It’s always an adventure when I’m in the kitchen and, when you add my boys, pretty much anything can happen. So when Nellie’s Free Range Eggs gave me an opportunity to go on an adventure with them, I graciously accepted.
First of all, the only eggs I ever even buy are Nellie’s. Why? Not because they remind me of one of my most favorite rap artists (well, maybe a little) but more so because I know the family who owns the farm where the eggs come from and, they are even more amazing than Nellie the rap artist. #truth
That’s my girl Sandra (far left) me, Sarah and Laura at this years Rise.Run.Retreat
The fine folks at Nellie’s sent me a box of goodies including cookie cutters, a whisk and some coupons for free Nellie’s eggs!
The first thing I thought was “how the hell do I use cookie cutters and oh my God I have to roll dough?” Up until last week when I made these cookies, I did not own a rolling pin. Let’s just let that sink in.
I headed to the store literally not knowing what kind of mix to buy (the thought of making cookie dough from scratch never even crossed my mind!) and I prayed the store had rolling pins. They did and I was saved by Betty Crocker.
It should also be noted that I went directly to the grocery store from an overnight at a local casino for my husband’s company holiday party so I had a fuzzy mind and a fancy coat.
Who takes selfies with eggs? This girl…
*I snapped a quick one when a kid puked out of his cart in aisle 11 and everyone was momentarily distracted
And this is a video of why I love my children. Perception is everything people, especially when it comes to kids! I also love their answer to what the chicken farm is called…
Now that we were all in agreement (sort of) of what a marvelous baker I am, I confidently moved forward.
However, it became clear almost immediately, that I should just let the boys handle this.
I struggled for a minute with the cookie cutting. The dough was sticking to the table and ripping limbs off of the animals. It was terrifying. I then sort of got the hang of it and whole animals developed.
You can see the confusion on my face as Miles shows me how to properly use a cookie cutter.
It wasn’t until I started laying out the ingredients that I remembered the cookie cutters were of farm animals. I bought holiday colored decorating items, so I went with some sort of nativity, Christmas mix theme. Just humor me, please.
I think it’s safe to say, these are some of the most interesting cookies ever made.
[Tweet “Had an #advenuture in #baking lately? Take one with @freerangenellie and see what happens!”]
Here’s the thing, I spend plenty of my time in training and writing trying to be as close to perfect as possible. It was more than fun to admit I know almost nothing about baking and just do my best and see what happens. What happened was I learned a few things, my kids had a ton of fun, and the cookies tasted just a good as they would if looked prettier. I’m guessing.
No one expects much from me in the kitchen and, apparently my kids think I’m a fabulous baker, so I call this a win win. If you have yet to bake this season, don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. Go get yourself some Nellie’s, use this homemade cookie recipe from Sarah, and just set a goal to have fun.
Do you bake? Do you pay attention to the eggs you use?
When is the last time you tried to do something you were not good at?
OH I ADORE THIS SO SO SO MUCH.
I need to get me back in the kitchen (Im renown for my lack of skillz and neither the child nor I really care :)) over winterbreak and BAKE.
I think that was the BEST part of my gig back in the day with another egg brand (shhhhh) we baked and baked and baked and baked.
<3
I think I kinda remember that other egg brand 🙂 definitely time to get back at it. It’s really SO much fun…obviously.
I.love.this! From you getting your first rolling pin to the beautiful cookies. Welcome to baking Allie! You know your boys are going to want to do cut out cookies all the time now, right? It’s not my favorite cookie to make because of all the steps but the kids love it. Do what I do when they ask to make cut out cookies…let them use the cookie cutters to draw with! I don’t have to make cookies and they still get to use the cookie cutters. Now that’s a win win! 🙂
Thank God for you!!! That is genius!
I love this, it looks like a lot of fun. Ha, I think boys enjoy decorating anything they can eat. At least I know my brothers and husband did. 😉
You nailed it! Thanks Hollie 🙂
Love everything about this. First off, I don’t own a rolling pin either, I use a wine bottle 😉 Life hack that changed my life, lol. I use Nellie’s or Pete & Gerry’s all of the time, best eggs ever! And I too, the perfectionist at heart, struggle terribly with letting my kids decorate and them looking like a mess. They did gingerbread houses not too long ago and I had to drink heavily so as not to step in and do it for them. I have a problem.
OMG it’s sooooo hard to not take over and do it “the right way!”
I totally should have asked you about the rolling pin dilemma. We have a TON of wine here…of course 🙂
What the cluck? They don’t sell these eggs by me!
Love the video! LOL!
HAHAHA!!!
So glad you enjoyed it and, seriously, no Nellie’s or Pete and Gerry’s?? I’ll investigate!
No, no, those kinds of cookies are the best! It looks like that when my daughter decorates cookies as well- frosting applied in globs, half a bottle of sprinkles on one cookie, etc. I love it. Yours look very Christmas-y!
Thank you!! So very true. It was nice just letting go and letting them do their thing…
Ha ha ha ha! This is so fantastic. Those cookies are beauts. Although, they look like a sniper had been to the manger scene with all that red icing everywhere. 😉
For real!!! LOL – thanks Suzy 🙂
Now those look like some great eggs! And I absolutely love your holiday animals. Hey my life is practically all improv. I fly by the seat of my pants so I love that you went all in. I just experienced the same thing yesterday when I embarked on a coffee decorating project. I had an idea to paint a coffee mug, I wanted to draw monkeys, it was supposed to be a Christmas present, and somehow al those random things cane together. My mug says I like monkey love with my coffee. Very random.
Anyhow I like baking but lately I like the idea of baking more than I he act. I used to be a serious baker. Like owned my own kolache shop and all. Baking was my life literally lol. But now with limited time I have to really just wing it if I wanna bake. I don’t have 8 hours to perfect precious baked goods. Cookies even seem daunting lol. I like brownies. You mix and pour. Ingredients are important. My husband is actually very concerned with where the eggs come from. I toggle between caring a lot and just grabbing whatever I see. That pretty much describes me. I toggle between perfection and not giving a shit
What? There is this whole other aspect of your life I never knew about? Very cool!
I hear you on the eggs which is why I love knowing exactly where these come from 🙂
Oh my god! that is too awesome!
This reminds me I have to make cookies for the office next week, maybe I will give the eggs a try!
Kids are the best at decorating cookies!
You absolutely should!! I can send the boys over too 🙂
I LOVE baking and I usually have Nellie’s in the fridge. Unless the store is all out. And then, I don’t have eggs. Which can make breakfast a little routine. Oh well. And moments like that with your kids make doing things you’re not good at totally worth it. They’re adorable!
So glad you’re already a fan of Nellie’s and that you totally get how fun it is to bake with the kids 🙂 Thanks!
OMG you know the family that the NELLIE’s eggs come from?! Incredible! I OBVIOUSLY only get these eggs in the store because you know, they were made for me specifically. lol. But really I am huge on organic brown eggs because it’s the only ones that treat my tummy right. Not sure why but the others, well, they wreak havoc on me! LOVED seeing the boys featured on this baking adventure!! I am a huge baker. I get urges to bake at all times of the day–then I have no where to give the goodies lol.
I also think of you every single time I buy these because OF COURSE!!! And, just know the owners are amazing people like you and your family!
My mind is blown that you didn’t even own a rolling pin… or think to make cookies from scratch. I love you though. And I really love that pic of your professional baker child rolling out dough with a lollipop in his mouth. Classic.
P.S. Vegas says to send cookies.
I know, right? Totally looks like a cigarette. Love it and love that you still love me for not knowing shit about baking 🙂
If I send cookies you need to send a cheese plate! And wine! And sun!
That is all.
I love it! Cookie baking is all about fun here too… I am the least artsy person I know, so leaving the decorations up to the kids works really well. 🙂 Glad you surprised yourself and had a good time!
Thanks so much Laura! And you know, we can’t be good at everything – LOL 🙂
Awww your boys are so adorable baking cookies. I wish they sold Pete & Gerry’s eggs in the Seattle area – I gave all my coupons to my mom and I’m a bit jealous of the eggs she and my dad will get to enjoy. The cookies remind me of how my sister and I used to decorate cookies when we were younger – from the Betty Crocker mix to how creatively the cookies are frosted!
I’m sure you will be able to buy them in Seattle soon. They are quickly sweeping the country!
Glad the cookie video brought back good memories. I have some great ones too, making anisette cookies from scratch with my mom. YUM!
This is what I love about this time of year-baking in the kitchen with family and friends! It isn’t about being perfect, just making memories and sharing stories! I love the smell of sugar cookies. I love the shapes of your cookies! I am a huge supporter of Pete and Gerry’s and Carols Eggs! Looks like you and your boys had fun! I need to try Sarah’s recipe!
You totally get it Kara!! Thanks so much and definitely try Sarah’s recipe – I’m sure it’s much better than Betty Crocker from a pouch.