Baileys Shamrock Cookies

sugar-bliss gnome posted this recipe and picture on flickr (last St. Patty's day) and I just came across it. I think they are a little too ambitious for me, but man, would I like to eat one!

Baileys-flavored shamrock sugar cookies, coated with a Baileys glaze and decorated with Baileys royal icing.

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way -
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!


1 cup (2 sticks) sweet butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup Baileys Irish Cream liqueur
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
Baileys Icing

Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and 3 tablespoons Baileys. Sift in salt, baking powder, and flour and mix just until incorporated.

Roll dough in two batches flat onto cookie sheets or cake board and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F and remove one batch of cookie dough from refrigerator. Cut and remove shamrock shapes, transferring to cookie sheets to be put in oven. Reroll scraps, switch to second batch of cookie dough, and repeat until all cookies are baked off. Bake for about 10 minutes, just until cookies begin to turn brown around the bottoms. Edges will not brown as much as normal sugar cookie recipes, so watch them carefully.

Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheets then remove to racks. Immediately brush remaining 1/2 cup Baileys over warm cookies with a pastry brush (will take 3 to 5 glazings of each cookie to use the entire 1/2 cup).

Cool completely and frost with Baileys Icing.

Baileys Icing

4 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream liqueur
4 tablespoons meringue powder
green food coloring paste *

Mix sugar, Baileys, and meringue powder together until all ingredients are well incorporated and no pockets of sugar remain. If icing is too thick, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Mix in food coloring paste for desired color.

Use immediately or store in airtight containers or under damp paper towels while working.

* I used a mixture of Kelley Green and Leaf Green pastes by Wilton to get the ideal color for shamrocks.

These are soooo me...

I've Been Warholized

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

My Newest Goodies

A trip to Hobby Lobby this afternoon was fruitful (as always!) I got some fun scrapbook supplies:


A metal, distressed plaque that I just HAD to have: (a little blurry-sorry)

AND--I did it! I actually bought a few things to get started learning how to knit. Things I've read told me that for a beginner, I should start with size 9, straight, plastic knitting needles (is that what they're called? heehee)But in my quest, I came across these beautiful genuine rosewood ones that were originally $15.79, marked down to $5.68!! They're size 8, which I figured is close enough. I couldn't let them go when I saw that the cheap plastic ones were around $6 as well. I got some cheap yarn in my fave color--now I just need to learn how to to something with them!

Monday Mosaic

I've been sick for almost a week now but I'm finally starting to feel alive again. This Monday's mosaic is just full of random, interesting stuff...

My 2008 Resolutions (better late than never)

Ok, so I'm finally putting my resolutions into the blogosphere...
I've always made resolutions but never really decided I was going to tackle them for real. I think I'm just so ready for a change and ready to get my life under my own control again that it's empowering me to try to accomplish these things.
My word for the year is "Nurture" (I made this picture to look at each day so I keep my word in mind)

Here's my official list of resolutions for 2008 in no particular order:


1. Read a book (NOT just magazines!)
2. Schedule time for Bible Study at home
3. Scrapbooking (my goal is to complete 3+ layouts a week-at least until I get caught up)
4. Stretching (since I know I won't actually exercise, I thought I'd start with this)
5. Quality learning time with Mason (playing, only with more developmental/educational involvement)
6. Rekindle a relationship with a friend (you know who you are!)
7. Monthly Date Night (quality hubby time)
8. Visit/Call my grandma more often
9. Find a new job (ugg)
10.Learn to knit
11.Go out on a limb--out of my comfort zone with something...

I'm pleased with how I've started out--I just hope I can keep the momentum going. I think the best thing about my goals are that they are realistic and very acheivable.
Wish me luck!

My HubPage Articles

I'm really enjoying writing for HubPages in my spare time. If you haven't checked it out yet, here are my first 4 articles:

Scrapbooking: 100 Layout Ideas

Scrapbooking: Layout Ideas Without Kids

Scrapbooking: How to Get Caught Up

Seven Basic Steps to Creating Your First Scrapbook Page

Cupcake Mosaic

Beautiful & Yummy Cupcakes, originally uploaded by Yas D. Nil.

Ok, I just can't seem to remember Mosaic Monday!(which I decided to move to this blog) So it's gonna be Mosaic Wednesday again. I like to do this b/c it forces inspiration on me. In honor of my birthday this week, it's cupcakes!

Super Day

I'm so happy I decided to head out in the massive downpour of rain today to get to the polls for Super Tuesday! It was effortless (besides getting quite wet.)I couldn't help but wish I'd brought my camera along for the ride (silly me) to get some great rainstorm shots. Oh well, maybe next time.
Mason loved the rain. He just kept saying "rain, wet, and water" the entire car ride.
I also helped to fulfill(in a tiny, tiny way) one of my other resolutions, which is to spend more time with my Grandma. I took Mason over to see her while I ran to vote then spent some time just hanging out and talking. I'd love for that to be a regular routine. :)

Embroidered Baby Gifts

I can't wait to give these canvas bags to 2 of my friends at work who just had little baby girls! I bought the bags and ribbon at Hobby Lobby and had my Mom embroider them with each baby's name and sew the ribbon along the top. I received one similar to this as a gift when Mason was born and we have gotten a lot of use out of it. It's a great size to carry just a few needed things on an outing, especially as they get older and don't require you taking half the house with you when you leave! I think they turned out great-thanks, Mom!
If you're interested in the embroidery, My Mom has a business called "Seams Sew Simple, Embroidery & More" and she can embroider and sew just about anything. I'd be happy to give you her contact info if you're interested.

What's this HubPages stuff???

As one of my new year's resolutions, (which I have yet to post--coming soon!) I have decided to take a plunge into a little light writing by publishing some articles on HubPages.com. For now my articles will all be about scrapbooking--mostly how-to's and the such. It's the topic I know the most about and feel I can share info that will HOPEFULLY be helpful to others. Also, please feel free to click on the ad links on my pages--I get royalties (shameless plug!)

I'm just getting started, but would appreciate your support! To read my articles, go
HERE or click the HubPages link in the column to the right on my blog ANYTIME! Thanks!
P.S. You can also find Lela Davidson's articles on HubPages (she's a rockstar writer!)

Today is my Birthday...

I just love this birthday card I received from my parents!(It's a Shoebox by Hallmark, to give proper credit)