Holidays – The Ocelots' Den

Valentine’s Day Special

By Julia on 4 February, 2020

For Valentine’s day, I wanted to turn a classic treat into a delicious cookie. I love the traditional phrases, but I enjoyed taking a LOT of liberties with various other ideas and even asked a few friends for some ideas too!

I knew I needed a classic and modern collection; they were easy choices. I also didn’t want to alienate those that aren’t currently coupled or aren’t into the holiday, and my mind ran wild with the idea of anti-conversation cookies. Maybe you like Valentine’s day, and you don’t want to share the cookies. Or, you want to share some humor with some friends? Perhaps there is someone who doesn’t understand that they have been put in the “friend zone,” and they need a more explicit message?

Building my website has been nerve-wracking. Developing the courage to share it and invite others to view it has filled me with excitement, anxiety, joy, and so many other emotions. To give myself a little extra push, I decided to make a collection of encouragement cookies. A third of them are focused on “GIRL POWER,” but more broadly, they can be used for any audience that needs some inspiration.

I had a lot of “extra” ideas that I couldn’t seem to let go of, but I liked having a clean dozen in each collection. Naturally, this created the “bonus” collection. I thought a cookie that simply said “cats” was a purr-fectly clear message that said, “not interested.” My awesome SIL also thought it was hilarious, but as I mentioned it to a few other people, it didn’t really get any laughs. (Side note, my SIL and I laughed hysterically at this. Maybe it is because we are cat ladies).

Valentines-Menu

Ordering

How to order? On my menu, there is a custom order tab. Fill out the form, and in the notes section, describe the choices you desire and submit! Or you can always email me at Julia@theOcelotsDen.com.

When ordering you can mix and match as you please. Or you can order a dozen of one (or each) collection. If you order 6 or a dozen cookies, the cookies will be 6 different colors (or pairs of 6 different colors). If you order 2 cookies, I will randomly choose 2 colors.

All of the cookie orders will come in their own boxes sized based on the number of cookies.

Half-dozen cookie boxes are shown. Boxes will be chosen randomly for orders.

The cookies are large cookies based on my cookie sizing chart.

Baked Goods | Christmas | Cookies | Holiday | Winter

Chillin’ With My Gnomies

By Julia on 24 December, 2019

When ordering the elf cookie cutters around Thanksgiving, I looked around at other offerings (because I like to qualify for free shipping or spread shipping costs across a few things when I can). I stumbled upon these adorable Gnome and Snowflake cookie-cutters! I couldn’t resist, so I added them to my cart and offered to make them for the same party as the Spiked Cocoa Cupcakes. Little did I know, my girlfriend adores Gnomes! It was kismet.

I loved taking the time to create different designs on the hats of the gnomes. (Side note, does anyone remember David, the Gnome?) I also wanted to make a couple of designs for the snowflakes because snowflakes are all different.

One of my favorite frosting piping tips is the leaf piping tips. Piping all the leaves on the wreath was a blast. Then I got to add tiny red bead sprinkles and some slightly larger silver balls.

Then the next day, when my creations were dry, I dusted everything with various shades of luster dust (aka Christmas magic), and the cookie platter was ready for delivery!

Cocktails

Simply Crafted Cocktails: Who Spiked the Eggnog?

By Julia on 11 December, 2017

Eggnog is a polarizing flavor, but whether you love it or hate it, it’s a Christmas Classic. I am sure one day I will go the extra mile and learn the completely homemade technique, but this year I went to the liquor store and bought a delightful bottle.

Step one: Get a rocks or Bourbon glass
Step two: Pour chilled Eggnog into the glass
Step three: Dust the top with some freshly grated nutmeg (or just from your pantry)
Enjoy!

Den Decor | Holidays

‘Tis the Season! Trimming all the Christmas Trees

By Julia on 26 November, 2017

With Thanksgiving behind me, I am jumping with joy because it is time to decorate the Den for Christmas!

I like to start off by putting up the trees (yes, I mean multiple trees) the day after Thanksgiving, or certainly later that weekend.

A little history on how I came to have SO many trees

When I was in the army and stationed in Germany, I bought a small, 4′ tall Christmas tree for my barracks room. The whole time I lived in Germany, this was my tree, even when I moved into a house, I put up my petite tree. Now I still decorate it and fill it with all of our sentimental ornaments and more fragile pieces.

When I got married, I didn’t want a traditional guest book. I didn’t understand the point of it to be perfectly honest, but as a traditionalist, I knew I needed to do something. While I was on a trip to Dijon, France I found a bunch of clear, fillable ornaments and thought they would be the perfect guest book. Each guest could write a note, draw a picture, and fill it with wishes and ribbons. We were married a few days after Christmas, so I felt it was a perfect idea! When we moved back to The States, we found a really small tree in Daniel’s grandmother’s attic. I immediately knew it was just the right size for our “Anniversary Tree.” Each year as I decorate the tree, I laugh at the jokes and silly sentiments as well feeling the love that was shared with us on that special day.

Finally, last but not least, we bought a normal size Christmas tree. The largest one that would fit under our 8ft ceilings. Daniel adores a big Christmas tree, and it took quite a lot of persuasion to convince him we could only have a 7.5′ tree to leave some room for the tree topper.

Sweet Purrl pretending to be on the “Nice List”

I shouldn’t forget our outside Christmas Tree! We affectionately call him Charlie Brown because when we moved in, he wasn’t in the best shape. I had to trim a bunch of dead branches, and there hasn’t been a lot of growth on the bottom portion of the tree. However, it is a large tree that is thrilling ~~terrifying~~ to decorate with lots of colored lights!