Hesses Madhouse

My niece is getting married next month. Funny thing is she's marrying our stake president's son. Kind of neat to know both families.

Her bridal shower was last Saturday. As I contemplated what to get her, I thought I'd make her up some cute little theme gift. I'm really not very good at this, but insiration is a wonderful thing.

As I thought of this, the idea of cookie sheets, spatulas and a little cookie scoop came into my mind. As I followed this line of thinking, I realized that I had my mom's old cookbook--my mom had compiled some amazing cookie recipes of all kinds. I decided that I'd put together a cookie cookbook of my mom's recipes. It was really fun to do.

I went to Target and bought one of those little 4x6 photo albums that's all plastic--cover and pages--so that if she spilled on it, nothing would be damaged. I then bought some 4x6 index cards. I typed in thirty-six recipes and created a table of contents and a cover and "dedication" page. My sister-in-law lent me a photo of my niece with my mom, so I could scan it and put it on the dedication page. It really turned out nicely.

I wondered that morning, if the shower would be too light-hearted and the whole meaning of the gift would be lost, but happily, it wasn't. She got this surprised look on her face when she opened it then she said, "This is going to make me cry." I was so glad she liked it. She passed it around for everyone to see.