Whew!

I had the chance to photograph about 150 dance students today here in Bountiful.  Everyone was so great and we got some GREAT shots.  I just about froze to death... but it was SO worth it!  :)

See more sneek peeks here...

http://shaunacrandallphotography.blogspot.com/

Look who's 2!!

Happy Birthday to my baby Logan!!

Halloween Re-Cap

Halloween lasted for days at this house.  It included a trunk or treat at dad's store, pumpkin carving, a preschool costume parade, ward halloween party, and of course trick or treating!  Halloween was so great... you can't complain when you can trick or treat with out a coat on!

Here are a few photos of the fun...

Sugar Cookies. Yum.

I tried a new sugar cookie recipe for Halloween this year.  It was amazing.  That is all.

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

3 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

5 1/2 cups flour

In mixer, cream butter and sugar, and then add eggs and vanilla. Add sour cream. Combine salt, soda, and flour, and add to mixture.

Roll out on floured surface to about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Really.

Use a spatula to carefully slide under each cookie and place onto greased (with Pam) parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes.

THEY WILL NOT LOOK DONE!

But don't give in to your temptation to cook "just a little bit longer" or you will get crunchy cookies instead of soft, pillow-like cookies.

They are still very pale and have no browning anywhere. If you have a golden brown color along the edges then you have baked them too long.

Wait about 5 minutes and then transfer carefully to a cooling rack. If you wait longer they will get soggy on the bottom and sometimes get stuck to the parchment paper.

Once they are cooled they are ready for frosting.

Note: I know that there are people who make amazingly beautiful iced sugar cookies.

I am not one of them.

I've seen some sugar cookies out there that are smooth, glossy, beautiful pieces of art. For those of you who have the talent and patience to make such beautiful masterpieces...I envy you on many levels.

But me?

I prefer cookies that taste good and I don't really care so much about what they look like.

Here is the simple buttercream frosting I use:

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4-1/3 cup milk

In a mixing bowl, cream butter. Beat in sugar and vanilla until crumbly. Gradually add milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. Add desired food coloring.  I also added some colored sugar I had left over in my pantry.

Mmmm.  Good stuff.