My DH is a biologist and his department is planning a little party to celebrate Charles Darwin's birthday next week. He has asked me to make cookies, but I have no idea what to do. I know Darwin did a lot of work with finches and the tortoise, so I thought about doing something with that, or even the Galapagos Islands. However, I don't feel like I can do a lot of detail on the cookies because I'm not very good at adding small details, so with that...does anyone have any ideas? I would appreciate any and all! TIA

How about a fish with legs and the word DARWIN written on the fish--like those car emblems?

I just looked that up, as I don't think I had seen one before. That is a great idea. I will definitely add it to my list of possibilities Thanks!

What about the tree of life, representing evolution. You could make different cookies and then arrange them as in the tree. Here is a not-so-cute tree, but it might help to inspire you.

http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_3846_404_1617_43/http%3B/public-content%3B7087/publishedcontent/publish/ecological_issues/genetic_biodiversity/phylogenetic_trees_intro/tree.gif

Or some fossil cookies?

HTH

ngfcake,

I think I'm a little slow today...I'm not sure what you mean! LOL Would you make different cookies with the images like in the picture and arrange them in a tree shape or make tree shaped cookies with a different image on each? Sorry to be so dense

Thank cookieman! I will take another look at the tortoise, but for some reason they scare me! LOL

You could also do a series of the evolution of man. Start off with the ape and make the progression to Homosapien. That might be a little more detailed then you want to go though.

Doing the Tree of Life would be great though. It's nothing you can mess up as it's a messy sketch.

http://gregcookland.com/journal/uploaded_images/picDarwin-781751.jpg

Since your hubby loves Darwin (I *heart* Darwin too) he would appreciate it.

I was thinking in different shapes (bacteria, animals and plants) arranged in the form of the tree of life (There are those sets of 101 cookie cutters which you can adapt and do the rest with a template). The tree could be made of carboard (or even a giant cookie!!). I don't now, I think I've got carried away!

It all depends on how much time do you want to spend with this cookies.

Now, the tree of life that jkalman linked is the one originally drawn by Darwin himself, it seems easy and not labour intensive! Certainly your brother would appreciate it!

Thanks everyone! These are all great ideas!

What about a Galapagos Island themed cake since a trip there is what inspired his theory of evolution!

You could make all of the little fondant animals in various stages of evolution.

Here is a link to the Galapagos tourism website:
http://www.galapagosislands.com/

You could easily make some cookies that are shaped like the Galapagos as well.. you wouldn't need to be overly detailed either. I know the extreme details are a pain, and when you aren't getting paid to do the it's even worse.

Ooops! You said cookies. Well, what jkalman said is what I would have said had I been paying attention.

D'oh!

http://www.darwinuk.com/images/uploads/Evolve_Fish_Sticker2_300.JPG
http://www.stickergiant.com/Merchant2/imgs/450/b2214_450.jpeg
http://www.stickergiant.com/Merchant2/imgs/450/b2239_450.jpeg
http://www.stickergiant.com/Merchant2/imgs/450/b2233_450.jpeg
http://www.stickergiant.com/Merchant2/imgs/450/b2174_450.jpeg
And of course, I couldn't resist this one... Just TEASING fellas! LOL
http://www.stickergiant.com/Merchant2/imgs/450/y4562_450.jpeg

LOL I like the idea of doing turtles, birds, lizards and for sure a beagle cookie! Maybe some apes too!

You guys rock!!! I have so many ideas now and am actually excited about doing these cookies. I was dreading it, but I think it will be a lot of fun now. Thanks for inspiring me with all of your creativity!

I was thinking monkeys and people. Too obvious?

I love the fish with legs idea! My son was born on Darwin's b-day!

I love the fish with legs idea as well.... or here are several pics I found that may translate fairly easily to cookies. There's one of Darwin, that you could make edible images of as well. Anyway... just some thoughts. HTH!

HA!!!! I love that school of fish one!!! That's awesome!

I have seen the Darwin fish eating the Jesus fish on cars too... makes me laugh everytime.

Or how about WAAAAY out in left field. You could do some Flying Spaghetti Monster cookies... if you don't know what it is look it up. Definitely not a direct link to Darwin and many have no clue, but I would get the connection.

The school of fish one is my favorite, too! Same with those stickers... the Darwin fish eating the Jesus fish!

Sooo... I just looked up the Flying Spaghetti Monsters, and that is hilarious!!! Here's a really cool pic from Wikipedia..... I busted up laughing when I saw this....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Touched_by_His_Noodly_Appendage.jpg

Using the FSM is a great idea!

Please ask your husband and his biologist friends to raise a glass to Alfred Russel Wallace:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Russel_Wallace

Note the quote: He is best known for independently proposing a theory of natural selection which prompted Charles Darwin to publish his own theory.

(He's my DH's Great Grandfather, so we're a bit sensitive about Darwin-worship in our house. )

BTW - lots of fab cookie ideas! Have fun!

I like the tree -- that'd make a great cookie. Monkeys and thumbs come to mind.

You have to make two sides of course!
http://www.coppergifts.com/productcart/pc/Hand_Cookie_Cutters_Thumbs_Up_CG2251.asp
http://www.kitchengifts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GIEM&Category_Code=
http://www.stickergiant.com/Merchant2/imgs/250/b5470.gif

Jeanne: OK... so I was re-reading that Wikipedia entry re: Flying Spaghetti Monsters, and I thought this quote was priceless--

"I think we can all look forward to the time when these three theories are given equal time in our science classrooms across the country, and eventually the world; One third time for Intelligent Design, one third time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence."

OK mawagner.... What'd you end up doing?!?!?! Please post pics, I'm dying to see your creations!

You'll have to post a pic of the finished product! I'm curious as to what you picked!

Sorry...no pics I did use the tree of life pic that toodlesjupiter had posted (thanks!!). My piping skills are lacking (no matter how easy the design is) so I ended up just sending them in without taking a picture. Thanks for all of your great ideas!