Sugar and Spice....and everything nice!

These are my favorite cookies from my Grandmother's recipe box!

SUGAR AND SPICE COOKIES

Cream together 3/4 cup Crisco shortening and 1 cup sugar. Add 1 egg and mix well. Add 1/4 cup molasses. Mix together then add to egg mixture: 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger. Mix well and chill dough for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Form dough into balls and place on baking sheet. Dip the bottom of a flat glass in sugar then gently press the cookie to flatten slightly. (Double dip for a little extra sugar.) Bake for approximately 12 minutes or until brown on the edges.

Buttons and Inspiration

Big thanks to Jenn of the Fulmer House for the fabulous assortment of vintage buttons! I love the big ones especially. There are some fun shapes and sets as well.

I went through a button-buying phase that left me with lots of fun and pretty buttons. I have them spread out with some other pendants and doo-dads, just waiting for the right project and fiber to come along to compliment them.

Check out these fun wooden buttons from TheHickoryTree.Etsy.com!

MMmmm Brownies!

I thought I'd share a Brownie recipe that's quick and easy. You don't need to grab a box of mix to enjoy a quick dessert. (Just don't forget the ice cream!)

Easy Brownies from Scratch

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9" square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt.
In a saucepan, melt 1 stick of unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Remove from heat and add 1 cup of sugar, mix well. Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla, mix well. Add dry ingredients. Mix in 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts, if desired.
Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake for 25 or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into center. Allow to cool in the pan and cut as desired. Serve with ice cream and whipped cream.

Family Cookie Recipe

I thought I'd share with you my family's favorite cookie recipe. This was my great-grandmother Eleanor's recipe for sugar cookies. They've since come to be called "Nonie Cookies" since she was "Grandma Nonie." It is a classic cookie recipe, enjoyed all year long. I like them a little thick, while my Mom likes them thin and crispy. See what you think. Sorry I don't have a picture of these yet. I promised I'd wait for my daughter to make these!


NONIE COOKIES

Mix together 3 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar and a dash of freshly ground nutmeg. Make a well in the center and add 1 cup shortening, 1 egg, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well.

Roll half the dough on a floured cloth or board. Sprinkle with sugar and roll it in gently. Cut with your favorite cookie cutters. Bake at 350° until lightly brown. Roll and cut remaining dough. You can use colored sugars if desired.

Oooh Angora!!

Angora is one of my Favorite Fibers! So luxuriously soft and cruelty-free, what could be better? Snow White Headband/Ear Warmers/Neck Cowl now available in my Etsy shop!

Do the Peppermint Twist

I made this pillow a few years ago and it never sold at local shows. I want to make another one now that I'm a little better at what I do. I'll be able to change colors and not have the colors show through. I'll also try to design it so that I can remove the cover to wash it. It was pretty for a first try design and it's now adorning my futon : )

I made the news!!

Oh my goodness! I just found my interview with Fran Henry from the "Cleveland Plain Dealer" on Cleveland.com's website. It's going to be in the Style issue of tomorrow's newspaper! She interviewed me, along with three other Cleveland-area Etsy artists for a fabulous article on Etsy.
Here's the link to the Etsy article. And here's my interview. I'm so thrilled. It couldn't come at a better time with my husband's accident and his job on-the-line. Congrats to HiAnnie, stonz, and Monaco too!