It’s been a cold, wet week which means that we stay indoors with cozy socks, lit candles, and something in the oven. This idea of comfort food is, well, comforting when Mother Nature sets her face towards winter and my family huddles inward. It can be hard to continue to seek out others in our community during this family-oriented season, but I encourage you to remember those who feel like family: the neighbor who takes care of your pet when you’re out of town, the friend who steps in at the last minute so you can take your hubby out for a birthday dinner, the person living a few doors down you’d like to get to know better. During these #30daysofgratitude, a gesture of kindness to those living nearby can warm all of our hearts.
Week Two: You So Sweet
My kids were home for Election Day this week, so after running to the grocery store for a few things, we began to bake cookies for our neighbors. Sugar cookies are a 3-step process in my house. I like to make the dough by myself and let the children join me for cookie cutting and decorating. Winnie had other ideas this time. . .
Despite the drought in Virginia, fall colors were breathtaking this year. We wanted to re-create the autumnal hues in the cookies we decorated for our neighbors, so I made my icing vivid and the kids blended colors like crazy!
We found white bakery boxes at AC Moore and filled them with our cookie creations for three of our neighbors (and one box for our mailman—we’ve been noticing the postal truck coming late in the evening and know that our mail carriers will be working long hours this month and next). The kids had a blast delivering their gifts tonight, and I love that their hearts are as sweet as their sticky fingers!
My Mama’s Sugar Cookie Recipe
You’ll need 1 c. Crisco (I know, ewww. But really, it’s better than butter in this recipe to help the cookies keep their shape), 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla (I use more), 2- 3/4 c flour, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder
Cream the shortening and the sugar well. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add your dry ingredients (which have already been pre-mixed together). Chill the dough for a few hours in the fridge. Roll out to 1/4″ thickness on a floured surface. Add lots of flour to keep the dough from being sticky. Cut out your cookies and bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Let the kids decorate cooled cookies like crazy. Don’t let the one with the sweet tooth get too close to the sprinkles.
Loved seeing the cookie making and baking, a real tradition in the family.