The Best Sugar Cookies Ever

Snow Day!!!! What? I hate snow. For reals. I'm such a big Scrooge when it comes to snow but for real, I hate it. Because I have to go to work. Have. To. Go. There aren't snow days in a hospital. I'm finally off tonight after working four in a row. Including Snowmageddon, Part 1. I'm ready to hunker down with the hub and the pup and watch KU in front of the fire.

If you are, in fact, enjoying your snow day and you are stuck inside, make these. You already have all the ingredients in the pantry. These are the best sugar cookies. Ever. They are my mom's recipe and they are so so so good. I made them for the neighbors at Valentine's Day and it got me like 1000 good neighbor points. And now neighbors are reciprocating and we've been getting lots of delicious treats. So win win win.

Mom's Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter, melted

2 cups sugar

4 eggs, well beaten

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups flour

4 tablespoons milk

Cream sugar, butter, add eggs and then all other ingredients.  Mix well, then chill for at least half an hour.  (I would divide the dough in fourths and then wrap in plastic.) Roll out and cut out shapes with cookie cutters. (Or the top of a glass works!) Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. 

-To get your cookies to keep their form, chill again before baking!

Mom's Butter Icing

1 lb. powdered sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 to 6 tablespoons milk

Sift sugar, then add melted butter and milk.  Beat on medium speed until creamy.  If necessary add more milk to increase creamy texture.  Add food coloring if desired. Beat well until well blended.

We ate the rest of the icing with graham crackers. Who even knows how many Weight Watcher points that is. But it was delicious.

So please be safe and enjoy your snow day tomorrow. And thank a nurse or doc or EMT or police officer. 

Happy Monday!

Breckenridge 2013: "To the Suburban!"

Our first trip of 2013 was to Breckenridge, Colorado to ski with our friends Paige and Andrew. The Rocky Mountains are such a sharp contrast from flat Kansas and we love it. I think mountains are just good for the soul. I'm pretty sure Caleb would move there in 2 seconds if I would agree to it. But that darn cold...

We road tripped it out in a rented Suburban, which seemed ridiculous on the way out. Then we loaded everyone plus all their gear in it and we felt super smart and awesome.  

Caleb snowboarded and I skied. We only did two days because we are weak. And one can only take some many nasty falls on an icy mountain. But we loved it.

PS. the best pictures are taken on the tops of mountains. Here is us with Paige, who is like practically Olympic level snowboarder.

We stayed in this insanely cool cabin with these lovely animals hanging out. It had a hot tub. Which feels sooo good after a long day of skiing. I think I skied partially (or mostly) for that amazing feeling of getting in the hot tub afterwards.

On the last day we were there, Caleb and I went to a tiny bar to watch the KU and eat a massive amount of fried pickles. Jake's Dive Bar allows dogs. Everyone brought their huge dogs in there and it was hilarious and awesome.

There was also a big snow sculpture competition in Breckenridge the week we were there. Teams from all over the world competed. The sculptures were amazing and we loved watching them come together as well as the super cool (ha).

We had so much fun and just loved getting away and hanging out with friends. Breckenridge is the sweetest little mountain town ever. I loved it. It was getting ready to snow as we left on Sunday morning. Of course.

Whenever we go on trips, we buy a new album to listen to the whole time. Then whenever we hear that music after our trip, it makes us think of a fun vacation. We listened to Mumford and Sons the whole trip there and back, which seemed perfect for road trips and mountains. Macklemore's "Thrift Shop" also may or may not have been played frequently.

As much as we love vacation, there's something nice about coming home and cuddling up with our puppy. I think its good to miss something for a little bit. (Sorry for the grainy Instagram. I just love this sweet pic.)

Colorado, we miss you already!

 (No helmets, we are risk takers!)

What to wear to a Kiewit Christmas Party

Oh you thought I was done blogging about the holidays? Wrong. I'm so behind. I blame it on having a puppy. And working nights. And a dirty house. And nice days. Anyway. I'm almost done. I promise. But honestly, I just hate letting these moments slip away without documenting them. Because I'm super sappy like that.

Topic at hand: Kiewit Christmas extravaganza. Once a year, we all unite for a few days of meetings (for the employees) and parties (for the spouses). This year was definitely my favorite because I got to spend time with some of my favorite ladies that I hadn't seen since Tennessee. There's something about being in a strange far away land that unites us together. We drank wine at 11am, baked cookies, drank coffee, shopped, partied at Power and Light, lunched, and generally had a wonderful time for a few days.

And on the last night we dressed up. Sometime in the middle of all this, I found out that if you google "Kiewit Christmas Party," my blog shows up. And I look like the queen of Kiewit. Kiewit, you are welcome. Kiewit Christmas Party. What to wear to a Kiewit Christmas party. Is that good for now?

In case you were actually wondering, here is the answer. From left to right: LBD (on me, with a fantastic hair day I might add), something sparkly (on Emily, who just had a baby and looks fantastic), something bright (on Christi, who looks like Barbie every single day of her life!), LBD sparkly combo (on Jami, who looks gorgeous par usual).

The other part I love about the weekend is staying in a hotel just miles from my home. Who doesn't love someone cleaning up after them? I also love this elevator. And taking silly photos in it. Since we all know Caleb just doesn't have it in him to take a sweet pic with his wife.

(As you can see, he is carrying my shoes. He really is sweet.)

Love my husband. Love my Kiewit ladies. Love the continuation of the holidays into February.