Sweet, Spicy, Chewy Ginger Cookies

The Quatchis and I made these cookies for a bake sale at work tomorrow. I think they'll be a real hit!

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tbsp ground ginger

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups + 2 tbsp white sugar

1 large egg

1/4 cup fancy molasses

Preheat oven to 325 F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. Cream butter and 1 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar until mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in egg, scraping sides of bowl well. Add molasses and combine. Add dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated.

Shape dough into 24 balls, and toss in a plastic bag with remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Place a few inches apart on baking sheets and bake for 17 to 20 minutes. When done, cookies will be crinkly and golden.

Source: My friend BC

Shots

My parents recently came back from back-to-back cruises. They were gone for 30 days and visited 16 ports. Pretty awesome, eh?

My best friend collects shot glasses so they wanted to get her some. Did they ever deliver! From left to right, there brought back shot glasses from Lisboa, Monaco, Santorini, the cruise ship, Mykonos, Cannes, and Venezia. We hope you like them, KNN! Cheers!

Reading recommendations, s.v.p.

Q and I are currently reading If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, Dreams of Joy, and Freedom. We're already scoping out other books to read next. Any suggestions?

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Me oh my, pumpkin pie!

Since this was my first attempt at baking pie, I decided, just this once, to take the easy route and use a pre-made crust. I gotta start from somewhere, right? I'll try to do everything from scratch the next time around.

E.D. Smith's Traditional Pumpkin Pie

2 eggs

398 ml (1/2 can of 796 ml) of E.D. Smith Pure Pumpkin

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup evaporated milk

1 9-inch pie shell

Beat eggs lightly in medium bowl. Add pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt; stir until well combined. Blend in milk. Pour filling in pie shell. Bake at 425 F 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 F and continue baking 30 to 35 minutes longer.

Source: E.D. Smith

The Adventures of Mini Q: Part II

The weather did a 180 on us so Mini Q and I walked all over. After making a quick trip to Century 21 we checked out Occupy Wall Street...

...strolled by Trinity Church...

...said hello to the Charging Bull...

...paid a quick visit to Castle Clinton National Monument...

...and enjoyed the sunshine in Battery Park.

I had brunch on Stone Street with some friends I made in China two summers ago. I then wanted to check out the new extension of the High Line but it was closed. I ended up walking through Chelsea and shopping some more around Macy's. I'm glad Mini Q came with me on this trip. Next time I go back, I'll bring both Mini Q and Q along. 

The Adventures of Mini Q: Part I

Mini Q joined me on another New York adventure. This time to the big city! We flew YYZ to EWR really early on Friday morning. Mini Q checked the flight status for me as my eyes were still sleepy.

We stayed at the Millenium Hilton in lower Manhattan. The room was quite spacious for NYC standards. We were on a high floor and had a great view of the 9/11 Memorial. Visitor passes are free, but must be reserved in advance.

After checking in, having a leisurely brunch, and getting a manicure, we returned to the hotel for a much needed afternoon nap. While I was snoring away, Mini Q read Game of Thrones.

And while my friends and I had dinner in Tribeca and drinks in the Bowery, Mini Q ordered room service! A sasquatch has to eat, right?

The weather the next day was pretty terrible. We had a sense that it was going to be grey so we planned a full day of shopping. I brought Mini Q with me but I was reluctant to take him out of my purse because it was so wet and crowded in the stores. Here he is posing with all our purchases. Not too shabby, eh?

More photos of our final day in the Big Apple to come!