I'm a lurker who just wants to thank all of you for the all of information that you share so willingly. Due to illness & disability, I gave up baking for my family for 20 years. 
Long story short....this past Christmas my DIL nudged me back into baking & I've picked up where I left off 20 years ago. 
There is a lot I can't do for various physical reasons however I'm able to keep my grandchildren, some neighbors & yes, even neighbor's dogs happy with things from the oven. The other day after reading numerous posts about MMF, I decided it just might be easy enough for me to try. I have only a little hand mixer so I picked a day when I felt I could do all the kneading by hand. Today, I put my first fondant cut out on a cooled cut out sugar cookie. That is what my soon to be 9 year old granddaughter wanted me to make for her birthday. Thanks to all of you, I was able to fulfill that wish. They aren't perfect but far exceeded my expectations. I did up only 2 very large sugar cookies & will do a few more smaller ones as they come out of the oven... gotta try the "warm" approach as well. 
Want to give cakes a go but that will be for another time. Anyway, I'll not ever do this for profit due for various reasons but you've helped this Grandma gain some additional beaming from her kids & grandkids. For that, I could never give enough thanks! Y'all are the best!
Go grami, go grami, go grami, go grami .....
You are no longer a lurker 
I am so glad you have been able to experience the joy of your "beaming" kids and grandkids. I'm glad CCers were are part of that too Smiling BIG for you
Thanks for the welcome! Yup, I'm now off to try SugarFlowers white cake. Gotta have "little" cakes for the birthday girl as well. Just a simple chocolate glaze over them, though as I can't afford butter for buttercream on my limited income plus my arms give out from holding the hand mixer for very long.... besides, I haven't built up my nerve yet to even consider trying a pastry bag! 
In time though. This birthday is really important to me as our son (the daddy) will be deploying soon for who knows how long. 
There are 3 other siblings who will have birthdays before Daddy gets back. 
Just want this to be a great memory for him to take along! Y'all are making that possible... bless each one of you. 
Welcome grami!!!!! I'm so glad you got back into baking, nothing beats a gramma's baking!!!
Alot of people will disagree with this, but I also like to use margarine in place of butter sometimes. It's much cheaper and it has a nice taste. You can also use the store brand shortening which is also cheaper. I just want you to do those cakes!
This is a great place and I'm so glad you came out of lurkdom! It's nice to meet you. Your grandkids are lucky to have such a nice grami who wants to make special cakes and cookies for them.
Such a lovely warm welcome again! Honestly has made me a bit teary 
as I'm not even close to all the talent on this site. No matter.... I'm here to learn & y'all are willing teachers! Just took SugarFlowers white cake out of the oven & if its even *close* to the batter....... ooh la la! 
Thanks for the tip on margarine as well. So far I've had decent luck with it as a substitution but didn't want to offend anyone. 
Now off to see what other havoc I can create in the kitchen!
Welcome!!! You just can't beat a Grannies Baking advice and tips!!!And of course the Goodies!!!
I use Blue Bonnet margarine ALL the time unless I need pure white icing. I get lots of compliments
Just tried my first MMF on a warm cookie & ! Did just a few & will frost some others until I know how the adults like the new approach. Glad to hear someone else uses Blue Bonnet margarine. Its all I use & honestly have had tons of luck with it since I started baking again. So far its held its own in place of butter every time..... well, with most things. 
Can't thank everyone enough for being so kind. Y'all might be super talented but you're also down to earth & willing to help & share! As my parents used to say, "Just good folk."
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