October Cutout Cookies...

October Cutout Cookies

I managed to bake and decorate the cutout cookies yesterday. Thing is, I substituted an icing ingredient and it's not hardening up as it should. The cookies would be a disaster by the time I'd get them to our monthly dinner.

Soooo, after work today, I'll make another few dozen cookies and use my tried and true frosting recipe. They'll be ready to go with me tomorrow. Some days it just doesn't go by the book. Lesson learned.

On the bright side, my Handsome Cookie Monster is quite happy to take care of the ones I won't be taking to our Wednesday dinner.

Sweet Treats...

 

 

I've got two get-togethers this week. I'm going to Larsen today for a day of stitching with the Sewcial Sisters. It's kind of our Christmas party, so I wanted to make some treats to take along. I'm also going to Portage this weekend, so I'll take a treat with me (it's my Birthday on Saturday!).

 

First, I went to my Toll House cookbook. I love this book. It's constructed like "baby's first book", with heavy carboard, laminated pages that can't be bent or soiled. That's all bonus to the great recipes that are found inside. Take this one...

 

I used milk chocolate chips, sprinkled sparingly on the top because I wanted more pecan pie flavor than chocolate. To me, it was just the right amount, and Handsome thought they were really good, too. These are going to Portage with me this weekend.

 

I decided on cutout cookies for tomorrow. I did Wisconsin cookies and when I decorated them, I put a special snowflake in the approximate location of Larsen. Because Primitive Gatherings specializes in wools, the sheep were appropriate, too. Of course, there had to be a few black sheep!

 

 

Someone (who could remain nameless, because you know who I mean) took the last piece of pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving. That's absolutely promoted here. I always leave the last cookie, candy, piece of cake or pie for him. He washed the pie plate, too. (He's been an equal and participating partner for nearly forty years.) 

I came downstairs the next morning to find this on the kitchen island. I laughed out loud. For a guy who says he doesn't have a sweet tooth, he sure does love the treats I make. So, I'll likely make another pie and save the other treats for when we have guests. (I'm not optimistic that that plan will hold.) 

So, I'm away today, but I'm going to make more holiday treats. I want to make them as gifts for a number of people and families for Christmas, so I'm going to make a list and work to it starting after Saturday.

Do you bake for the holidays? Do you share your creations? I'd love to know what your favorites are. 

I'd better get on the road if I don't want to be late. I'll take photos today so I can share them with you again. I love seeing what the ladies have created, and I love showing them to you, too! I'll see you again tomorrow! Gotta run!

 

Oh, Oh!!! One more thing...

 

Bake, Rattle and Roll...

Hearts and Snowflakes

Sorry for the song title pun. It was Handsome's idea, and my geeky sense of humor actually loved it! Friday was a snowy day, so baking was the perfect way to spend it. I chose the snowflakes to match the day, and hearts because...well, aren't hearts always a good choice?

Frosted Hearts and Snowflake Cookies

I used my favorite cutout cookie and frosting recipes, and added colored gel to the icing for a sweet pink marbled look. I dipped some most of the cookies in sugar crystals to make them glisten, too. These are larger cutout cookies (except for the little hearts) so the recipe only yielded a dozen and a half, total.

I also made another batch of the Koulourakia cookies, so there are also three dozen of those. They're perfect with morning coffee or afternoon tea. At any rate, they'll be a nice, sweet treat to satisfy our cravings for a while.

That means today will be a good day to stitch! I'm going to settle into my favorite needlework chair, grab one of my current projects, and dance the day away.

First Of The Year Finish...

Brynwood Needleworks - More Decorated Cookies

 

I decorated these cookies before New Year's Eve, but hadn't shared them yet. Here they are. The sugar cookies were iced with a simple butter cream frosting with added almond extract. I love the smell and taste of it!

The other cookies are gingerbread. They make the house smell just like Christmas! I used a textured roller that I'd received as a gift from our younger son's family for my Birthday. They gave me the textured roller, the snowflake cookie cutter, and an assortment of decorating sugars and sprinkles. They knew I'd started cookie making again, so they had the perfect gifts for me! 

 

I used the textured roller for the gingerbread, so I just iced the cookies along the impressions. It couldn't have been simpler, and the effect is pretty cool, right?

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Festive Table Runner

We got together with #1 son and his family on Christmas Day (remember Tag's little excursion?), and we're going to spend Sunday with #2 son and his family. I knew I could pace myself in the studio, because I had an extra week after Christmas.

I started this table runner a year ago as a gift for this same daughter-in-law, so I decided it was past time I get it done! I finished assembly yesterday, and was comfortable enough to be able to quilt and hand bind it. It's a large runner for their large table. It measures 55" long by 20" wide. I backed it with the same oak leaf fabric on the front border, and I love it, and hope she does, too.

I hope all of you had a safe and happy new year celebration. I'm preparing our traditional Christmas meal on Sunday. I ordered a pork crown roast, and will make a fennel, sausage and wild rice stuffing for it. Roast potatoes and a vegetable will round out the meal. I'm planning a raspberry cake dessert, or perhaps cranberry cake. I'll decide today. For now, I think I'll go crochet a little more popcorn! After my morning coffee, of course! (Some things never change. giggle)

Ready To Party...

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Sheep Cookies

 

I originally planned to make sheep and quilt block cookies for the small gathering I'm attending today. Truthfully, I knew I wouldn't have the stamina to decorate the two different cookies (I'm only two weeks post op today!), so I opted to make just one of them this time.

As it was, the cookies mixed and baked in no time at all. It took me three hours to decorate 2-1/2 dozen. By the time I was finished...I was gassed. I made a cup of tea and put my feet up. I'm pleased with the results, and I think they'll be appreciated by the ladies today.

Rather than make another dish to pass, I signed up to bring a savory snack. I cheated. Handsome and I went to the store yesterday, and I chose a bagel dip (to serve with New York bagel chips), and a spinach dip (to serve with nice bread crisps). 

I'll be with the Sewcial Sisters today at Lisa's house on the lake. There are a number of the ladies who won't be attending because they're being Covid-cautious, but most of the people who'll be there have been sticking close to home this entire year, as we have. I'm sure we'll be just fine, and I personally need some socialization. I haven't been to many of the gatherings all year, and I'm missing my friends. A Christmas party is just the thing.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Finished Pink Socks

The pink socks are finished, too. I finished them on Monday night. Now to decide what to work on next. 

My Girls Are Busy...

Brynwood Needleworks - Doxie Bella Tote

 

I would have completed this bag today, but I'm waiting to hear back from my client about a fabric preference for the back of her tote. She purchased one of my Bryn Clutch Wallets featuring the dachshund, and decided she wanted a tote to match. I've got two doxies featured on the front, and will finish this up as soon as I hear from her.

 

I'm also working on a Corgi tote and wallet set, and that will be my last commission for pre-Christmas. I'm running the machine embroideries on Destiny, while Jane does all the sewing. We're three busy bees.

 

 

Our new range arrived on Tuesday afternoon, and I'm just itching to get back in the kitchen, too! I'll be baking bread, and six dozen cookies for this year's Cookie Exchange that my niece hosts every year. This year, it's on Sunday, along with another open house about two hours away. I'll be on the road to make both events!

 

All this to say, I'm going to keep my eyes on my goals for this week. I have lots to do, and it all has deadlines. Photos to follow... 

 

There Be Bears!...

Farmhouse Cutout Cookies

 

I finished my commissions in the morning yesterday, and then headed down to the kitchen. I had cookies to bake yesterday so I could decorate them today. I used the same recipe I used last year, as they were a big hit. I shared the recipe in my blog HERE last year. I decided on polar bears this year.

 

Six Of Eight And A Half Dozen

 

I made four batches of the dough, and ended up with eight and a half dozen cookies. Six for the cookie exchange, and two and a half for us to enjoy at home.

 

I posted about making the cookies on my Facebook page, and one of my friends said she thought I was amazing. I wrote back and told her that I'm only "partially amazing". When I finished cleaning up after making all those cookies, I took an hour-long nap before dinner. lol (Nothing like keeping it real for you, right?) 

I'm well-rested now, and ready to decorate these bears! I'm going to use royal icing again, and we'll see how ambitious I am with the decorations. I know that however they get iced, they'll be tasty. It really is a never-fail recipe. The party's tomorrow, so I'd better get cracking so they set up properly before I have to box them up again. 

I'll share pictures of the completed cookies (and the appetizer I'm taking with me), on Monday. I'll share that recipe then, too. 

 

Happy December!