Make Monday: Happy Valentines Day!

Flying Kiss

First I hold my hand like this.
Then I send a flying kiss
Will you catch it?
I won't peek.
I think it landed on your cheek!

Happy Valentines Day! Hope your day is filled with red, love, and candy (will maybe)!

This morning Judah and I started celebrating by making Valentine Cookies. I actually bought a package of Nestle Toll House ready-made cookie valentines. All Judah had to do was punch out the heart-shaped pictures and place them on the cookie sheet. Judah definitely liked his first taste of cookie dough! Then we baked them and shared with our neighborhood friends for our Valentine party this morning!

If you have older kids and are looking for something to do later today, try mixing up a batch of heart-shaped cookies and decorate them for Valentines Day!

My mom's cookie mix is a great recipe for holidays. You can actually mix the dry ingredients ahead of time and store in a cool place, using these Christmas leftovers and adding eggs and vanilla, for Valentines cookies! Plus, you have a large quantity of dough to use up. If you do not want sugar cookies, then try Almond Cherry Drops! Afterall, these are already red!

Combine:

12 cups all-purpose of flour
6 cups of sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
4 cups of shortening (I use real butter)

In large bowl combine ingredients. Cut shortening till mixture resembles fine crumbs (great for the kids to mix with their hands). Spoon into large canister. Seal tightly and store at room temperature for up to 6 weeks. For longer storage, place in freezer. Makes 23 cups of mix.

Later Combine:

2 cups of cookie mix
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with 2 1/4 inch heart cookie cutters. Transfer to ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for about 8 minutes or until light brown. Cool on wire rack. Decorate with icing and sprinkles if desired. Makes 3 dozen.

Cherry-Almond Drops:

2 cups of cookie mix
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries

Drop from teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or just until the edges are lightly browned. Cool on rack. Makes 2 dozen.

After you are finished, curl up for a cuddle together with My Heart is Like a Zoo or The Cuddle Book!

Better go find my own leftover mix for some serious baking! Happy Valentines Day!