Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies

There is nothing like the holiday season, and for me, baking traditional family recipes are the best way to celebrate!

As the youngest granddaughter living out-of-state in a family with 15+ grandchildren, I didn't get a lot of time alone with my grandma growing up. But when I did, I spent most of my time helping her bake. 

I grew up cherishing her recipes, and a favorite of mine was always her sugar cookies. Coincidentally, it is also one of my husband's favorites, so this classic recipe is one that we make each year around this time.

We hope you enjoy our recipe for these easy-to-make Christmas Sugar Cookies over the holiday!

Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies

Serves about 8

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3-4 tablespoons buttermilk
• Sprinkles or colored sugar, for decorating

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Set aside a small bowl. Stir flour, baking soda and baking powder together in the small bowl.
3. Set aside a large bowl. Stir butter and sugar together until smooth, then add in egg and vanilla. Stir.
4. Gradually combine the dry ingredients from the small bowl into the large one. Add in buttermilk and stir until the dough is soft.
5. Roll teaspoons of dough into balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
6. Add sprinkles or colored sugar.
7. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges of cookies are golden. Let stand for 5 minutes to cool.
8. Enjoy!

Dishes: Crate and Barrel

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Also, how sweet is this ornament that my in-laws sent us for our tree?

Merry Christmas Week to all!

Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix

Happy Halloween!

Fall is my family's favorite season and Halloween is our favorite holiday. Every year growing up, my family would get together for a big Halloween celebration that was always full of fun.

My husband and I are continuing the family tradition this year, and our costumes are ready, our pumpkins are out on the front porch and I'm enjoying one of my favorite Halloween snacks today. Here is my family's recipe for our simple Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix:

Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix

Serves about 4

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of Brach's Candy Corn
• 1 jar of Planters Peanuts
• 1 box of Red Hots cinnamon candy

1. Pour the bag of candy corn, cinnamon and peanuts into a large mixing bowl.
2. Shake and serve!
3. (Optional) Split mix into Ziplock bags and share with friends and family.

Even if you don't enjoy the sweet and salty ingredients separately, something delicious happens when you mix them all together.

Hope you enjoy this simple recipe of ours and have a Happy Halloween!

Northwest Chili-Rubbed Salmon Recipe

One thing that we've learned since we've been living in the Northwest, is that salmon is synonymous with Seattle. There are many seafood choices here, as the city is close to both fresh and saltwater, but salmon is above all. From gravlax or lox on a bagel, to grilled salmon, to salmon chowder; we've eaten our fair share of the fish in the last year.

Coming here from the Southwest, however, meant that we weren't used to preparing it.

Now that we've had a year here to try out multiple salmon recipes, we've finally found one that is our favorite: Chili-Rubbed Salmon. We were looking for a recipe that combined our love of both Northwest and Southwest flavors, when I was inspired to try this Real Simple recipe.

We made it and now we can't get enough of it!

Northwest Chili-Rubbed Salmon

Serves about 4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 pounds pounds skinless salmon fillets (4 pieces)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

1. In a bowl, combine the chili powder, oregano and salt. Pat the spices on the fish.
2. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
3. Cook the salmon until opaque throughout, 4 to 5 minutes per side. (Reduce the heat if the spices begin to turn black.)
4. Enjoy!

Northwest Summer Recipe | Mexican Style Watermelon

It has been a hot week for us here in Seattle. Temperatures have climbed well into the 80's, and with the addition of humidity and only a fan to cool us down, we have had a rough first week of August.

Luckily, watermelon is in season here in the Northwest, and what better fruit to help you hydrate and get through a hot summer day?

Watermelon was my favorite treat growing up, and I loved to make it sweet, spicy and savory by adding chile, salt and lime. Although I don't have as many great recetas as my Mother, this one is simple enough that I have it down: Sandia con Chile y Limon (or, Mexican Style Watermelon)

This is a simple summer recipe that is common in Mexico (only three steps), and I'm happy to pass it down from my family to yours. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Sandia con Chile y Limon (Mexican Style Watermelon)

Serves about 4

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground chile pepper 
• 1 lime (zest and juice)
• 1 watermelon (1-10 pounds), cut into wedges

1. Combine your salt, chile pepper and lime in a bowl, and mix.
2. Take your watermelon wedges and arrange them on a platter, then add your lime zest, juice and chile mixture on top (as little or as much as you prefer).
3. Serve watermelon wedges immediately, or refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
4. Enjoy!