Awhile back, on my facebook fans page:  http://www.facebook.com/KudosKookies   I played a simple cookie guessing game with all those friendly and wonderfully smart people who are fans of my cookies.  It was a great deal of fun for all, and so enjoyable that I wanted to share how the game was played with you here.  

The rules of the game were this.  I posted two shapes of cookies and asked people to guess what they thought the shape would ultimately become.  Simple, yes.  Easy, not so much.  Here are the shapes and some of the first guesses I’d received:

A pig, a fire hydrant, easter basket, cactus and slot maching. Nope all wrong. Care to take a guess?  How about this:

Some guesses were:  A dog, a fat sheep, a victrola and a flying toaster. Yep, somebody actually guessed a flying toaster.  Sorry, all wrong. What about you? Care to venture a guess? 

How about now…Will these extra clues help you??? I doubt it…but you never know.

Some other guesses for mystery shape one and two at this point were:  Fred and Dino (LOVE that idea for cookies but, no), a baby eskimo and a polar bear or Kenny from Southpark and a peacock.  They were all such good guesses but so far nobody has guessed correctly. 

All right, give up?  Here are the finished cookies in all their glory.  Are you surprised?  I hope so

Mystery shape number one, from template to completion.  A lovely fairy princess for a little girl’s birthday party.

Mystery shape number two, from template to completion.  A cute little purple dragon.  Oh by the way, somebody did actually guess a dragon for this cookie in clue round #4 on facebook, and the winner was sent the dragon cookie as her prize.  Sweet!

Well, there you have it.  I hope you enjoyed this little guessing game as much as I enjoyed bringing it to you.  I’m planning on doing another guessing game soon and I’ve got some great ideas running around in my head.  As another gentle reminder, you may want to keep up to date with me (Kudos Kookies) on facebook.  Here is another shameless link so you can find me easily there:   http://www.facebook.com/KudosKookies    Remember, you can’t win if you don’t play and if you don’t play you’re missing out on a great deal of fun AND some great tasting cookies!!! 

I’d like to take a quick moment to send a quick shout out to all my facebook fans.  Thank you ALL so much for your constant encouragement of my work and designs.  It’s because of people like you who inspire me each and every day to keep coming up with new and unusual cookie designs.  KUDOS to you!!! 

 Have fun, be sweet and stay tuned!    

Fondly, Reneé

We’ve all heard the saying ~ ”Bloom where you are planted”.  In fact, I’ve even done my own interpretation of that saying on a cookie.

With that being said and also with the spring flowers in bloom here in the Midwest, I was inspired to show you where I’ve been happily planted for the past 11 years with my family.   My home is my haven, my heaven and my heart.   It’s also where I started my cookie business approximately 5 years ago.  This home has given me the opportunity to grow, flourish, and bloom creatively in many different ways.  Please allow me to give you a tour of the front yard.

We moved into this home in 1999 when our 2 pre teenage sons were growing faster then the grass in summer, and in order to keep our sanity from becoming root bound in a house that was too small.  This house is approximately 2 miles West of where we lived before but the difference seemed like another world completely.   As you can see, our home is not huge (not by a long shot) but it’s just the right size for us.  Plus, we are fortunate enough to sit on an acre of  land that in addition backs up to a forest preserve.  Talk about perfect and peaceful!!!  

As our boys are now grown and finding their own way, soon it will be a home for just my husband,  myself and of course our two “‘dogters”, Ivy and Nellie.   We’ve not too much indoor square footage that we’ll be living in separate spaces and just enough outdoor space to keep us active in the yard.  Priceless!

 If you look closely enough at the above picture, you can spot Ivy in the picture window!

When it comes to my cookies, I get inspired by many things.  My home is certainly one of them.  I painted this cookie a few months back when I was anxious for the return of the warm weather and the flowers it would bring. 

I don’t think I really did it justice but it was fun trying to capture the esscence on a cookie.  When a dear friend of mine asked why I hadn’t painted our dogs Ivy and Nellie in the window I quickly added them to the cookie.  Heck, what was I thinking leaving them out anyway?

Thank you so much for coming to visit my home.  I sincerely hope you enjoyed your visit.  Please come back anytime, you know you’re are always welcome.  Plus, Ivy and Nellie will be waiting at the front window for you… or they’ll be out lounging in the pool!  :)

Kudos to you!

Fondly, Reneé

Were headed to my sister-in-laws house tomorrow to celebrate Zach and Melissa’s birthdays.  They are both of the age where money is the best gift EVER (thankfully because I have no idea what to buy teenagers anymore)!  I do however, want to give just a bit more thought and effort into this gift giving process and decided to design them both a cookie (along with the cash).  Here is what I came up with afterchecking out their facebook pages and seeing what they’re “in to”.  I sure do hope they like them but I’m sure the money will win out in the long run

Remember Pokemon?  I don’t.

How about the Twilight Saga?  Melissa is a fan!

Happy Birthday to Zach and Melissa!  Enjoy your party and enjoy your cookies!   Remember, cookies are for EATING! Go for it!!!

Love, Aunt Renee

Eating your own words has never been sweeter or more fun.   What would you like your cookie to say?  I’m thinking outside of the ‘envelope’ on this one because receiving a delicious, gourmet  Kudos Kookies cookie card will be such a unique & sweet surprise for whoever receives them.  I mean come on, Hallmark gets the job done, but at the end of the day it still tastes like paper

Now it’s time to really think outside the ‘envelope’…Think how cute these would be for a baby announcements?  What about about party invitations that really get noticed?  The possibilities are endless plus,  it’s like a gift within a gift that truly shows how much you care.

Kudos Kookies cookie cards – When you care enough to send the very best

Ok, here goes nothing (and I mean that most literally). I am starting this blog at the encouragement of some of my twitter friends. Apparently they think I have something more to say than my 140 characters on twitter allows. This remains to be seen.

I am however excited at the prospect of joining the TWD cooking group because of my newly acquired blog. But, I must wonder where in the world I will find the time to bake something other than cookies. I must admit, I do indeed love to bake and maybe this will force me to make the time to follow that passion in a capacity other than work.

Thank you twitter friends for making me, once again, step out of my comfort zone and try something completely different. I tend to be the ultimate creature of habit so the friendly shove was much appreciated.

Be patient with me though. I am a slow learner and =’m sure I’ll have questions galore to pummel you all with. Just remember, you asked for it

Fondly yours,
Renee aka Kudos Kookies