Moods

"Bad moods must be fed to survive. Starve it." - Nancy Wilson from this post on questions such as How Do You Get Yourself Out of a Bad Mood?

Company "Sin"-amon Rolls

This has been a fun recipe to consume with company lately. I finally updated it since my copy was all marked up. I needed to type it up for a friend, so thought I'd go ahead and post it, since I don't post much these days. Enjoy!

Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls

Source: (adapted from) Money Saving Mom (my friend Cara and I did the Math – 35 cents a cinnamon roll! even cheaper if you find powdered sugar on the cheap)
Yields: 2 round pans (about 16 rolls)
Note: This is actually a fairly simple recipe, although practice does make perfect. Be patient with yourself the first few tries. You’ll get faster and better as you make them!

Dough Ingredients:
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm milk (10 oz)
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 egg, lightly beaten plus 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 1/4 cups flour (Original recipes calls for 4 cups, but I’ve found the dough to be more manageable if I use 4 ¼. You might even need more. CHECK dough after first few minutes of kneading and if it looks too wet, add a bit more. It will make your life so much easier if dough is not very sticky!)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Filling Ingredients (this is the doubled version; half it if you want to be good):
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 1/3 cup brown sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Icing (this too is the doubled version; half it if you want to be good):
• 4 teaspoon milk (after all icing ingredients are mixed, you might need to add extra splashes of milk and keep mixing until it seems right)
• 3 cups confectioners sugar
• 8 tablespoons (or less) butter, softened
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
Put the dough ingredients in the bread machine in the order listed and run on the dough cycle. Remember to check in a few minutes to see if you need to add a little more flour. After the dough cycle is finished, roll the dough into a large rectangle and spread it with 2 Tablespoons melted butter and 2/3 cup brown sugar mixed with 1 Tablespoon cinnamon.

Roll up (from long end to long end) and cut (I use dental floss – a trick my mom taught me) into 10-15 rolls and place in two greased round cake pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until browned. Spread the icing on as soon as they come out of the oven.
You can also cover the unbaked rolls with plastic wrap, stick them in the refrigerator overnight, and then bake in the morning. You can freeze the baked rolls, and I suppose you can just freeze the dough unbaked, but I haven’t tried that. Let me know if you do!

Orange Icing Option:
• 3 tbsp. butter, soft
• 1 tbsp. grated orange peel
• 2 tbsp. orange juice
• 1 1/2 c. confectioner's sugar

Friday "For Reals!"

One of the biggest complaints you often read on the blogosphere is that everyone seems like they have it all together. Duh! No one does, but I guess it does feel like that sometimes. Everyone's all dressed up in their Sunday best with a smiley family and some crafty project done. Anyway, I don't know why I mention all of that except to say I just randomly felt like taking a few pics today to show what it is really like, in case anyone ever feels like my ducks are always in a row. Far from it! (And, I'm NOT crafty, for the record.)

 

 

 

 

There's a picture (a few days ago) of the kids all contained with their 3rd (I think) round of Cheerios, just because I needed to finish up dinner in peace. Ha! The pizza picture is from lunch today. I like making pizzas with Nate, but we are all out of cheese. Ha! Nice planning on my part, huh? Nate's eating lunch in his pj's. Don't judge. And, I've stayed on top of laundry this week (good) but not folding.

Some days are better than others, but that's a funny glimpse into some not-so-with-it days. I'm trying to learn to laugh. And press on! Signing off.

By Grace!

I recently read lyrics to a great hymn I've never heard before. I have no idea what it sounds like, but here are the words:

By Grace I am an Heir of Heaven

1. By grace I am an heir of heaven:

Why doubt this, O my trembling heart?

If what the Scriptures promise clearly

Is true and firm in every part,

This also must be truth divine:

By grace, a crown of life is mine.



2. By grace alone shall I inherit

That blissful home beyond the skies.

Works count for naught. The Lord incarnate

Has won for me the heavenly prize.

Salvation by his death he wrought,

His grace alone my pardon bought.



3. By grace! These precious words remember

When sorely by your sins oppressed,

When Satan comes to vex your spirit,

When troubled conscience sighs for rest.

What reason cannot comprehend

God does to you by grace extend.



4. By grace! Be this in death my comfort;

Despite my fears, 'tis well with me.

I know my sin in all its greatness,

But also Him who sets me free.

My heart to naught but joy gives place

Since I am saved by grace, by grace.