Making Valentine Cookies

Once again we made our traditional sugar cookies for Valentine's Day.   I usually only make them twice a year, for Valentine's Day and Halloween.  They are just too yummy and we always eat way too much.  By making them only 2 times a year they continue to be a special treat.

I use a recipe that Roger got from a member in the mission field.  We were having a district acitivity.  We made these cookies for Halloween.  Well we were starting a tradition back then without even knowing it.

Brianna is the perfect age to be mommy's helper in the kitchen.  She loved mixing, rolling and cutting the cookies.  I just wish my kids liked to frost and decorate them.  Roger and I usually have to do that by ourselves.

 

"Mission" Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 C. sugar

1C. shortening

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1/2 C. milk

4 C. flour

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes

Snow Day and Spritz

Well we had a substantial amount of snow fall today. So naturally we pulled out the snow clothes, bundled all up and headed out to play with our friends.

Jocelyn and Tyler came over and for the next 2 1/2 hours the fun didn't stop.

The boys enjoyed building structures and then destroying them. The girls explored every part of the yard and surrounding areas.

The kids endurance for the cold is amazing. I would never last that long but it didn't seem to faze them. Only the upcoming darkness and dinner approach caused them to call it quits.

When I asked Brianna what she was doing she said "brooming". I guess that is more fun and easy than actually shoveling.

The girls stayed inside from the cold and made the traditional Spritz cookies. They are one of daddy's favorite Christmas treats and traditions. I inherited the recipe from his mom our first Christmas as a married couple. We make them every year without fail. It was the perfect day for baking.

"Rain drops keep falling on my break"

Day 2 of spring break found us at home as rain fell outside. The kids decided that they didn't want to go anywhere. In fact they declared it an official pajama day (as if we don't have enough of those already). So we decided to make the most of it. We played games together on the Wii, watched the movie Bedtime Stories, played board games and just hung out. It was marvelous.

Alyssa tried her hand at making homemade oreo cookies. She did a great job for her first time making one of our family's favorite cookie recipes.

I will include the recipe here for posterity sake.

HOMEMADE OREO COOKIES

2 Devils Food Cake Mixes
4 Eggs

1 1/2 C. Shortening

Mix together well (may have to get your hands dirty with this one)

Roll into balls about the size of a quarter and bake at 350 Degrees for 9 minutes (no longer)

FILLING

1 - 8 oz. Cream Cheese

2 3/4 C. Powdered Sugar

1/4 C. Butter

1 T. Vanilla

Cream together. Frost one cookie and place another one on top to form a sandwich.

Time to eat. YUM!