Cherry Icebox Cookies

I LOVE cherry icebox cookies. Specifically those that come from Collin Street Bakery. Since it's a bit of drive to get to one, which is probably good thing, I'm resorting to making them at home. I have been looking for a recipe for them for sometime now. This one came from Taste of Home cookbook. These have been major hit with the husband.

Cherry Icebox Cookies

Yields about 6 dozen

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice
4 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, cherry and lemon juices and vanilla.

Combine flour, backing soda, cinnamon and cream of tartar

Gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. 

Stir in nuts and cherries. I omitted the nuts, and may have added more like 3/4 to 1 cup of chopped cherries.

 I like cherries, and after all, they are cherry icebox cookies.

Shape into four 12-inch rolls; wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 4 hour or until firm

Unwrap and cut into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2in apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until the edges begin to brown.

Remove to wire racks to cool.

Ever so hopeful Milton.

And enjoy!

Milton likes to sit or lie here on the memory foam kitchen mat when I'm in the kitchen while he hopes for me to drop something. 

He's actually looking up at the cooking island where the cookies are.

Keep on dreaming dog, these cookies are almost too good to share. I had to put half of them in the freezer so I would not eat them all. Believe me, I want to eat them all but I do not the side effect of that. I'm going to take them to book club this weekend. 

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Just a typical weekend

There might be some gushing in this post about how awesome my husband is. You have been warned.

Last night I went out with some friends to see Les Misérables and then went out to dinner where we discussed things such as The Hobbit, boys and their 'snot', spiritual epiphanies, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Once Upon a Time and homemade music videos all while eating deliciousness that is fried food.

When I arrived home I noticed that one of the dogs had been very ill all over the carpet. Now vomit and I just don't get along. At all. So Matthew proceeded to clean up said vomit with paper towels while I'm standing behind him holding my nose and trying not to throw-up myself. Eventually it was too much for me and I had to step outside with the pups. I came to the following realizations, 1) I have the best husband ever and 2) if my dogs regurgitation makes me ill, there is no way I could handle another humans. It's hard to be upset at the dogs though when they can be so cute!

   

Luckily the mess came up and did not stain the carpets.

Today we went to the grocery store and I also got items to make cherry icebox cookies and Boston cream cupcakes! I am excited about making them this week. There is also a recipe for ambrosia cupcakes that sound delectable and while I was telling Matthew about them he told me "only one at a time". I replied by saying, "well yeah, first I'll make the cherry ice box cookies and whatever is left over he can take to work, then the Boston cream cupcakes later in the week and then eventually the ambrosia cupcakes". Matthew's response was "I didn't mean that! I meant only one type of cupcake at a time. Cupcakes and cookies are different, so that's okay to have both". He's so cute. We then worked out to prepare for the amazing treats to come. I also cut his hair, which is always an experiment in communication, though I am getting much better. And while I was cooking tacos for dinner, Matthew was cleaning and vacuuming. Again, I'm so lucky! All in all it was just a typical weekend for us. 

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Our First Christmas

Both Matthew and I were really excited about celebrating our first Christmas together. We felt very blessed when we were able to have our first Thanksgiving at our house with our parents, so when we were able to host my family for Christmas we were ecstatic.

Our family at Thanksgiving.

Our first step was to decorate the house.

The dogs even got in the spirit, though I think Milton was hoping to get some of Santa's cookies.

Ornament my mom gave to us for our first Christmas

All done.

Then we went to Matthew's holiday party for his office at Buca di Beppo. We ate so much that night.

Matthew got his P.E. license in the mail Christmas Eve, he was very elated about getting it so soon.

Christmas Eve with my family. Milton jumped up on the couch at the last moment and posed for the picture.

The kids were playing a game.

Catching up with the family and enjoying the food (note the cheese-ball). 

Our first Christmas ended up being a white Christmas, lucky us!

We planned to go to Arkansas the day after Christmas for a mini vacation, but because of the snow we decided it would be safer if we stayed at home. So we made a snowman.

Angelina hates the snow. Milton likes to eat it.

I think he turned out pretty well.

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Trans-Siberian Orchestra!

On the Sunday before Christmas we got to go see Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I was so excited we got to go, I have always wanted to see them. It was just as awesome and maybe more than I thought it would be.

Two excited people here!

Joyce, Mom, and Matthew, all ready for the show to start.

The orchestra on the stage.

Flashy light show!

And FIRE!!

More fire.

I really liked the fire, so what?

And the finale with fireworks!!

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