Besides painting the kitchen and getting ready for my Easter family dinner bash, we also have my favorite son and daughter-in-laws reception to get planned! Oh, it is going to be so special.
I think I've told you that I used to do cakes when my kidlets were little, haven't I?...Well, I will be doing the wedding cake, or shall I say the latest trend in wedding cakes- you may have guessed- wedding cupcakes! (Along with a six inch top cake for the bride and grooms first anniversary...and I will share pictures of course!) But, right now I am up to my eyeballs in sea shells. Actually seashell cookies. (and raw-brown-sugar sand!)
Considering the fact that I have a temperamental 1966 oven that only heats to the correct temperature when it wants to, I have done a lot of successful baking the past couple of weeks. First cupcakes, and now cookies.
It's been a real challenge. First of all, the oven is tiny. A 24 inch oven. Very small. The door will not quite close when I put in my good cookie sheets. I tried buying a small cookie sheet but the oven was then determined to promptly go into broil mode when I used it-- like it knew the cookie sheet was tiny...very weird. (and maddening.) Also, I don't dare leave the kitchen, let alone the oven area once I put something in to bake. I have to stand, peering through the small window on the oven door, pot holder in hand, ready to tear open the door and snatch the tray out when it acts like it is going to go into "broil" mode. A new oven is not in my "suddenly single budget" at this moment, but I refuse to let this old oven get the best of me. At the very least, I am not going down without a fight.
Since they were married on the beach, we are going to have seashell cookies as wedding favors at my son and new daughter-in-laws reception. (Oh, how I love saying that! MY NEW DAUGHTER-IN-LAW!)
We (The new daughter-in-law, the maid-of-honor, the sewing queen, and I) all had a fabulous time yesterday, decorating votive candles, yakking it up, laughing, baking about a hundred seashell cookies, decorating them, and bagging them up for guests. 
Here they are, laying on a beach of raw brown sugar. I wanted to be sure and get the frosting colors just right. Aren't they adorable? They taste yummy too.
Oh, this whole event is so very fun to help plan....it's going to be paradise.
Those are just beautiful! I also have a temperamental, small oven that makes baking a headache... it took me years to discover it is "off" by exactly 50 degrees, so that's why I burned everything.
Also, I just wanted to say how lucky your son & new daughter-in-law are to have you. My own mother died when I was young, so I did not have her help planning my wedding so that was sad for me. But fortunately I have wonderful IL's who stepped up to help me with all the planning.
Also, I wanted to let you know I found your blog through Meredith at Like Merchant Ships, and I'm enjoying reading!
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 30, 2007 at 05:57 AM
Your talents never cease to amaze me...when do you sleep, my dear? The cookies are amazing and what a lucky new daugher-in law and I am sure your son already knows how blessed he is!
Posted by: Michelle Fox | March 30, 2007 at 06:43 AM
Those are TOO gorgeous to eat! Wow. I wish I could make cookies like that. You are such a great mom!!
Posted by: ShabbyGrace | March 30, 2007 at 06:44 AM
your oven reminds me of the car in Stephen Kings book Christine. the oven doesn`t like the small cookie sheet, very strange. tell it you just came into some money, straighten up or out to the curb. no, that might make it mad. cookies are so cute, in spite of the oven.
Posted by: Becky H | March 30, 2007 at 06:49 AM
What lovely cookies, and the seaside theme is such a great idea! I know this next week will be completely wonderful for you - enjoy it to the fullest! You certainly deserve it.
Posted by: Jill | March 30, 2007 at 07:13 AM
Absolutely gorgeous!
Even on a slim budget, you turned a small investment in raw ingredients into HUNDREDS of dollars' worth of designer cookies.
Posted by: Meredith | March 30, 2007 at 07:41 AM
Those cookies are amazing! What a clever idea, with the raw sugar "sand". Perfect!
I had an old oven at our old house that made baking difficult.... I don't know if I would have attempted this, so I think you should be very proud ~ and I'm sure your son & daughter-in-law appreciate you very much!! :)
Posted by: Becca | March 30, 2007 at 08:07 AM
Wowzer Tracey, I love it. What beautiful cookies, packaging and I really love the sugar sand !!!! Great idea xoxoxo Clarice
Posted by: clarice | March 30, 2007 at 08:24 AM
Is there anything you are not good at? I think not. Adorable idea . . . I will have to copy you . . . again. :-)
Posted by: HeatherJ | March 30, 2007 at 08:53 AM
OH Tracey YOU MUST STOP THIS !!!!!
LOL....tooo tooo wonderful. You are a constant source of amazement.
Posted by: Francie | March 30, 2007 at 10:05 AM
You're my idol! Wow, those cookies are beautiful.
Posted by: cindy | March 30, 2007 at 10:11 AM
I Have just spent a very pleasent time reading your blog, my the stuff you do, lovely.
Suzie Sews
Posted by: Suzie Sews | March 30, 2007 at 12:49 PM
Beautiful cookies! I loved your story, baking..the oven...watching. It will be a fun story down the road when you have a fabulous new oven. You are making such huge progress it is amazing! The DR fireplace looks good with your touches. I won't be doing Easter at home this year, so I will really enjoy seeing you get the place set for the big dinner!
Donna
Posted by: The Decorated House | March 30, 2007 at 08:47 PM
Fabulous cookies. Where did you get the cookie cutters?
Posted by: Shana | April 01, 2007 at 04:43 PM
Absolutely adorable cookies! As always, I love your blog and the pictures and stories that you share! Keep up the wonderful inspiration!
xo,
Kim
Posted by: Daisy Cottage | April 02, 2007 at 04:19 AM
You never cease to amaze me, these cookies are so wonderful, I wish I had your ability to put those special touches to everything I did.
Posted by: For Love of Home | January 16, 2008 at 05:48 PM
My husband and I got married on the beach just this past July (2008). I was searching the web for favors, and came across your cookie idea. I modified it and gave out similar bags at our wedding. Let me tell you, they were a hit! Thank you so much!
Posted by: Victoria | October 13, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Everything here is just absolutely beautiful. I am hosting a baby shower this weekend and may make the dill cucumber bars. I wish I had half of your talent in baking. Beautiful!
Posted by: reminisceheirlooms | March 02, 2009 at 09:42 AM