It’s obvious from reading blog posts and talking to friends that I’m not the only one who is in shock that 2015 is here. Each year zooms by faster than the one before…frustrating when all I want to do is slow each one down to half its speed. It seems like it was just months ago that we were fussing about going from the 20th century into the 21st and now here we are 15 years later. In 2000 my family wanted to do something special to mark the occasion so we decided to make a time capsule. Family members wrote a letter (any topic they chose), sealed them, and we put them into a box with such things as newspapers, grocery store ads, stock market reports, etc. that would remind us of the details of what life was like in 2000. We have new family members since we sealed up the box and both my parents passed away several years ago so it will be bitter sweet to read some of the letters. It will probably be sometime this summer when we get together to open our capsule. 2015 seemed so far away back then and I couldn’t imagine being as old as I would be in 2015, but here we are, older and hopefully a little bit wiser. I’ll let you know when we open our treasure box.
My son surprised me with the most wonderful Christmas present…a gorgeous pot rack for my kitchen. I have wanted one for longer than forever, especially when I started buying a copper pot or two each time I visited Paris. It’s so convenient having pots and pans at arms reach and I LOVE looking at them. He hung it last weekend…no small feat because of the cathedral ceilings in my great room. I smile every time I look at it. Thank you so much, John. I’m thrilled with my gift.
If you are curious, I made the little imprinted cookies with a Brigitte cookie cutter. This is a great little cookie cutter and the short message can be changed to suit any occasion. I love using cookie stamps and finding good recipes that hold a sharp image can be difficult to find. This is a good one.
Adapted from a delicious recipe found at My Kitchen in the Rockies.
- 2 cups + 1 tablespoon (250g) all purpose flour
- ⅔ cup (150g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3-1/2 ounces (100g) marzipan, crumbled
- ¼ cup (50g) sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking mat.
- Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix until evenly combined.
- Cover dough and rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Divide dough in half. Roll each half out ¼" thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutter.
- Place cookies on the baking sheet.
- Bake for about 12 - 15 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.. Baking times vary.
- Cool on wired rack.
- Store in air tight container.
What a wonderful gift from your son, Cathy. I can just imagine your smile, as you gaze at those copper pots. Not only are they beautiful, but I’m sure they bring back wonderful memories of your trips to your beloved Paris. As for these cookies…where do I start? The photo is magazine stunning, for sure. They are perfect, and when I read marzipan, I longed to bite into just one. I adore almond anything. You are amazing in the kitchen!
Foodiewife recently posted..Perfect Easy-To-Peel Hard Boiled Eggs & Deviled Eggs Recipe (with some help from my Pressure Cooker)
Thank you, Debby. I know I will get years of enjoyment from my pot rack and beautiful pans. Marzipan gives the cookies so much flavor. Basic dough that work well with cookie stamps can be bland and the almond flavor really perks it up. Happy New Year!
Cathy recently posted..Welcome 2015
I am so jealous of your pot rack. I’ve been wanting one forever! I know I can’t believe it’s 2015 too, how wonderful that you have that time capsule, but like you said it will be bittersweet.
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) recently posted..Vanessa and Her Sister by Priya Parmar
Your cookies turned out great..I have some on my list too.
What a son! What a pot rack..what pots!
🙂
Happy new Year!
What a good idea the time capsule..Bittersweet indeed…
Monique recently posted..A New Year~
The potrack is gorgeous – very French and very professional-looking. Your son knows how to make you happy!
Happy New Year to you. That opening of the time capsule will indeed be bitter-sweet.
Yes, he does. He is great guy and always so helpful and creative. He treated me very well this Christmas. I hope all is going well for you, Honora, and you are settled into your new home. Thanks for your comment. Happy New Year.
Cathy recently posted..Welcome 2015
Would love to have one of those cookie cutters. Is it possible to let me know how to find them?
Thanks.
Happy New Year, Deloris – If you click on “Brigitte cookie cutter” above you will be taken to the Amazon site where you can purchase one. Thank you so much for visiting.
Cathy recently posted..Welcome 2015
LOVE your new pot rack! They are an awesome addition to any kitchen! Ah…I can so relate to your post Cathy. My mom passed away several years ago and my dad health has changed. A grandson has married (can I be that old–LOL) and other things. Time flies by so very quickly — makes me want to treasure each day all the more instead of taking the days for granted.
Blessings to you and yours this new year.
Aimee
Thank you, Aimee. Life is like a handful of sand. The harder we try to hang onto it the faster it slips away. It’s all about treasuring each day. I hope you and your family enjoy a very happy and healthy new year (and can spend lots of time at the beach). Thank you for your comment.
Cathy recently posted..Welcome 2015
Your cookies look great Cathy and I’ve bookmarked the recipe to try with my W-S message cutters! Love your great new pot rack, I know you’ll enjoy it! Happy New Year:@)
Lynn recently posted..2014 Favorites
You certainly raised a very thoughtful son! Neat gift & to have him install it in your lovely kitchen as well was a bonus.
I think the idea of a family capsule is wonderful & may try to talk DD into doing one soon. The years DO go by faster & faster!!
I have the WS message cookie cutter & I HATE it!! The letters are extremely difficult to slide into position. I’ve cracked a few, pushing too hard. I’m ready to throw it out. Thanks for the link to the one you used….much nicer. Thanks, too for the recipe. I watched Martha Stewart Bakes & she did shortbread the other day, too. GMTA
Hugs for a happy & healthy 2015.
Rettabug recently posted..Red & Gold Christmas Table, 2014
Happy New Year, my friend! Boy oh boy do I hear you about time just flying. I feel like whole months went missing, and they actually did while I was battling illness for several of them this fall. I blinked, and Christmas was here. But I am looking forward to a wonderful 2015.
Your son was so sweet to gift you with that new, handsome pot rock, and it is the perfect spot for your copper. I also love that little cookie stamp. We are preparing to downsize, and I am being ruthless in what I have in the kitchen out of necessity, but that looks like the perfect cutter for me. I enjoy words so I think it would really come in handy.
Sending you much love across the miles and all good wishes for the year ahead. I also hope you will join my no strings attached giveaway of a tablescaping book. I have enjoyed this book in my library as it was a gift from a close friend, and I thought my blogging friends would enjoy a chance at a copy of their own. It’s by Joe Nye and called FLAIR. I realize it has been out for several years, but if you have it, you know it is also a good gift for a friend. Joe Nye passed away a few years ago, but he was THE party planner and designer from San Francisco at the time. He had been a florist so he knows all about flowers and actually uses flowers that are grocery store varieties to make outstanding tablescapes. He uses high and low and just had a real gift for a stunning table.
Okay, signing out. I woke up early and decided to check to see any new posts.
Love to you, Cathy!
xo
Sheila 🙂
What a thoughtful and smart son you have to gift that special rack and even better, he hung it. Your selection of pots and pans is gorgeous and looks like a showroom. You must be very proud. The time capsule sounds like great fun and you’re right, time seems to be flying by. I too can’t believe it’s 2015. Happy new year Cathy. Life is good.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..A Year in Review
Your new pot rack is fabulous, Cathy! Perfect in your kitchen. And I love those cookies….pinned them to my make soon secret board.
Someone in 1990 gave me some adorable red books to keep track of every Christmas , photos, fave Christmas card and space for meals, visitors and gifts. One of us keeps it up every year and my children and grandchildren love looking through them to see life’s changes. Records like this are so important.
It’s been a lovely year sharing friendship and recipes with you, Cathy. Looking forward to another!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Barbara recently posted..Sue’s Wild Rice Salad
Beautiful pot rack, Cathy! Your kitchen looks wonderful. Happy New Year to you!
Susan recently posted..Basque Cake (Gâteau Basque , Pastel Vasco)
What a fabulous pot rack, Cathy, and such a thoughtful gift from your son! I only have one copper piece of cookware, but I do have some of the same Le Crueset pieces that you have on the shelf. The cookies are so pretty and I will check out the link to the cutter. Happy 2015 to you and yours!
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I would love to know where you purchased your butcher block and stainless steel island. I enjoy your blog. Thanks! ~Karen
Hi Karen – I purchased my butcher block island at a local kitchen shop. You can see their products here: http://www.johnboos.com/. Thank you for your visit. Happy New Year.
Cathy recently posted..Welcome 2015
Your pot rack is gorgeous Cathy. I am jealous because, I too ,wanted all of my copper pots hung in my kitchen, It turned out that our ceilings where too low for hanging pots. No fun glimpsing your friends across the island when you have to duck to see them. Your kitchen has almost the same footprint as mine. Love your cookie presses. I wish you a wonderful 2015. The time capsule is a great idea.
Penny recently posted..Merry Christmas to All
Hi Cathy, the time capsule is such a great idea, sounds like an emotional time when you get together to open it. Anyway, love these cookies, they are gorgeous!
cheri recently posted..Cottage Cooking Club December Two Recipes
Happy New Year! I love your new pot rack- what a sweet son. 🙂 Those marzipan cookies are so pretty and the perfect way to help celebrate the new year!
Betty recently posted..Scandinavian Almond Bars
What a fabulous gift! Looks beautiful. Thanks for the recipe, too. I have always wanted to do something with marzipan besides sculpt it! Best to you in 2015.
Debra recently posted..Santa Fe Christmas
Your pot rack and your cookies are absolutely gorgeous! Happy New Year Cathy!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland recently posted..Crusty Anadama Rolls
Your son did good! What a spectacular kitchen you have.
Such lovely cookies! I’ve never tried baking with marzipan! and love your idea of the time capsule- what fun it will to open it!
Christina recently posted..Ring Carson for Tea:Welcome back Downton Abbey
Oh my, but your pot rack is absolutely gorgeous, and how lovely that it was a gift from your son. I like hearing things like that. May you derive many years of enjoyment from it.
Now, about those cookies. They are darling, beautifully shot, and they sound delicious. Perfect all the way around!
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