Who's George piglet?

I’m asked this question all the time so I thought I’d give the official story here. You might want to grab a box of tissues.

George Piglet was a dog. Not just any dog, he was my dog. George was a black lab/pit bull mix with long ears that were soft like velvet and a long tail that would wag so hard, it would knock pictures off walls. I got him when he was 8 weeks old and he had this giant belly that swayed side to side when he walked. He snorted like a piggy when he slept so we gave him Piglet as his middle name. George was a loyal dog. He loved sleeping in the sun, looking out the window and eating French fries with me. He spoke like Elvis and said things like, “Oh Mama, you’re the best Mama in the whole world, Mama.” (Go ahead, say that sentence out loud with your best Elvis impression voice). I loved George and George loved me.

George passed away unexpectedly in September 2015. I found myself unable to sleep and unable to drink anything that wasn’t vodka. While scrolling through my iPad one night/morning, I came across a video from SweetAmbs about decorating cookies with royal icing. I’d never even heard of royal icing before but something about this video was intriguing, meditative, deliberate, and made me want to try it. So I did.

Actually, I became obsessed. I started playing around with royal icing and sugar cookie recipes and watching as many cookie decorating videos as possible. I made many of my friends and family eat these early cookies until I found the reaction I was looking for. Big smiles.

Making cookies kept me busy while I was dealing with insomnia and depression. George’s absence was consuming but I found that being present in cookie decorating gave me a break from the weight of missing him. Yes, I learned everything on YouTube. Well, that’s not all true. I had two private lessons with the fabulous Gail Dosik of One Tough Cookie but otherwise, I learned from other cookie-ers who posted their knowledge on the internet. By Halloween of 2015, I had more cookie orders than I had space for in my kitchen. Thanksgiving was even busier and Christmas? It was like George was taking care of me from somewhere. “Oh Mama, just make those cookies with love, Mama. Then go to sleep, Mama.”

Such a sad story, I know! But it’s the truth, Ruth. George Piglet Cookies has grown in leaps and bounds since and I’m still overwhelmed that it’s actually happening.

There’s nothing better than when we give someone their cookie order and they ask, “Can I peek into the box?” and we see their reaction. We have met so many new people, have shipped cookies all across the country and our cookies have been a part of countless family gatherings. We make each and every cookie with a deliberate focus on happiness and health to the person that eats it. Thanks to George Piglet for inspiring me to do it!

Sarah xo