The Happy Walker

A few weeks ago I went to visit my family in another state. I usually stay with my younger sister Andrea and her husband Ryan when I'm in town. After many years they have been blessed with two sweet children, Andrew and McKayla. Andrew will turn three this month. What a joy he has been to them and to all of those around him. He has a zeal and zest for life, and has a tenderness and awareness about him, that draws you near. He is an especially good hugger!  This past January they added to their family with a little girl. The joy on Andrew's face when he first got to see and hold McKayla was priceless. He will be a wonderful big brother for her.

While I was there my sister asked me if I would mind making sugar cookies with Andrew. This was not a hard request at all! I love sugar cookies! I love Andrew! I love baking with children! I especially love to make sugar cookies--the different shapes, the joy and thought that goes into making each cookie, the frosting and various colors and toppings-and thinking about the smile on someone's face as they eat one of my cookies, sometimes with frosting dripping down their chins...that is a sweet peace of heaven to me.  I love knowing someone will be happy while they eat one of my creations. 

I love family!  Especially when we get the chance to cook and enjoy each other. As we were cutting out shapes my sister-in-law Jennifer dropped by with two of her girls. They helped us roll out the dough, cut up some shapes and decorated. We had a lot of fun! 

Being with and making memories with my family gives me a tremendous amount of satisfaction and increased love for them. I have learned not to take my family for granted. They have been a wonderful support for me and I have gleamed a lot of wisdom and experience from them. 

I have a recipe from my sister Rowena called a "Valentine Cookie". I decided to try to make this recipe gluten free. To my delight (and to MANY others!) this recipe is 100% DELICIOUS!!!  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I've also included a frosting recipe I like for these cookies.

Valentine Sugar Cookies

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup milk*

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups gluten-free flour mix**

Mix shortening and sugar until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, incorporating each. Next add baking power, salt and vanilla. Add 1 cup of the gluten-free flour mixture at a time, alternating with the milk. 

Roll out dough. Use some of the gluten-free mixture on the rolling pin and surface. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes. Makes 4-5 dozen small cookies, 3-4 medium to large cookies.

*Almond milk may be substituted for the milk in this recipe. 

**Gluten-Free flour mixture:  

2 cups white rice flour

1/3 cup tapioca flour

2/3 cup potato starch

1 tsp xanthan gum

Mix ingredients together well. 

Butter Cream Frosting

2 egg whites or 1 egg

1 tsp orange extract

1 cup butter, softened

dash salt

3 cups powdered sugar

Whip egg whites until frothy. Blend butter with egg whites then add the orange extract and salt. Next add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Use milk (or Almond milk) 1 tbsp at a time if too thick. If too thin, add more powdered sugar.

You can omit the egg whites if you like. This makes the frosting "airy".