Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Sugar Cookies Ala Martha Stewart with A Big Help from The Little Whisk and Memory Crafters


Sweet September is almost ending and its days really flew by just like that, too quick and planning the month was inevitable, or maybe my life is too damn complicated and crazy.

I always, rely on the thought that time management always gets many moms through their days. But, boy, no matter how I arrange my scheds, something always comes up and I've no option but to compromise my schedules.  My timetable, unlike other moms, even professional ones, isn't predictable and it becomes unmanageable everyday.


But still the same, I'm thankful to have survived each day that passed by.  More so, I appreciate having to come out victorious each day.  Well, we may describe victory in our lives in many ways, but it would all boil down to whether you achieved peace and joy through it.

So here are just some of those mum-challenges I faced and ended with a smile.

Birthday Month Simple Celebration Achieved!

We didn't plan to have a big party, since the birthday girl isn't into it as well.  With the money she will have from the grandparents, she just intends to buy part of her Cosplay costume.  What else can replace a vibrant party than good family meals at chosen restos.  We began then the monthly feasting with a well-spent dinner at Chibo Okonomiyaki, then on her actual birthday we went for dinner at Hole in the Wall.

Read our feature on Chibo Okonomiyaki here.

Leveled Up with Sugar Cookies

I always make sure that on her birthday, which she celebrates every year on her classroom, I prepare something for her classmates and teachers.

Again with no such plans at all and her last-minute request of packing Pasta Carbonara for her class, I made time and rushed to the supermarket to buy some ingredients for the dish.  That day, I missed a good night sleep, missed a couple of blogs to finish but made two good batches of Sugar Cookies lifted from Martha Stewart's website.

Made mine differently by using one whole vanilla bean for the two-batch of cookie recipe. The cookies turned out so scrumptious.  The cookies have a crumbly texture, a bit firm but a bit soft in the inside.  It's not too sweet and the thickness was perfect to hold the icing.

But the fun in making it was in the decorating part, and honestly it was the most strenuous too.  I went to bed at 3 am with an ached wrist and hard knuckles. leaving the rest of the cookies to be decorated by my daughter who happens to be an artist.


SUGAR COOKIES Recipe

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assorted candies, sprinkles, or colored sugars, for decorating (optional)

ICING
1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
3-4 tablespoons milk or water

Procedure:

1. In large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; beat until combined. Divide dough in half; flatten into disks. Wrap each in plastic; freeze until firm, at least 20 minutes, or place in a resealable plastic bag, and freeze up to 3 months (thaw in refrigerator overnight).

2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment. Remove one dough disk; let stand 5 to 10 minutes. Roll out 1/8 inch thick between two sheets of floured parchment, dusting dough with flour as needed. Cut shapes with cookie cutters. Using a spatula, transfer to prepared baking sheets. (If dough gets soft, chill 10 minutes.) Reroll scraps; cut shapes. Repeat with remaining dough.

3. Bake, rotating halfway through, until edges are golden, 10 to 18 minutes (depending on size). Cool completely on wire racks. To ice cookies, spread with the back of a spoon. Let the icing harden, about 20 minutes. Decorate as desired.

4. For the icing, sift confectioners' sugar into a small bowl. Whisk in milk, or water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If too thin, whisk in more sugar; if too thick, add more liquid. Spread over cookies with back of a spoon. Add other decorations, if desired. Let the icing harden, about 20 minutes.


I'd like to thank Maggie Ricafort Agustin of The Little Whisk  (@thelittlewhiskPH - Instagram) for leading the workshop in cookie decorating organized by Memory Crafters with special assistance of Rikka Redrico.  I signed up and brought my baker daugter with me, to give me that inspirational boost I needed for me to love baking and making again.

If you are interested in these kind of workshops, do visit the FB links provided.




Spontaneous Family Get-away: VIGAN, Ilocos Sur

Blogging Projects Finished

While I crave more harmony in our family's lives, I know it's going to take conscious effort to create improved balance. Okay, I'm also telling this to my self! (Like the nth time)  Please allow me to share some methods to improve the quality of your life.

Simplify.

Say “no” to the things you don’t want in your life and “yes” to the things you do want in your life and commit.

Honor your time and energy. They are the most precious commodities you have. Protect your time. Ask yourself this question, “How can I best utilize my time right now and stay present in the moment.

One of my favorite quotes on balance comes from Brian Dyson of Coca Cola Enterprises. He says that “Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. You name them – work, family, health, friends, and spirit – and you are keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends, and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.”

These have been my anthem when thinking of the activities that never seem to get over with and most of the time crashes like waves on me.  I guess you know which always come first for me:)

But beyond all that I know I have Someone more BIGGER than any challenges that I would face and He NEVER, ever had forsaken or failed me.



Linking this post to other inspiring blogs...


“Inspire


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