Have you ever heard that saying, "If its not hard, its not worth doing?"
Ok. So maybe thats not the saying. Maybe the saying is "If somethings hard then its not worth doing." And maybe that saying was on a popular cartoon TV show and maybe is was originally said by Homer J. Simpson. And maybe I just revealed how very un-classy I am by telling you that.
Moving on.
Many years ago I gave my dad a plaque that said, "Father, by your concern and love you have given me two things. One is roots and the other is wings."
I seriously tear up every time I read it.
I love the feeling behind it and love how it lets my dad know that I am thankful and grateful for the sacrifices he made.
*waving hands frantically in front of my eyes*
So anywho, I got the bright idea to make it into cookies. Now, you may notice that I have chosen the... um... simpler version of the quote. As it stands above it is over four dozen cookies. And dad can only eat so many. And I was feeling lazy.
There, I said it.
Here is the thing.
Dont be like me.
Dont get some crazy idea and not think it through.
See, every single one of those cookies was cut out by hand. MY hand.
I didnt have any 'cool font' alphabet cookies cutters, so I figured I would just make my own.
So I printed out all the letters I would need in my two fonts.
I think it took me three hours to cut out all the letters from the cookie dough. I wish I was kidding.
Dont. Be. Like. Me.
Get a cool set of alphabet cookie cutters and be done in seven minutes.
And dont burn the letters.
Of course you know I burnt the most complicated letters so by the time they came out of the oven and I realized what I had done I was too pooped to do them over.
Oh, and dont make them so big that you have to get poster board just to take a picture cause when they are laid out they end up being as tall as your toddler.
But DO take the time to let dad know that you adore him.
That you love him.
That you appreciate every single sacrifice he made to give you a better life.
I have a feeling they like hearing that kind of stuff.
YOU are so cool. SO COOL. And your dad must be awesome to have a daughter like you.
I love this post...and these cookies!
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | Jun 17, 2011 at 05:07 PM
I'm going to tell my dad all that by giving him a gift certificate for golf and making him milky way cupcakes. And by telling him. :D I love the fancy font cookies, they are beautiful!
Posted by: Meghan | Jun 17, 2011 at 05:08 PM
Amazing!!!!! I declare you the best daughter ever (I guess I can be runner up this year)!
Posted by: Tricia | Jun 17, 2011 at 05:11 PM
Those are great. Crazy big ... but great. :) He'll love 'em.
Posted by: Stephanie | Jun 17, 2011 at 05:27 PM
Love this! What a unique idea.
Posted by: Shannon Marie | Jun 17, 2011 at 05:29 PM
I'm floored! No doubt this will be the SWEETEST card he's ever received!
Posted by: Sue | Jun 17, 2011 at 05:31 PM
This is AWESOME!! Wow, I've never seen anything like it.
Posted by: Lisa | Jun 17, 2011 at 05:33 PM
Typography AND cookies...all at the same time?!? I'm in love. These are gorg...your Dad is one special guy, no doubt!
Posted by: Heather | Jun 17, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Wow, I am totally impressed. I think the three hours cutting them out really paid off! Love that super sharp cookie dough you're using!!
Posted by: sophistimom | Jun 17, 2011 at 05:44 PM
You crack me up! I do the same types of things..so I feel your pain and your devotion. :)
Posted by: Janis | Jun 17, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Wow. Saying I'm impressed is a huge understatement. What a touching and wonderful idea. The fact that it's edible and looks delicious just makes it even more special. You're very talented - and determined!
Posted by: Heather | Jun 17, 2011 at 06:27 PM
AMAZING! You always inspire me with your unique ideas Amanda!
Posted by: Renee - Kudos Kitchen | Jun 17, 2011 at 06:28 PM
::thud:: Oh my lawd!!! This totally made me tear up, even the burnt tips of the letters! This is the most awesome gift I have EVER seen!
Posted by: Sherri D. | Jun 17, 2011 at 06:45 PM
I love that quote! I have never heard it before! Its great! And your cookies are very impressive!
Posted by: Jaclyn | Jun 17, 2011 at 06:51 PM
Such gorgeous cookies and thoughtful present! Happy Baking!
Posted by: Karriann Graf | Jun 17, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Very nice cookies, and very nice quote! :)
Posted by: Renee | Jun 17, 2011 at 07:58 PM
this is really great, Amanda!
Posted by: trisha | Jun 17, 2011 at 07:59 PM
Stunning. Simply stunning!
Posted by: Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen | Jun 17, 2011 at 08:05 PM
I am so impressed by such a wonderful labour of love.
What a lovely, touching thing to do for your Dad!
Posted by: At Anna's kitchen table | Jun 17, 2011 at 08:07 PM
What an amazing and creative gift!! You blow my mind :)
Wishing you a wonderful Father's Day this weekend!!
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | Jun 17, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Beautiful Amanda!!
Posted by: Marian (Sweetopia) | Jun 17, 2011 at 09:41 PM
You are very brave to have done this. It's really touching and I'm sure your father will absolutely love this.
The typography is awesome, by the way. Good font choices.
Posted by: Stephanie | Jun 17, 2011 at 09:53 PM
What a great tribute to your Dad in cookies. My Dad would have been worth the work too!
Posted by: Gina L. | Jun 17, 2011 at 10:00 PM
I bow to you for sheer ambition!! I would have stopped about three letters in! I love fancy font you used, it really adds a beautiful touch! Again... hat's off!!!
Posted by: Glory/ Glorious Treats | Jun 17, 2011 at 10:02 PM
I LOVE this post! you're amazing!!
Posted by: Bediels & Co. (Jen) | Jun 17, 2011 at 11:22 PM
THESE ARE JUST STUNNING!!!
Posted by: SweetSugarBelle | Jun 18, 2011 at 01:23 AM
Amazing, gorgeous!! I LOVE them!!!
Posted by: Estibaliz | Jun 18, 2011 at 01:51 AM
Wow, these are incredible and I love the quote and font! I am seriously LOL because having hand cut cookies myself quite a few times, I said "she's crazy!" (in a good way of course) after just seeing the first pic, and then I cracked up when I got to your "don't be like me" commentary. I wouldn't have even wanted to cut those letters out of paper. I am probably about that crazy too though :-) Fantastic job, AS ALWAYS!
Posted by: amy | Jun 18, 2011 at 10:14 AM
I would absolutely love to be like you! What an incredibly touching effort, and it came out so well.
Posted by: Kathy - Panini Happy | Jun 18, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Your dad will be so thrilled to have such a "sweet" gift from you!! It will mean even more because you put so much effort into them! : )
Posted by: Aimee | Jun 18, 2011 at 11:08 AM
What a wonderful post! You must have one special dad for you to feel this way about him...and for you to tell him so, you are one special daughter!
Posted by: Lissa (Bellenza) | Jun 18, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Beautiful cookies and a truly beautiful sentiment.
Posted by: Paula | Jun 18, 2011 at 12:31 PM
So cool. You're so creative and your father will be so happy to see those edible words.
Posted by: Amy | She Wears Many Hats | Jun 18, 2011 at 02:24 PM
That's completely beautiful! I'm definitely not showing this to my dad though, or he'll be expecting a lot more than he's actually getting tomorrow hehe! Also- there's nothing unclassy about The Simpsons! It's pretty much the best TV show ever, let's just accept it and be happy :)
Posted by: Laura | Jun 18, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Amanda, your energy & love for life is astounding & catching :) Beautiful quote, cookies & toddler. Here's to dads everywhere! Have a very happy Father's Day - even though you are a mom. xxoo
Posted by: marla | Jun 18, 2011 at 05:03 PM
Unbelievable. Beautiful and over the top as usual.
Posted by: Tricia | Jun 18, 2011 at 08:19 PM
What a perfect Father's Day present. Wish mine was that thoughtful. You amaze.
Posted by: Shaina | Jun 18, 2011 at 09:49 PM
HAHAHAHA you are all kinds of awesome! I wrote Happy Father's Day! on the wrapping of my gift, and I'm going to dot the ! with glitter nail polish. Suddenly I feel like an underachiever... xD
Posted by: Makeup Morsels | Jun 18, 2011 at 11:47 PM
This is incredible!!!! What a labor of love for dad, this is so thoughtful and heartfelt... and yes, a little crazy. :)
Posted by: The Cilantropist | Jun 19, 2011 at 12:43 AM
Nope! You're not the only crazy one :)
I just finished off a typography assignment for graphic design masterclass.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mnique/sets/72157626651835232/
Posted by: Monique | Jun 19, 2011 at 04:43 AM
Monique- those are wonderful!! You work is justperfection!
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Jun 19, 2011 at 11:22 AM
WOW these are awesome!
Posted by: Carrie | Jun 19, 2011 at 12:58 PM
These are amazing! I would never have the patience to do that. I probably would have gotten father done and said ok, that's it!
Great job!!
Posted by: Jennifer | Jun 19, 2011 at 03:25 PM
This is stunning - not just as cookies and as a tribute to your dad but, as a designer, I love this.
Posted by: Melissa@EyesBigger | Jun 19, 2011 at 03:57 PM
Your love and dedication to the man who (obviously) dedicated his to you is just beautiful! And the cookies are totally cool, too.
Posted by: Elizabeth L in Apex, NC | Jun 19, 2011 at 04:13 PM
once again, amazing job! i am happy one of us was able to tell dad so beautifully how much they love him. He got a gift card from me : ) i think the cookies are a way better gift!!!
Posted by: angie | Jun 19, 2011 at 04:40 PM
what an amazing gift - I always say that bakers bake from the heart!
Posted by: Msulli10 | Jun 19, 2011 at 06:10 PM
so, where do you get all your cool cookie cutters?? i know that you didn't cut these with cookie cutters, but where would you suggest getting cool ones?
Posted by: Kristin H | Jun 19, 2011 at 07:16 PM
Whoa! Amanda, you are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!These are some of The. Coolest. Cookies. EVER!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Hannah | Jun 19, 2011 at 08:00 PM
you have such patience, my dear! how do you do it? I am still trying to figure it all out. Hope you had a great, great day today! x
Posted by: susan | Jun 19, 2011 at 11:55 PM