Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

I'm feeling pretty good about myself right now! You see, I've created my very own first recipe!

Now, really, in this day and age, you don't come up with a new idea. You find something that sounds good on pinterest. You try it out and it may or may not be all you hoped and dreamed it would be. But by tweaking things and changing them, they eventually become your own. No one else wrote it for me. I created it myself.

I LOVE to bake! I love cakes and cookies and breads and basically anything that goes in the oven. I like creating yummy aromas that permeate the house. I like the comfort that baked goods bring to people. And, of course, I love putting yummy things in my tummy!

As soon as the leaves began to change, I was ready for soups and stews and fresh baked breads. This is not going to go well with my diet plan!

But I've also been turning over a new leaf.... I've added pumpkin to my ingredient list.

Truth be told ... I'm not a fan of pumpkin pie. Never have been. I think it's a texture thing.

However, pumpkin flavored cakes and now cinnamon rolls are starting to find their way into my tastebuds.

So I started out with a fabulous dough....

Rolled it out added sugar and cinnamon inside....

Cut them into their cute little rolls (with dental floss, of course!)....

Baked them up and added a superb cream cheese icing and life became wonderful!

Okay, so it was already wonderful but this just put "the icing on the cake," if you will!

Recipe:
1 1/4 cup warm water
1/3 cup of sugar
2 T dry yeast
1/4 cup oil

1 egg
1/2 T salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp ginger
3/4 cup pumpkin
4 1/2 - 5 cups bread flour

4 T melted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 T cinnamon

4 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 T milk

1. Mix first 4 ingredients together and let sit until yeast bubbles, about 10 minutes.
2. Add egg, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and pumpkin and mix well.
3. Add flour a 1/4 cup at a time until dough comes together. Then dump out onto a floured surface, adding a little flour as needed to keep from becoming sticky.
4. Cover with a clean cloth and let sit for about 10 minutes.
5. Pour some oil on your counter. Divide dough in half and roll or press out to about a 16" by 12" rectangle.
6. Spread 2 T of melted butter on dough. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 T cinnamon and 1/4 cup white sugar. Roll up tight. Divide into 12 rolls and place in a 9x13 greased pan.
7. Repeat with other half of dough.
8. Let rise for 15 minutes.
9. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Icing - mix together cream cheese and powdered sugar. Add vanilla. Add milk a little at a time to desired consistency.

Perspective

After reviewing my last two posts, it seems I'm becoming thoughtful in my "old age". (I just passed my half birthday and am now closer to 30 than 29! Eeek!!) Let's not turn over a new leaf now.

Sunday, my cute little family and I visited Latta Plantation. If you live in the Charlotte area and have not been there, please do so. NOW. There are so many things to do that you can go often and not get bored.

We picnicked close to the lake. Our kiddos are slight water freaks. Like every time we cross a bridge, you are sure to hear "Water!" from at least one, if not both of the speaking children. And so once we were finished eating (meaning we waited as long as we could hold Maecie off), we took a walk near the water. There are so many different trails with trees and rocks and interesting things to see and enjoy. I thought the kids might get a little bored without an actual playground, but they were so excited about nature, they didn't care.

And it was during this said walk that we met Sergeant and Mrs. Brown. Now, Clayton and Maecie are not shy children. I'm not sure where they get it from, because I will smile at people, but not really speak unless I know them. I'm not usually comfortable unless I'm in my own territory. However, this never stops these two from chatting away with whomever they pass.

Sergeant and Mrs. Brown were about in their mid to late 60's. They were seated, holding hands. And as we approached, they commented on our lovely family. Clayton pipes up informing them of his name and that he just started kindergarten. After a brief introduction, the Browns commented on how they had a child as well, but he was 32 years old now. But they have a grandchild. And grandchildren are just as precious. 

Between my middle of the night baby feedings, night time potty training, and combating a cold, I have been a little tired. A little cranky, if you will. And seeing this sweet couple, sitting on a park bench and enjoying one another's company with the quiet of nature came with a slight twinge of jealousy.

And then I thought, as the Browns commented on their child and grandchild, that they might have experienced the same slight twinge of jealousy. 

So today I'm enjoying ages 5, 2, and 6 months. Their entertaining stories, cute little dances, and army crawls!

I guess life is all about perspective.

Nostalgia...Gets Me Every Time!

Whether it's driving down a street, a smell in the kitchen, a saying, or a candy, little things can flood you with memories. And I am a sucker for remembering. 

Things that remind me of my childhood, my grandparents, great-grandparents, or other family and school friends are some of the memories I enjoy the most. They always seem to bring back the simpler times.

So when my children find a candy from "back in the day" that I haven't seen in a while, I become a pushover for the nostalgia!

One such time, we were in Home Depot to pick up a couple of items I needed for a craft project. The kiddos had been pretty good that day, traveling to a few different stores to pick up all the necessary items for my project. And I had promised them a treat for their good behavior. We get up to the check out and there are numerous candies and snacks to choose from. But something had already caught my little man's eye. When he asked for a Push Pop, I paused.

The colorful cap with the black writing. The yellow tube that sticks on your finger to push up the candy. It all sent me back to 3rd grade summer. My best friend, Kristy, and I would ride our bikes through the neighborhood and down some dirt paths to the convenience store. This little store was a bit intimidating, but together, we could do anything! And we would take whatever money we could gather from our piggy banks to buy candy. Chewy Sweetarts, Airheads, Push Pops, and Cow Tails .... memories!

Memories that make me a sucker for buying suckers for my kids! Maybe they will conjure memories for them as well!

What makes you nostalgic?

A Gentle Reminder

We spend most of our young lives going to school. We go every year for at least 13 years. Not because we will forget that 1+1=2, but because if we aren't using it daily, we will forget.

A majority go to church every week. Not because you forget that Jesus said "Love one another", but because you need that reminder after the SUV cut you off on the interstate, the cashier at the checkout gave you the wrong change, and you are starting to doubt people's abilities. 

These things don't make us inadequate, they just make us human.

This past weekend was what we Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) call General Conference. Twice a year we have the opportunity to hear from the leaders of our church, the prophet included. The speakers don't usually say anything we haven't heard before, we just need gentle reminders.

For example, in one talk we were reminded that just going to church on Sundays is not enough. We need to live Christ-like lives daily and be examples to our children, friends, and co-workers. It's not anything I hadn't heard before, yet it was a gentle reminder to live my life the way the Lord has intended.

I began a new job at the start of the school year as a music teacher for a preschool. I have the opportunity to sing songs with 1-5 year olds for 2-3 hours, two days a week. During this time, I share a scripture verse with them and have a short spiritual lesson.

Today, during such a time, I was reminded that I need to have these spiritual moments at home, with my children. I try to set an example and take advantage of teachable moments as one child takes a toy from another. But I don't always set aside time for a spiritual moment. We pray together. We read scriptures together. And yet, just taking a minute to say Jesus Christ loves you or remember to give thanks to Heavenly Father for all that you have ... well, those moments have escaped me.

So this evening I paused with my two oldest, opened up the scriptures and shared a spiritual thought with them. It was elaborate or fully planned. But it was intentional.

I am thankful for gentle reminders. I am still learning.

Late Nights

When Daddy says it's going to be a late night, I confess ... I'm a little excited!

Now for our family, this doesn't happen too often. However, when he has a big project, and can, he may plan to work late. And "late", for my hubby, means 10pm or later. 

As I sat with the kiddos at the dinner table tonight and they were being their rowdy selves, I wondered how many other moms miss their husbands at dinner. {Even when Patrick isn't working "late", he is rarely home before 6:30pm. And for a 2 and 5 year-old, that is too late to start serving dinner. They are trying to munch or taste what's cooking by 5:15, so we usually eat around 5:30 or so.... with or without Dad.} How about the moms whose husbands travel or work late as a ritual? How do they do it? It's almost like being a single mom Monday through Friday. Dinner, bed time, and everything in between is done solo. Don't know that I could do that daily. For my sanity!

And yet, I have learned to enjoy these occasions. 

It means I can have a dedicated baking/shopping day without feeling like the house has to be spotless. {Not that it ever is!}

It means that the kids will get to bed on time. {Dad has a tendency to want to spend just an extra few minutes with them.}

It means I have time to blog. {Aren't you lucky?!}

It means I can catch up on my shows that I've missed. {since nothing comes on before 9 or 10pm and I'm only allowed to watch "Dora" during the day, I get behind a day or two....Thankful for DVR!}

It also means I can eat chocolate chip cookies with milk and not have anyone steal them.

Yep ... I enjoy these late nights. 

As long as they are few and far between!

Middle Child or Terrible Twos

My little Maecie Jane is 2 years old. She turned 2 about 10 days after Lucie was born. She has gorgeous long, blonde hair with a little curl in it. {to which I'm slightly envious of!} She loves to play with her dolls, her little sister and big brother, and sing songs. But when it comes to listening to directions, Maecie has a hard time. 

When I first brought down the exersaucer for Lucie from the attic, Maecie wanted to try it out. I explained that it was a toy for Lucie and she isn't supposed to sit in it. A little later, I caught her starting to climb in. But what was funny and caught me off guard was that she told me, "Mom, don't look!", and covered her eyes {so I couldn't see her} while continuing to climb in the exersaucer. 

What might be cute and funny the first few times, isn't frustrating the 10th and 12th time! 

Needless to say, Maecie has spent a lot of time in time out. And since she has seen her brother go to time out, she knows how it works. When her time is over {I do a minute for each year old the child is}, we talk about why she was in time out. I ask why she had to go to time out, and she always responds accurately. So surely she should know that being a good listener is what we are asking her to do. 

I even try to make sure {no one is perfect} that when she does follow directions, that we praise her for listening.

So why is it still occurring daily??

And it's not just me .... she has had a hard time following directions for her preschool babysitter {who watches both girls while I teach music}. 

The thought crossed my mind ... is she starting to show signs of "middle child syndrome"? Or is it just the "terrible twos"? Or do these two things even exist?

I generally believe that the "terrible twos" phase is more of kids asserting their independence and wanting to start doing things for themselves. And middle child syndrome is more that when the child, all of the sudden, isn't the center of attention, starts to feel left out. 

We have been trying to make sure Maecie gets some one on one attention from us and that we let her do the things she can do and still be safe. We are keeping track to see if we notice things improving.

What are your thoughts? Do you think there is such as thing as "terrible twos" or "middle child syndrome"? Or kids are just kids?

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins!!

It's Muffin Time! 

{And no, I don't mean the muffin top I've been sporting for a while!}

Muffins are such a great breakfast because you can eat them on the go and fill them with your favorite ingredients! 

Anyone stuck in a breakfast rut? How many times have you made/had cereal or oatmeal? Let's spice it up with these moist, delicious muffins!

These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins are my fave. My kids like to munch them for snacks, breakfast, and any time they can! I don't really know the nutritional value, but with oats and applesauce, what really could be that bad?!

Want to know how to make them??

Gather your ingredients: 

Start with butter (or margarine) and brown sugar and blend together.

Then add your egg and incorporate that. Next, in a separate bowl, mix together your flour {I used half whole wheat and half all-purpose and we couldn't tell a difference!}, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add a little of the flour mixture at a time, alternating with the applesauce so that the flour doesn't fly everywhere! {Trust me!}

Next, stir in your rolled oats and chocolate chips {cause everything is better with a little chocolate} or raisins or blueberries or whatever suits your fancy!

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until done.

That's it! Pair with a piece of fruit and you are done! How simple is that?! Not to mention, really yummy! 

Now get out of the breakfast rut and make some muffins!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins Full Recipe: (adapted from All Recipes.com)

1/2 cup of butter or margarine (1 stick)

3/4 cup of brown sugar (I only used 1/2 a cup to cut out some of the sweet, especially since you use applesauce)

1 egg

1 cup of flour (I used half whole wheat and half all-purpose, but use what makes you happy)

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup applesauce

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup chocolate chips {I'm a semi-sweet girl, but feel free to add dark or milk or even white!} or use raisins or berries ... it's really versatile!

*In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Alternately add flour mixture and applesauce to your butter and sugar mixture. Stir in rolled oats and chocolate chips. 

*Spoon into a greased or lined muffin tin. {I usually like to make mini-muffins} Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. {If you use mini-muffins, decrease your time to about 10-12 minutes}