Spumoni Slices are an overnight cookie, so I prepared the dough while watching the Wings win game seven last night – GO WINGS! I sliced and baked early this morning. I briefly saw each of the Julia’s or their families today, yet, didn’t give them their cookies. I figure if I held onto them, then my bake day isn’t officially over until midnight or delivered.Funny how one crazy, spontaneous comment, “we could bake our way through the book” (and one twist of the arm) turned into a three month long project that everyone knows is really not about the cookies but the friendship behind it. Thank you Sharon and Theresa for being so receptive!
Today, I sat at the computer a couple of times trying to put my emotions into words. I found myself scribbling a few things on paper today. I’ve been the classic procrastinator just because I didn’t want this to end! In the beginning, blogging was addicting. Couldn’t wait to check comments or how many hits the blog had or what my friends had to say. My middle child does the best impression of me receiving a batch of cookies from the Julias. He has this high pitched “OMG, OMG” with hand gestures and all. I will miss those special deliveries as well as the laughter it brought my life. We have a lot of friends who were following us but not “official” followers...thank you for all the kind comments and laughing along with us. I am happy our guest bakers got to experience the fun we were having.
Looking back I am proud of what I accomplished, pounds and all. I got through two bouts of playing single mom while my husband was away on business, a month long old-fashioned “hand” washing & drying dishes until our broken dishwasher was replaced, conquering my beloved hand painted Sour Cream cookies, the laptop accident, three kids’ birthdays and spring schedule adjustment. After it all I am still sane and smiling!
What I gained besides the obvious (pounds), great love & admiration for my girlfriends and authors and more laughter than a girl deserves, is the confidence to experiment baking in the kitchen and the drive to create the time to do so.
What I look forward to now, after a short baking hiatus, is experimenting with cupcakes (thanks Angie) and other desserts (especially with photos to tell the story), planning my holiday cookie platter, cultivating creative ideas, saving up for a professional camera and replacing my baking time every fourth day with running. I also look forward to being the founder of the “cookie de-tox” society starting after Angie’s last cookie tomorrow!
This journey has also given me the blogging world. I am now obsessed with baking blogs and their pictures that make me feel like I can touch, smell and taste the decadent creations they share. During this time, I have begun a family journal blog just for our eyes that documents fun and special times in our family. It is my replacement for scrapbooking that I could never seem to stay current or at least in the same decade.
This project has shown me that nurturing friendships (which I’m not the best at) really creates an extended family that is always there for you. Thank you ladies for the amazing experience, being so game, and the willpower to see it through to the end! A special thanks to our husbands and boys for letting us bake continually for eleven weeks, blog and have to listen to the ups and downs of every minute of it. It will make good conversation for years to come especially around the campfire. You are the best taste testers!
Thirty years from now when I am still putting on my apron and pearls to bake for my grandchildren, I know that a flood of memories will wash over me remembering this special time in my life.
What I owe my girlfriends, at the very least, is the ability to play a good game of Euchre. Sigh..It’s time to learn!
Thanks for the fun, laughter, and memories,
Love, Love, Love, Phoebe
Phoebe, I love your picture and I do see a future for you with a professional camera. Geno bought a lovely canon 20D from the internet at a really good price. Perhaps you could start with one like that. It is what I use also.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know more about the recipes given at your wedding. If a copy is floating around I think I might need one of those.
The blog is right up there with the top ten experiences in my life. I loved getting up in the morning and get my giggle for the day. Your blog was too beautiful for a giggle today just a warm fuzzy feeling of love. I am happy that we could share our book through the eyes and talents of the Pearl Girls.
I think you are all fabulous writers and perhaps you will all collaborate on a book together.
Rock on beautiful ladies. Love, Sharon
OMG! Tears... couldn't have said it any better. Now on to my zen space for the last recipe. The packaging was so clever. Thanks for always taking things up a notch. Angie
ReplyDeleteO.k. so I just read this post for the second time so I could comment on everything and am once again in complete tears. I have to say we are all blessed to have each other and this experience together. I am looking forward to tasting some of those cupcakes. Beautiful job on the packaging I wish you would have posted a picture so everyone could see.
ReplyDeleteDanielle G.
Phoebe, what a beautiful and heart-felt last blog you have written. I'm sitting here thinking about what to write, but you have summed it all up. It's all about nurturing friendships and you lovely girls have developed that in spades. As for myself, I am blessed that through this blog I was able to share and enjoy a little part of your lives and have gotten to know each of you better. I am in awe of every one of you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea that as a result of this baking adventure you have begun your own family blog. More happy memories to come!
Phoebe, someday when you put on your pearls and well-worn apron to bake for your future grandchildren, you can tell them the story of how 4 friends baked their way through a cookie cookbook and called themselves the “Julia's".
Thank you for the memories. Theresa G.