A while back, I picked a friend up for a meeting at church. I asked her what the best way to go from her house would be. She told me to head up the street and take a left. I put my left turn signal on and approached the intersection. She immediately interrupted our conversation and said, “Turn left, left left.” I didn’t want to be rude, but it wasn’t time to turn yet, and here she was telling me to turn with urgency. 

When I just started to turn the wheel to the left, she shouted, “Oh sugar, I meant to turn right!” Together, we safely arrived at the church with lots of laughter and lots of sugar. 

 

The sweet and silly story is on my mind, so on that note, I thought I’d spread some sugary ideas with you. With the winter weather blowing in cold air, we keep our wood stove stoked. The heat from the fire is a cozy warmth, but it is a big offender of creating dry skin. Even furnaces and space heaters increase dry air. I hang wet laundry on a large drying rack by the stove to dry. One perk is that it cuts down on the electric cost of running the dryer but also puts extra moisture in the air. 

 

My hands begin to itch and crack with the dry conditions that come with the winter months. I’ve found a variety of great lotions that work well for me, but for now, I am sharing a fun sugar scrub recipe. Working in the kitchen and creating something new brightens anyone's gloomy days. Whip up some sugar scrub to nourish your dry skin and then surprise a neighbor or friend with some as well. The DIY (Do It Yourself) scrub is sure to give your skin relief from the harsh winter weather. Scrub away dead skin while replenishing your skin. 

 

Cookie baking season might be over, but this Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie recipe will have you wanting to get the cookie cutters back out. The smooth and sweet mix is perfect for snowmen or heart cut-out cookies. Bake a batch and freeze. Then, just pop out and decorate for a last minute gift or surprise platter when the sensation to share sugar cookies arises. 

 

Every day in our lives, we come to intersections. Sometimes, we know exactly which way we need to turn, and sometimes, we change our minds right at the last minute. Take each day in stride and mix up something sweet when things don’t turn out exactly as you thought they would. Don’t allow one wrong turn to sour your day; say, “Oh, sugar,” and continue on your way!

 

Contact Ashley at ashley@tippgazette.com

 

 

Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Bars 

Materials

·         2 oz. white melt and pour soap

·         2 Tablespoons white granulated sugar

·         2 Tablespoons olive oil

·         1/2 teaspoon rose pink mica powder

·         20-30 drops rose absolute, to suit

Tools

·         Silicone soap mold

·         Heat safe measuring cup

·         Measuring spoon

·         Utensil for stirring

·         Microwave

Instructions

·         Weigh out the melt and pour soap base using a digital scale. Cut into cubes.

·         Place the soap base into a heat safe measuring cup.

·         Then heat the soap base in the microwave for 30 seconds.

·         Measure out the mica powder and stir into the base.

·         Use measuring cups and spoons to measure out both the sugar and the olive oil.

·         Stir the sugar and the oil into the soap base. Then heat the ingredients for an additional ten seconds.

·         Stir to combine. Then add the rose absolute. Mix well.

·         Pour the sugar scrub mixture into the cavities of the mold.

·         Allow the soap scrub to solidify for about an hour, or until hardened.

·         Remove the scrubs from the silicone mold.

·         Then wrap tightly in foodservice film and label as desired for personal use or gifting.

 

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Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies 

Ingredients

·         1 cup butter room temperature

·         8 ounces cream cheese room temperature

·         1 ½ cups granulated sugar

·         1 large egg room temperature

·         ½ teaspoon almond extract

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

·         1 teaspoon baking powder

·         ½ teaspoon salt

·         2 cans store-bought frosting or homemade icing

Instructions

·         In a large mixing bowl, add in the butter, cream cheese, and sugar. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.

·         Add the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract to the mixture and beat until combined.

·         In a separate bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together until well incorporated.

·          

·         Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, about ½ cup at a time, beating in each addition just until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl before adding the next ½ cup.

·         Divide the dough into two pieces and shape each piece into a disk. Refrigerate overnight.

·         Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

·         Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and allow it to warm up for about 5 minutes before rolling it out.

 

·         Roll out the cookie dough to ½ inch thickness. Cut out with a cookie cutter and transfer to the prepared about 2 inches apart.

·         Place in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or just until the edges are set and the cookies are puffed.

·         Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets.

·         To make easy icing from store-bought canned frosting, remove the foil seal, microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Microwave in additional 15-second increments stirring after each increment until the frosting is pourable.