My Easter Tree

I have recently been sorting through boxes and boxes of old holiday decorations and childhood keepsakes.  It has been a challenge to figure out what to keep and what to let go of.  As I was digging I came across this Easter tree.

It was one of my favorite decorations when I was a kid.  I loved setting it up and hanging all of the little Easter ornaments on it.  Unfortunately, it was showing a few signs of wear from 20+ years of existence.

I can totally relate.  

The ornaments themselves were looking a little tired...

And wonky*...

One armed rabbit anyone?  

And even a little scary...

What's up with that beak?

So, I decided to give the thing a face lift. 

I gave the bunnies a little sandy-sand...

Sorry bunnies.

Then I livened the whole thing up with a can of spring-green spray paint.

I was lucky enough to find these cool egg ornaments at Joann, but they needed a little something extra.  So naturally, I glittered them.

Now my little bunny Easter tree has been given a facelift, and looks like something out of this decade.  I am really pleased with the result.

*Hi Megan!  I think of you every time I use the word wonky!!

Best. Maple. Cookies. Ever.

I got a wild hair last night and decided randomly to whip up a batch of cookies.  I had a limited number of ingredients on hand, but I found a recipe for maple cookies that worked with what I had, and they are absolutely to die for!

Here is the recipe (with a few modifications, as always) in case you would like to try them yourself.  I highly recommend that you do.

Ingredients:
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 pinch of salt

Icing:
2 cups confectioner's sugar
2 tablespoons  melted butter
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup

The Rules:
-Pre heat oven at 350 degrees
-Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and set aside
-Mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, vanilla extract, 3/4 cup butter and egg
-Add in flour mixture and combine
-Drop on to greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes until done
-Allow to cool before frosting

I decided to drizzle on the frosting just for fun.  I think the cookies would be really good with a touch of cinnamon, so I will probably add that next time.  They are a lot like a snickerdoodle, so I think they would be really tasty with a simple granulated sugar/cinnamon topping if you wanted to forego the icing.