It’s nearly June now. It’s hard to believe summer is just around the corner. You are probably busy planning your patio parties, barbecues, and vacations. At least, I hope this is what you’re doing. If not, I encourage you to do so immediately.
That said, my purpose today is not to make you feel guilty by reminding you of the resolutions you made months ago. I am willing to bet such things are just about the farthest things from your mind. I’m sure you’re doing just fine without that.
As for me, I’ll just say for the record that I’m not great about making New Years resolutions. I’m not always certain what needs resolving and tend to be more wishy-washy than proactive. Besides, I’ve had enough failures in my life without intentionally setting myself up for them.
This past January, however, I threw caution to wind. I made two resolutions, which both seemed reasonable and timely at this stage in my life. This is a milestone birthday year for me and, given these goals have long been stewing in my mind, it seemed appropriate to make them official.
My resolutions were simple:
Resolution #1: Make Beef Bourguignon.
Resolution #2: Make a baby.
I know what you’re thinking. These resolutions aren’t necessarily straightforward. I agree. There are obvious complexities involved in both tasks.
A year is a year, however. That’s the deal. I still have another 7 months to make Julia Child’s classic dish. For now, I am feeling pretty darn good about checking off resolution number 2.
That’s right. There is a lovely little bun in my oven that’s scheduled to make his or her debut in December. And, while waves of fear routinely wash over me, I’m pretty elated about the whole thing. K is simply over the moon.
So, without further ado, let me introduce you to my little one. I’m currently referring to him or her as “the thunder down under” as a result of the nearly constant nausea. On really bad days, it’s “Rosemary’s Baby.” Today, however, I’m feeling like a champion and the baby is simply a sweet little bird. Maybe even a redheaded one? One can only dream.
This calls for a celebration. A sweet treat is in order. It’s an exciting treat too because the recipe is one I found after much searching and testing. I think it’s the perfect cookie because it’s easy to make, but also because it has the perfect balance between sugar and salt. And, the texture? It melts like butter in your mouth. I hope you’ll bake up a batch and celebrate my news with me. I can tell you already that my baby likes a good party and some tasty treats.
Mexican Tea Cookies
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 and 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup very finely chopped pecans
3/4 tsp salt
Beat together butter and 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Add flour, pecans, and the salt and mix at low speed until just combined. refrigerate, covered, for at least 6 hours.
Put a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees. Lightly butter two large baking sheets.
Let dough stand at room temperature for 15 minutes to become pliable. Sift remained confectioners’ sugar into a large shallow bowl or onto a cutting board and set aside.
Roll level teaspoons of dough into 3/4 inch balls and arrange about 2 inches apart on butter baking sheets. Bake cookies in batches until bottoms and pale and golden, 8=10 minues per batch. Immediately transfer hot cookies, about 6 at a time, to confectioners’ sugar and roll until coated. Transfer to racks to cool.
You can roll them again in the sugar when cooled. That’s up to you. Enjoy!
Source: Gourmet
55 Comments
Oh, wow, Robin! Congrats! I thought something might have been up after that post about your stomach troubles — and this is soo much better than the thought that you were battling some indestructible stomach flu!!
So many happy happy happy wishes to you and Kirk and the little bee!
Yay! Congratulations! The baby cute already. I'm so very happy for both of you.
I'm just so excited for you! Jumping out of my seat kind of excited!!! Amazing. Love that your calling him or her "the thunder down under"
Once again Congrats to you & K!!!
E
Ahh! Congratulations – pregnancy nausea is intense, eh? When I was pregnant with Jonathan I would sleep with a box of crackers in bed with me to get me through especially nauseated nights – hope it passes for you sooner than later.
The cookies sound perfect – I love salty and sweet.
congratulations! thanks for sharing the joy and the absolutely irrisistable cookie recipe. i'll be celebrating in your honor when i make the first batch. and of course, i'll let you know how it turns out! yay to you and your family.
Congratulations! And what an adorable ultrasound. Don't you just love those? I still look at Rose's from time to time and it still makes me smile.
And my dear, you make me miss blogging. Lovely photos AND writing.
Eeeeeeeee! Yay! Congratulations, Robin. That's so wonderful. Best of luck for your health and these coming months!
These are my absolute favorite treats, by the way. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Yippee! Congrats! Was wondering after your tweet about hellish doctors. I am so so so happy for you guys! Enjoy the ride. In the meantime, I am going to try to bake some yummy cookies to celebrate. Take care of yourself – hope the feeling icky gets better soon (I lived on ginger chews).
Congratulations! I hope baby has red hair too
Great news!! Congrats to you, so exciting! And welcome to the pregnant lady club, my little bundle is arriving in early January.
Enjoy your days until the baby comes. There will never be another day like the day before, you are a Mother now. Happiness to you and K.
Congratulations! We are expecting our first in August. Waves of terror wash over me from time to time too, but most of the time it's "Oh my gosh! I can't wait for him to get here!" Especially now that I can feel the little booger dancing around in there. Good luck with your pregnancy!
Aww, that's wonderful news. Congrats! Here I was comparing your stomach troubles to food poisoning
So, so exciting. And cookies! Yay for cookies.
Oh wait, I meant early Sept. our bundle is due. Darn pregnancy brain. Anyway, congrats again!!
Ahhh! Congratulations! So exciting! I've been following your blog now for about 8 months. You are a delight- enjoy this time!
Congrats! I got all teary eyed reading your post! (And not from the cookies, although they do look delicious!)
Congratulations! I bet these cookies will become very special for you. Every time you make them in the future, you'll remember how it felt to be newly pregnant.
Congrats!!! That is such good news! I once had a mama tell me the cure for "The Thunder Down Under" is to eat all white foods. She made me a pot of vichyssoise. She was right…and seeing that these white, delicate babies are in this post…it sounds like you're off to a good start!
~kristin
Congratulations on your blessing! How exciting to be a food blogger through your pregnancy as well… I'm excited to keep up with you as you go along, hoping you soon feel top-notch as well!
hip hip! congrats!
I am always happy when i hear someone is going to be
a parent for the first time. it's the most amazing gift..:) congratulations!!
Wow–such beautiful news! Congratulations to you and your husband!
These cookies look yummy–I'll have to try, you know, to celebrate with you.
p.s. I've heard that lemons or ginger can help soothe an upset stomach.
Congrats! That is the best resolution!
What lovely cookies! I love them.
Cheers,
Rosa
So glad the news is out! Thanks for posting the ultrasound photo. Those always make me misty. Hope that tummy calms down soon.
What a delightful post. I am glad I ran across your page. The cookies remind me of home and the thought of the elegant mixture of buttery feeling and sweetness in my mouth after I consume one too many.
Oh, that is the best news! Many congratulations Robin!
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahh the joys of early pregnancy…
I love these cookies, absolutly love them… thanks for the reminder.
wow congrats congrats!!
How wonderful! Congratulations
So happy for you! Congrats!
Congratulations!
Congratulations! So exciting!
I love these cookies…being from the South, we have always called them "Lady Fingers" and rolled them out to small log shaped cookies. don't ask me where it comes from but they are some of my favorites!
-elizabeth
WOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations
The whole first trimester bit stinks, too true, but you'll be well on your way here in no time. Oh, the fun that awaits… Way to go!!!
I don't even know you and I got shivers reading your post. So exciting!!!!I can't even remember my resolutions. But I'm all over summer grillin'.
ahh, fantastic! i love babies! congrats!
a baby! what a joyful time for you and K this must be. so many memories to be made, and delicious cravings to be eaten!
cheers and all the best,
*heather*
CONGRATULATIOn! This is the greatest news!!!!
awww congrats!! <3
congratulations!!!! how very, very exciting!
congrats, robin! that is so exciting!
Wow. That's big news. Congratulations!!!
Ohho, so fantastic!!! Congratualations. Its the best thing in the world!!! My babyboy is 8 weeks now and everyday is a little new heaven!
Congrats! My little guy is 9 months and he's been the greatest joy.
I am thrilled for you!!!! Having a child changes your life forever, for the better. I now have two little ones (Kevin, 4 and Simone, 2) and though they create a ton of work and require great amounts of energy, they are a joy and have added so much to my life. I can't imagine life without them anymore. I hope your parenting journey is truly a wonderful one (and the nausea is worth it),
Lynn Herink
Congratulations! This is all such thrilling news!
Congrats!!!! That is great news.
Love those cookies. I make them at Christmas and have to give away most because I would eat them all.
congratulations!!!! loved your post & pictures, as always, but this one really made me smile
Hey Robin, that's awesome. Congratulations! I want a baby too. I'm getting pretty antsy about it, as I'm 32 and without child. Hopefully soon…
I'm sure you all will have a great holiday season this year. Yay!
Congrats! That is the best resolution to have AND to keep! You must be so excited. I'm so excited for you!
Those cookies look like the perfect way to celebrate. I love the texture of Mexican wedding cookies.
Congrats!! But FYI, you gave it away in your post a couple back about being away for a while because food and illness was a vicious cycle
This is my first visit to your blog and your cookies look amazing! And congratulations on your pregnancy. Two of my kids have red hair and they are really special.
Oh soo happy for you ..Congratulations !!
Sandy
I noticed your feeling a bit better, thanks for visiting. What an exciting year! The best to you and K.
Such wonderful news! Glad to hear that you had such wonderful resolutions in the first place, but a baby! YES!
Congrats,
Lorraine
I may be a bit late but Congratulations! I recently had my second baby (a girl to add to my 2 1/2 year old son!) and both are redheads! Did I mention I'm a redhead, and so is my husband…a four man troupe of redheads…people stare…