Three of my closest childhood friends met me in Ohio to do this shoot. We stayed up all night, ate our favorite childhood cookies, and reminisced about our crazy-beautiful experience of being raised by nuns. That was one of the best nights of my life.
Ohhh, where the hell do I begin. Maybe that they left their homes as far away as the Philippine Islands to teach, love and nurture us? Maybe that peeps are always a bit shocked when I can “drop it like it’s hot” on the dance floor as a result of dodging too many flying erasers by frustrated nuns? Maybe the fact that at 8-years-old we were allowed to leave school unattended for lunch? Maybe I should mention the unconditional kindness they showed me after my mom died? Maybe I should mention they played dodgeball and kickball with us in full habits? Yes, I said dodgeball. Maybe I should mention they weren’t scared to paddle a kid that misbehaved and absolutely weren’t afraid of our parents? Maybe I should mention we were forced to learn Latin and sing at all of the funerals? Maybe I should mention they had no tolerance for any shade of hate?
Though I no longer consider myself Catholic, to all the nuns out there I say, “namaste”. May the divine in me, honor and respect the divine in each of them.
Biggest thanks to Brenda Roach Thompson for shooting pics of one of the best weekends of my life. Thanks a million to Ms. Yvonne Dekay for being the most fabulous nun for a day. Big, big thanks to Phil Defalco and his daughter Ruby for spending their Friday night at my place shooting pics of cookies. I am blessed.
Life is sweet with the right treats. Keep up the fun you naughty girls.
I like the way you think E.B. Thank you soo much for stopping by VintageSugarcube.
You are full of great surprises! The cupcakes turned out great…new year’s resolution – to master each of your yummy treats! xo
Dreamin’ in Detroit- You just made my day. Bisou Bisou!
wow…you ladies sure no how dress for the occasion!! I love, dare I say Love those skirts and knee socks!!!
Your cookies look delicious, I would love to try them! Thanks for sharing your reunion with us!
Cheers
Dennis
Thank you sooo much Chef Dennis, we sure had the time of our lives with this shoot. Thanks again for stopping by VintageSugarcube. XOXO
Wonderful! As usual!
Coffeebeans-Thank you so much for your kindness and taking your time to comment. Much appreciated!!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! (Love that Nun too, lol!!!!) Keep up the good work Jen!!!!
I wanta give you a big hug and say how proud I am of you !!!
You keep lifting the bar and exceeding it EVERY time, I’m proud to call you my friend.
Live the dream Babe,
Absolutely perfect
xo
Sums
What a great post! I went to Catholic school from 1st grade throught a senior year in high school. The nuns were interesting. Overall, great education and appreciate my parents making that choice. Love the “uniforms” and all the fun you girls were having. Not to mention those cookies look divine!
Love it…all of you are still so beautiful….wow and again wow
Were there cookies somewhere in this post? I got distracted. A great collection of images that tell the story in such a fun ( and well dressed) way. I love the clever reflection of you in the glasses, and the Nun is awesome.
Lisa- Thank you sooo much for stopping by VintageSugarcube and sharing your story about your experience in Catholic School. I’m also glad my parents sent me there. It was a great experience for me too!! I’m going to go check out your site now. Thank you again!!
TG- I sooo have been thinking about you. I wanted to write about how the nuns would allow us to go on unescorted lunch dates, and how they must have put the fear of GOD into you, because you were too shy to even hold my hand.
Philip, Thank you soooo much for your sweet comment. You are always so witty, on top of taking ahhhmazing pics. Thank you again for everything. I am truly blessed.
Thanks for the recipe, these cookies were always my favorite too. Since we can no longer buy them we’ll make them at home now. The shoot looked like a lot of fun.
cool and crazy………love the web-site
The pics turned out sooooo cute! It was a really fun weekend and the cookies look great too!!!! I love the line about the nuns not tolerating any shade of hate. Very poetic!
I love this!! You gals look awesome!!!!
Hilarious!
I love these pics of you guys you actually made me miss Ironton, and that surprised me! I miss you all very much Oh an the cookies look delicious
What a great story! If you are raised catholic, I dont think it ever leaves you. Oh and the cookies look great too.
OMG! This looks like the most fun girls weekend EVER!
Love the story, Jenny! Brought tears to this Catholic school girl’s eyes. Awesome pix too.
Yummy!!
I took a few erasers to the head and I am perfectly normal. I took a few erasers to the head and I am perfectly normal. I took a…
Wow! Very fond memories of that school! So glad it was refurbished. Your cookies look just like I remember them. Grandma Rist always had them in her cookie jar. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. You all look great and the pictures are awesome too!!!
That’s my gurl!!!! Thanks for enriching my day! G$
WOW, I love that you went back to Ohio, I’m sure the memories are priceless. Mike is laughing his ass off since he had the chance when he was young to get to know some “fun nuns” they joked around and were not to serious so it made it ok, the pictures reminder him. I cant wait to try the cookies, I love anything that resemble’s a regular old sugar cooke!! As usual the pics are fantastic, your friends are darling and sexy! Once again, wonderful wonderful job!
I love this story. what wonderful memories and to think you were a Catholic School Girl!!!
Good stuff. Fun photos.
Lori, Thank you for being a part of life for many, many years! And many, many more shenanigans to come.. Love you!!
Jen- Thank you for all your sweetness doll. I love that your hubby has some similar stories. Thank you again my friend.
Ron- you crack me up something fierce!!!
Summer Rose- Thank you a million for always believing in me and encouraging me to ‘dream big’. I remember you saying that months ago and I think about that saying often. Thank you for being my friend. XOXO
Cute cookies and even cuter photos! I love the colors on the cookies.
Marisa-Thank you sooo very much for stopping by!! I had fun with the frosting..
I had no idea you’re a Catholic school girl too!
12 years in the Cincinnati parochial school system! I even still have my uniforms from 6-8th grade, as well as my high school one! I’m suddenly really homesick after seeing those photos…I might have to whip up some 3-ways or some buckeyes now!
Thanks for sharing your story, and I love the socks and skirts!
Rachel- I knew there was a reason we immediately clicked!! Girl, that is crazy you still have your uniforms. Good for you!! Now I starving and seriously craving some Cincy chili. Big thanks for stopping by VintageSugarcube.
Anna- Thank you sooo much. And I so appreciate you checking in.
That lady’s gotta be the coolest nun ever! And those cookies look fierce!
Would “fierce” be an accurate adjective for baked goods? I think so.
Kocinera- You always make me smile girlie! Ms. Yvonne is the coolest nun ever!! And I’m like’n the word fierce for baked goods darling. Thanks bunches and bunches for stopping by VintageSugarcube.
Jenny~
The post turned out great!!! Thanks for thinking me and including me in your photo shoot (I wish I wasn’t so camera shy). I feel honored! You’re such a joy and inspiration. I especially loved the walk down memory lane. You have such a way with words. I will always cherish our more recent visit together up late with the girls talking about our childhood years and experiences with the nuns…Priceless! Also, I LOVE and miss those cookies. The pics of the cookies look ultra yummy. I think you found your calling. I’m so proud of you. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to seeing what else is store for 2011. Until then…
SOOOO sOOO ssssOOOOOOO precious Aunt Jenny! Ahhhh, the photos are so beautiful and the four of you gals are spectacular! Reminds me SO MUCH of me and my ladies. Autumn looks absolutely fabulous in Ohio! Can’t wait to visit some day. I am going to do my best and make though delicious cookies with my new girlfriend’s hers in Guam! Much love!
Oh, Jen! I love this one and the pics… brought back some sweet memories and tears (of joy and pain) from my catholic school upbringing. AND those are my favorite cookies, we called them “thumbprints.”
Keep up the great work on your website, so love it! xo
So great as usual. It’s been too long! My Sugarcube tank was on E.
Jenny I love it brings back alot of memories being a Catholic girl myself. Great job!!!
Now that isn’t something you see every day in Ironton! Can’t wait to try the recipe. Oh, and did the wig have to get it’s own seat on the plane?
As a recovering Catholic, I can really appreciate this shoot! Keep up the grat work, Jenny! It brings so much sweetness to everyone! xoxoxo
Thank you sooo very much everyone for appreciating the story I needed to tell, while sharing my favorite childhood recipe. Much, much love to all of you.
Ha, love the pics! They definitely tell a Catholi school girl story.
[[ P.S. ]] You really rock that hairdo.
Hey Jenny,
Cant wait to try the cookies. Thanks for sharing this..what a good way to share a piece of your history and make it fun!
This looks like it was really fun! And the nun’s really got in the “spirit”
Lisa OH.
Jenny—This is so awesome!! You look fabulous –love the pictures. the school you are standing in front of is St. Lawrence–correct? I sent this to John. You have done such a wonderful job with Vintage Sugarcube! love the recipes–pizelles would be a good one to try. My mom would stuff them with jelly and nuts–so good!! my mom made them every Christmas. Natalie and I are going to Monteray, CA end of April to visit a good friend. we’ll also be in San Fransisco for a few days and to Yosemite for a day. Love, Petrina
Petrina- Sooooo great to hear from you. Yes!! This was where I attended gradeschool, the old St. Lawrence. They refurbished the inside, but thankfully left the exterior ‘as is’. Glad you liked the story, it is very, very dear to my heart. Those pizelles sounds ahhhmazing, but everything your mom ever made was outstanding. I remember her spaghetti sauce being sooo tasty, I would eat it on toast for breakfast. Great memories!! WOW- You and Nat are sure in for one heck of an adventure. Thanks again for the sweet comment. XOXO, Jenny
Ah, knee high socks and short skirts…I remember them well! Can’t wait to try the Catholic Girl Cookies, there will be ‘nun’ left on the plate!
Antony- You crack me up and your wit is to DIE FOR!! I wish I would have thought of that priceless line when I wrote out the recipe, “NUN LEFT”!!! HAHA.. Thanks a ton for stopping by VintageSugarcube.
Aw, this one’s super cute!
seems like you guys had loads of shooting the pics…cookies are gorgeous!
Seems like you guys had loads of fun shooting the pics…..cookies look amazing!
Suchitra, we had an absolute blast!! I had not seen the gals in quite a while, but it was truly like no time had passed. Thanks for stopping by and your kind words.
Adorable!
love the pics. looks like you girls had a TON of fun!!!
Thanks Miss Myra and Thank hottie ElFuego!!
Beautiful pics of beautiful women! The pics of the cookies are delicious looking. Alaina & I will definately have to make them. The relection of you in Mitzi’s sunglasses is a cool photo bonus, too.:)
Laura, Thank you sooo much! Thanks for noticing the little details. Phil also noticed the pic of me in her glasses and you wanna know a secret? Mitzi and I didn’t plan that and didn’t even see it until Phil pointed it out. I love the sublime to it. Thanks for being such a wonderful part of our girls evening. It would NOT have been the same without you. Much, much love, Jenny
Namaste, Jenny love! I wasn’t sure whether to look for a recipe here or for your stylist’s details…LOL. What a beautiful, fun-looking group of schoolfriends you have and I’m glad the reunion was a blast. I still see friends that I’ve known since 5, so I know how precious certain friendships are when they can span decades. That ‘nun’ you roped in was also brilliant, much better than Whoopie Goldberg in that fake nun movie!
I
Wow! You guys look HOT! Im working with Steph right now and said she had the shortest skirt! lol. Glad you guys had a fun time. I want a photo shoot too!!!
Maya- thank you honey! I soo agree. The nun is my friend Mitzi’s mom. Mitzi is in the black glasses. I think she made the shoot. Thanks again bunches for stopping by and saying ‘hi’. I sure get soo much joy visiting your blog. XOXO
Kristin- Thank you oodles and oodles for stopping by. I also use to work the third shift in a hospital, so I know you need a break and it makes me very, very happy that you are taking a break and checking out “VintageSugarcube”. Thanks a million and stop by again!!
PS.. Steph is such a hottie!!
Fantastic Jen! I can so relate as a former Catholic school girl! XOXO
Alas, i’m just a nice Jewish girl who could never pull off the look. I am busting out with envy.
Janice- Thank you tons for stopping by VintageSugarcube. Nuns aside, I think most of us have some crazy, wild memories of grade/grammar school. Thanks again, Jenny
Love this top-quality shoot and recipe! Definitely belongs in your top ten. The Play-Doh colours of your icing are perfect!
One word. Saaaaweet!
Thanks a big bad bunch Miss Trish for noticing the icing. I tried to coordinate the colors (pink/purple) with our outfits. I know, I’m a major dork. This shoot was definitely one of my absooolute faves. Thanks again for stopping by VintageSugarcube and taking your time to comment girl. Much, much appreciated!
Awesome post!
Briarrose- Thank you sooo much! Kudos to you and all your work on your blog.
congratulations jenny! you did it again…………another great receipe,and all the pictures look great
Monica- Muchas Gracias darling! XO
Fabulous pics. I’m sure the cookies are delicious, which means that this recovering Catholic will need to find the time to bake!
Well done on this one- personal and a little emotional… yet once again… a little naughty! We have made a variation of these cookies at the holidays for years, but never tried the icing! Will have to try them!
Kara & Sonya, Thanks ladies. Gotta try the icing. Soo simple, yet soo sinfully good!! I could eat it by the spoonful..
Your desserts are divinely inspired…now I know why
Cool story….the catholic school girl theme is hot….”drop it like it’s hot” type of HOT HOT!
What a sweet message from someone who calls themselves the Jerk. I’m thinking quite the opposite.
Looks like you had a fun reunion! We live right across the street from a Catholic school that has since closed, unfortunately. The kids are so cute in their uniforms. Nuns are so mysterious to me. I’m glad you have good memories of them. Thanks for sharing the cookie recipe. Butter + sugar + pecans = yum!
unescorted haha yeah what were they thinking???
This is so crazy! What an interesting read, lol. It kind of made me laugh.
The pictures are quite funny, too. I’m really into the red beehive hair! That’s insane. Cool post!
Melissa- Big thanks for stopping by! Regarding the ‘mystery of nuns’. The nuns at our school hosted one slumber party each year and invited all the 5th grade girls. It was their time to answer any burning questions we had about them. Sooo funny reminiscing about those days. Thanks again! Jenny
Sofi- I’m thrilled you like the red beehive! That’s quite a compliment coming from a hot diva like yourself. Thanks so much for stopping by..
Keep them coming – absolutely love it all!!
Alexi- Thank you soo much!! You sure keep me motivated with your always positive vibes. XO
Oh! Too much fun for my sides! I love this nun like none other! ANd she has had more that one “Swat” at me over the years. Mitzi, you are the “doll”, girl. Terrific job.
Ruby- Big Big Thanks for checking out my site. I agree 100% with ya girl. Mis Yvonne and Mitzi are da bombs. Stop back by VintageSugarcube, many more shenanigans in the works.
Jenny!
You are adorable…. I love the lil’ tale & the cookies look AMAZING! I’ve been a little lazy lately, but reading you defnitely inspire me to get into the kitchen for a session of happy baking!!! I will def have to try them soon. I still want the recipe to those famous brownies… Great work! xoxo!
Irasema,
Thank you sooo much for the sweet, sweet comment. You being inspired to bake, has completely made my day!! I will get in touch with you about the holiday brownies!! Thanks again Irasema.
I love it!!! what a fun day for you! and you girls all look great… should put this into a comic strip
Jenny- Thank you sooo much girlie. What a compliment coming from a hilarious, cool chica like yourself. We sure had fun. And more shenanigans to come from VSC!! Happiest of New Years to ya..
What a fun time you must have had…some great memories it seems like.Love the cookies too
Magic of Spice – Thank you so very much for popping by VSC and taking your time to leave such kind words. The cookies are buttery and my time with the ladies was spicy!!
Jen – wow! I just found this post. It’s so obvious what a great time you all had with this. Love it as always!
Eileen, Thank you soooo much! It was sure the time of my life to see my girls again. Wishing you a happiest of New Years.
This one is soooooo cute! How fun!
Thanks Amy!! XOXO
Oh wow, you’re so fun! Thanks for checking out our blog, or we would’ve missed all the fun going on over here. Can you get any better than cookies and costumes? Nope!
Duo Dishes! Thank you sooo much for your kind words. I’m sure having fun with all this. LOVE your site and your pic with your honey is FAB-U-LOUS!!!
Those pictures are outrageous. Seeing you guys walking down Center Street holding hands is my fave. Although I didn’t go to St. Lawrence I still remember you guys then! Thanks for the memories Jen-Jen!
Karla dahhhrling! Thank you big bunches of love for stopping by and your kindness makes my day. XOXO
Still one of my favorite posts! The photos are priceless!!
Susan- Thanks a million! This was one of my favorite reunions with my girls. XOXO
what a cool post and what a super-cool blog!!! thank you for stopping by. I will surely become a regular here. Barbara