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    Wendi & Denise

Fun Food Friday :: Sables

With Girl Scout cookies being sold at the entrance to every grocery store I thought it would be fun to share with you my all-time-favorite cookie — a butter cookie called Sables.  The recipe comes from Baking From My Home To Yours by Dorie Greenspan.  This book is chocked full of classic, easy to make homestyle baked goods like grandma used to make.  I think it’s a staple that everyone should have in their cookbook collection.

These cookies remind me of those danish butter cookies you used to get in the tin at Christmas but 20 times better. I originally made a lemon version but I think the plain butter are the best.

Ingredients:
2 sticks of Unsalted Butter at room temp. (I use European style butter for a richer flavor)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
2 large egg yolks, room temp.
2 cups all-purpose flour
coarse decorating sugar

Using a stand mixer beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the sugars and salt and beat for around a minute. On low speed add the egg yolks and beat until it is combined.

Turn off the mixer add flour and cover mixer with dishtowel to prevent the flower from covering the counter. Pulse the mixer 5 or 6 times. Remove the towel and turn the mixer on low for 30 seconds or so until the dough looks moist and without flour on the surface.

Turn the dough out on the counter and divide it into two balls. Shape both balls into logs about 9″ long.  Cover in plastic wrap and put in the fridge.  Refrigerate overnight.  They can be kept in the fridge for three days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

When ready to bake heat the over to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take out a log of dough. Whisk an egg yolk and paint the yolk on all sides of the dough.  Coat all sides of the dough with the decorating sugar.  Slice the dough 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick.  Put them on the baking sheet about an inch apart and bake for about 17-20 minutes. You want the cookies slightly brown on the bottom and golden brown around the bottom edges. Let them cool on the sheet for a couple minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.

These cookies will be a big hit. I have certain friends who will remain nameless that request these cookies be at our every meeting.
One of my favorite things about these cookies is that they are slice and bake and I can keep them in the freezer for any occassion.

Enjoy.

Sasha Souza & Wish Upon A Wedding

The fabulous Sasha Souza was recently in Texas promoting her gorgeous new book, Magnificent Weddings by Design and an inspiring new organization, Wish Upon a Wedding.

Wish Upon a Wedding

Wish Upon A Wedding was founded in San Francisco, CA, in January of 2010, by a group of wedding and business entrepreneurs and is America’s FIRST nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, producing weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing terminal illness, regardless of sexual orientation. The organization is rapidly expanding with new chapters coming online quickly. For the many ways you can help please visit their website.

We also had a little fun with Sasha in San Antonio.
Sasha Souza San Antonio

Sasha Souza San Antonio
Jennifer Ramirez-Jasiczek, Sasha Souza, Yours Truly (and the lovely Wendi Poole behind the camera)

Austin Photography :: Family Portraits

Today we’re taking a break from our usual wedding photography and Wendi’s food features to bring you a whole lot of cuteness.   This family is near and dear to my heart and I’m pleased as punch they allowed us into their home to capture the newest member of their family.  Baby N and her big brothers were so much fun we might just consider doing more family shots.

austin baby photography

This is my favorite photo because everyone’s personalities are shining through, especially the always entertaining big brother #2.

San Antonio Wedding :: Katrice & Michael

Katrice and Michael were married in early January at The Club at Sonterra in San Antonio.  I photographed Katrice’s brother’s wedding back in the Spring and I was honored they would have me back!  Katrice and Michael’s ceremony was originally planned for outside, but unusually cold weather with temps in the teens forced a move inside.  Brrr!!  Katrice had a wonderful team of vendors that quickly adapted to the change in plans making what could have been a stressful situation into a non-issue.   We’ll be featuring some of those great vendors in a separate blog post.

San Antonio wedding photography

One of my favorites from the day. Katrice looking over the ceremony location before things got started.

San Antonio wedding photography

San Antonio wedding photography

San Antonio wedding photography

San Antonio wedding photography

San Antonio wedding photography

A little balloon fun thanks to Katrice’s wonderful Aunt.

San Antonio wedding photography

You just have to smile at these cool cats! Makes me think I’m in some old movie.

San Antonio wedding photography

San Antonio wedding photography

San Antonio wedding photography

San Antonio wedding photography

San Antonio wedding photography

San Antonio wedding photography

San Antonio wedding photography

San Antonio wedding photography

Me having a little fun with the groomsmen.  I’m including this just for them!

Congratulations Katrice & Michael!

San Antonio Engagement Session :: Kristin and Cody

I met up with this pair of cuties at the new Pearl Brewery area in San Antonio. When we set the location for Kristin and Cody’s engagement session I didn’t know Cody works for one of the companies involved with the construction of Pearl Brewery.  So, in additional to a fun afternoon of photographs Cody filled me in on some of the cool sustainability practices used in the construction.

A few of my favorite shots…

san antonio engagement photography

san antonio engagement photography

san antonio engagement photography

san antonio engagement photography

Congratulations Kristin & Cody!!