Showing posts with label Cookies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cookies. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

On My Honor

My nieces have been part of their Girl Scout Troop for 13 years. Together with their troop they performed many community services and leadership projects. They have gone to multiple camps and exotic travel destinations. They attended and hosted multiple fundraising events and let's not forget selling thousands of boxes of cookies. Their Girl Scout experience has definitely been an Experience Of A Lifetime; one that they will treasure for years to come, one that  helped teach them essential life skills, an experience that has shaped them as women, built up their courage, confidence, and character. Girl Scouts was a blessing that helped keep them grounded during the difficult times of growing up. 


This past weekend I had the honor of attending my niece's Girl Scout Gold Ceremony, the highest award in Girl Scouting. This is a prestigious award that recognizes girls who make a difference in their communities and in their own lives.



To achieve this gold status you must first complete your bronze and silver awards . Once you've accomplished that you can go for the gold. Here's what you must do:


1. Choose an issue that you think needs help in your community 
2. Research & investigate it
3. Invite a mentor and others to support & take action with you
4. Create a plan
5. Present your plan to the Girl Scout council
6. Take the lead and carry out your plan
7. Educate,Inspire & Share your experience with others


I had known that she was working diligently on her community project for quite some time. She created an arts and craft program for schools that were unable to afford one. Her dedication coupled with the commitment from her leaders, families, and  mentors helped her achieve her goal. In her group alone there were ten girls being awarded their Gold. Apparently this is extremely rare, in fact many Girl Scout troops dissipate well before the gold award is even thought of. 


I was so proud of my niece,and of all the other nine women that took the initiative to educate and bring awareness to their communities about real life issues that can effect each of us.
I was happy that my own little lovely was part of this organization, and  that she has three wonderful leaders that are passionate about what it stands for.
I was so thankful for Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low who believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. 


Girl Scouts Organization
Girl Scout Promise:
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.



Girl Scout Law:
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and torespect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Paula Deen & My Mom Cookin' It Up?


With Passover starting today and Easter this weekend I thought this would be a great day to focus on yummy treats that complete any family dinner. 



Today I'm inviting Paula Deen to come over to my mom's house to do some traditional Portuguese baking. She'd love this recipe for washboard butter cookies. Why? Butter! Oh yeah, and a lot of it. If you don't like to get your hands dirty, I'll warn you that this recipe may not be for you. No mixer is required just a whole lot of TLC from your five digits.

Step 1: Mix butter, shortening, and sugar
Step 2: Add eggs and mix
Step 3: Add grated lemon and mix
Step 4: Add salt,baking powder and flour, mix


These cookies are simply irresistible and I can assure you that you won't just eat one. They are called washboard cookies because the horizontal lines made with a fork resemble the ridges of a washboard. Delicately flavored with lemon, they compliment a cup of tea or coffee perfectly.
Step 5: Roll dough into a small ball
Step 6: Flatten ball(as shown ablove)
Step 7: Take a fork to create washboard pattern
Step 8: Bake 350 until golden brown

Ingredients For Washboard Cookies: 
4 Sticks of butter (at room temperature)
2 Cups of sugar
3 Eggs
1 Heaping tablespoon of shortening
1 1/2 grated peel of a lemon 
A pinch of salt
7 Cups of flour
2 Heaping tablespoons of baking powder

Makes (more than any individual should ever consume)