When I was about 8 years old, my mom and dad called all four of us kids together, and in a serious tone, let us know that mom had breast cancer. I don’t recall being upset; I figured that mom would go to the hospital, and emerge healed. I suppose that was due to being a child, and not having much experience related to cancer or death.
My mom’s attitude may have also contributed to my reaction and the calm mood of the family in general. She seemed to take the situation in stride and proceeded toward her hospital stay very matter-of-factly. Though I know she must have been frightened, I don’t ever remember her being fretful.
Mom did undergo a radical mastectomy all those years ago, and thankfully survived. Her sister, Auntie Helen, was not as fortunate and passed away from breast cancer in her mid-thirties, leaving behind her husband and two young sons. Our family of six was able to drive across country (California to Massachusetts) to visit Auntie Helen before she died.
Though Mom prevailed against breast cancer, sadly twenty years later, she did succumb to ovarian cancer, and unfortunately, eight years ago my oldest sister did as well. Truly, they both fought with courage and hope throughout. Their examples are etched on my heart.
These pink skeletons aren’t meant to make light of a serious subject (we all know that cancer can be very scary), but to make someone smile or perhaps even laugh:) Laughter is the best medicine, right? Yep.
These cookies are meant to bring attention to breast cancer, to preventing it, and to prolonging life. They’re a reminder to do self-checks and have yearly mammograms!
THINK PINK!
{Very Simple} Pink Skeleton Cookies
Ingredients:
Pink food coloring (Electric Pink-AmeriColor)
Pink heart sprinkles
Pink flower sprinkles
Gingerbread man cookie cutter
Directions:
1. Roll out sugar cookie dough
2. Use your gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out cookie dough, and place on parchment lined baking sheets.
3. I placed my baking sheets in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes before baking, to help cookies hold their shape.
4. Bake cookies in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes.
5. Let cookies cool completely
6. Use a decorating bag fitted with a #3 tip and outline cookies in white royal icing. Let set for about 15 minutes.
7. Fill the cookie with thinned royal icing and let dry for a couple of hours.
8. Add pink food coloring to some of the white royal icing, and using a #3 tip, design a skeleton onto your cookies. (I practiced on paper first.)
9. Place a pink flower sprinkle to the head, and a heart sprinkle to the chest.
10. Let cookies dry overnight.
11. Using a black food marker, draw on eyes and a mouth.
Have Fun!
Linked to:
I’m Lovin’ it Party
Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday
Link Party Palooza
