Lemon Cookies…it’s a small thing.

It’s the little things in life …

Little things, simple things… that occur every day.  They (whoever they are…) say it’s the secret to happiness…enjoying the little things.  And I agree…completely and whole heartedly.  A day can be made great by noticing the small things.

Big, grandious things are awesome, don’t get me wrong….

But let’s get real, vacations, birthdays, holidays, weddings, and parades…they don’t happen every day.   But the simple things, the small happenings, they DO occur every day… that is what it is all about….I am a huge fan of these little pieces of joy that life tosses in our path ….and this week, there have been many things to smile about…

A few simple things I have enjoyed this week…

 I received my new lab coat at work this week.  My name is embroidered on it and there is a PharmD after it.  It is a big little thing.   There will be coffee stains on it by tomorrow afternoon.  Oh and red pen.

I wouldn’t be me without red pen and coffee stains…don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea 🙂

‘The Office” is on Netflix Watch Instantly.  Jim and Pam’s office romance makes me happy beyond belief.  It makes the awkwardness of Michael Scott manageable.  It ranks up there with Doug Ross and Nurse Hathaway on ER….yep, I am a nerd.

My tulips are peeking through the mulch.  They are strong/resilient little suckers.

Compliments to/from a stranger.  I like complimenting strangers on their shoes.  Makes both of us smile.

Finding a lone tootsie roll in my glove compartment…(my car’s candy drawer).

I got this cookbook in the mail this week.  She is awesome and inspiring.  I get to meet her in July – super stoked. (that is a major big thing)

 

Penguins were on the Today Show on Monday.  If the Cleveland Zoo had penguins, I would go weekly…not joking.

Opening Day is less than a month away.  Baseball season is upon us.  Wahoo!

There was a new episode of New Girl on this week.  Past episodes can be found here.  Watch them.

Etch-a-sketches.

Hot Chocolate with Almond Milk

Penny candy (OK dime and quarter candy, it is 2012) at the hospital’s gift shop.  Mary Janes and chick-o-sticks.  Instantly, I am 8 years old again, at Sandy Point, swimming with my brothers, and mom has given us 50 cents to buy candy during 4 o’clock swim break…Oh, and Aerosmith is playing over the loud speaker.

A decent hair day.

A new purse for spring/summer.

And on that newness note…new socks.  Soft and cushiony…that is what it is about people!

Lemon Scented Shampoo…at least I smell like spring.

Parchment Paper

A warm Wednesday.  I drove home with the windows down…and my ipod on loud.

Old friends.

Wedges.  Not the simple machine, but the shoe.

Free coffee.

Almond Butter and Apple Butter Sandwiches…they kinda sorta rock.

The days are getting longer…Super stoked for Daylight Savings Time

Running outside.  In the sunshine.

Sunshine.

An afternoon in the kitchen baking cookies.  Lemon Cookies.  With lemon glaze.

Simple.

Perfect with an afternoon cup of tea with sugar and cream.

On a rainy day.

Lemon Cookies w/ Lemon Glaze

Makes 2 dozen

Ingredients

Cookies

• 1+1/2 Cup Flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• Zest of 1 Lemon
• 2/3 Cup Sugar
• 1 Stick Butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Oil
•  4 Tablespoon Milk

Glaze

• 1 Cup Powder Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• 2-3 Tablespoon Milk

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine lemon zest and sugar.  Pressing firmly with the back of a spoon, work the zest into the sugar.  This will pull out all the flavor from the zest.  Add butter and beat until blended.  Add vanilla extract and lemon oil.  With mixer on low, beat in the flour mixture.  The dough will be crumbly.  Mix in milk, one tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together.  It will be slightly sticky.

Shape dough into a log, about 12 inches long and wrap in tinfoil or plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Cut dough into 1/2 inch slices and place onto ungreased cookie tray (or parchment lined) and place in preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until the bottoms become lightly golden brown.  Remove from oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes on tray before transferring to wire rack.

While cookies are cooling, make the glaze.  Whisk together powder sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice.  Whisk in the milk, one tablespoon at at time, until you get the consistency that you are looking for.  Once the cookies are cool, place wire rack over a cookie tray, and drizzle the glaze over the cookies.  The cookies can be stored in an airtight container once the glaze has hardened (about an hour).

Enjoy the simple things!