Growing up in the Red River Valley (Fargo, North Dakota) I am all to familiar with flooding.
Seeing waters rise and feeling the dread of the unknown was an annual event around the Red River. So I have been especially sensitive to the emotion around the rising of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. I feel as if I may even know what the residents are feeling... may have some insight to what it looks like to watch water lap the edges of your home.
I decided to make some sandbag cookies... millions and millions of sandbags have been filled in North Dakota over the years. I wont even begin to estimate how many have been filled in 2011 all across the Unites States!
But I wanted to also share a message a hope. Although we have all seen the destruction that water can do... we have also seen cities rebuild.
We have seen people join together and offer support, hope, and prayers.
I want to send out a huge THANK YOU to all those who have dedicated time, strengths, and donations to help save homes and lives.
I also figured it might be neat to share this cookie technique in case anyone wanted to make their own sandbag cookies for someone deserving.
Simply start out with a blank cookie. I made a couple dozen sandbag cookies and let them sit for about 36 hours. (I would recommend at least 24)
Get your food coloring pen and create your design of choice.
I decided to make a 'stamp' like design.
To create the double stamp impression I took a piece of paper towel and pressed it down on the drawing being careful not to move the paper towel around.
I then simply just lifted up the paper towel and moved it to the left about an inch, then pressed it back down on the cookie, gently but firmly.
You can press the paper towel down longer to get a darker impression.
It just adds a bit of depth a otherwise very simple and boring design.
Throw them on some brown sugar and call it a day.
Stand strong everyone dealing with the effects of these record breaking rising rivers... we are rooting for you!
Oh Amanda! You're a true culinary creative talent! Just wow.
Posted by: Amy | She Wears Many Hats | May 16, 2011 at 10:23 AM
So cute and thoughtful!
Posted by: Londa | May 16, 2011 at 10:26 AM
How thoughtful and what a nice design. I really like this method.
Posted by: In Katrina's Kitchen | May 16, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Very thoughtful. Love yer heart, lady!
Posted by: Becki D | May 16, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Great post - loved the paper towel technique. I grew up in Iowa on the banks of the Mississippi and my mind has also been with everyone dealing with this devastation. Hugs, Lisa
theenchantedoven.blogspot.com
Posted by: lisa | May 16, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Gorgeous!! And what a beautiful sentiment. My husband and I saw tons of flooding from the airplane when we were landing at the Memphis airport..it broke my heart.
My Mother In Law used to live in Washington, near a creek that flooded her whole neighborhood a few years ago. It was devastating. It happened so fast that she didn't have time to save much, and lots of stuff was ruined. She had to move because the house was too damaged to repair. My heart goes out to anyone going through this right now.
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | May 16, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Those are fantastic Amanda. Being just a hop skip and a jump from Fargo I know how terrible the flooding can be. Thanks for the great writitng tips! Might have to try that sometime. :) Have a beautiful day!
Posted by: Stephanie | May 16, 2011 at 11:07 AM
I was checking FB for the flood updates via the LA emergency preparedness page and saw these. I want to saw they're "cute" but I don't think that's quite the word. We sit and wait for the waters that are coming. We are in SOUTH Louisiana, and are praying for the levees to hold. So many people's homes and farmland in my area, are being sacrificed to save Baton Rouge and NOLA. I understand it's "necessary," but that doesn't quite take the sting off. Worst case scenario is that the river permanetly re-directs and these communities are lost forever. Very sad.
Posted by: South LA Girl | May 16, 2011 at 11:13 AM
love these! we live just north of the border and have had tons of flooding here as well... our small city is ok but they've had to open dikes and purposely flood areas to relieve pressure from other areas. Praying for everyone (in the States as well) that's in the water's path!
Posted by: stacy | May 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM
This is fabulous! Beautifully done!
www.simplysweeter.blogspot.com
Posted by: Anne | May 16, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Those are great! Really impressive.
Posted by: Amy @ A Little Nosh | May 16, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Amanda, thanks for sharing these beautiful, original, creative and charitable cookies with us. Collectively we need to pray for these folks . xo
Posted by: marla | May 16, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Cute and totally fits the season of flooding. Hopefully, these will bring up the energy level of those actually filling sandbags.
Posted by: Laura Scott | May 16, 2011 at 12:12 PM
I just love watching you put your God given talent to such wonderful things! You are a treasure Amanda.
Posted by: Wenderly | May 16, 2011 at 12:15 PM
These cookies are fantastic, as always. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Miri Leigh | May 16, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Wow. These are wonderful. Well done!
Posted by: Elizabeth Farrell | May 16, 2011 at 12:49 PM
wow - could you be anymore creative? i want to live inside your head for just one day. x
Posted by: susan | May 16, 2011 at 12:50 PM
That is so sweet, Amanda. And your cookies are perfect. I didn't even know there was such a thing as a foodwriter! I am so out of it!
Posted by: Barbara | May 16, 2011 at 01:00 PM
You are such a sweetheart! And I love that stamping technique! How cool is that?!?
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | May 16, 2011 at 01:22 PM
These are wonderful! As a Memphian, I appreciate the support.
Posted by: Allison Cook | May 16, 2011 at 01:27 PM
Mother Nature holds great beauty and great destruction. Your cookies are a reminder that many have to deal with her forces and a sweet tribute to all those who overcome them.
Posted by: Paula | May 16, 2011 at 01:42 PM
i'm getting a bit spoiled. LOVING it when you do cookies cookies cookies! The look is AMAZING...and love the sand!
Posted by: SweetSugarBelle | May 16, 2011 at 02:13 PM
Interesting technique! Well done.
Posted by: Renee | May 16, 2011 at 02:27 PM
Great post. Love the cookie design with the stamp!
Posted by: Sue | May 16, 2011 at 03:02 PM
Yes, the flooding has been horrible!! I live in Memphis and so many areas have been devastated! The river is finally starting to resend and now we're expecting rain all weekend.. not fun!
Posted by: PeaceLoveTerri | May 16, 2011 at 06:57 PM
Wonderful. Love your design and technique! I posted a link on ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com :)
Posted by: meaghan (the decorated cookie) | May 16, 2011 at 07:02 PM
This is just great. What a nice way to raise awareness for this struggle. ~ Trish
Posted by: Trish Shamp | May 16, 2011 at 07:34 PM
These are so cute... and a great way to support those who are going through tough times with flooding right now!
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | May 16, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Precious cookies and they made my heart melt. You are just so kind, Amanda.
Posted by: Robyn | Add a Pinch | May 16, 2011 at 08:38 PM
Beautiful! I grew up in Moorhead, MN, so can relate to the Red River flooding. Great idea!
Posted by: Heidi | May 16, 2011 at 08:50 PM
So creative, Amanda! You are always the thoughtful one. xox
Posted by: Aimee @ Simple Bites | May 16, 2011 at 09:13 PM
That's a clever idea the way you did the double stamp. You have such a big heart, always thinking of others.
Posted by: Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen | May 16, 2011 at 10:14 PM
I'm actually from Fargo, ND as well. I didn't know you were originally from here as well, imagine my surprise reading that one of my favorite bloggers grew up in my hometown!
Sandbagging is definitely a yearly tradition now more so than ever. 2009 was by far worse than this year but flooding is bad no matter the amount.
Very cute cookies and I love your blog!!
Posted by: Alexa May | May 16, 2011 at 11:31 PM
I actually think that these are some of the sweetest cookies that you have ever made :) They made me tear up.
Posted by: Tickled Red | May 16, 2011 at 11:58 PM
Que bonitas palabras, estoy totalmente con el corazón con las personas que han sufrido pérdidas, se ven bien ricas estas galletas.
Besitos
Posted by: Reme Sanchez Vicente | May 17, 2011 at 02:56 AM
so creative, so talented and a heart of gold Amanda!
Posted by: SMITH BITES | May 17, 2011 at 09:39 AM
Great idea, I am far away from all the flooding in Tennessee but we are having our own problems here in Utah with flooding. My parents live in a mountain town were a river runs through there back yard. The community came together and filled hundreds of sandbags for the homeowners along the river it was so wonderful. I think I might make these to say thank you.
How did you make the sandbag shape? By hand or with a cutter? Thanks
Posted by: Amber | May 17, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Very different and neat design. Floods can definitely be devastating, but it really is amazing to see how people will pull together and care for each other when disaster happens. Thanks for the reminder!
Posted by: Amy's blah, blah, blogging | May 17, 2011 at 12:04 PM
I'm from south Louisiana and I just want to say, "Thank You!" for reminding the world of our predicament.
Hugs!
Posted by: Kayre | May 17, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Being born in Manitoba, Canada I understand the flooding. We moved before I was old enough to be afraid of that but this year with the major flooding and having family out there is a little scary. Those sandbag cookies are for a good cause
Posted by: Lexi | May 17, 2011 at 09:12 PM
I love this idea Amanda! We don't have such scariness here in the UK - except once a couple of years ago, and it was only a slight river overflow compared to those happening in the USA...
Thanks again for sharing, and for the tutorial :)
Lxo
Posted by: Loriensblueberrycake.blogspot.com | May 18, 2011 at 03:42 AM
Such a thoughtful idea, Amanda! Your talent and heart continue to inspire me.
Posted by: Jamie | My Baking Addiction | May 18, 2011 at 03:55 PM
Amazing blog and creations!
I gave you my "One lovely blog award"!
Cheers
Veronica
http://stuffveronicalikes.blogspot.com/2011/05/stuff-veronica-likes-is-lovely-blog.html
Posted by: Veronica | May 18, 2011 at 04:13 PM
So sweet!!! But of course your thoughtfulness doesn't come as a surprise to me....you have the BIGGEST heart:)
Posted by: amalia | May 18, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Hi! I found you via Bake @ 350, and your cookies are beautiful. I am also from Fargo, though now in WI, and I remember all too well filling and placing sandbags in 2009. My heart breaks for all those struggling with the wrath of flood waters.
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly Savelkoul | May 19, 2011 at 12:18 PM
brilliant and cute and timely! you're such a good egg.
Posted by: grace | May 20, 2011 at 05:28 AM
what a terrific idea. I didn't even know these pens existed. can't wait to try them.
Posted by: Calamityjennie | Jun 14, 2011 at 11:23 AM