{Lovely Sugar in Sweet Shapes}

Baking makes my heart smile. Maybe it's the whirl of the mixer or the smell coming from

the oven. Or maybe it's how I can pull simple ingredients out of my fridge and pantry and

turn them into something delectable. Whatever it is -- it's nice.

I hadn't done much of it lately, and I was starting to get the itch to whip up some sweets.

So, I did a little pre-Valentine's Day tone setting over the weekend. There were my favorite

chocolate cheese mini cakes and there were sugar cookies, which I hadn't made in ages.

It was good.

Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 c. confectioners sugar

1 c. butter

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. almond flavoring

2 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cream of tarter

In electric mixer, combine sugar and butter. Add egg and flavorings; mix thoroughly.

Stir dry ingredients together and blend in. Refrigerate dough for two or three hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make a big ball out of the dough (doesn't have to be perfect).

Roll 3/16" thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters and place onto a

lightly greased cookie sheet. (I used an ungreased stoneware sheet.) Bake 7 to 10 minutes

or until lightly golden. (My over took ten minutes.) Frost and decorate as you wish.

Ta-da!