Candy Cane Cookies

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 egg
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red food color
2 tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candies
2 tablespoons sugar

1. Stir together 1 cup sugar, the butter, milk, vanilla, peppermint extract and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Divide dough in half. Stir food color into 1 half. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

2. Heat oven to 375ºF.

3. Stir together peppermint candy and 2 tablespoon sugar; set aside.

4. For each candy cane, shape 1 rounded teaspoon dough from each half into 4-inch rope by rolling back and forth on floured surface. Place 1 red and white rope side by side; press together lightly and twist. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; curve top of cookie down to form handle of cane.

5. Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until set and very light brown. Immediately sprinkle candy mixture over cookies. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Bon appetit!

the wedding was today and it was just perfect. lovely, flawless, no snow, no ice (except in the drinks), lots of cupcakes, yummy food, great company, love and hugs and kisses.

steve married them, how funny is that? he’s Universe Life Church certified, who knew? (he did.) (i am, too. i sent away the form in the back of Rolling Stone magazine when i was 16. but i was the matron of honor and couldn’t very well officiate, too, y’know? hahaha.)

i’m feeling kinda weepy and wistful and excited, all at once. really special day.

best wishes to both of you, today and always.

— nancy

Goin’ Back to New Orleans…

happy Thursday, y’all.

xo

wm

From the files:

Suzanne’s World Famous Candy Cane Cookies

we had our little buddies, ages 4 & 6, over for dinner and play tonight. they are so good, I forgot they were here. seriously. their mama came by to get them and i was all, Nice to see you, but why are you here?

our kittens are not always nice to guests.

wacky boy to friend: “The one cat is mean to kids and the other cat just doesn’t like kids. but the other one is okay.”

i made waffles (“…with WHITE flour!” wacky girl told her dad, gleam in eye) the special way. that’s right. with white flour. cinnamon sugar, organic milk and eggs, REAL butter and REAL maple syrup. won award for mother of the year, yes, that’s right.

but i’m thinking, why is it that as a mother, your worth is measured by how good the waffles taste and how entertaining the puppet shows are?

just wondering.

because the content of my character, my love of books, my ability to spin gold from straw, my large and impressive vocabulary, my inability to properly use capital letters, my newfound skill at knotting scarves… shouldn’t that matter, a little?

Hmm.