Sugar cookies according to me.

Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to sugar cookies. Some like them crisp, some soft, thin, thick...etc.

I have tried many cookie recipes. I still like my mom's recipe the very best - yes, even better than Martha Stewart's.

Here's the recipe and then following, I will give you a few of my little secrets to make them even better. And of course I won't forget the frosting.

Mom's Sugar Cookies

Cream

• 1 cup butter room temperature
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Add

• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp almond extract

Sift and add

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cream of tartar

Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick. Cut cookies and bake 8-10 minutes at 375*.

Some tricks I use

• Cream the butter really well
• For a softer cookie I will add most of the sugar but substitute a little instant pudding. For example, I might add 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar and then 1/4 cup of pudding. ( I never measure - I just eyeball it) I use vanilla pudding, white chocolate (yum) and cheesecake (my favorite). If you add to much pudding the dough will become pasty. Don't worry, your cookies will still taste good just make a note of it and use less next time.

Frosting

• If you are going for taste, I always use cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. I have no idea what measurements. I am sure you can find a cream cheese recipe online. When frosting with this, don't be afraid to thin it out, or wet your knife to smooth it out. Consistency makes a big difference when frosting.
• If you are going for looks, use this royal icing recipe. 1 pound C&H (in the box) powdered sugar, 5 Tbl meringue powder, scant 1/2 cup water ( just shy of a 1/2 cup). Beat in mixer or hand mixer for 7 to 8 minutes. Scoop some in a bowl and color it. Then, a tsp at a time, add water until it just becomes runny. Fill a pastry bag with a #3 tip. Outline the cookie, then with zig zags, fill in the center. With a toothpick brush the frosting to fill in all the holes. If it doesn't smooth out, your frosting is to thick.

If this is just way to much to process, you can find great books on cookies that will give you better instructions and pictures. Or, you can buy your cookies from me. I sell cookies for special occasions, all wrapped and pretty!

Happy baking!!

Cookies

Here's what I did this weekend...

Today is a pretty good day. Here's why...

• I had parent teacher conferences last night. I sat for an hour and listened as each teacher told me how wonderful my child was. (Not a bad way to spend an evening) I am still feeling proud this morning.
  
  


• Jeff has been out of town this week and gets home tonight! Yeah!
  
  


• I have nowhere I absolutely have to go today. (rare) I could even hang out in my jammies all day if I wanted! (scandalous)
  
  


• My kids have 1/2 day and we are decorating sugar cookies all afternoon. (Yummy)
  
  


• I may or may not do laundry!
  

Ta Da!

This is my first cake I decorated for my class.
It's a far cry from what I want to do someday, but I guess you gotta start somewhere right?

Good Times

I love the desert in the fall. It means good times, hot dogs, skeet and good friends.

You gotta click on this picture of Becky to see the look on her face -funny.

Shilo looks like a pro!

Spooky Dried Apple Heads

My sister-in-law, Megan, told me about these funny dried apple heads. These would be great as a garland or just table decor. I haven't made them yet, but she said to use big apples cause they shrink a lot. The directions are here.

The Almost Perfect Visit

I took the kids to Showlow to visit Uncle Brent and family for fall break. We stayed at their beautiful home that Brent and April built - seriously beautiful.

We had a great time geocaching,(if you don't know what that is, click on the link) eating, talking, and relaxing. They are the perfect hosts and Uncle Brent is always up to something crazy- killing wild turkey's, banging in squirrel heads with a rock, bugling like the elk, and laser beaming the stars.

My kids love Uncle Redneck - ooops, I meant Uncle Brent.

Here we are checking out the "treasure" or geocache box.

It took forever to find. Brent finally found it on the side of the cliff.
Here's Nathan and Mason chatting on our treasure hunt.
It was a beautiful day for treasure hunting.
The leaves were changing on the Aspen trees. This picture doesn't do it justice.
Me and the kiddos.

Now you are probably asking why this was an "almost" perfect visit. It's because Jeff couldn't come with us. He had to work.
We missed you hon!