A Sweet "Tweet"

 A few weeks ago Amanda of I am Baker offered 2 dozen cookies to readers who were needing something to brighten their day (mind you this incredible woman was a few weeks shy of delivering her fouth child when taking on this challenge).  You can read her original post here.  If you know Amanda well, then you know she has one of the kindest hearts of anyone you will meet.   As you can imagine, once the stories started rolling in...she could not leave out any of those who responded, and felt that each situation was deserving of being selected.  I felt privileged to have the opportunity to make a small treat for a family that was in need of a little sunshine.

 These cookies should be arriving today in a home that is miles away.  I do not know the family that lives there, but I do know their story.   I am quite positive that cookies can not take away the pain they have experienced, but I do hope that when they open their package, it will put a smile on their faces and a little happiness back in their hearts.

The Best Medicine

My little S was sick last weekend.  Once she got her appetite back... I wanted to make a "feel good" cookie for her to snack on.   There is just something comforting about shortbread.  I love the simplicity of the ingredients... I love the crisp and flaky texture.  Whenever I have a hankering for shortbread, or know someone who needs a good pick-me-up.... these are the answer.  

Recipe for Shortbread
Adapted from Ina Garten

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut with a 3 --inch circle shaped cutter. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Happy Saint Paddy's Day!

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way -
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.

~Author Unknown

Sweet Sugarbelle inspired me to make these little leprechauns using a cupcake cutter!!

A "Beary" Special Birthday

I was honored when Miss L's mommy asked me to bake cookies for her birthday party!  This was not just any birthday....but a FIRST birthday!  Those are always so special!

Miss L is a lucky little girl.  She has a sweet, adoring family and an extra special mommy!  I always love following her mommy's blog....she writes it from Miss L's perspective.  What memories she is making for her little girl...and I can just imagine Miss L looking back through these blog posts when she is all grown up with a big smile on her face!

The invitations for this party were darling!!! They pictured a cute teddy bear sitting inside a tea cup.  I loved the pink and brown colors....so I just copied with the cookies:)

Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your special day!

In need of Spring!!!

The cookie baking has dwindled over the last month as much of my attention is now on this:

But after seeing all of  Sugarbelle's amazing cookies, I couldn't help myself.  I HAD to make some of these!   Of course wanting Spring to arrive sooner than later helped a little too!

I also loved the Springy colors of these...another idea from Callye's blog.  And I thought they made a perfect little thank-you gift to someone very dear to our family:)

I'll be back soon with some sweet First Birthday cookies:)