Operation Cookie Takover...Nebraska Style

Around two months ago I came across a page on Facebook that sparked my interest.

It was this.

And the more I read, the more I wanted to participate.

What I read was this:  Operation Cookie Takeover is a way to show support to our troops currently deployed in Afghanistan. Our goal is to send 1,200+ cookies to our fellow cookier serving in Afghanistan, Tasha. She will be distributing your cookies to every member on her base on April 10, 2013.

So I volunteered to send over four dozen.  That's 48 cookies for you non-math types.

Then I waited, forgot about it, and then remembered again since I'd put it on my calendar and finally got instructions on how to mail them and when they needed to leave. 

And I got excited.

Then I got nervous.  Because I was seeing amazing cookies like this getting packaged to go over.

Custom Cookies by Jill

And these...

Melissa Joy Cookies

Or this...

Artfully Delicious Cookies

And that doesn't even skim the surface of what people are sending over.

Yeah, see why I was nervous.

So after thinking for awhile I decided to not necessarily send over American flags or little military people.  I went with the obvious. 

I'm from Nebraska.

And proud to be Nebraskan.

And I know there are many fellow Nebraskans serving in our military.  So why not make Nebraska cookies, military style.

Which means making them camouflage.

And that's just what I did.

Outlined in red, because if one color sums up Nebraska it's red.

And then the fun and it's-so-easy-I-can't-mess-this-up decorating.  Just start by making camo frosting colors then start making little blobs all over the cookie.

Then add on the next color...

And another and another.

Then let dry...and re-outline them in red again.

And finally package them up with more bubble wrap than one would think was possible. 

Those suckers aren't moving an inch.

I tapped the box shut because they mentioned that sand is an evil little thing - and can get into anything.  So I thought I'd try to help the problem by taping up the boxes.

Heck, these cookies are headed to Afghanistan.

I can't wait to see pictures of people enjoying the cookies.

Did I mention that the original goal was 1,200 cookies?  Yeah...well...get this.  Operation Cookie Takeover ended up having 11,000 cookies pledged to send over to troops.  11,000.  That is AMAZING.

But I hope that the cookies are enjoyed by people who are making our freedom possible.  A thank you for their sacrifices doesn't seem like it's enough...but I hope they know how thankful I am.

God Bless our Troops.

And God Bless America.

Spring Cleaning in a Snow storm

This past Monday I didn't have to go to school.

FYI school in this scenario = work.

Why you ask?

Well, we had a "snow day" and the office was closed because of the snowstorm that happened Sunday.

Yeah, how awesome is that?

Well, it's so awesome that I decided to do some spring cleaning.

On a snow day.

Go figure.

It's what happens in March in Nebraska.

By the way it's supposed to be 69 degrees here on Friday.  I have a snow day Monday and shorts by Friday.

Welcome to the heartland.

And welcome to my mess in the basement.

Specifically the cookie area.

Dave has pretty much given up the idea of having a "man cave."  Nothing says manly like a place overrun by cookie cutters and sprinkles.

I knew I needed more storage. 

I was starting to get all itchy and antsy each time I rounded the corner.  I don't handle disorganization well.

So in the interest of my sanity and possibly my marriage I went to the good 'ole red bulls eye (that's Target for those of you who are a step behind).

50 smack-a-roos later I came home with this.  Actually it was free with the gift card my brother gave me for my birthday.  How thoughtful of him to buy me a shelf.  How'd he know I wanted one?

Isn't she a beaut?

Here is where some people would post pictures of the organizing process.

Here is where I tell you I forgot.

Plus, let's be honest.  It's boring.

The final product is all we're interested in.

I even have a place to hang up my new apron that my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas.  It has my logo embroidered on it.  I love it. 

I also organized all my cookie cutters again (aka: put them away in the designated bins) and placed all my sugars and sprinkles into small canning jars so they are easy to access, store and heck...they're just pretty to look at.

Plus it basically gives me an entire second table to be able to use while decorating.

Oh, what will I do with the space?

Let me count the ways!

Good thing too because I've got to get started on some Easter cookies, 4 dozen cookies I'm shipping to troops overseas as a part of "Operation Cookie Takeover," and making my grandma her March installment of Cookie Club.