Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies Plus My Blog Redesign!

“We have only this moment,
sparkling like a star in our hand…
and melting like a snowflake.
Let us use it before it is too late.”
~~By Marie Edith Beynon~~

How timely is this quote in the midst of the holiday season’s chaos? I spent the last week running around, more frazzled than normal, which caused two migraines (God bless the person responsible for creating Treximet – my wonder-drug!). There was the pressure to finish up work before vacation, and a list of mom responsibilities for my son’s classroom festivities. There was shopping yet to be tackled and unexpected technical issues with the blog. I allowed a few minor frustrations to snowball. My usual “martini glass half-full” attitude was a bit empty.

Fortunately, it only took a moment to refocus. It amazes me how much life-changing power just a moment can hold. Things are one way, and in an instant will never be the same. In my frazzled state, a friend called to share some pretty devastating news. As I listened, I couldn’t help thinking how minor my issues were in the grand scheme of God’s plan. What a reality check for me!

This time of year swoops in with great expectations. As the song goes, “It’s the happiest time of the year…” but for so many of us, life doesn’t live up to the expectation. My hope is that during the busy time, we all find just a moment to hit the pause button on life and reflect on the blessings we’ve been given.

I shared these snowflake gingerbread cookies with co-workers and a few friends last week. Just as each snowflake is different, God strategically sprinkles people throughout our life to touch us in a unique way. Am I done wrapping and baking and shopping? Not yet… Am I still frazzled? Absolutely. But I’ve shifted the spotlight back to the good things in life… gingerbread cookies being just one of them!

Best Gingerbread Recipe Ever! (From, AllRecipes)

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1-1/3 cups molasses
4 eggs
8 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the molasses and eggs. Combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour, baking soda, salt, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger; beat into the molasses mixture. Gradually stir in the remaining flour by hand to form a stiff dough. Divide dough into 2 pieces.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place pieces 1 inch apart onto parchment-lined cookie sheets. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Royal Icing (Joy of Baking)