Saturday Small Talk

Last night, we spontaneously invited the husband’s sister and brother-in-law over for dinner. Pizza, wine, beer. And Star Wars Trivial Pursuit. It happened. I was miserable at the game, but it didn’t matter. We spent our evening talking and laughing and eating more pizza than 4 people probably should in one evening. All in all, a successful kick off to the weekend.

Lick the Plate. It’s all about loving lavishly and generously.

Here’s a New Approach to the Table. I can’t wait to dive into her new book on the topic! It’s sitting in my kitchen just waiting for me. Maybe this afternoon…

Speaking of the incredible Shauna Niequist, she wrote a great article about friends that live far away. Friends about whom we think, “Wish We Were Neighbors.“

I found my birthday cake! I really mean it this time. This is the one. Three layers of chocolatey, snickery goodness.

Enjoy your Saturday, friends!

~Rachel

Gevulde Koek

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Almond paste, Cookie, Dutch, The Netherlands

Almond Filled Cookies. They’re a dutch thing. A beautiful, tasty, delicious dutch thing. They are a pretty standard treat around the holidays in my family, but this Christmas we didn’t make any. In order to make up for lost time, baby sister and I hit the kitchen one Friday night and made a batch.

First things first– make and chill your dough. Then roll it out until it’s about 1/8th of an inch thick.  Using the top of a glass, a ring of a canning jar, or a biscuit cutter in the size of your choosing, cut the dough into circles. Lay them out on a cookie sheet, and add a teaspoon of almond paste to the center. (Excuse the poor lighting in the photo below. You get the idea.)

Roll and cut one more time, and top the cookies with another disk of dough. Using your fingertips, gently push the edge of the top cookie into the bottom cookie to seal in the almond paste. If the cookies won’t stick, get your fingertip wet, and run it along the outside of the bottom cookie. Try again.

Right before you slide them in the oven, whisk one egg, and wash the top of each cookie, using a basting brush. Stick an almond slice on the top. Bake! Cool on a baking rack for a few minutes before consuming. Enjoy with a cup of coffee, a good friend, and good conversation.

Visit The Dutch Table for a recipe and a taste of dutch culture. NOTE: Instead of making her filling, I used straight almond paste.

P.S. These cookies freeze really well! Make a double batch, and freeze the extras for later.

Saturday Small Talk

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Detroit Tiger

It’s the husband’s birthday! Woohoo! We’re ringing in year 26 in style when we take in a Detroit Tiger’s game this afternoon. I just hope we don’t freeze/get rained on. Cross your fingers for me!

Before I moved to Indiana, I lived in Mississippi for 4 years while I went to school. I came to love the state and the culture. Curious to learn more about the state than its statistics will tell you? I am Mississippi.

Want just a cookie or two? A friend sent me this recipe for a single serving of chocolate chip cookies.

19 things to stop doing in your 20s. 

Macaroni+Cheese+Chicken+Broccoli. mmm….good!