Contests, Daily Devotions, and Recipes, Oh My!

Starting February 14th, I will be posting Daily Devotionals over the course of this month! I will also be holding a contest (read below for more information). Recipes on holidays of the month will also be posted. These recipes will be family recipes that I would love to share with you, but I may also feature recipes from some of my favorite bloggers that are tried and true! Each month will have a certain theme based on the holiday and season or perhaps what I am craving. Since this month is February and Valentine’s Day is coming up…We will be focusing on Love, Grace, and Thankfulness. I decided that because it is a new year, 2017, I had to brainstorm for an idea to make this year extra fun! Please share this with your family and friends. 

          This past week, my brother, Robby and I made Valentine’s Day Boxes!

 

Contest-

Guess my favorite color and my favorite flower! Whoever guesses correct will win a prize! Anyone can win. The prize will include several Valentine’s Day Goodies! You can email me at onegirlonegod@gmail.com to enter. Let me know your answer by 11:59pm on Feb 13th. Please know that none of your information will be given out and I will let you know by noon on February 14th if you are the lucky winner. This is a website you can trust. I recommend you watch this video below for more information…And don’t forget to share with your friends and family on Social Media or via email.

 

I reply to every comment and would love to hear your feedback!

 

Recipe of the Month-

This is my Nana’s sugar cookie recipe:

          This is a rich chewy cookie, just crispy around the edges! My mama is a very picky baker & has tried numerous cookie recipes over the years. I promise this will not disappoint. 

  -Photo from Sally’s Baking Addiction

2 1/4 cup organic unbleached all-purpose flour (I prefer the taste of 365 organic over King Arthur)

1 tsp. baking soda                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

1 tsp. cream of tartar                                                                                                                                                                                                      

1/4 tsp. sea salt                                                                                                                                                                          

1 cup of unsalted grass-fed butter (Kerrygold)                                                                                                                                                            

1 tsp. vanilla bean paste (vanilla extract is also fine here)                                                                                                                                                                        

1 1/2 cups organic sugar                                                                                                                                                            

1/2 cup organic brown sugar                                                                                                                                                                  

3 egg yolks (pasture-raised if possible)                                                                                                                              

Cream butter and vanilla. Add sugars gradually. Add egg yolks, one at a time. Beat well. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients together. Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts to the wet batter. Divide the batter in 2 parts and place each half in plastic wrap. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes on parchment paper.   (These cookies freeze very well frosted)                                                                        

*Because this is such a decadent chewy cookie, it won’t hold shape with cookie cutters quite as well as those recipes with an uber high flour ratio. However, by refrigerating these for at least 2 hours, it will help somewhat.                                                                                                                                  

*If you are not using cookie shape cutters, then no need to refrigerate.

 

Mama’s Vanilla Buttercream Recipe-

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted grass-fed butter softened (leave on the counter for 30-45 minutes)                                                                                                                                                              

6-7 1/2 cups organic powdered sugar                                                                                                                                    

1/4 cup + 3 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk                                                                                                                            

3 tsp. vanilla bean paste                                                                                                                                                                                                   

          Place the butter in mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the powdered sugar, the almond milk and vanilla bean paste. Beat until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 2 cups at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar.                                                                                                                                                          

*If desired, add a few drops of food coloring (we use dye free India Tree but, a mini tub of TruColor Pink Gel Paste natural food color works best) and mix thoroughly. (Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.)                                              

*You may make up to a day ahead.

 

Bible Verse of the Week-

Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ – Matthew 22:37-39

 

Remember: You can contact me with your answer at onegirlonegod@gmail.com  * The deadline for your answers is February 13th at 11:59pm. You will know if you are the lucky winner by noon on February 14th! Thank you so much and please share this with your family and friends.