Painting on cookies - my first video tutorial

I can honestly say that this is the first time in my life I have ever been tempted to imbibe in a glass of wine at 9:00 a.m..  

Let's just say, it took a hundred few takes.

I had so many issues with my camera, I had to resort to consulting the owner's manual.  Now THAT is serious.  

My other issue was with my dog barking.  She would be lying there calm as can be or snoozing, and about 30 seconds in, she would start barking.  I tried giving her a barbeque chewy rawhide stick outside, and she just brought it back to the door, dropped it, and continued barking.  It brought back to mind when my five kids were small and the phone would ring.  They would come from every corner crying, whining, tattling, hungry, thirsty, and fighting.  As soon as the call would end, they would go back to being little angels.

Can I hear an amen from the other moms out there?  I can't be the only one  :\

So I decided to outsmart my dog Nellie (that's right - matching wits  with a little spaniel...).  She is a serious chow hound, so I took a handful of her kibble and tossed it off the deck hoping she would consider it to be a doggie scavenger hunt.  And she did - for about three minutes.  

Close but no cigar.  

Now my kids think Nellie is terribly spoiled and pampered by me.  

And no, she is absolutely NOT eating creme brulee in the photo.  

*Cough*

But, it needed to be quiet and I had to take tough measures with my  "6th child".  It was out to the garage with her, where she gave her vocal chords a good workout.  Happily, it wasn't heard on the video! 

And so with the house quiet at last, I made this video tutorial - 

PAINTING ON COOKIES!

Let me know what you think - suggestions for making it better or new subjects you would like to learn about.  

I also embellished the painted cookies with a Celtic knot border - I love the way it has a three dimensional look!  

Nellie and I hope you enjoy the video tutorial, and give painting on cookies a try!  

Link parties I am participating in:

Home Stories A to Z
Seasonal Sundays
Inspired Friday at Common Ground
Little Mom on the Prairie
Home Sweet Home
House of Hepworths
View from River Mountain
Stone-Gable Tutorial, Tips, and Tidbits
Seven-Alive Link it up Thursday
The Dedicated House
Wicked Awesome Wednesday
Sugar and Dots
Made by me Wednesday

What my babies want for Christmas

BABY NUGZIE

MR. CLAUDE MONET

YA YA (AKA SUGAR LIPS)

MISS ELEANOR BUTTERSCOTCH

NELLIE

A Criminal in my house

I love all the creatures of nature (well, excluding snakes).  In my gardens I provide food, water, and shelter for pollinators like birds and bees.  And I love watching bats fly around overhead at dusk, knowing that they help keep the bug population down.

In the center of my patio, I have a koi pond.  This is my favorite place to relax - it is filled with flowers and is a constant hub of bees and butterflies.  A family of charming frogs moved in this spring.

The squirrels hop from branch to branch in the tall oaks and maples - chattering and busily gathering acorns.  So cute!  And bunnies!  Even though I have a vegetable garden, they seem to leave it alone.  I heard once that leaving human hair trimmings around the edges of the garden will keep them out - a yappy dog doesn't hurt either.

My two cats also love prowling around in the gardens and chasing butterflies.

But then something terrible began to happen.  It became clear to me that I was housing a homicidal maniac.  A criminal so ruthless and cunning that there was no stopping  his lust for blood.  A sociopathic murderer with no conscience ... and his name is

Claude Monet.  This mastermind of horror has a number of alias' - C. Monet, Claudie, Claus, and Mr. Goo Ball.  This next part of the post is not for the weak of heart or stomach.  When Claude Monet catches his prey - HE EATS THEIR HEADS OFF.  He then happily brings them to the doorstep where he awaits a "thank you" or in my case, a scream.  Unfortunately, he is also really good at hiding his smaller victims in his mouth and then sneaking them in the house where they are ceremoniously placed in Isabelle's bed, under a sofa cushion, or wherever strikes his fancy.  Mice, chipmonks, birds, bats, bunnies, squirrels - he doesn't care.  If you fall into the catagory of "critter", it is not safe to stop by. 

We now have to do a mouth check every time he comes in.  I've tried scolding him, but as my husband Tony says, "its just in his nature" and Mr. Goo Ball views it as a cherished gift.  I have to say, he does have a look of love in his eyes when he makes his deliveries...

Linking up with

Well Seasoned Life

Tatertots and Jello

Fun with Food Friday

Sugar Bananas

Chic on a Shoestring

Iron Violets

French Country Cottage

Tidy Mom

My Romantic Home

Foodie Friday

No Minimalist Here

Miz Helen's Country Cottage

Between Naps on the Porch

Somewhat Simple

Brambleberry Cottage

House of Hepworths

Lil Luna

Eisy Morgan