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*i’ll return to my tutorial on engaging in a conversation about abortion tomorrow.  after experiencing first hand experience at OU.  please come back then!

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there was a definite nip in the air when i stepped out of the school building today.  the first in a while.  it finally feels like fall.  awwww…i love fall.

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can i get an amen?

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with the coming of the cooler airs and the season of holidays, i get a hankerin’ to start baking.  i’ve got a whole list of the items i want to make.  don’t you wish you were my friend?

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first on my list of delicatessens:  sugar cookies!

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i’ve always had a sweet spot (get it?) for sugar cookies.  good ol’ fashioned, roll and cut out, color with icing sugar cookies.  the taste of my childhood.

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i’ve been disappointed in the last couple sugar cookie recipes i’ve experimented with.  until this weekend.  i’ve hit the jack pot!  so let me share:

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start with 1 1/2 cups (room temp) butter.  and 2 cups sugar.    yum.  the basis of all good things.

blend till smooth and creamy.

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crack open four eggs.  fresh from the chicken.  or the fridge.  whichever.

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oh, and add 1 teaspoon vanilla.  can’t forget the ‘nilla.

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now whip it into shape.  ”when the good times turns around, you must whip it!  you will never live it down unless you whip it…”  devo?  no?

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in a separate bowl, mix your dry goods:  5 cups flour.  2 teaspoons baking powder.  and 1 teaspoon salt.

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i’m told the key to good baking is exact measurements.  so be precise!  and that’s an order!

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introduce the wet to the dry and marry them together.  it’s a match made in heaven.

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after all this activity, the dough needs some rest.  so give it it’s space in the fridge.  and go do a load of laundry.  run four or five miles.  or watch an episode of “say yes to the dress.”

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after it’s hour (or so) of peace, the dough is once again ready to face the world.  isn’t this true of all of us.

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with your mama’s rolling pin, roll it out flat.  about a quarter inch thick.  the thicker the cookie, the softer the cookie.  and vise versa.  your preference.

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here’s where the fun begins!

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choose your shape ~ look at my cute fall leaves!  or if you don’t have cookie cutters, use the top of glass for a round shape.  or a knife for the free handed bakers out there.

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place your cookies on the sheet.  leave some space for them to puff up a little.  otherwise, you might end up with a glob of cookie monster.  not always bad.  just depends on what you are going for.

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place your cookies in the oven.  bake at 400 degrees for six minutes.  and NO more!

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sorry.  don’t mean to be bossy.  i just feel very strongly about over baked cookies.

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see?  perfect.

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now.  if you thought cutting the dough was fun.  and i know you did!  you are going to love this!

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whisk together 2 tablespoons butter (softened).  a tad splash of ‘nilla.  powdered sugar.  and milk.  you’ll have to experiment with the ratio of sugar to milk.  it all depends on consistency.

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not too thick.  not too runny.  juuuuust right.

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divide your icing into bowls.  as many as you have colors.  i’ve chosen brown.  green.  orange.  awwww… fall.

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ice ‘em up.  to your little hearts content.  go big or go home.  or simple is sweet.  you choose your mantra here.  you just can’t go wrong when it comes to icing cookies!

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now, doesn’t that just make you want to throw on a hoodie.  pour up some apple cider.  and take yourself down to a good ol’ fashioned hay ride?  me too.

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programmers note:  like a good sugar cookie like the next gal, but don’t want to make them yourself?  contact the baker (me!) for pricing.  order a dozen for your next holiday party!

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