Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

6 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1¾ cups sugar
2 cups shortening
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon soda
2 eggs
½ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar together in large bowl. Cut in shortening. Add soda to water, stir. Add to mixture. Stir eggs and vanilla into milk. Add to flour mixture. Mold with hands until soft dough is workable. Roll out on floured board and cut into desired shaped. (Recipe can easily be cut in half) Bake 7-10 minutes or until light brown.