While I was at JoAnn Fabrics looking for candy making supplies, I also picked up this really cool cookie pan, made by Wilton: 

The idea of making “cookies on a stick” seemed like a good one to me, because it wasn’t something that Laurie or I had tried yet.  The cookies for these have to be pretty big and thick to support the stick, so I also figured I could sell these for a little more than the cupcakes and candies I had made.  My first batch of cookies were a disaster.  I had read the instructions on the back of package which said that you could simply put the dough in the pan, insert the stick, and bake.  Easy enough, right?  WRONG!  After I couldn’t get the cookies out of the pan, I realized I must have missed something.  I looked at the instructions again, and referred to the recipes on the back of the package.  Those recipes advised that you spray the pan with cooking spray first, and leave 1/8 of an inch from the top of each mold for the dough to expand.  The next batch of cookies came out beautifully.  I made 8 sugar cookies, which I later decorated with pink frosting ribbons, and 8 chocolate chip cookies. I was going to try to decorate the chocolate chip cookies as well, when I remembered something I used to LOVE at Mrs. Fields back in Illinois; chocolate dipped cookies!  Mmmm!  I melted up some of the pink chocolate that I had used for the candies, and I used it to make these fabulous treats-

I decided to sell these for $2.00 each.   I got my first customer, Taylor, before I was even done baking the second batch.  She had been eyeballing them through the glass on the oven door.  Taylor asked if she could have one as dessert after dinner, and I had agreed.  Shortly after she finished eating her meal, she asked, “Mommy, how much do the cookies cost?”.  I told her, and she disappeared into her room.  A few minutes later, she reappeared with her piggy bank.  Tay counted out the $2 in dimes, and then said, “Mommy, I want to pay for my cookie, so I can help too”. 

I was so proud of her for thinking of that all by herself!  I feel so good about what the kids are learning from this experience.  I think one of the most valuable things I can teach them are awareness of other people’s feelings and a willingness to work at changing their world.  It’s also good for them to learn that we can do anything we put our minds to (like walking 60 miles) even if it seems impossible at first.   All sentiment aside, I don’t know if Taylor is aware of the lessons she’s learning, but she was definitely aware of the cookie she got!

My new creations didn’t last the day at work, and several people even came looking for more!  “Cookies on a Stick” were definitely a hit, so I am going to be baking up some more soon.  I think I may even try “Rice Krispy Treats on a Stick” as well.  I’m now up to nearly 600 dollars in earnings, only $1600 to go!  I’ll keep you posted…

Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend everyone! - N

It’s official: I am registered for the North Texas Race for the Cure! This will take place two Saturday’s from now in Plano near EDS and the Shops at Legacy where we have been leading our Training Walks. It is a 5K run/walk. They ask that participants raise $125, but it’s not mandatory to participate like it is to raise the $2,200 for the 3-Day. If you’d like to sponsor me for $10, I’ll send you a cute breast cancer awareness gift.

You can also purchase a personalized pink Tulip for $10 in honor or in memory of your loved one. This does not go toward my fundraising goal, but if you’d like one I would love to pick it up for you and will send it after the race. I thought the garden idea was a lovely one. Read more about it on their website. There is also a pink ribbon section for $2 that you can get personalized with a loved one’s name if you are interested.

These can also be picked up after the race. Something else I love is the Sleep in for the Cure. For $40, you can register and get the t-shirt, special sleep-in race bib, and gift. Again, it doesn’t go toward my 3-Day or Race, but it’s a great way to support the charity.

Thanks again for your support! Let me know if you’d like to meet up and walk with me during this event.

Nikki wrote a really awesome post this weekend on her MySpace about the DFW Training Walk Kickoff we participated in on Saturday, May 17. I thought that you all would enjoy it and maybe be inspired to make a donation to Nikki’s walk if you haven’t already, so I am going to post it here as well. We had a wonderful time and got a sample of how incredible the actual 3-Day is going to be. We both almost started crying. I have to admit the stories of survival and the people standing outside their homes cheering for us really touched my heart. I took some photos that I will also include. Enjoy!

From Nikki’s MySpace:

I choose “Life” as the category for this blog, because that’s really what it’s about. Not necessarily MY life, but others’ lives. There are a couple of things going on here. First, let me tell you about my Mom’s friend Donna at work. A couple of weeks ago, Donna’s husband started complaining about being tired and not feeling well. They assumed it was nothing and figured it would go away. Eventually, he started feeling worse, and having other more severe symptoms. They went to the ER, and after quite a few tests, it was determined that he has cancer…of the liver, the pancreas, it had even spread to his intestines. All of this from feeling tired and “not well”. It’s too far gone to treat, and he’s been given just a couple of months. Donna had told my Mom about her disbelief of the situation. Just a week or two ago, they had been sitting on the back porch planning the landscaping for their yard, and now he’s going to be gone in less than two months. The cancer is too advanced to treat. They won’t even try chemotherapy. Now, I am not telling you this to depress you. I’m telling you this because it woke me up a little. Despite the things that I have heard, seen, and read in the past couple of months since signing up for the Breast Cancer 3 Day, it never occured to me how quickly cancer can steal a life. I’ve heard of the treatments that these women endure and how hard it is on their bodies, but I had never considered those treatments not even being an option. What do you do when all you have is a little time, and then it’s done? How does a mom with small children explain to them that she might not see the end of their school year, their next birthday, or Christmas? Now I feel like I TRULY understand the need for early detection. What could the difference have been if this had been discovered two months ago?

Yesterday was the official kickoff for training walks for the 3 day in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Laurie and I went down to University Park, which is a beautiful old neighborhood near SMU. We joined about 150 other women who were there to kick off their training with a 4 mile walk. It was incredible to see the people that turned out. There were young women, middle age women, older women, husbands, brothers, survivors, supporters… We started our walk through the neighborhood at the New Balance store (they’re an official outfitter/sponsor for the walk) and wound through the gorgeous neighborhood. The sidewalks were well shaded by the old trees, and the houses were absolutely incredible. Along the way, neighbors and kids came out to wave to us and clap for us. Some even thanked us. The sidewalks had been decorated with encouraging phrases (like, “YOU ROCK!”), arrows, and pink ribbons. There was a “cheer station” where supporters were waiting to greet us with candy, give us stickers and cheer us on. There were cars that honked and waved as they drove by. At the finish line, we were greeted with even more cheering and high fives! I knew all along that this was a good cause, and that this was a wonderful thing to do. I guess I just hadn’t really felt it as much as I did yesterday. Being around all those other women, many of which have beat the disease, really drove this home for me. I can’t wait for the big event now. I can’t wait to meet more incredible people with amazing stories.

My feet are sore, and my legs a little achy today, but that’s nothing compaired to what some of the other women there have been through. I’m just grateful to be healty enough to be able to make this journey. Next year, there may be more survivors walking, because of what we are doing this year. THAT makes sixty miles soooooo worth while, despite the horror stories of blisters and swollen feet we’ve heard. I’ll take some blisters for the team! We really are going to make a difference, one that we will remember for rest of our lives.

Hundreds of women rallied prior to the DFW kickoff at New Balance.

This survivor tells her emotional story to the crowd.

This is why we walk!

We walked behind this team that wore angel costumes.

Families stood outside their homes to cheer and wave– one of the most emotional and touching parts of the day. Simply amazing.

Signs of encouragement were all along the route.

Stickers and candy were handed out at “cheer stations” along the path.

Cheers, high-fives and congratulations were waiting at the finish!

I cannot wait to share all of our milestones. This weekend starts the official 24 weeks of training leading up to the 3-Day in November. We have so many wonderful ideas and cannot wait to share them all with you. We appeciate all of your support!

In an effort to try selling something new, I decided to make some chocolates to bring to work.  One of the girls I work with, Beth, has been making chocolate lollipops to sell for her cause; Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.  Her daughter suffers from a milk allergy, which can be fatal, so Beth knows firsthand  how important it is to help fund research.  She’s participating in a walk as well, and the lollipops have been a popular way for her to earn donations.  You can click here to check out Beth’s site for the FAAN’s walk.  I liked her idea, but I didn’t want to do EXACTLY the same thing.  Instead of lollipops, I decided to make little chocolates and bag them.  I made some milk, some white, and some pink hearts, and then drew little pink ribbons made of more chocolate on them.  Some of the ribbons weren’t so pretty; it takes a really steady hand to make them!  Practice makes perfect though, and I was able to make some that were really not bad! 

That one in the upper left hand corner is one of my first tries, nice huh? Anyhow, I decorated as many as I could before I ran out of pink chocolate.  After that, Craig and bagged them all up in clear cello packages and tied pretty pink ribbons around them.  Here’s a picture of the finished product:

Aren’t they just adorable?!  I’ve done pretty well with them so far.   I’ve been selling them for $1.00 each, since they are fairly small, and they were easy to make.  I made 20 bags worth, and I only have 4 left. I am hoping to unload the remaining bags today.  Some of the Supervisors at work have even purchased them as little incentives for their teams!  I’ll keep everyone posted on my progress.  I think I am going to try some cookies tonight, since the chocolates went so fast.  Wish me luck!  - N

Are you like me and still need to register for the Race for the Cure that is taking place in Plano on June 7? Tomorrow is the perfect day to do so. Here are some events taking place that will benefit Susan G. Komen and give you a chance to get signed up!

7:30am 9:00am: Make your morning bright with breakfast at Panera Bread in Plano while you register for the Komen North Texas Race for the Cure! Onsite registrants will receive a Free freshly brewed cup of coffee - Grande Size!! 1900 Preston Road, Suite 1010 Southeast corner of Preston and Park ~ 469-467-7042

7:00am 10:00am: Stop in at Einstein Bros. Bagels in Plano. Enjoy breakfast and register for the 2008 Komen North Texas Race for the Cure! 5976 W. Parker Road, Suite 308 ~ Parker & Tollway ~ 972-473-2655

11:00 am 4:00 pm: Red Brick Pizza will donate 20% of all food and beverage sales (less alcohol and applicable taxes) to the Komen North Texas Race for the Cure! Come out and join us for some great pizza and support the 2008 Komen North Texas Race. You can also register for the Race while you are enjoying your pizza!! 2775 South Central Expressway, Suite 180 ~ 972-542-0070 Northeast side of 75 & Eldorado by Discount Tire

I will be taking D out for pizza tomorrow night. See you there!