Her home was like my Barbie’s penthouse with an hourglass pool that shimmered like Hollywood. She worked the room in her silver pant suit, suntanned skin, red fingernails, and sky high stilettos. It was late, but no one told me I had to go to bed or to stop eating so many of my favorite cookies. Then THEY arrived in a pack. They were older than me, maybe as old as my sissy and brothers. They had wild hair, were loud and smoked like her. They made loads of drinks and acted silly. One boy had a green Mohawk and made me a Shirley Temple; but winked and said it was a cocktail. I had died and gone to heaven. I was spending Christmas with my grandmum in Scottsdale. I was only 7-years-old. That night I knew I wouldn’t stay in Ohio forever. She redefined the word DIVA. She went to Beauty School when she turned FiTTy $ent. She is why you’ll often times see me with a beehive and why I swoon for hair stylists. Big bang thanks to Matthew and his Mohawk; courtesy of Disconnected Salon; the place to go when your hair needs a Morphine lollipop.
Oh MY!!!! I’m going to try these – minus the mohawk. Not even a faux-haux. I just can’t do it. Thanks to you, darling, wedding cookies will forever harken quite a different memory…
Ack! I did NOT need to know how much butter is in Mexican Wedding Cookies! That explains why they’re so damn good.
I know I always say this, but you have the BEST pics. Also, I would have loved to hang out with your Grandmum.
your grandmum and my grandma would have gotten ALONG! hehe
MommyUpgrade- Thanks a mill for stopping by! I’m secretly thrilled I sprinkled a little naughty in your head when you think of those cookies.
Laura- Biggest thanks to you darling. My grandmum (we called her “BaBa”) was an absolute trip. You would have LOVED her. XOXO
Tell me your preference: with or without pecans? The cherry chip bundt was great — tasted like a cherry vanilla Coke!
Your model is scrumptious, too.
Trish- First off dahhhling, thank you for stopping by. I do prefer the pecans something fierce. Soooo glad the cherry chip bundt turned out sooo swell. And regarding the model, well, all I can say is life is sooo much sweeter when I’m surrounded by hot menzzz.
Your grandma rocks!
*kisses* HH
AGAIN MY DARLING OUTTA THE PARK ON THIS ONE!!!!
Sooooooo Proud of you!
Picture perfect and cookies to match!
Keep it real
xoxo
Sums
Oh my god!! Love this post! Love your grandma! And this recipe is SO MUCH like what my Nana makes (the one married to the Papa I was telling you about that loves Betty Page..) at Christmas. She calls them “snowballs” and then chuckles every time…
Heavenly Housewife- Merci dahhhhling!!
Summer – Thank you for ALWAYS cheering me up. Much love to ya.
Queenie Bee- I think your papa and my BaBa would have benn fast friends. Thanks a heap for stopping by. Smooches!
Love all the places you go with this project. Dont ever limit yourself! Love you..
Amy — Thank you sooo much!! You know I soo value your opinion. Muuuuah and hearts and kisses to ya.
Great tribute to Grannie! She would have rocked that mohawk.
Thanks Coco!! She sure cut lots of them in the roaring 80s’!! She defined hip and coolio. Thanks a bunch for stopping my gorgeous friend.
We all have memories of a grandparent, aunt, or other figure who first demonstrated that it’s OK to behave outside toe box. Thanks for sharing such a nice memory.
James – Thank YOU sooo much!! Hearts and Smooches to ya.
Well they say “Fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree” – - BINGO AND THERE YOU GO!!! For the love of…….G$
Ah ha… now we know it’s all in the genes! You clearly received your Grandma’s super hot, stylish, sassy, gourmet, kick ass genes! Fantastic! The wedding cookies sounds yummy….even if they might lead to the corruption of a minor.
Love the memory – thanks!
G$$, Kika and Tiff – Thank you soooo much dahhhlings! I wish you could have met her. She was one of a kind. Hearts and Smooches!!
Go GRanny! Now we know where you get it!!!! That’s awesome Jenny, I saw a guy boarding a plane today with a sick mohawk… must be coming back. Maybe I’ll get one after eating these cookies!? Cheers.
Mitzi – Thank you sooo much!! And NO Mohawks for you my gorgeous friend.
I see where you get the style and flair for life – love the photos and can’t wait for the next post!!
Ahhh Alexi! That’s the biggest compliment EVER!!!
OMG, the best one yet and I’m sure the cookies are as much delicious as your story. Your grandma rocks! And what a way to celebrate her than to pick up her stylish ways!
I lovvvvvve this site, I’m aready a fan for sweet stuff and your stuff only gets sweeter, Jenny!
Sukie- Thank you, Thank you, and more Thank you(s)!!! That is the biggest compliment. Thank you for making my day darling. Hearts and smooches to ya.
This explains it ALL! LOL! Loved the story and can’t wait to try out the cookie recipe! XOXO
Audrey- Thanks my friend. I was sure hoping sooooo!!!
Let me say, I just LOVE your grandma and her life. She’s me when I’m Fifty Cents! And Matthew is OMG… I need myself a time machine to rewind my biological clock
. Everything about him, I totally dig.. from his mohawk and his tattoos to the way he eats those cookies! Let’s swap lives for a month, you and me. LOL.
Maya- Thanks sooo much for your kind words!! My grandma would have LOVED you. She was really into shoes. If we swap lives, can I keep your Christian Louboutins??
J – if I could have painted a pic of the ideal grandma for you, this would have been it!!! LOVE the story and the photos!
Should that be Fifty Cent? LOL, maybe I’m not as hip as I would like to believe I am…
Yep, those darn heels are yours in exchange for your beehive!
Maureen – Thank you sooo much!! I have many more pics to show you over wine some night. XOXO
Maya – I’ll bring it to Singapore and get loads of pics of YOU!!!
It’s ON!!
That’s a great story of you and your grandma.She seems like a totally awesome woman. My grandmother passed away some years ago, but my mom says sometimes she sees her in me.
Those cookies look delicious, mexican wedding cookies are one of my faves! Thanks for sharing!
-Shauniece
Great tribute your Grandma and great recipe. I always look forward to your new stories and recipes. I LOVE tattoos and love your model and all his tats. The tats and the mohawk are just so appropriate for him. I want to be with you when you give in and get that little cupcake tattooed on a discreet place, Jenny….
Shauniece – Thank you sooo much for stopping by! I bet you are a lot like your grandma. They’re in our blood. Those cookies are my faves too! I need to make them again to add how many the recipe actually makes and I know I’ll eat every single last one.
Gary- Thank you sooo much for always appreciating all that I do. I told Matthew he is getting loads of attention over here. I do need to consider that tattoo eh… XOXO
Haha- your grandma (BaBa) stories crack me up!! Your originality continues to astound me. Freaking awesome! Haha- my mom always called these cookies “sand tarts”- I didn’t know they were “Mexican Wedding Cookies” until you told me!
Jenny.. What an awesome post! BaBa would have loved it. The cookies have always been a requriement on ‘the list’ at the holidays….ha! they are the yummiest ever!! Love you!
MMMMMMMM……love Mexican wedding cookies!! Your writing has a Francesca Lia Block here!!
Faboo!
Sonya – Thanks sooo much girl!! I wish you could have met her. I think those cookies have many names, as they are loved by all far and near. Miss you girl. Hearts and Smooches!!
Linda – Thanks sooo much!! I think BaBa would have swooooned for Matthew. She always bragged about doing green mohawks in the 80s’ back when Scottsdale was cool with the punk scene. Love you!!
Mis Pagoda – Thank you a million. What a compliment. I love the sound of “Francesca Lia Block”. Now my day is off to a great start!! Thanks sooo much for stopping by. XOXO
Ah you have done it again Miss Sugarcube! These are some of my favorite cookies and you managed to make their simple, rich recipe shine like the sun with your edgy and inspirational adaptation as always! Not to mention the really cute guy in the photos! Go Scottsdale
Miss Gorgeous Stunning Mermaid Shell- Thank you soo much for the kudos and kindness. Scottsdale in the 80s was sooo punk rock! And my BaBa sure had a big part of it!!
Your BaBa sounds pretty fantastic and those cookies aren’t half bad either! I need to give those a try.
Karen – Thank you sooo much! She would have LOVED you and your foxy style. She was a diva. XOXO
Um, the cookies were slightly upstaged by the diva and Mr. Matthew.
Jordan – Thank you soo much for stopping by. I couldn’t agree more. Between my BaBa and Mr. Matthew, I think they could upstage almost any dessert. XOXO
Well now it all makes sense! Love the story, the pics are fabulous as always. Maybe these should get added to the august 14 menu? indian wedding cookies?
Meenal – Thank you my friend. Yes, with a little cardamon, they would be magnificent.. Extra Hearts and Smooches!!
Oh man….. these look soooo good
I’ll have to bake up a batch for my BF…although he doesn’t have a killer mohawk… 
Naomi- Thanks sooo much and thanks a big bunch for stopping by!! There’s always the, “Fauxhawk”.
Super sick. what a bad ass. my mom made us Mexican wedding cookies every year for Christmas, amazing
Kmberly – Thank you sooo much for stopping by and giving me a laugh. My grandmum (BaBa) was just as much of a badass as Mister Matthew!! Hearts and Smooches to ya.
Awesome story. You are everybit as edgy and fantastic as your faboo BaBa! We need to set a date for cocktails and cookies soon. Keep fighting the good fight!
Lisa – I’m gonna smooch all over you the next time I see you!! Thank you sooo much for your sweetness. You would have been one of my BaBa’s favorite peeps. Looking forward to cocktails and cookies with you!! Summer will be FUN!! XO
I think your BaBa & my grandma Myra would’e raised a lotta hell if they’d known each other. I dunno why, but that reminded me of a party my grandparents held & the guy I was dating at the time was talking to my brother-in-law or cousin or something, not realizing Myra was standing right behind him & he dropped an F-bomb. The rest of us all howled with laughter when he turned around all red-faced & said, “I am SO sorry for my language, ma’am.” She grinned & told him she didn’t mind him using the f-word around her, but she’d slap him across the face if he ever called her ma’am again! I also had no idea Mexican wedding cookies were that simple–I may be making them tomorrow afternoon…I’ll have to sub walnuts for the pecans though.
Rachel – OH MY GOODNESS!!! I love you to pieces for sharing that story with me. You are correct in that my BaBa and your grandma Myra would have been FAST FRIENDS and FIERCE!!! That is soooo something my BaBa would have said. We called her BaBa, because granny, grandma, grandmother were all entirely out of the question. Big smoooooches to you Rachel and thanks again.
Hello darling! I have to say, I popped over here because I have seen some bake sale photos going around and I had to know who the lady with the fabulous hair was! And I must say…I have not been disappointed.
I’ve always loved Mexican wedding cookies (those may be the sole reason I married a MexiRican…you know, so I could have those at my wedding). These look fantastic. And I love, love, love the mohawk! And your grandma was one stylin’ lady!
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I can’t wait to see more from you. Have a great weekend!
Hello lovely! I love your blog and your photos and your stories. Your recipes are yummy too. Looking forward to being a regular reader
Maranda- Thank you soooo much for stopping by my site and for all your sweetness! We sure had fun at the bake sale. Smooches girl, please come back and don’t be a stranger.
Lori- Thank you soooo much for all kindness. Such a compliment coming from you. Look forward to seeing you at another event. Thanks again!! Jenny
Hey Jen, the pic of grandma with Gregory P is fabulous!! what a keeper. The way you describe her she totally must have been a blast to be around, love the pics and thanks for sharing.
Jen – Thanks sooo much for stopping by and all your continued kindness. My BaBa was a blast and always the life of the party! And she sure knew how to throw one.
Your grandma sounds like one rockin’ gal.
Wizzy – She sure was!! Thanks a heap for stoppin’ on by. Muuah!
lovin the mohawk, the color, and the tats!!
i sport quite a bit of ink but nothing like he does… i love it!
Averie – Thanks a million for stopping by!! And i LOVE that you have some ink. Fabulous girl. Look forward to meeting you sooooon!
Wedding cookies…they simply melt in your mouth. It’s too easy to eat too many.
The hair, the tattoos – wild and so interesting. Great photo essay.
Joanne – Thank you sooo much for stopping by! I’m feeling ya on the cookies, they are the one kind I just can’t stop eating! XO
Um, your grandma was SUCH a diva! Just posing with Gregory Peck, NBD. These cookies look dangerously good..she had the right idea: why make you stop eating them when they’re THAT good?
Evan – Thank you sooo much for stopping by. She definitely was a diva in all the best ways!! Muahh girl!
So that’s how you became a DIVA…your grandma sure had it right
Love these cookies!
Ahhhh… Thank you sooo much! I sure have a lot to live up to.. Thanks for stopping by “Magic of Spice”. Muuuah!
This look very avant garde!
Your grandma sounds amazing! I love women who are not afraid of getting older and take life with confidence! xoxoxoo
Shin – you would have LOVED her and she would have LOVED your style!!! Thanks a bunch for stopping by.
LOVE your grandma. love the cookies, too, but rarely make them because I can’t keep my hands off of them! One of my faves. I’m thinking my grandma could’ve known yours, except without the heels. My mother called her a honkey-tonker : / Great story and photos!
Kelly – Thank you soooo very much for stopping by and your sweet words about my BaBa! I really need to make those cookies again, so I can be a diligent blogger and add how many cookies the recipe actually makes, but I’ve been putting that task off, as I know I’ll sit and eat every single one! XOXO
I would’ve liked to have known your grandma. The picture alone makes me want to sit down with her for a smoke.
Sara- Thank you darling!!! She was one of a kind and would have loved having a smoke with you!!
I can tell that your grandmum is someone that made a lasting impression with everyone she met. Your description of her free spirit and style conveys that she had that special something that everyone enjoyed. I know I would have liked her! Great post!
Tina- Thank you from the bottom of my heart! And thanks for stopping by. You sure nailed her to a tee… That was exactly my BaBa. XOXO
I love this story!
Thank you Junie! XOXO
Wild! My Nan is more of the white glove and china teapot variety, but my cousins’ grandma, whom we called Grandma too just ‘cuz, was a bit like yours. She used to go salmon fishing in Alaska and dealt cards at a casino. I’m planning to be a Grand-diva too one day (but not too soon!).
Lovely Ruby! Thank you soo much for stopping by. What a great way to start my day!! Girllll… When we’re old, we’ll be nothing but DIVAs. XOXO
Click on my name to get your award! (((: And no, this isn’t spam.
Hannah dahhhrling.. Zeee Ohhh My Goodness Gracious. Thank you times a million for the award. You completely made my day. Hearts and smooches to you.
Ah, what fabulous cookies…they are a favorite of mine, too. Love what your chic grandmum passed on to you…diva power rules!!!
Liz – Thank you !!! My BaBa would have thought the world of you too!!
Hi Jenny (aka VintageSugarcube)!! Had to comment after seeing BaBa’s pic and the Mexican sugar cookies! MaMa Higgins called them “Swedish Dreams” for some reason…Shelli and I spent time over the phone last night viewing your site together and LOVING every beautiful pic of Ms. Sugarcube (you remind us of your BaBA, she was GORGEOUS and SASSY!!) and soooo enjoying your creativity in your deliciously-descriptive posts!! Got back on this evening and saw the “Grandmum” piece. MaMa and BaBa were definately two of a kind and PaPa H so got a kick out of their “Diva-ness”!!:)
Keep up the great work!! You give your Ohio and Florida cousins something to smile about…so happy for you!!
Tomi- Soooo great to hear from you!! This comment completely made my day… Thank you for all your kind words. BaBa is truly my inspiration.