Small Successes vol. 1

                                  

This is my first time "playing along" at Small Successes at Faith and Family Live.

1st Success:
I need to exercise more, read blogs less. I realized I could put my laptop on my treadmill and be able to walk and read blogs - double dipping and I love it.

2nd Success:
Two of my sisters have come the last several years and decorated my house for Christmas - they have a gift and do a fabulous job. This year they came but didn't do as much as usual - and so I finished it ON MY OWN!!! It looks very Christmasy around here and I love it!

3rd Success:
I have a Program of Life that I had misplaced for several months - I never realized how much I used it until it was gone. I was cleaning today and found it!! Hurray and thank you dear Jesus. I feel like I can get back on track.

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprints

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprints

cookies:
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup raspberry jam

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
11/2 tsp almond extract
2-3 tsp water.

1. Heat oven to 350degrees. In mixing bowl combine sugar, butter and almond extract. Beat at medium until creamy. Reduce speed to low and add flour. Beat until well mixed.

2. Shape dough into 1" balls. Put 2" apart on cookie sheets. With thumb, make a dent in center of each cookie (edges may crack slightly) Fill indentation with a tiny amount of jam.

3. Bake for 14-18 minutes or until edges are lightly brown. Let stand for 1 minute.; remove from cookie sheet. Cool 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl stir together powdered sugar, 11/2tsp almond extract and enough water to make a thin glaze. Drizzle over cookies. Cool completely.

Kara @ Kara's Kitchen Creation is having a cookie swap and I have joined. There are lots of yummy cookies - go check them out.