Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Works For Me - Turn Table and some Patriotic Cookies Too

Today lets talk about a couple things that WORK. Okay I'll show you some cookies too. My mom asked me to make cookies for a political meeting she was hosting. So even though it's not July 4th, it IS an election year, so I made cookies that look like it should be Independence Day.

I made about 40 of these flags, but they were pretty easy and went quickly.
Okay if you're all filled up on cookies, lets talk about what works. A bunch of people asked me about my turn-table after the Arty McGoo video. Well I just recently bought a custom turn-table that I'm just in love with. It came from Paul of Paul's Specialty's on Etsy. I am so in love with my new turn-table. It is a custom 8" cherry wood turn-table. I have a couple Wilton turn-tables, but as you'll see in the video, I found them too large and would constantly have to move my cookie. My new turn-table is perfect!
I have to warn you, my usual videographer (Nick) was not available. I was multi-tasking... here's a picture of my work area with my new turn-table too.

Another thing that works for me is that I started buying my confectioners sugar and flour in BULK. I've saved a lot of money and even saved time because I break it up into re-usable bags of exactly the amount that I need. No more messy measuring. Well... there is the day of measuring the bulk bags...
 If you know me, you know I get a little nutty over messes in my house. This was a difficult day for me ;-) but well worth it!
and lastly - for today... I bought TWO Pearl Izumi cycling jackets that I've been wanting to show you. One in pink and one in lime green and I switched the arms on both and now I'm IN LOVE with my new cycling jackets. Doesn't this look much more like a Cristin kind of jacket! 
I did another bike ride today. 40 miles. I'm really trying to get back in shape for my son's graduation. And just to feel strong and healthy again too. No big snakes today, just some quail and more squirrels than I would like to deal with. Oh and some guy that as I rode by, he yelled out "yaaaa!" I was pretty glad that those pink pedals were turning quickly to get me out of there. It's been a long time since I've done a long ride and I've really been missing it! What do you do to stay healthy and fit?

Coming up next - more cookies and another surprise from a fan... Oh and I forgot to mention that today Cristin's Cookies hit the mark of 2,000 fans on Facebook! Wow! I'm so humbled and grateful for your support and friendship!

Patriotic blog background for today:

18 comments:

  1. Amazing! I have to say I love those flags the bestest though ... although I was born on flag day so it's appropriate haha!

    I wanted to ask you how you store your portioned out flour and sugar? Would it be ok to seal them well and pop em in the deep freeze? Or just a cool dark place?

    I would love to buy in bulk (even though I just bake for the family and friends) BUT - I have an old house that spiders and creepy crawlies like to invade. Eww!

    Thanks so much! And I am totally jealous of your new turn-table ;)

    Lori

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    1. Hi Lori, I keep all the sealed bags in a huge tupperware container in my garage for easy access. No creepy crawlers allowed ;-)

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  2. How cute is that turn-table! You are a machine Cristin. I would need a 40 mile bike ride to even consider decorating that many cookies. I can tell that you love what you do. You're AMAZING!

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  3. Love that little turn-table, it's perfect for cookies! Cristin, where does someone buy in bulk if they live in a Very small country town that has only a WallyWorld (in the next county)? Do you order on-line? I would think the shipping cost is crazy high. Btw I'd love to see a tour of your "cookie room" :)

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    1. Hi Donna, I buy my sugar and flour from Costco now. I used to just buy it at Target and Walmart and the grocery store, but now that I'm buying in bulk, Costco is the way to go. I don't know about shipping, maybe Costco.com? I ship everything since I'm NOT a shopper, but I don't for flour & sugar because I haven't found a price that would make it effective. The area in the video is really where I do all my cookie decorating. My office is where I store all my cookie cutters. You can see my pretty pink bins of cookie cutters and other baking supplies here: http://www.cristinscookies.com/2012/01/lets-talk-organization-of-cookie.html

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  4. Love the turntable! I think I need one of those and I love your workspace!

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    1. Thanks Linda! I highly recommend Paul's Specialties. I'm in love with my turn-table! http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaulsSpecialties He ships them super quick and it's incredibly well made.

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  5. Love the pink cheeks!! So cute!

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  6. I love using a turntable too when decorating cookies and often buy my icing sugar and meringue powder in bulk. It is a cost savings for sure. Everyone at that political meeting must have loved your cookies.

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  7. Several things about this post. Love the cookies first, of course. 40 mile ride, most excellent! I have a turntable but only ever use it for cakes, I must try it for cookies. And last but certainly not least, 2000 mark you get a whoop whoop for that! You rock sister!

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  8. Obviously, you are as skilled with a sewing machine as you are with cookies! I can't believe you took the time to swap sleeves!

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    1. Oh no, no, no Donna, I can barely sew a button on! Cycling jackets generally come with removable sleeves so that we can take them off while staying on the bike. Those zippers up on the shoulders make it very easy. All I did was unzip the pink pair and add it to the lime jacket and vice versa. No sewing for me!

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  9. Lovin' the red, white and blue! I have a grandson that will be celebrating his first b-day on the 4th of July! Can't wait to make cookies similar to these:)

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  10. Hi Cristin. I just ordered this 8 inch turntable from Paul and let him know you recommended him. Where did you get your tables from? I love your work area. Thanks. Kathy

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    1. Kathy you'll love your new turntable. I own two of Paul's turn tables now for when my daughter comes to play cookies too. My tables are just from Walmart if I recall correctly. 6 foot tables. They work really well. Have fun!

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  11. Hi Cristin! I just wanted to thank you for your video about the 8 inch turn-table that you purchased from Paul's Specialties on Etsy! I ordered one just like yours and agree with you it is a great size, very well made and Paul shipped it to me fairly quickly. I made sure to let him know that I learned about his custom sized turn-tables on your blog. I just wanted to share a tip with you that I use! I get the Stor-it brand Cover-ups from the Dollar Tree ( 20 per box), which are elastic, clear plastic bowl covers found here ...http://www.dollartree.com/Stor-It-Bowl-Cover-Ups-Variety-Packs/p297150/index.pro and place one over my turn-table and then top with a napkin. It protects the turn table, is a good barrier between the turn-table and cookie and one cover will last for a long time. Because of your thoughtful and helpful video, I now have one of these turn-tables to enjoy myself! Thanks so much!!

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    1. Thanks Dana! That is a great tip! I use a napkin on my turn-table, but I love the idea of protecting it with a wrap that fits well over it. I will definitely check those out! Thanks for sharing! I LOVE my turn-table and I even have two of them so that when a friend comes over to play cookies, she has one too!

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! I love hearing from you! Cristin