A friend called a few days ago and asked, “So, how are you doing? Surviving? Thriving?”
“The baby’s thriving. Me? I’m surviving,” I said.
That’s about the best way I can describe it. Caring for a newborn is the most exhausting experience. Ever. Working 80-plus hours a week is a cinch in comparison. As fascinating as it is to watch this tiny little being grow and change right before our eyes, we are so, so, so grateful that she has started to sleep through the night. At least, she has the last four nights. Feels like a victory of some sort.
More rest has translated into more energy. And for me, that means a little more time in the kitchen. I swear I thought I heard Little Miss Stand Mixer ask me if she was going to be used or retired. Retire? No such luck, gal. Yesterday I mixed up a nice batch of rich chocolate dough and churned out a few holiday cookies. Next comes the decorating, which I’ll start this afternoon.
Normally at this time of the year, I’m cranking out hundreds of cookies which we send to good friends and clients. For obvious reasons we’re not doing that this year, so for a change, I’ll be baking and decorating at a much more leisurely pace. In recent weeks, several of you cherished Readers have asked me about baking and decorating tutorials. Well, I’ve been meaning to put scores of those up here at the blog and on my main site (see the very fabulous Jane Austen Teapot Cookie tute! It’s world famous, by the way…), but never got around to doing that. I’ve decided that in the coming year I’ll follow through with my intentions and get some new tutorials up. I’ll start with really basic instructions on icing and baking, and eventually work my way up to more challenging styles and designs. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me or let me know in the comments here.
Happy weekend, y’all!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Mari, I am so excited that you’re baking!!!
Mimi sleeping four nights = major victory.
I DO have some questions. I’m going to attempt to make those horse and dino cookies for that kid I like. You gave me great tips about icing. But is there a basic (sugar) cookie recipe that you like? And do you usually bake the day before, then ice the next day? Do you put the dough in the fridge before you roll it out and use cookie cutters?
Linda, I’ve got a few recipes, but the one I use the most is from the Joy of Baking, which I think everyone should have in their kitchen/cookbook collection. I’ll email you the recipe and I’ll post it here on another day.
As for baking then icing, it depends. I often bake one day and ice the next, but if for some reason I’m on a deadline I do it all in the same day. Either way, baking and decorating requires a good deal of planning and scheduling life around it.
And I always put the rolled dough in the fridge before cutting it. Sometimes, especially for more intricate cutters, I freeze the dough.
Here’s a tip: dip cutters in flour before cutting so they don’t stick to the dough.
Glad you’re back in the kitchen again.
Yeah, we could use some more tutorials. I did find another tutorial on your blog but the photo was missing. I need a real simple one, for the cookie baking and decorated challenged like mje.
Paz
I’m so happy to hear you have had a few nights sleep!
I just checked your tutorial-wow, fascinating! that is amazing how you can do that. & I love the cookie design-it’s perfect.
hugs to mini Mari! any recent pictures you might want to share?
Glad you’re back Mari and looking forward to your tutorials! But be sure and get some rest