Life at a "Swell's" pace

Easy Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are one of the first things I learned to bake once I was out on my own. But having to ice them and decorate them, is mostly something for holidays and special occasions, unless you have the time and patience. Just having a simple sugar cookie on any day of the year, or even just a quick cookie to take somewhere, or to eat on throughout the week, is something a lot of us enjoy. Sugar cookies, just baked and left by themselves, is such a simple cookie to mix together. The key to these easy sugar cookies is to roll them in sugar before baking, without the hassle of cookie cutters, or icing. Here is my version of "Easy Sugar Cookies" that you can make any time of the year. And the best part, they're soft.

Here's how to make these easy, soft sugar cookies:

2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking power
3/4 tsp. sea salt
2 sticks butter, softened
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk

Mix dry ingredients together and set aside. Using a stand mixer, mix wet ingredients together starting with the butter. Combine butter and sugar, and add the eggs. Combine dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix well. Form into balls, about two tablespoons for each ball. Roll in granulated sugar, or colored sprinkles, flatten just slightly and lay on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for about 30-45 minutes, or freeze at this point to bake later.

Bake for 12-16 minutes at 350 degrees.

I would add to allow them to cool before eating, but nothing is better than a warm sugar cookie straight from the oven, so enjoy!

July Fourth

We kept it lowkey this year with the fireworks and just bought a box of poppers/snappers, and sparklers. It was an early night of doing stuff and we were in bed by 10:00 p.m. because of a busy day the following day. It was still a lot of fun! I found this bulk box of snappers at Costco and Skylar paid a lot of them across the road to hear the cars driving over them through the night. Our secret "weapon."🎇

End of June 2025 (1 Second Every Day)

1 Second Everyday App

Five Simple Things (June 27)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This sunset.

West coast sunsets are always a positive view at the end of a long day. This one was one I needed to see after Tuesday. Sometimes people try to steal so much of what makes you human, but mother nature always reminds me that it's going to be okay at the end of the day.

2. This box.

Birchbox came this week and my favorite items in this box are the Balance Me BHA Exfoliating Toner and the Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Power Cream sample.

3. This moment.

A moment of not paying attention almost became something worse. Skylar turned the wrong burner on and ended up burning a cutting board that was on top of the stove. We were able to keep it from being worse, but he was sure upset. Accidents happen, but it was a good moment to remind him that he needs to always pay attention to what he is doing and never let his guard down when cooking or heating something.

4. This kitty.