter it was just time for some more lessons and I could not have had a better instructor than I had in Kelly.  Bill and Nicole recommended her to Ron and I and I’m so grateful for that.  It is because of Kelly’s instructions that I play with more confidence than I’ve ever played with and I’m very anxious for our weather to improve so I can get out and play once again on our course here at home.  Thanks to Kelly’s wonderful instruction I have been able to add *Par* and *Birdie* to my own personal golf vocabulary.

Before we left to come back home to Perth, I also gave Kelly some cookies.

We all have special people in our lives and we should acknowledge them in a special way from time to time.  Whether it be a phone call, hand-written note, email, an extra long hug or something made the heart, just for them.

Who will you acknowledge in a special way this week? 

It really doesn’t matter which one you are marking, all birthdays are special and certainly a cause for celebration.  This past weekend, on Sunday to be exact, family members got together to celebrate my son-in-law Jeff’s birthday.  This post is not as much about the cake I made for Jeff, nor the reaction that it surprisingly caused (more about that at the end of the post) rather it is about the man who’s beautiful engaging smile, like his heart, just grew bigger as he grew older.

He hasn’t done anything over his 40 years that would cause those outside of his circle of family, friends and collegues to stand up and take notice.  In the cyber world you won’t see *I just got a book deal* or *I’m appearing live on the local morning talk show* in his tweet stream.  Nor will you see *I’ve just reached 5000* followers on Facebook.*  However, it is not an understatement to say that to meet Jeff is to want to get to know the man behind that infectious smile.

It is all about establishing core family values for Jeff, living by them daily and thereby instilling them in his two daughters.  The essence of Jeff is type of man that he is and how it frames every decision he makes.  A career change in recent years had him find his niche in life and he makes a living fighting for the underdogs, the marginalized, those who do not or can’t find their own voice.  Jeff speaks and fights for them so that they can earn a respectable living in decent working conditions.  When he’s *on the job* he’s *on the job*.  From a tender and humble heart he faces each day with hope that somehow, through hard work and unfailing determination he will make a difference for the better in someone’s life.  While at times it may be difficult to draw a concrete line between work commitments and family time, Jeff manages to keep the balance and should the scales tip more in favour of one than the other he is quick to right them.

Being witness to the maturing of my young grand-daughters I see irrefutable evidence that their father’s values have taken root in their growing characters.  From the love and respect of their relatives to their love and caring of their environment they are evolving into compassionate and giving citizens of the world.  From being carried on shoulders to traversing on their own, nature walks are taken as opportunities to learn that our environment is a gift to be respected and cared for.

His work ethic has transcended into his school-aged daughter who applies his principles to her studies.  Study hard, learn everything you can and then apply it.  Jeff’s desire to make a difference has impacted his young family.  From donating her hair twice to Locks of Love to celebrating her 9th birthday by inviting her friends to make a donation to The Wild Bird Care Center his eldest has a good understanding that the world is not all about her but rather how she can make a difference  in it.  His youngest knows that when Santa is good to you, you in turn are good to others and your old toys become new toys for others.  They both know to play hard and more importantly, to play fair.  This is a growing, maturing young family headed by a man of strong moral ethics and principles.  He comes from a long line of people who share these values.

(L to R) Jeff’s Step-Dad, His Nona, Jeff, His Mom, His Grandmother, His Nono

As we celebrated this man and his special day it was clear to me that Jeff  is creating a legacy for his children.  An inheritance that will live on long after the candles are blown out on his final birthday (many years from now, God willing).  His children are heirs to the priceless fortune that only a person of true wealth can leave their loved ones.  That of *To Be Good Is To Do Good*.

About the Cake ~ Double layered 10″ round Black Magic Chocolate Cake (from The Chef and I) frosted with Chocolate Almond Buttercream.  The photo was done with my icing printer and is of Jeff at nine months of age.  It was a surprise and evoked many happy memories from all his family present.  It was touching actually and I enjoyed the conversations it ignited.  From his Mom recalling the actual day the photo was taken to his Nona remarking on how Jeff was always such a happy baby.  In the birthday photo above Jeff is flanked by his Mom and his Nona who both wanted to stand beside *their baby.*

As much as I enjoy blogging, it can be intimidating.  You finish baking and decorating, take the pictures, write the post and once the *Publish* button is clicked your stomach does a little turn while you hope that your readers will like what you’ve done.  When someone takes the time to comment and let you know that they do it is not only heart-warming, it is an affirmation.   And it encourages you to continue to bake and decorate and to share.

Today’s post is in two parts.  The first is a sincere thank you.  To all the readers who left comments on one of my recent creations and especially to two ladies, Michelle and Nicolle who enjoyed it so much that they were inspired to make their own versions of it and share their finished cakes with me.  I am so happy that something I made and posted here ended up in your own homes and helped to add to your Easter celebrations.

This is Michelle’s cake.  Her piping work is great and I love that she filled the nest with Jelly Beans!  Michelle is allergic to chocolate so she used Carob to make her cake.

This is Nicolle’s cake.  She’s never piped a cake before and I think she did a fabulous job.

Feedback, especially positive feedback is so encouraging to any blogger, it’s the icing on our cake (or cookies).  I am so appreciative of Michelle and Nicolle for sending me the pictures of their cakes.  I am humbled that I was able to inspire you.  You all continue to inspire me here at The Vanilla Bean Baker.  Thank you!

Speaking of inspiration…I came across David from Good Things by David through Janet at The Army Mom.  Recently he did a wrap up of his Sweet Treats in March and when I saw his Favourite Oatmeal Cookies I knew that I would be making them.  The delightful surprise in these cookies is the 1/2 cup of pure maple syrup that is in them.  Having received a 2L bottle just harvested from my sister-in-law Lynn’s maple trees the first thing I baked was David’s cookies.

Believe me when I tell you that they do not disappoint.  I divided the batter in half  and added raisins to one half and chocolate chips to the other.  My favourite are the oatmeal raisin ones but I’d never turn away from an oatmeal chocolate chip one either!  They bake in mounds just like David says but I’m sure if you prefer a flatter cookie you can press down with a fork before baking.

However way you prefer, do try David’s recipe.  You’ll enjoy sitting down with a cup of coffee and a few of these while you  read posts from some of your favourite bloggers!

Thanks David!

]]> http://www.vanillabeanbaker.com/the-icing-on-the-cake/feed/ 20 http://www.vanillabeanbaker.com/easy-and-kid-friendly-easter-table-setting-ideas/ http://www.vanillabeanbaker.com/easy-and-kid-friendly-easter-table-setting-ideas/#comments Sun, 31 Mar 2013 22:03:31 +0000 Paula http://www.vanillabeanbaker.com/?p=7824

I know this is a busy day in most households so I’m going to try and keep this short (at least shorter than my last post!).  I just thought I’d share with you some quick and easy table setting ideas that we used for our Easter dinner table.  The grand-girls enjoyed having a hand in some of these and we thought you’d like to see.

Easter Bunny Ears Napkins:

I got the idea for these from the cookie pops that Sue at Munchkin Munchies made.  Thanks for the inspiration Sue!  Simply take a large napkin opened flat and face side down.   Take one top corner and fold down to opposite corner to make a triangle.  Fold the pointed bottom edge up to the top center of the wide edge, then fold the bottom edge up to meet the top.  Placing your fingers of one hand in the center of the fold napkin, take the far right end of the napkin and fold up over the center.  Repeat for the far left of the napkin.  Gather the bottom section of the napkin and push down through your napkin ring.  Using a large dog bone cookie cutter, trace around the cutter, adding a small mound at the top mid section of the cutter.  Cut and decorate as shown.

Easter Nest Napkin with Egg:

This napkin fold can be used to either house a hard-boiled egg which the kids can decorate while you are busy getting Easter dinner ready.

Ella’s Egg

Sophie’s Egg

Or you can fill the napkin nest with your choice of Easter candy.

To make the napkin nest, lay the napkin flat, face side down.  Fold lower right corner up to the upper left to make a triangle.  Fold the upper left down to the middle of the triangles right side and then fold the left edge halfway down to lower right edge.  Now fold the upper left edge down to the lower right edge.  You should have formed a long narrow napkin.  Twist the napkin at least three complete times.  Form the twisted napkin into a circle by crossing the right end over the left.  Wrap the loose end around the formed circle and tuck loose end into the folds.  Arrange flat nest and fill center. (note:  this napkin fold idea from the book Top 100 step-by-step Napkin Folds by Denise Vivaldo)

Oh, and one more thing to keep the kids busy while you are prepping dinner, have a few sugar cookies on hand that have been piped and flood with royal icing.  Set the kids up with some edible markers and let them and their imaginations go!

Ella’s Cookies

Candy and Tea Light Centerpiece:

I have this tea light table centerpiece which was a gift from my daughter a few years back.  Normally we use it outdoors on the patio table.  This Easter I filled half of the tea light holders with candy eggs and left candles in the remainder.

Before I go, I’d like to thank everyone for your very kind and somewhat overwhelming response to my Easter Bird Nest cake.  I’m very flattered that you all enjoyed that post so much and that many of you have chosen to make the cake for you own families this year.  I enjoy reading your comments and appreciate them and your emails very much.

I’d like to wish everyone a very lovely and blessed Easter.  May you find wonder in all the beauty of this miraculous holiday and in this refreshing season.