Cookies Part II

I am the Toolwoman. When I called my sister to ask if she needed anything from Lowe's yesterday she pretty much laughed at me. I like to fix things and do all things crafty. She can keep an annual plant alive for more than one year and her potato vines are so hearty that they completely cover their containers. She grows herbs and uses them in the kitchen. I kill mine and buy them from the grocery store.
She is Martha. I am not.
After my last post, I'm pretty sure she might be showing off just a little with these pictures that appeared in my inbox. Go ahead and give them a try. I'll post the recipe. It looks simple enough, but it's not. She adds a cup of magic to these cookies to make them turn out so great. I've been battling this recipe for a while and the running score thus far-- cookies: 4 me: 0
Mom must have felt sorry for me this weekend because she let me in on a secret. UNSALTED BUTTER.
I'm trying them tomorrow. WE.SHALL.SEE!


The sister's sugar cookies:
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 stick butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups "packed" flour
1/2 tsp cream of tarter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp soda

Mix packed flour, tarter, salt, and soda in a bowl. Cream butter and shortening together until light and fluffy. Add egg and sugar and mix well.
Add vanilla and dry ingredients then stir until lightly blended.
Roll our dough on a lightly floured board to 1/8 in thickness. Cut out and transfer to cookie sheet. Bake at 325 for approx 10 min.
Cool on cake rack.

Royal icing
2 egg whites
1/2 tsp lemon juice
3 c. sifted confect. sugar
food coloring

combine egg whites and lemon juice
gradually add sugar and stir until thick
(a knife drawn through the middle will leave a path)
Allow to firm, then put in airtight container.