Summer Cookies Made (Royal Icing) .. Flip Flops, Sunglasses and Sunshine Cookies

For our family reunion I always try to bring a fun desert or cookie. Since I've been getting more comfortable with royal icing I thought I would make some fun summer cookies. I googled summer cookies and found several ideas so I went to Hobby Lobby and found this three pack of cookie cutters and thought I can do this!

 

What you Need:

Cookie Cutter (Sun, Flip Flop and Sunglasses)
Sugar Cookies cut into suns, flip flops and sunglasses (see my fav sugar cookie recipe below)

Royal Icing in Green, Yellow, Orange, and Black (recipe below)

AmeriColor Gel Food Coloring Green, Yellow, Orange, and Black (to dye Icing)

Pipping Bag

Candy Hearts (for Flip Flop)
Small Candy Pearls (for Sunglasses)
Black Edible Marker 

Tint your Royal Icing to the perfect shade of yellow. I use the dipping method with my royal icing. I started to do this about 6 months ago to speed up my decorating time. You can pipe each cookie which is a little cleaner but I find the dipping method to be the best. You get your royal icing to the outline consistency and put into a pie dish (I find this is not too deep). Once you dip the top of the cookie you tap off the extra icing and then you let dry! Once dry you can add your details. I like to do my cookies the night before to give plenty of time for the icing to harden. 

I took a plastic piping bag and added the details with Black royal icing for the flip flops and sunglasses. I have found in the past making this a little thicker than your outlining consistency is best if not they run together and make a big glob. For flip flop I added a small heart decoration for the toe part. On the sunglasses I made the glass shade part and then on the corners I added some small pearls for fun details.

For the sunglasses I used the black edible marker to draw on the face. I tried piping it on but I liked the look of the marker better.

 

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INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
2.	Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3.	Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Julie Usher, she has a GREAT YouTube video on how to make, color and make consistency adjustments. 

Royal Icing what you need:

2 lbs Powdered Sugar

1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar

5 Large Egg Whites (or equivalent) 

Flavor to Taste

Gel Icing Color

Mix powder sugar and cream of tartar in your mixer, just to make sure it is incorporated in. Slowly add egg whites, then whip start of slow then go to very high speed. She says around 2 minutes, my friend had an older mixer so it took almost 10 minutes. You want stiff peaks that hold on and won't fall off the spoon. Add in your flavor, I would suggest you use a clear flavoring.  This would be the glue texture great for ginger bread houses etc.

Take 1 cup of royal icing in a smaller bowl then add your coloring, lightly mix so you don't get air into the the icing. I'm like her and like the gel coloring. 

For Top Coating - Add 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 tsp Water (This is if you don't want to outline and flood)

For Outlining - Add 1/2 to 3/4 tsp Water

For Flooding  - Add 2 to 3 tsp Water

WATCH her video on How to Top-Coat, Outline, and Flood Cookies. YES it is around 7 minutes BUT if you have never done this technique it's a MUST she explains it perfectly.

The Hit of the Reunion (Mini Cannoli's)

My parents hosted the family reunion for my mother's side this past weekend.  As usual I wanted to make something fun and exciting to bring to the party.  Even though I was told to just make some garlic bread I wanted to do something special.  And as you all know I'm obsessed with won-ton wrappers, so I went on a mission to find an appetizer I came across a dessert!  Hmmm even better!

I found this Easy Cannoli Cup recipe on  Gimme some Oven's site. These were so easy and I got rave reviews!!!  Click either link to take you to the original site I found the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 package (16 oz.) wonton wrappers
• 1 container (15 oz.) ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 1/3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
• 2 cups mini semisweet chocolate chips
• powdered sugar (for dusting)

Method:

In a bowl, slowly whisk 1 cup of the milk into the cornstarch until smooth.  Let sit about 20 minutes.

Transfer mixture into a sauce pan, and then add in the remaining milk and sugar. Heat on medium-low, stirring constantly until it is very thick and smooth (about 7-10 minutes).  Remove from heat.  Stir in the almond and vanilla extracts.  Place a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of the filling to avoid “skin”, and let cool until the mixture reaches room temperature.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Then press 30-35 wonton wrappers (you can do this in multiple batches) into a mini baking cup pan to form the “cups”.  (Be sure that the corners do not fold in after the pan sits for a minute!)  Bake the cups for 10-15 minutes, or until the wrappers are golden brown.  Remove and let cool.

After the milk mixture has reached room temperature, whisk in the ricotta and cinnamon until smooth.  (You can also do this with an electric mixer on low.)  Use a pastry bag to pipe the mixture into the baked wonton cups, or use a spoon to scoop it in.  Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, then dust with powdered sugar.  Refrigerate, or serve immediately.

Lex Notes: I was out of almond extract so I skipped it, I did use the cinnamon.  I also used my mini cupcake pan so I made 48 total.  I think the mini were the perfect size.

Here is what you need:

It's the perfect dessert and is not too sweet and just the rite size!  I was shocked how fast they went!

Weekend Wrap Wednesday ... Hot Weather and Party time!

Well I'm starting our weekend wrap a little early since last week we had crazy temperatures over 100, sometimes reaching 104! Did I mention I live in Washington? Yup we're known for rain not for super hot weather. So when I left my air conditioned office and stepped outside where my shoes melted to the ground I knew it was time to head up to my parents house on the lake.


Now a little back story why Cole on a jetski is such a HUGE deal. Last year my parents bought their first jetski and Cole was super excited to ride. My parents decided to both get on with Cole. Lot's of fun until they took a corner too sharp and off they went! Cole popped right up thanks to a life vest. They fell in front of my Best Friends property (2 over from my parents) and they all stood up and clapped big. Cole got back on and no big deal, that was until the following weekend. Yup he wouldn't get on no matter what you did. So after our trip to Great Wolf and all those slides he was ready to get back on the jet Ski and even drive it! I was so proud of him, I even took pictures on my phone and sent them to Rick who was working. It took him less then 2 minutes to call to see if it was true! Yup Cole is jet skiing and wanting to do it again very soon! Oh and when I came home I found this little (ok little is a joke the dude was HUGE) on my door jam. Guess he was trying to beat the heat too! I tried to zoom in to show how big he really was but he jumped I screamed and let's just say it wasn't a graceful move on my part!


So Saturday I got a little before 5am to do my call center job. I was so nervous we had a new script and you know how you're the worest critic, yup it made me go totally OCD on the thing. Thankfully it was shorter and it actually was smooth! I scheduled a good amount and felt really good about it. Usually I work a little over to help out but not today it's party day.

Ok people I'm throwing it out there! I get paid once a month (yes I know it sucks) but that means if the 1st lands on Saturday or Sunday I'm not getting paid until MONDAY. So PLEASE don't schedule parties on these days! I have no money for gas ... LOL


Ok I'm done with my soap box! So after finishing up I get the boys in the tub, mom calls and says that she wants to meet me at 9:45 instead of 10:30am. Geez Louise So drain the tub and throw clothes on the kids. Throw an outfit on me and oh crap I'm so white, so I put a little self tanning on my legs and arms. Now the smart thing to do is to WASH your hands really really good! If not see exhibit A above, yes that would be one dark face because when I smoothed my make up in I added a little extra tint. Somedays I'm so blond!

So only 10 minutes late, come on 45 minutes to get 2 boys dressed, me dressed and drive 15 minutes and only be 10 minutes late is pretty darn good. We got on the freeway to head over the bridge to the Family Reunion. My mom along with a few other gals planned this amazing get together this year marked the 35th year of it. My mom's cousin gave up her house and hello it had a pool! It was wonderful day, not too hot and a perfect day to run around after my crazy kids. We only had one time that mom and the other gals where giving a speech that Cole was in the pool and so badly wanted to show Monnie (my mom) how he was swimming. So yes not the right time but he was so excited, did I mention the Jet Ski thing caused him to hate water too for that same time frame. So swimming was a HUGE deal! So of course his talking not good but someone close to us (yes a close relative, I won't mention who) said jeez he's like a fly you just want to slap. Yes I said something back not too nice, but at least under my breath. My dad of course heard it and told me to keep it to myself, but yes he was thinking the same thing ... LOL. I'm not a big game person but they did do fun where they put a famous person on your back, you're only allowed to ask questions and then guess who it is. I of course got Maria Osmond ... LOL We had some yummy food my dad won the bake off for his brisket. Which he stayed up all night smoking, then didn't eat anything except some beer and got sick. So now my poor dad is very under the weather! After that we were off to take a nap before party #2! Yes I said party #2, I've been known to go to 3 in one day! Yes I'm that person, but I have a thing if you come to mine I'll come to yours. But if you don't show and don't call, don't expect me to come to yours and darn it I'm the theme girl with my presents. Yes that's a bribe ... LOL ;)


Luau Party here we come! It was so nice to end this crazy day just hanging with some friends the kids ran around in her HUGE backyard plus a pool there too! I love going to Amy's she has yummy drinks (watch it if she pours you one) and Lumpa (sp) which is my all time fav, I think it's why I friends with her ... LOL just playing! We stayed until like 11pm, let's just say momma and boys were pooped by then! Thank you Amy I so needed some down time and laughs!


Sunday was another hot day, My parents weren't up for company. LOL my parents are so nice and do a lot for me, they just aren't those type of people that love to have company all the time. So we promised not to go up and visit them, just go down to the lake. It was so nice down there and we got a special treat my friend Deb came down with 2 of her girls. I'm so happy to have them visit. Deb is a dear friend I lost touch with for a while and was super excited that we met back up! The rest of the day the boys and I just hung out at home and enjoyed our day.


Monday is was back to work from home. Now Rick is suppose to get up with the boys but you know it didn't ... LOL thankfully I was doing data entry so it worked out ok with the running and screaming ... LOL. Well I should say almost all went well, while on the phone with my boss the boys decided to call out a full on war! That and a poppy diaper that Caden had that Cole and Caden reminded me of the whole time. Come on dudes go wake up your sleeping father, I'm working. Yup didn't work and my boss and I had so much to cover so Mother of the year award didn't go to me I had to deal with so much! LOL finally he got up and had to go get a haircut ... LOL. Thankfully he did take Cole with him, and Cole got a haircut too! Yeah one less thing for me to do! He then got to cleaning my car. Ok I admit it now I haven't vacuumed my car forever! Yes I've given the boys crackers and juice and yes they were everywhere! So 2 1/2 hours later my car is clean, new floor mats and all. Well all clean except the one red juice spot ... LOL Phew I'm pooped I'll have to write more about what happened in my closet today, I'll save that for later! Love ya all and if you only just skim this, that means the world to me! Hugs!

Family Reunion Day

Well this day started with a bang. Last night I couldn't get Cole to go to bed for the life of me. Finally the boy pooped out, I'm literally passed out face down on the carpet around midnight. Then of course it took me like an hour to wind down, I was hoping Rick would be home before I fell asleep, but no dice. He had a bachelor party to go to, now it's one that I wasn't too upset about, beside the fact that he was spending money and was out late with people who didn't even go to his (side note most are family). Ok back to the point this was no regular bachelor party, this was the party for the little boy in each of them that was screaming to get out, like that new commercial for VW were the guys inner child was screaming for pop rocks and orange soda. Yup that is exactly what this night was for them. It started at go karts for 1 hour, then they went over to a laser tag place for a 1 ½ hours, then off to a karaoke bar and of course they had to end the night at Denny's. All they had to do was add the pop rocks and orange soda and they would be on a sugar high coma … LOL. So of course he didn't get home until 4:45am! Which wouldn't be so bad except today is full day.

Here we go 6am and Caden is up and go no bottle nothing would get this boy back to bed, hey 5 hours of sleep isn't bad right? Get Rick up at 8:30am to go take the keg up to dad, I was so proud of him as you know he's so not a morning person and he actually go up on the 2nd warning by me. He loaded the car with the keg and the tents to go over the food and drinks. He headed up to their house to help get set up and then he had to go to work after that for a few hours.

I had good intentions to be up to my parent's house at 10:30am to get a good parking spot ½ hour before the party started. Well after baths for both boys, shower for me, getting the boys dressed along with myself, then of course I needed to do my hair. Geez after running around like crazy, got the boys into the car started the car and put it into reverse. Thankfully a light bulb went off in my head telling me that I was going to be gone almost all day, I better pack a few more things for Caden. Geez pull forward, run back into the house grab the walker, a jar of puffs, baby food and of course a bottle! Back in the car we go and head up to Bonney Lake. I was running so fast I forgot my coffee so I stop at my favorite little coffee shop to find out it was closed L. It looks like the bikini coffee shop that went up next to mine actually forced mine out of business, darn! Now I could go to the "other" stand but I refuse to have anyone nennie's anywhere close to my coffee, so back on the road we go.

The reunion was fun, we wore name tags this year so 80% of people said my name right, I was only called Alexia and some other form a few times. Better then last year I was called Elizabeth and Alexandra more time then I could count. Being a step child brought in when I was 9 was rough at first, but now that I'm older I can just laugh at the people who still treat me a little like an outsider. Over all it was a good time, a little hard trying to keep both boys happy. Caden was in his no one but my mom mood and Cole was running around and chasing kids. We did have a little problem sharing our toys, plus one little guy kept telling Cole he needed to go in the corner or he was in trouble. So after smoothing some feathers all was ok. Thankfully Rick got there around 3pm to help with Cole and Dad was done with his social time and was able to help with Cole. Rick got the job of taking everyone Jet Skiing, which everyone loved.

Everyone finally left around 8pm and the clean up began. Rick was making bonus points with mom he swept and put away everything. I did dishes and had a cup of two J with some yummy coffee with a little coffee liquor in it! Caden had fallen asleep and Cole was actually slowing down himself. About a ½ hour later I found him on the kitchen floor with a blanket over him. I thought he was just playing, but nope he was out cold. Had myself another cup of coffee, just a little nip of special stuff J and packed up the boys. Home Sweet Home!