Aunt Georgia's Sugar Cookies

I have tried  many different sugar cookie recipes but this is a family favorite.  I have a dear friend, Brenda, who I've literally known all of my life.  Our parents were friends before we were born.  We started attending the same school in middle school.  At some point during our friendship, I was given the recipe for these cookies. Years later, her sister, Cheryl, had a son and I had a daughter.  I made these cookies for almost every holiday when my children were small and continue to do so.  My daughter knew that "Aunt" Brenda  had a sister and that the sister had a son but Cheryl's son and my daughter did not know each other even though they were just a year apart in age.  My daughter grew up and went to college.  She was home for spring break when we attended a celebration for Brenda & Richard's 25th wedding anniversary.  Lauren and Ryan met, married and now have two children.  Many people avoid making sugar cookies because of the time it takes to decorate them.  Don't try to be Martha Stewart!  I just sprinkle a little sugar and decorative sprinkles to match the occasion and design.  No one minds that they aren't iced like butterflies, bunnies etc.  Sometimes I put chocolate chips on top of a few just as they come out of the oven, and then as the chocolate melts, I spread the it around like icing and them put a few decorative sprinkles on top.  Aunt Georgia's Sugar Cookies. This recipe came from Georgia Redington,my son-in-law's great aunt. If you use the small cookie cutters from Pampered Chef or similar, the recipe will make approx 270 cookies at about 30 calories each. 1 cup  oil, ( canola , olive, etc.) 2 sticks  butter 2 eggs 1 tsp  baking soda 1 tsp  cream of tartar 1 tsp  vanilla 1 cup  sugar 1 cup  powdered sugar 4 cup  flour 1 tsp  salt 1 tsp  lemon juice 1 cup  powdered sugar for rolling dough 1 Cream oil, butter, and eggs. 2 In separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients then add to creamed mixture. Add lemon juice to all and mix well. Put dough in refrigerator for several hours. 3 Generously sprinkle powdered sugar on counter or other rolling surface and roll dough to ¼" thick , cut with cookie cutters, decorate as desired and bake at 350° for 7 - 10 min. or until starting to brown. 4 ** Other ways to make the cookies is to roll dough into 1" balls, roll in granulated sugar and press with a decorative cookie press or with the bottom of a glass. 5 ***For chocolate frosting, don't decorate cookies before baking but immediately as they come out of the oven, place a few chocolate chips on top of the cookies, wait until the chips melt and then spread around to "ice" the top of the cookie. You can then add decorations to the top of the chocolate. I like to use the Ghiradelli 60% cocoa chips. Servings: 60  Nutrition Facts Serving size: 1 serving Percent daily values based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients. The following ingredients were not linked to the ingredient database and were not included in the nutrition information: powdered sugar for rolling dough Amount Per Serving Calories 111.45 Calories From Fat (54%) 59.94 % Daily Value Total Fat 6.80g 10% Saturated Fat 2.22g 11% Cholesterol 11.02mg 4% Sodium 82.73mg 3% Potassium 18.39mg 1% Carbohydrates 11.76g 4% Dietary Fiber 0.23g 1% Sugar 5.35g Sugar Alcohols 0.00g Net Carbohydrates 11.53g Protein 1.00g 2% Recipe formatted and exported by Living Cookbook from Radium Technologies, Inc.

Spring Shirts & Murder

Where has the time gone???  I have been very busy the past couple of weeks.  I served on the jury for our county for the month of April.  The first week was easy.  I didn't have to go in!  It was Easter Week and the judges weren't scheduling many trials.  The second week, I did have to report but at the last minute the defendant pled guilty so there was no need for a jury.  The third week in April my number wasn't one of the ones that had to report.  Then the fourth week rolled around.  And it rolled right over me.  My husband and I were watching 48 Hours Mystery.  If you've never watched the show, they always talk about someone who was murdered and describe how they caught the person who did it.  I turned to my husband and said " Well at least I don't have to worry about being on a jury for a murder trial here in our county.  The chances are low."

 I reported bright and early Monday morning along with many other potential jurors.  I wasn't sure why so many were needed.  Was it a BIG case?  As my number was called, I was told to follow the group and report to Courtroom number 1.  When the judge entered we were told that it was a murder case!!  I couldn't believe it.  As the jurors were selected, I started to relax.  They had chosen 11 jurors so I was beginning to think they would get all of them before they got  to me.  Wrong.  I was juror number 12.  Then the judge asked me to be forelady!

The trial lasted 2 days.  The evidence was overwhelming.  I prayed the whole way through the trial.  I wanted to hear what God wanted me to hear and make the right decision.  As we started to deliberate. one of the jurors asked if anyone would mind if he prayed for us over this decision.  No one minded.  I was grateful.  There was really no deliberation. Everyone was in total agreement right from the beginning.  We found the man guilty of 1st degree and 2nd degree assault, 1st degree and 2nd degree murder.  I had to stand up and read the decision.  The courtroom was crowded.  As the jurors walked out of the courtroom, I spoke to the young man who had prayed and thanked him.  I didn't know the names of any of the other jurors.  I introduced myself.  As he told me his name, I realized that I know his cousins, and his uncle and aunt.  We have several friends in common. The 5th Monday was April 30th and I didn't have to report. My jury duty is over until the next time I'm called.

Now onto much more pleasant things like spring and bunnies and grandchildren!

These cute little shirts are being modeled by two of my grandchildren.  The bunny designs are from

 Designs by JuJu Jumbo Bunny Hop Applique'.  

I bought the shirts at Hobby Lobby.  It can be difficult to find plain shirts to embroider without ordering them.  Since I run a small business, I don't want to keep a large inventory with many colors, styles and colors.  I am SO grateful that Hobby Lobby came to town.  The only thing that I've noticed about their shirts, at least for the little children, is that they seem to run small.  My 18 month old grandson is only in the 50th percentile for weight and yet the 24 month shirt is snug around his belly. I always pre-wash.  The shirts are 100% cotton so if you buy from Hobby Lobby, go with a bigger size than what you think you will need.