Princess Party Favors

Just wanted to share some cute cookies I made for a special little girl's first birthday.She was having a princess party.Every little girl deserves an edible jeweled crown,don't you think?The adorable topper for the favor bags was found at http://www.chickabug.com/ .Check out her shop on Etsy too...

Easter Cookie Puzzle

  Okay....I have thought about doing this for awhile,and decided to give it a try today.To say that I may have taken on a bit much is an understatement.Love the concept,but implementing it was not as easy as I had thought.Add in my four children yelling"is it ready yet?Can we eat it yet?When will it be finished?",and you're left with one frazzled mom.However,I persevered,and finished.Not exactly the perfect puzzle that I had in mind,but not too shabby either.

   I used my sugar cookie dough(see Puppy Pops),and cut out a large rectangle.I also used easter cutters to cut out all of the pieces.Once the puzzle board came out of the oven,I used the cookie cutters on it again,because the dough expands while baking....so, I had to make sure the pieces would fit.I should have done the same with the individual cookie pieces,but unfortunately,life & my kids,took away my attention from the task.I therefore wound up with pieces that were too big,and sat chiseling away at the board to make them fit.Long story short,it worked!
   The boys,of course,played with it for about 2 minutes,then went to town on it!After eating,and brushing their teeth(all of that sugar,oh my!),they are now sedate and happy.....making this a worthwhile project after all!

*** After the cookies came out of the oven,I placed a whole almond in the middle of each one to make the puzzle pieces easily removable.

Green Cookies

Just wanted to share a fun picture!I am off to visit my boys at school and offer them a delicious tray of St.Patrick's Day cookies!Enjoy your weekend!

Lemon Sole

At this time of year,many of you are looking for quick,easy fish dishes for Friday nights...well this one is it.Sole is such a delicate,mild fish,and the lemon gives it wonderful flavor.Pair it with my roasted red potatoes,a little salad and your all set.The fish takes about 5 minutes to prep,and 4 minutes to cook.Now that's a quick dinner!This recipe is for two,but you can easily double it to serve four.

Ingredients:
2 sole fillets(about 4 oz.)
2 Tbsp. butter
1 lemon
salt & pepper
chopped fresh italian leaf parsley
1/2 c. flour
    In a shallow dish,combine the flour,1 tsp of pepper,and 1 1/2 tsp. salt.Check you fillet for pin bones by gently running your fingers up and down the length of the fish.Dredge the fish in the flour.
   In a large saute pan,melt the butter.Once melted,add the fish and cook two minutes per side.Zest the lemon onto the fish,then cut the lemon and squeeze the juice into the pan(using a strainer to avoid getting seeds in the pan).Serve with fresh parsley on top.

Roasted Red Potatoes:

5-6 large red potatoes,washed and chopped into 2-3 inch pieces
1-2 garlic cloves,chopped
olive oil
salt & pepper
   Place the chopped potatoes into a baking dish.Drizzle with olive oil,and sprinkle with salt & pepper.Bake a 375 degrees for approximately 30 minutes.Add the garlic to the baking dish and mix.Continue baking for another 15 minutes.The potatoes are done when they are golden brown,and can be pierced easily with a fork or knife.

***Save leftover potatoes for omelets the next morning!Add a little cheddar cheese, and/or bacon, and you have a great breakfast!

Edible Easter Decor

I found these cute silicon flower pots at Target.They came as part of a kit,which I bought,only because I thought the flower pots were so stinkin' cute.I decided to bake chocolate cake inside(see my Devil's Food cupcake recipe),and use green frosting on the top.I also used crumbled chocolate cake to resemble dirt for the carrot dessert.Add one of my cute little carrot cookies,a chocolate bunny, and a few candies,and you have a sweet little treat for your table!The little Easter decorations come from Williams -Sonoma.(See my "Fun Stuff" page).

   Have fun!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!

I just wanted to share some special cookies I'll be sending to school with my children tomorrow in honor of Dr.Seuss' birthday!!Take the time to read a book with your kids tomorrow in honor of this creative writer's birthday!Have fun!

Enjoy this special day!