Like many of you, I’ve been an emotional wreck this last week. My heart aches for the town of Newtown, Connecticut. It aches as a mother. As a human being.
I grieve for those families who won’t have their babies at Christmas this year; who won’t see them learn to ride a bike, attend their proms, graduate high school, have babies of their own.
I mourn the loss of the brave adults who protected those children with their own lives.
And like the rest of the nation, I want answers when there are none.
Everyone has an opinion, whether it’s stricter gun control laws, a better mental health care system, an increased security system in schools, a restriction against violent video games…but the harsh reality is that there is just evil in this world.
How do I explain that to my child when I don’t understand it myself?
Yes, there is evil, I will say, but there is also good.
There is no other explanation for the bravery the teachers and administrators showed by running directly into danger to protect someone else’s child.
For children helping one another in the face of indescribable violence and evil.
For the outpouring of compassion and support from the community and from the nation in sharing this heavy load, however we can.
I’m so proud to be a part of a group who immediately united in support of Newtown, Connecticut and Sandy Hook Elementary School. Find out the details about #BloggerforSandyHook here.
It gives me hope. Hope that good will always triumph over evil.
While cookies and crafts don’t begin to wipe away the tears of a nation, it is our hope that such a tribute can offer some comfort. Some support. An acknowledgement to the community of Newtown that they are not alone. We share their grief. Our hearts are heavy. And they are in our prayers.
I chose to make a cookie that was very “kid-friendly.” Doodle had a great time sticking his thumb in the middle of all of the cookies. Truth be told, he was a better thumbprinter than me. :-)
Makes about 36 cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 drops green or red food color
- sprinkles
- 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, or a mixture of dark chocolate and mint chips
- 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat and set aside.
- In large bowl, beat sugar, butter and the vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk until smooth. Beat in flour and cocoa on low speed to combine.
- Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into 1-inch balls. Place balls 1 inch apart on prepared sheets. With index finger or thumb, make indentation in center of each ball.
- Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. I pressed my cookies down again slightly to define the indention. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- In small bowl, beat butter and the powdered sugar on low speed until smooth. Beat in milk, extract and enough food color for desired color. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon filling into each cookie.
- Microwave chocolate chips and shortening in small resealable food-storage plastic bag on high about 1 minute or until softened. Gently squeeze bag until chocolate is smooth; cut off tiny corner of bag. Squeeze bag to drizzle chocolate over cookies, or decorate with sprinkles. Let stand about 1 hour or until chocolate is set.
recipe from Betty Crocker
If you’re inclined to help monetarily, click on the button in my left sidebar for the Newtown Youth and Family Services website. All donations made to them are going to go back to those affected by the school shooting. You can find their website here. Below is a list of many of the small online businesses who are donating a percentage of their profits to Sandy Hook. Please check them out, and spread the word. If you’re tweeting, use #BloggersforSandyHook.
Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. –Romans 12:21
Let’s do good.
XOXO, Ashley
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Persnickety Plates
