Homemade Cinnamon Rolls--Yum!

Last night we made homemade cinnamon rolls. I made the dough with my bread maker then the rest I did by hand. Of course, there are pictures! : )

Here is the recipe that I used...

For the dough (in a bread maker):

6 oz (or 3/4 cup) Milk (heated to to 90-100 degrees)

1 egg

3 cups Bread Flour

3 T. Sugar

1/2 t. Salt

4 T. Butter or Margarine

2 t. Active Dry Yeast or 1 1/2 t. Bread Machine/Fast Rise Yeast

For the filling:
1/3 cup Butter or Margarine, melted
1/3 cup Sugar
2 t. Ground Cinnamon
1/2 t. Ground Nutmeg, optional
1/2 cup Chopped Nuts, optional

Powdered Sugar Icing:

1 cup Powdered Sugar

1-2 T. Milk

1/2 t. Vanilla

Set the bread maker on DOUGH setting. When finished, knead the dough for about 1 minuted, then lest rest for 15 minutes.

Roll dough into a rectangle, about 15 x 10 inches. Spread the filling mixture over dough to within 1 inch of edges. Roll dough up tightly on long side. Press edges to seal and form into a 12 in long, evenly shaped roll. With a knife, cut roll into 1-inch pieces. Place rolls into a greased 13x9-inch baking pan. Cover and let rise in warm, draft-free place until double in size, about 30-45 minutes.

Bake in preheated 375 degree ofen for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on rack for 10-15 minutes, then drizzle with powder sugar icing.


Oops--a couple were eaten before I could get a picture!! : )

Our current project

In our attempt to simplify...we are seriously considering selling our house and buying a larger camper to live in. Each of the ones that we really like have 3 bedrooms---yes, I said 3 bedrooms, in a camper, no less! Obviously they are not big bedrooms, but at least the kids each have a "place" of their own, that we can decorate to suit them. I don't think at this point in their lives (especially considering what they have been used to) that it would be a good idea to force them to share room. : ) The Titanium even has an extra 1/2 bath!! Definitely a plus!!

Here is a link to the one we REALLY like http://www.glendalerv.com/2007/Titanium/36e41.html and a picture. Actually the picture is not the exact floorplan we are looking at, but it shows the "basics".

But here is one that is very similar, but in a more affordable price range http://keystone-challenger.com/index.html and a picture

We know a lot of people are going to think we have absolutely lost our minds...but, you know, this is what we feel is right for now. We are excited about all the possibilites we have ahead of us!

Here is the property where we will be putting the camper and possibly one day we will build a house there too. This is the road up to our "spot". It just calls for pictures!

This is on top of the hill. Poppa and Frank have been working to clear it and flatten it out for us.

And this is the view that we will have !! Do you understand any better now?

Pickles!

06/04/07 ETA--We tried the pickles tonight and they were awesome! They had a bit of a "kick" to them (we will have to experiment with our spices), but they were very good! Anyone want to try some?

Today we made our first homemade pickles! We use the pickling cucumbers that we purchased at the Farmer's Market on Saturday. Frank and I found a recipe on the internet (which I will be happy to share if they turn out well). They have to refrigerate for one week, so now we wait...

Didn't they turn out beautiful??!!

A visit to a simpler life...

On Saturday, we visited a neighboring Amish Community. They have a Farmer's Market that is open to the public. This was the first time we had ever been there and learned that you MUST get there when they open, or much of the "good stuff" is already gone! We were able to get some pickling cucumbers, sour dough bread, and some grape tomatoes. It was such and interesting community to visit. The kids have read about Amish communities, but had never visited one--of course neither had we! : ) So it was new experience for all of us. We will definitely be returning sometime soon!