So I've been sitting here for an embarrassingly long time with my "create new post" window open...the orange 'publish post' icon glaring at me like some Big Brother eye saying "hurry up lady and Get It Done!". But here's my problem...I'm stuck. My brain is locked, the creative juices have run dry and it's as if my fingers have forgotten how to move across my keyboard.

Why you ask?! Well, okay maybe not, but I'll tell you anyway...because all I can think about is my need to go make me some chocolate chip cookies. I mean those morsels are literally calling my name (or is that me going slightly insane?). I can smell them, I can sense their divine gooeyness, I can imagine their scrumptious taste.

All this mind wandering of mine has lead me to the question...if this was a picture of just a plain 'ol chocolate chip cookie would I still be all a twitter? I mean, I would go for the oatmeal raisin any day over a chocolate chip. So why this cookie, why now?!

My conclusion...presentation! This picture came from a 5 year old Martha Stewart magazine, and things haven't changed much in that time. We still like our cookies and we still like things to look good. I guess that's why food stylists get paid the big bucks to lure us in. Here's the thing though, you don't need a stylist and you don't need to be lured. You know how easy it is, you know it's not rocket science, you know that all you need is a little Garnish! Before I proceed I feel the need to add a disclaimer...I think food stylists have enormous talent, they are brilliant, I could not do their job (I am not that talented!)...all I'm saying is that copying is the best form of flattery!

Back to the cookies, because as hard as I try they are not escaping me, or better yet, back to presentation. Doesn't a clever presentation just make things more fun, more enjoyable, more WOW? Can you present things beautifully but simply? Absolutely, and I think this picture is a prime example. Cookies in our loaf molds. Take it one step further and put those cookies and loaf mold inside a cellophane bag. Close it with a bit of twine or a sticker with a simple message like "YUM".

Party favors for baby showers or wedding showers or surprise your friends with a treat for the ride home (let's face it, unless they have great restraint, the cookies won't last till dawn) after a splendid dinner party. I'm thinking wedding favors, teacher gifts, and the gifts I like best of all...'just because'.

So, as the weather turns cool and our love to bake re-surfaces (hint...do you know for sure that these cookies are homemade...they could be store bought...I'm just saying, will they ever know? It's all about the thought!), think about leaving a treat on your neighbor's porch. After all, do you really need all 3 dozen cookies the batch makes?! Go ahead, share. Just don't forget the Garnish.

Labels: Garnish;loaf molds;twine;labels

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