Summer of Something New Week 2

 Today is week two of the Summer of Something New Blogging Challenge.  If you are unfamiliar with the challenge take a look back at Week One.  I have two things to write about today one of them is fun and exciting..the other is the complete opposite.

Going along with the Summer of Something New theme- this year with the excitement of Fourth of July, I also have to deal with something sad too.  At my age, nineteen, most people have not dealt with death. Let alone the death of two friends under the age of 21 within a month of each other. A year ago today, July 5, 2012, I lost a friend of mine (kjk).  She was two years older than me, we played field hockey together in high school and she was a nursing major going into her third year of college.  She was killed in a car accident in the middle of the day.  I still remember what I was doing and where I was when I received the news.  Dealing with the loss of a friend at such a young age is truly awful.  It is hard to wrap my mind around the fact that she is gone. It doesn't make sense nor do I think it ever will.  They say only the good die young, and I can attest to this because not only did I lose kjk last year, but a month earlier I lost another friend of mine who was two years younger who was also on my high school field hockey team.  KH committed suicide the week of my graduation.  It was such a tragedy and another thing that just doesn't make any sense. Both of these girls were such kind hearted people who had big dreams and such potential.  It still saddens me to this day that they will never have the opportunity to grow up.  The route that I take to work for my summer job takes me right past the graveyard where my two friends will forever rest.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about them.  Needless, to say last summer was a tough one for me and the members of my community.  They say everything happens for a reason, but I still have yet to find the reasons for these two tragedies happening.  The only thing I can take from these incidents is to appreciate what I have and to never take anything or anyone in my life for granted. 

I do not mean to be such a Debby downer, but I couldn't go on without acknowledging the hardships that I have been through in the past year.  

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Moving on to something happier! I hope you all had a fun and safe fourth of July!
 I spent the morning with jHg
Had dinner with my family

Corn on the cob, roasted veggies, and a Cheese burger with caramelized onions all courtesy of sQs.

Then I spent the evening celebrating with some friends from high school.

 I couldn't show up with out bringing anything, so I made a dessert...

Sugar Cookie Squares Independence Day Style

Makes about 24 squares

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Softened butter

1 cup Granulated sugar

1 Egg

1 Egg white

1 Tbsp. Sour cream

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups All purpose Flour

1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

Preheat the oven to 325.

Butter a 13x9'' baking pan and set it aside

In a mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Then set it aside.

Using a mixer whip the butter and sugar for about 3 minutes until it is a pal color.

Stir in egg and egg white.

Add the sour cream and vanilla extract.

Carefully add the bowl of dry ingredients mixing in a little bit at a time.

Stir the mixture until it is well combined.

Gently press the mixture into the buttered pan.

Bake for 16-19 minutes until the edges are slightly golden and when a tooth pick is inserted it comes out clean.

Cool completely.

While the bars are cooling, mix the icing mixture adding whatever color you wish.

Vanilla Frosting:

1/4 cup Unsalted butter

2 cups Powdered sugar

2-3 tbsp. half and half

1 tsp. vanilla

Pinch of salt

Several drops of food coloring

In a mixing bowl whip butter, half and half, and powdered sugar until fluffy.

Stir in vanilla and salt.

Add in food coloring and mix well.

Add the icing and sprinkles to the cookies 

Cut into bars and enjoy!

Don't forget to take a look at the other blogs who are also participating in the challenge:
Miss ALK
Forever Convinced
Gina Alyse
ell-oh-v-ee

If you'd like to join our blogging challenge just post your link in the comment section of any of our blogging challenge posts!

xoxo

-mQs-