What is the history of this recipe-- who is Ethel?

Bought the book these came from in 1967 as a new wife without two nickles to rub together! Great little cookie book, which I gave to my own daughter several years ago. She had begged for it, so the year she married I sent it to her. This is the best sugar cookie recipe you can ever find! I still make them. No, I didn't re-copy the recipe, but bought a re-issued copy of the book which my son is now begging for. Guess it may become a present for him one of these years.

I have been making this recipe out of my mother's cookbook for 50 years. The tradition is, upon the first snowfall...I bake my first batch of Christmas cookies. My cookbook is in Florida at our winter home. My mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma in her bones and is undergoing treatment in Michigan. Don't worry, the tradition will live on, and Mom will have her Christmas cookies tonight!

I have been making these for over 48 years. They are a no fail cut out cookie -- perfect for cut outs. To speed up the chilling, I divide the dough in half and roll them into 2 slabs indie of plastic wrap and shill in the freezer for about 1/2 hour. Then put on a well-flowered board it rolls out very well. You may have to re-chill in refrigerator in between batches. For better flavor, I use 1/2 butter and half margarine (not the kind where first ingredient is water). I may try coconut oil this year for healthy reasons. I use vanilla, almond extract or for lemon ones add some lemon rind as well (if need more liquid, lemon juice) and frosting with lemon frosting.