working girl.....and a cookie

The working girl I am referring to is me.  6 days, full time.  It almost killed me.  Thank goodness I lived to tell you all about it.

My dear friend Stacey found herself without a front office girl at her law firm, so I volunteered to temp for a couple days until she could get things sorted out.  You see, in my previous life I was going to be a business woman.  I went to college and graduated as a Paralegal.  However, I made the mistake of interning for a divorce attorney, and that six weeks soured my view about all my hard college work.  So many upset women, so many angry men.....this was NOT the field for me.  I dropped it like a hot rock and decided to have a baby instead.  Because I was really smart at age 20.

Fast forward 18 years and I found myself sitting at the front desk at an attorney's office, all dressed up.  I can't lie, it was pretty exciting.  If I were home, I would have been scrubbing white tile in my sweats.  But here I was in heels and lipstick, scheduling appointments, making deposits, and sipping my ice water.  I even got to say things like, "Please stop harassing our clients, or our firm will be forced to sanction the courts." Scandalous I tell you.

I knew my working days were going to be short-lived, so I did something special.  I officially dubbed Friday as "Cookie Friday".

"What's that?"  everyone in the office wanted to know.

"That's when I bring cookies in for the whole office!"

I think I was more excited than anyone else.

And so I made a delectable treat.  These cookies are perfect for Valentine's Day, or for anyone you really love, any day of the week.  Don't let their fanciness scare you.  They are so easy!  Minimal ingredients and you don't even have to chill the dough. 

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups flour
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam

Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
milk, one teaspoon at a time til desired consistancy
red food coloring (optional)

Cream butter and sugar.  Add almond extract, then flour and mix just until dough comes together.  Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets.  Make a small hole in the middle of each ball, and fill with raspberry jam.  Bake at 350 for 14-18 minutes.  Take them out when the outsides barely start to turn golden.

In a small bowl, mix the glaze ingredients and add enough milk until it's a nice, smooth consistency.  I like to add a drop of red food coloring to make the glaze pink.  Drizzle over cooled cookies. 

Now go enjoy a plate of them while watching Sister Wives, which I have yet to see but hear is the most intriguing program on reality t.v. these days.  Is this true? 

Tuesday was my last day of work, and so I got everyone in the office excited about my Retirement Party.  Stacey ordered pizza, and we all gathered in the conference room, eating and talking about my hard work and dedication to the firm.  The most perfect part of the whole experience was when Andrew walked in while everyone was singing "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow" to me, as I was seated at the head of that enormous table.  Priceless.

On a serious note, you working mothers are amazing.  I honestly have NO idea how you do it.  My six days of 9 - 5 at the office were intense.  And then I had to come home and do everything I would have done during the day late into the night and early the next morning.  I have some serious respect for any of you who are working while raising a family.  Maybe you will want to start the tradition of "Cookie Friday" in your office.  It could possibly get you a raise?  I mean, they did ask me to be their permanent temp.  I'm sure they are mostly going to need me on Fridays.....