They know how much I love a good story. So they baked dozens of them. No wonder they were excited to greet me. As I uncurled my tired legs from a cramped, 8-hr drive, I was welcomed by excited exclamations. “Mom! Come see what we made you!” At first the decorated cookies that lined the counters just seemed like a generous dessert.
Then one daughter pointed to the cookie shaped like Hampshire, the puppet mouse who became the main character of family stories I told the girls many moons ago.
Another daughter held up the rectangular cookie painted purple with white balls attached to its base.
“It’s my purple snow fort you and Logan built for me.” A decade ago, she had prayed for a “purple snow fort” every night with her 2-yr-old head bent low and sincerely clasped hands. Her big sister and I decided to be the driving force to her answered prayers, building and spray painting her fort during nap time on a snowy January day. “And this is our new kayak, Mom, for our first ride on the lake last week.”
The details, down to the seat and detached oar, were quite uncanny and had obviously been painstakingly made. There on my kitchen counter were spread beautiful, handmade remembrances of precious memories each girl had made with me over the years. Almost too wonderful to eat. Well, almost. We did indulge, after taking pictures.
So thankful for creative daughters and a thoughtful Mother’s Day Gift—cut out stories covered in icing, sprinkles, and memories that are baked forever in my heart. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8
STURDY COOKIE DOUGH RECIPE
(a staple in our family since the girls were toddlers; it holds up so well to lots of handling and rolling and re-rolling. Thus the name.)
1 stick butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla or lemon extract
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cream butter and sugar, vanilla, and egg. Gradually beat in flour, baking powder, and salt until blended. Press dough together with hands. Roll out to 1/8- to 1/4-inch thickness, adding flour as needed to avoid sticking. Cut into desired shapes (or memories, as the case may be). Bake at 350 on ungreased cookie sheets for 10-12 minutes.
ICING RECIPE
Add confectioners sugar to one egg white until right consistency. (Sorry, I’ve never thought to measure this out, we just mix till we like the consistency.) Add 2 drops of almond flavoring, a pinch of salt, and optional food coloring (of course this is not optional at all if you’re making a purple snow fort.)
souly rested 