Snowflake Sugar Cookies

With the recent snowfall in the city, I decided to make snowflake sugar cookies, which are great with a cup of mocha or hot chocolate after sledding and playing in the snow. 

I used my basic sugar cookie recipe and let the dough refrigerate overnight. 

Of course, Alex wanted to help! He was helping in just his diaper—rebelling after hours in a snowsuit and multiple layers. 

 

In addition to the larger snowflake, I also used a smaller snowflake cookie cutter, as this size is perfect for Alex…and me when I want to have something sweet, but maybe not a whole cookie. 

 

I took my color inspiration from a slipper that Alex got for Christmas from my aunt and cousin—I loved the muted blue of his slipper in combination with the white. I mixed two parts blue royal food coloring with one part violet to obtain the color. 

I packed up the finished product for a few friends. I did, however, make sure to save plenty for us.

For the icing, I used the below recipe—the almond extract adds such a great flavor to the sugar cookie. I also love that the icing dries with a shiny finish and sets nicely, so you can stack the decorated cookies without them sticking to one another.

Ingredients

1 cup of confectioners’ sugar

 2 tablespoons of milk

 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup

 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract

Original recipe makes 1 dozen cookies’ worth

DIRECTIONS

• In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.
• Divide into separate bowls, and add food colorings to each to desired intensity. Dip cookies, or paint them with a brush.

Winter Wonderland

New York City was blanketed in snow last night, so Alex and I decided to go sledding first thing this morning in Central Park (before it was teeming with others).

The park was magical, and we had it almost to ourselves, which is such a rare treat. Afterwards, we came home for some hot chocolate and brownies—a perfect end to a wintry morning outing.

It was almost impossible to get him to keep his mittens on!

 

For the brownies, I used a box mix and added 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract and a bag of peanut butter chips. They are decadent, but delicious.  
Using the box mix, I can get them in the oven in less than 10 minutes, which is ideal for days when I am strapped for time.

You can see the steam coming off the hot chocolate. 

Andy, Alex and I went back to the park this afternoon, right at dusk. The sledding was much better, as the snow had been packed down. We stayed there till the sun had set and the crescent moon was out; we walked home, towing Alex in the snow, and it was just as magical.

Resolutions

I love making resolutions, even though I often fail at them, because they make me stop and reflect on what I want to improve in myself.  I know I will not follow through with every resolution all the time, but I hope that in making it, I am giving myself a shot to try to be who I want to be.

So, with that said, here are a few of my 2014 resolutions.

1. Live in the moment.

In 2012, my mother became sick and had to have two brain surgeries; in 2013, my dad had a heart attack and was in the hospital for 27 days. Although both are doing remarkably well now, their recent health scares have reminded me that we need to cherish the here and now. I have a wonderful life, filled with people whom I love dearly. I need to remember this is what matters when I am rushing home from work, thinking about all I have to do to get ready for the next day, and stressing about how it is all going to get done (dinner on the table, daycare stuff washed and re-filled, answer any unfinished work emails, etc.). I can get bogged down in all the stuff I have to do, and I tend to forget all the blessings I am surrounded by.

2. Have more date nights with my husband.

I need to make having time alone with just Andy more of a priority. We had a date night over the holidays—we went to see a movie. We sat in a dark theatre, held hands, talked, shared a soda. It was luxurious. It reminded me why I fell in love with him in the first place—we were just us, and it was easy, and, more important, it was fun.

3. Spend more time away from my phone.

I love this photo of Alex and me. But, then I look a little closer and I see my phone in my hand. It ruins the feeling of this—this moment of being there, laughing with my son. I want to try and be on my phone a little less this year, and be present a little more (goes to back to resolution #1). 

4. Visit places that make me happy.

When I was visiting my family one weekend, my sister took me to Dumbarton Gardens in Georgetown. It was the perfect place—the gardens were immaculate, the home was beautiful. I left there feeling refreshed, renewed.  I get this same feeling strolling through my alma mater (Wellesley College), through Shelburne Farms (where Andy and I got married), or when visiting a fabulous museum (like Hillwood Museum and Gardens). Wherever the place may be, I want to try and visit those places that make me genuinely happy just being there—it is like free therapy for me.

Dumbarton Gardens. 

5. Laugh more.

The other night after dinner, Andy, Alex and I had an impromptu dance party. We cranked up some music (Lana Del Rey and Flo Rider—don’t judge) and danced. We spun, we kicked, we fell on the floor laughing. It was magical. I want more moments like that in 2014—more moments that make me feel alive, make me feel full of laughter and love.

As with any year that passes, 2013 was filled with wonderful and trying moments. I know that I can beat anything 2014 has in store if I just have my family by my side.

From my family to yours, have a happy, healthy, joyous new year! 

Our Holiday in Review

The National Harbor

We had a wonderful Christmas—it was filled with doing not much of anything, which is exactly what we all needed.

Baby, it’s cold…inside

We did go to a spectacular ice show at the National Harbor. They advise you to dress warmly and then give you an extra parka before entering, as it is nine degrees inside. The theme this year was The Night Before Christmas—everything is made of ice (except a few ornamental items).

The ice slide that Amanda, my dad, and Alex and I went on--it was so fun. 

Teaching him Eskimo kisses. 

   

They also had a Christmas in NY section, which reminded us of home (only a bit colder).

Driving an ice cab. 

  

The final scene was the nativity—this was my favorite, as the clear sculptures were truly breathtaking. It was a marvel!

When we got out of the show, we went back inside to ride…guess what? Yup, a train! Alex ended up riding this several times.

Christmas

This was a banner year for Alex—Santa (and Busza, Grandpa, Aunt Amanda and Uncle Aaron) were all incredibly generous.

Driving his new car. 

His new train set. 

I love this photo of my mom--she is opening the gift from my sister (a fabulous gift!). 

We took lots of walks (Alex loved walking the dogs), ate lots of food, talked till the wee hours of the morning, and Andy and I even had a date night! It was fun, relaxing and, most importantly, it was filled with love and laughter.  The perfect Christmas.