Mother's Day Cookie Giveaway

Mother's Day is on it's way!  A day to recognize all of the wonderful things your mom has done for you (you know, like give birth to you).  Do you know what you are getting your mom?

Flowers are a staple gift.  They are "naturally" beautiful and they brighten your mother's day.  Have you ever thought of a bouquet of cookies?  They are perfect for the whole family to enjoy! (Or in my case, something I will hoard and not let anyone partake in!!)

Gourmet Cookie Bouquets have the perfect way to honor Mom on Mother's Day.  What better way to brighten her day than with fresh baked cookies?  Two lucky winners are going to win their choice of a Mother's Day Cookie Gift from over 40 different designs on this page.  (I love when you can personalize your prize!)

The Condensed Version of the Giveaway Rules (click here for all of them)

Use the rafflecopter widget below to enter the giveaway. The mandatory entry is commenting on this post, but once that entry is completed, various other entry options will become available. Any option is acceptable, but the number of entries per person are limited to the number indicated in the contest form. Entries will be reviewed and duplicate or incomplete entries will be removed.

NOTE - You must complete the specified entry task in order to be eligible to win the contest. If you hit the green entry button without completing the task, your entry will be thrown out (disqualified from winning the prize).

Giveaway sweepstakes is open to all residents of the 48 Contiguous States and only to those 18 or older!

Winners will be chosen randomly. Two winners will receive their choice of Mother's Day Cookie Gift valued at up to $80.  The designs can be seen on the Mother's Day Cookies page.

Winners will be notified via e-mail so make sure you provide the correct address. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another replacement winner will be chosen.

Giveaway ends at midnight EST on May 5, 2013. The sweepstakes winners will be announced by May 12, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SO CUTE!

For the fashion savvy mama!

Which ones would you choose?  Don't forget to visit Gourmet Cookie Bouquets to pick out your very own cookie bouquets!

Alexis

My Comfort Food

For the past couple of weeks, the boys and I have been staying with my mom as she recovers from her broken leg.  Between the nurse attending to her wound, the Physical Therapist helping her to walk again, bouncing back and forth from doctors' appointments, and getting her settled so that she can be comfortable, I have been having a hard time finding my own comfort. 

We've been staying at The Manor (aka my aunt's house).  It is very comfortable here and I'm actually only 16 more days away from legally becoming the owner (squatter's rights)!  

But I miss home.  

I miss my husband.  I miss my bed.  I miss my couch.  

The easiest way for me to "feel like home" is with comfort food.  Luckily, The Manor just got a new kitchen and it's more fun to cook here than my own house...so that's a plus!


And what is my comfort food?  Dessert.  Any dessert.  I LOVE sweet! 


Last night we made chocolate chip cookies to help the boys and I feel more at home. 

Warm chocolate chip cookies....MMMM!

Add a cold glass of milk....yes, please!

So until I go back home, I will continue to make food that is comforting.  
Let's just hope I don't gain 10 extra pounds in the process!!


What is your favorite comfort food?  When do you enjoy it most?

Alexis

Passing Down Tradition ~ Italian Knot Cookies with Recipe

When I was little, I remember my grandmother letting me help in the kitchen.  One of my favorite things to help with was her knotted cookies.  She would let me mix the ingredients and mold the dough.

Unfortunately, my kids were never able to meet my grandmother, but today,  I passed down that same tradition with them.  We worked together to recreate those same knotted cookies.  



Italian Knotted Cookies with Sugar Glaze


Ingredients:

Cookies:
1/2 C sugar
3 C flour
2 TBL Baking Powder
3 eggs
1/2 C oil
1 TBL vanilla

Glaze:
1 C of confectioner's sugar
3/4 C water
vanilla, lemon or orange extract


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Sift all dry ingredients together.  Slowly fold in wet ingredients.
Blend ingredients together to make a dough.  (If very sticky, add flour)


Take about 1 TBL of dough and roll into logs.  Twist logs in knots.


Bake for about 15-20 minutes.  The cookies will remain light in color.







Glaze:
Blend all ingredients together.  The glaze should be a syrupy type consistency.  If too runny, add more confectioner's sugar.


Glaze cookies once they are out of the oven.  You can add sprinkles for decoration.


Unfortunately, our attempt was nothing like the cookies that my grandmother made.  They actually look more like piles of poop and they came out too big...but the taste was still there.

Do you have any memories of cooking with your grandparents or parents?  Have you passed down that tradition to your kids?




Alexis