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I’d love to be in Bella’s shoes.. er paws.. right about now
but
I’ve got a list and I’m checkin’ it twice
I’ve been dashin’, dancin’ and prancin’ around the town,
just trying to keep my head above water.. er, snow!
I’m hosting a dinner party on Wednesday night.. and I hadn’t even begun Christmas baking!
♥
Just in the { St. Nick } of time..
I made these oh so pretty gingerbread cookies with two so very lovely friends this past Sunday.
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Terri of “Time to be Inspired” invited me to join her
in an afternoon Christmas baking
Cookiepalooza!
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Her studio is what I want mine to be when it grows up..
she’s got every possible bolt of fabric imaginable, every crafty and quilty supply you could dream of..
and more!
I don’t need a street number, I can find her home by the stunning mosaic walls she’s done on the exterior of her home.
She’s talented beyond talent..
and especially sweet
{ not just because of the cookies }
Maybe someday we can craft together.. just think what I’d learn!
I was delighted to join Terri because she bakes every Christmas
with our mutual friend Lois.
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Lois..
Where do I begin to describe a person so instrumental in my life?
A truest of friends.. our maid of honor.. and simply
the most positively fantastical person I have been blessed to have in my life.
Beautiful through and through.. and an accomplished physician who blessed us with her gifts and talents
when she was there to deliver our daughter Katie.
Did I mention she has competed in several triathlons and the ultimate.. the Ironman competition?
Amazing, eh?
Lois is who I want to be when I grow up.
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But Honorable Mention must go to Cush
our fearless Supervisor, who ensured all cookies were properly rolled and baked.
Here’s a photo I snapped with my phone..
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{ looking rather nonchalant, don’t you think }
She may believe that she is the rightful owner of this recipe, having observed several dozens being baked through the years..
but I made a promise to Cush that I’d include a photo of her in compensation.
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- 1 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 3 tablespoons grated orange rind
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
- 4 cups flour
- 4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 cup candied ginger, chopped fine
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Cream shortening and sugars.
- Beat in egg, molasses, orange rind and grated ginger.
- Mix together dry ingredients and stir into creamed mixture until well blended.
- Shape into 3/4" balls. We used this perfect little cookies scoop. It would make a lovely Christmas present *wink.
- Roll in sugar.
- Press a few tiny pieces of candied ginger onto each ball.
- Bake 2" apart at 350 degrees for 8 - 10 minutes. (convection 325 degrees for about 8 minutes)
These were the Ultimate Ginger Cookies..
they have a lovely little snap, two types of ginger { fresh and candied }, a smidgen of orange zest.. and they are so very itty-bitty tiny, there couldn’t be any calories in them?
Oh.. did I mention they have cardamom?
This was the Ultimate Baking Rescue!!
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My photos aren’t quite up to “snuff”.. little Bella is awake and chasing around my studio.. now I need that nap!
Here’s a sneak peak at my next project.. make sure you pop back in a few days!
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Love the candied ginger decorations. This is the first time I have seen this done.
You *knew* that with my ginger addiction I’d be all over these cookies, of course!!! And what a thrill to have the big cookie-baking shindig with the three of you together. 😀
xoxo
Kathryn
Good friends enrich our lives and it’s hard to imagine life without them. Good that you’ve such good friends as Terri and Lois, Barb. These cookies look delicious and it isn’t Christmas until you smell gingerbread baking in the oven.
They look delicious. It’s good to have friends with such talent, and there’s nothing like sharing cookies with good friends. 😉
Oh Barbara, how I wish I were Bella right about now! Or even Cush for that matter! I have been going CRAZY! And those cookies look fab! Could you tell me how many cookies your recipe makes? I’m hosting a Cookie Exchange Party and would love to make yours!
Oh Bella, you have stole my heart! Too precious.
Oh, I so love every form of ginger. Will make these this weekend! Lois sounds marvelous, and love the cat too.
Great photo of Cush! Kitties all have such individual personalities, don’t they? One of the things I love about them. I’d love these ginger snaps, too. Been awhile since I’ve had some – something I need to fix right away! Thanks for this.
Your friend, Lois, sounds very accomplished. I know how you feel about the dashing and dancing and prancing about – I have so much to do my head is spinning. We have all the schools finishing up for the year so that also compounds the problem with all those things you have to go to and then there’s the heat and the organising and all the shopping and the cooking but we wouldn’t have it any other way – it’s the happiest time of the year! xx
oh wow, those look so good. I love ginger cookies, ginger cake, ginger muffins…anything with ginger!! I use ginger alot in my cooking, grilling and baking!
Bella is so cute!!
Michael 🙂
http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2013/12/11/ultimate-chocolate-chip-cake/
I remember when my 2 Chihuahuas were puppies, it was like running after toddlers all day!! I love the simplicity of these cookies and especially adding in the candied ginger; that’s my absolute favorite!
Barb, it was great fun having you bake with us. Now I can super clean the kitchen and start some gluten-free baking. The fun just never stops! Was your dinner party last night? How did it go? I’m sure it was lovely – perhaps you’ll be posting photos? Terri
You are a very generous and kind friend. And you speak so well of those you love. Even the furry ones. 🙂 I love a good ginger cookie and these are crafted so nicely. I like them placed in the muffin tins for a unique presentation. I think I have al the ingredients on hand and would like to make them this weekend. Ginger/molasses are big hits with my dad. 🙂
I love ginger cookies!! your look perfect and I like the extra bit of candied ginger sprinkled on the cookies.
and ooh Cush is so adorable.. a fat and very adorable kitty. I would love to rub her fluffy belly.
i like your snow effect. cute! the cookies look yummy!
Your little puppy is so sweet! I also think these might be the ultimate ginger cookies and with the candied ginger on top makes them extra special. Take Care, BAM
I could practically live on candied ginger. And though we are through the holidays, I wouldn’t hesitate to make these for another wintery, stay at home, eat cookies and drink tea kind of day:) yum.