5 years and counting, Love sugar cookies

My husband, my best friend, my always helping and fun partner, my favorite person has dealt with me for five fun years of marriage.

 Yep, five years since we said I Do. It's a long time. We have laughed and cried together. And I'm so blessed to go through life with him. He's just the coolest guy in every way.

My husband is "that guy". That guy who holds open doors and cares for everyone. That guy who likes spending time with me as much as possible. He's that guy who cares for my friends and family like they are his own. He's that guy who always wants to help the world and will lend a helping hand to anyone. He's that guy who's can build a wall or fix or a door, but will also helps with fill piping bags and ice cookies (and he's good at both!). He's the guy who reads devotions to me at night even though he's tired and always thinks of my needs above his own. He's that guy who works hard and loves his job and his students.

So yeah, he's pretty awesome.
And I'm pretty lucky.

Here's to many more years together! Happy 5th anniversary Robert!

Our church had it's Valentine's banquet on our five year anniversary and I was making some desserts. So wisely, I made a few extras for us to celebrate with. It was pure genius to get married right after Valentine's day and not at all because it was when we had off for president's day...

 

These sugar cookies were fun to make. And rather simple. Make sugar cookie dough. Roll and cut. Bake. Make icing. Edge and flood. Dot and pull with toothpick. The end.

It may seem like many steps, but it really isn't bad.



 I have been experimenting with a many bakers, bloggers, and other talented individuals' sugar cookie recipes and I have found my favorite. At least for now. The very talented Bridget, from Bake at 350, has a fantastic recipe which I will be sharing with detailed photos soon. Go check out her blog. It's amazing!

And for some royal icing tips and trick, Sugarbelle has opened my eyes to whole new world. Many helpful tricks for decorating with royal icing. My favorite part... NOT SIFTING! I have been sifting sugar like an idiot all this time and guess what?  It made no difference. Perfect Royal Icing without sifting. Thank you Sugarbelle!

Happy belated Valentine's Day and remember to appreciate those in your life worthy of love!

Boy or Girl? Baby Shower Onesie Cookies

 

I was thrilled to make these pink and blue onesie cookies for a friend's baby shower. They would be perfect for a gender reveal too! Best wishes to your new little one, boy or girl!

 

I stole this photo from the lovely host and grandmother to be because it was too cute to not share.

 

In case you can't tell, I really liked these cookies...

 

Well, if you have to be obsessed with something, it can't be better than cute cookies!

Macaroni and Cheese Cupcakes

Every year for New Year's Eve, we head to my aunt's house for a lovely time ringing in the next year of memories and excitement! There is always tons of food, fireworks, games, and friends to help celebrate. I knew we were planning to play a bunch of board games, so I figured finger foods would be something useful to bring. So I used a variation of my grandma's baked macaroni and cheese and instead of baking it in a large rectangular pan, I used cupcakes pans and colorful wrappers. It made mac and cheese into a portable and cute savory cupcake. Make these for your next party and see them disappear!


For January's What's Baking Challenge, Eva from Eva Bakes, gave us the challenge to make something with small portions. So I figured these macaroni and cheese cupcakes were perfect! You get your own 'lil cup for just yourself! Of course, you can have more than one if you really want. In fact, I recommend it.

1 lb mini shells
2 1/2 cup 1% milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp butter
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tsp ground mustard powder
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp black pepper
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
8 oz Velvetta
1/4 cup grated parmesan or pecorino cheese

1. Heat milk, heavy cream, butter, salt, pepper, mustard, nutmeg, and paprika in a large pot over medium heat. Stir to combine all ingredients.

2. Add pasta and continue stirring constantly until it reaches a simmer. Then turn the heat down to low.

3. Continue stirring while the cooking the mac and cheese on low for about 12-15 minutes. The macaroni must always be submerged in the milk mixture, if the liquid evaporates too quickly add a little more milk and make sure the heat is on low.

4. Remove from and immediately stir in cheese until melted and combined. Let the pasta cool for a few minutes and prepare the pans. Line the muffin pans with cupcake liners.

5. Using a cookie or ice cream scoop, fill the cupcake liners with mac and cheese.

6. Pop pans into a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy!

Valentine's Day Ideas

For myself and my husband, February is like the month of love. We are super into celebrating! We kinda love making presents for each other, surprising the other, and making fun treats! Since Valentine's day and our anniversary are only a week apart we basically celebrate all week. If you enjoy Valentine's day or just spoiling your significant other (or just yourself), try these favorite foods!

Valentine's Day Menu Ideas

Breakfast:

Mini Breakfast Frittatas

(delicious! perfect for breakfast-in-bed)

Maple Bacon Pancakes 

(everything you could want; stacked and smothered)

Monkey bread

(a yummy little morning delight)

Appetizers Ideas:

Baked Fontina

(a cute appetizer dish just for two)

Caprese Skewers

(simple and elegant; a little Italian for St. Valentine)

Dinner Ideas:

Bracciole

(a dinner sure to make any meat lover swoon)

Eggplant Parmigiana Stack-Ups

(a portion-friendly stack-up of everyone's favorite eggplant recipe)

Crabs in Marinara Sauce

(an amazingly romantic dinner that begs for a glass of wine)

Sweet Treats:

Brownie Strawberry Trifle

(perfect for two spoons)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

(my husband always fawns over these)

Stuffed Red Velvet Cupcakes

(a classic valentines themed cupcake)

Superbowl Favorites

It's almost that time of the year where people get super excited to watch men in very tight pants run back and forth across fake grass. Yep, that's right, it's Superbowl season! With the approaching football fun, you may be preparing for a Super Bowl party, which is indeed the very best part of football. You get to eat wings and watch commercials. If you need some ideas for yummy Superbowl party treats, check out these favorites of mine!

Potato Skins
(seriously, what's not to love, potatoes with cheese and bacon?)

Wisconsin Wings 

(got crackers, check. got wings, check.)

Mushrooms Parmigiana

(simple and easy... plus its vegetarian friendly!)

Football Pull-apart Cake

(cupcakes + football = :)

Bloomin' Pepperoni Bread

(an easy to share savory treat)

Buffalo Blasts

(just like at the Cheesecake Factory: buffalo style chicken and cream cheese in a wonton)

Happy Football'ing!