five on friday

Happy Friday! We're kicking off spring break this afternoon....with snow. We're having the craziest mix of weather I've ever seen.  I can do without the snow, but I would like a thunderstorm that lasts for hours instead of a few minutes.  If only mother nature took requests.   I'm linking up with Five on Friday again this week. Here's what's going on for us right now...
 

I'm a little obsessed with Ancestry.com. I've been researching my dad's side of the family and it's truly amazing to go back and see records and stories about people you never got a chance to know, but still feel that connection to. The more you find, the deeper you want to dig.  If you've been thinking about researching your own tree, I definitely recommend it. Mike even has me doing a tree of his family. It really is interesting. 

I've been looking for an area rug for our living room.  I saw this allen + roth Kincora Beige woven area rug at Lowes and it's absolutely gorgeous. I think the colors would  work well in our room and the pattern is not too busy.  The price isn't too bad for an 8x10 size. I'm going to move our furniture around tomorrow to see if it could work. 

 

I have some Hilda cookie dough in the freezer, left over from Christmas. I'm going to use it next week for some fun Easter cookies.  I got these cute little Easter cookie cutters from Amazon last month and I can't wait to use them. Hilda cookies are very similar to Linzer cookies, but the dough has a cream cheese and butter base and it is so good and rich. My aunt's German mother-in-law passed down the recipe from her mom.  I like to use peach, apricot or blackberry jam. Check back next week to see the finished cookies. I'll share my dough recipe too. 
 

Landon can't get enough of watching "Sing".  He watched it at school last week and we purchased it on Amazon Instant Video that same afternoon. He loves singing along and performing.  Last night we downloaded the soundtrack. It's so cute to hear him sing along. He has such a good voice and some really good dance moves. We may just have to put him in dance class. My little Sinatra.

 

And now in book news...  I found a new cozy mystery series to try. The first book is Murder on Bainbridge Island by Dianne Harman.  It was a suggested title on Amazon, so I decided to give it a try.  The book is set in the pacific northwest and the main character has a catering business.  It's my first time reading this author and I'm hoping I enjoy the series.  I'll let you know!

Have a great weekend!

 

Cranberry Orange Pistacho Shortbread

 

I've shared this recipe before, but I thought it would be good to share again today. It's my mom's absolute favorite cookie so I make it for Christmas, Easter and anytime we're going on vacation. It's perfect for your Easter brunch table or just because. Be sure to put a few back for yourself - they don't last long!  I usually make two batches so I can have two rolls in  the freezer at any time. 

Cranberry-Orange Pistachio Shortbread

 

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon orange zest

1 tablespoon orange juice

1/2 cup finely chopped dried cranberries

1/4 cup finely chopped pistachios

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Beat butter with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in vanilla, orange zest and orange juice. Add cranberries and pistachios, stir just until blended.  

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.

Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended.

Shape shortbread mixture into 2 logs. Wrap in wax paper & aluminum foil. Refrigerate overnight or up to 3 days. Remove from refrigerator 10 minutes prior to using (while oven preheats).

Pre-heat oven to 350F. Cut each log into  1/4” thick slices.  Place on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges of cookies are slightly golden (mine take 10 minutes).  

You can store these in an airtight container but mine never last that long.  

***It's important to let your cookie dough rest before slicing to bake. Otherwise the logs are hard to cut and the slices crumble easily.***