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!
So creative, Amanda! You are always the thoughtful one. xox
That’s a clever idea the way you did the double stamp. You have such a big heart, always thinking of others.
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!!
I actually think that these are some of the sweetest cookies that you have ever made 🙂 They made me tear up.
Que bonitas palabras, estoy totalmente con el corazón con las personas que han sufrido pérdidas, se ven bien ricas estas galletas.
Besitos
so creative, so talented and a heart of gold Amanda!
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
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!
I’m from south Louisiana and I just want to say, “Thank You!” for reminding the world of our predicament.
Hugs!
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