Marcy's Spice Cookies
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups milk
3 eggs
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
Icing: 
6 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons hot water
1 teaspoon vanilla
confectioners sugar

 Cream shortening and sugar.  Add milk, eggs, and vanilla.  Sift dry ingredients and mix with shortening mixture.  Beat well and drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets.  Bake at 350f for 10 minutes.  Let cool just a little bit and spread with icing.  Icing:  melt the butter, stir in the hot water and the vanilla.   Add confectioners sugar until thick enough to spread.