this and that

It’s been a busy few months here in Edinburgh with plenty of great weekend trips, a new job and a month long visit from my dear parents (what a treat!). As a result of all the fun I’ve been too busy to get much crafting done. But, I do have a delicious cookie recipe to share with you that is easy to throw together and will make your home smell delightfully of fall as well as an adorable little sewing project and etsy shop recommendation, so read on!

Spicy Molasses Cookies

• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon all spice
• pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg, room temperature
• sugar for rolling

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350F (175C)
• Sift flour, baking soda, spice and salt in small bowl. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix egg, brown sugar, oil and molasses until well combined. (Efficiency note: we don’t have a dishwasher in our wee flat, so whenever possible I try to minimize my dishes! For measuring the ingredients in this recipe, you can do it all with a 1/4 cup measuring cup. Start with the flour, then for the wet ingredients, first measure the brown sugar, then oil, and finally molasses. This way you won’t need to dirty any extra measuring cups and the oil will help the molasses slide right out. Easy-peasy.)
• Blend the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
• Using a 1″ ice cream scoop, scoop out dough balls and roll in the sugar and coat well. Place on parchment lined cookie sheets. Do not flatten.
• Bake 7-8 minutes until the surfaces become wonderfully cracked and the edges look done.
• Let cookies cool on cookie sheets for five minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Once cool, store cookies in air tight container.

These cookies are wonderful on their own, but simply irresistible when served along side this tea. (A recent discovery from a friend here in Edinburgh… perfection in a cup!) I’m not sure if you can get this tea in the States, has anyone seen it? If not I may have to get into the import business when we move back in a few years….

Binky Bunny and other delights from mmmcraft!

Remember back when I made this cutie? The pattern was from a wonderful crafter that has created numerous patterns for some of the sweetest plush animals you could imagine. The following project is yet another great pattern from mmmcrafts that I just had to try. And I just love this little bunny! Isn’t it sweet with it’s wee blanket? A perfect sleepy time companion to snuggle with… You must check out her blog and etsy shop – so lovely!