Sprinkledoodles

So....I gave up "mindless sweets" for Lent. I think that sweets that I make myself from scratch fall under "mindful" just because I have to intentionally make it before I eat it. That said, I'm trying to mindfully just sample when I make sweets this Lenten season.

I discovered a new food blog yesterday. Lottie + Doof and had to try out these colorful sugar cookies called sugar saucers. I generously encrusted my cookies with rainbow sprinkles and they turned out super pretty. The cookies have crisp edges, chewy centers and quite airy. Next time, I might flavor the dough with some almond extract for a different flavor. Adam says they look like "Clown Cookies," but since many people are freaked out by clowns, I'm going to call them "Sprinkledoodles."

Easy Chinese Corn Soup

plasticmom would make this for me growing up and it's my go to recipe when I want something warm and easy that reminds me of childhood.

Corn Soup Recipe:

Incredients:
1 can creamed corn
1-1.5 cans of chicken stock

2 tablespoon cornstarch
2 eggs beaten

Salt and Pepper to season

Optional Add Ons:
Diced Ham
Extra corn (frozen, fresh, canned)

Recipe:

• Bring creamed corn, chicken stock and optional add ons to a boil in a small pot
• Mix cornstarch with some water in a bowl, around a 1:1 ratio to create a slurry
• Turn off stove
• Stir in cornstarch slurry to thicken soup
• Whisk in beaten egg slowly into hot soup
• Season with salt and pepper
• Enjoy!

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...Zvy's Birthday Conclusion

Zvy's birthday celebration last week started off rocky but ended up being successful. I'll frame it as Diamonds and Coals in honor of my alma mater.

Diamonds: The Dora decorations from Amazon were really inexpensive and a big hit.
Coals: The birthday girl was napping when we all congregated. Since she sometimes wakes up groggy and crying, it took her a while to get into party mode. A little cuddling with her mom and some TV cheered her up and then it was party time.
Diamonds: The beautiful purple/pink cake with flowers that Katie from Katie's Cakes made was also super delicious. Even the fondant decorations tasted good which is unheard of. The chocolate cake lasted an entire birthday week.
Coals: plasticann made Zvy cry by accident. The following is the reconstructed conversation

• Zvy: I want cupcake project
• Zristen: Zvy, not today. You can do it with plasticann tomorrow.
• plasticann: Zvy, I'll take this home with me and ...
• Zvy: Wah wah wah wah...wah 
• plasticann: ...take it home with me and study the instructions...
• Zvy: Wah wah wah wah
• plasticann: ...study the instructions so I'll be ready.
• Zvy: Wah wah wah wah. She's taking my toy!
• Zristen: Don't worry Zvy, plasticann is not taking your toy home.
• plasticann: I'm sorry Zvy, I mispoke. I won't take your toy home. [plasticann backs away from toy slowly]

Diamonds: Zvy loved all her new toys including the cape that Adam and I gave her. She kept asking for the cape which of course made my day.

Next year, I'll try not to make the birthday girl cry by accident. Hopefully, she'll also comprehend more so we'll have fewer of these pesky misunderstandings.

Birthday Dora joins the birthday bash

Little Hero Cape in purple and gold