Ikea,Pyrex and other fun but unnecessary things

Quite the combo, I know.   This past week was filled with the most interesting mix of projects and tasks I think I have  ever had.   Most of my family will be here today today for Thanksgiving so I have been doing the usual cooking and cleaning to prepare for company. 

Another thing I really like to do before company comes is add lots of unnecessary projects to my list.  It’s like an instant deadline to get everything done I have been putting off  and obviously it runs in our family, right Lauren? And MOM? 

So while I have plenty of things to blog and lots of Thanksgiving recipes to share,  I now have to get up and get back to work.  But you can hop on over to Jan’s blog and check out our trip to Ikea last Friday and see what we did with our time together!

Cookie Cutter Inventory

In an effort to better organize my cookie cutters and in a search for some cutters for a few non cookie projects I have going,  I decided to take a count of how  many cutters  I actually have.

293 is all.

Yes Laura, I counted your new woodland animal set from Ikea as mine.  I think I will count the Star Wars ones too.  That brings the count to 297.  

I personally don’t think that this number qualifies me for an episode of Hoarders but you may beg to differ.

Are you looking to add a few cutters to your collection?  Check out Fancy Flours for some beautiful sets.  

Cookie Cutters 4 Less is good too.  They are out of Fort Wayne. Hello sisters, how did we not know this when you lived there?!

Happy Baking!

My Favorite Cookie Recipe

I often have people ask me for my sugar cookie recipe and my frosting recipe.

This  is my favorite so far and turns out every single time.  It came with this set of Wilton cookie cutters.  


The funny thing is that I have never actually made that tree :)  I think Mom has the same set and has tried it out a few times.

So while my blogging friends are posting menu plans and delicious fall soups, I only have cookie recipes to offer.  How's that for a poor palate Lauren?


Sugar Cookies
3/4 cup butter
3/4 sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 400. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add baking powder flour and salt, one cup at a time mixing well after each addition. The dough will be stiff. Divide dough into two balls and work with only one at a time. Do not refrigerate dough.

Roll out to 1/4 inch thick and cut out cookies. Bake on top rack of the oven for 6-7 minutes. Let cool slightly and remove from cookie sheet.

Royal Icing
3 level tablespoons Wilton Meringue Powder Mix
(I actually use 3 egg whites)
4 cups powdered sugar
5-6 tablespoons water

Beat all ingredients at medium speed for 7-10 minutes until icing can form peaks. This icing can be stored in an airtight container and re whipped before using. Yields 3 cups.

Icing can be colored. I use a a small squeeze bottle with a very small #1 tip to pipe onto cookies. For multiple layers of frosting, let first layer dry overnight. Cookies can be frozen after frosting is dry. 2-3 weeks max.