January 7, 2010

I had to be in Lubbock today for a Dr appointment or I wouldn't have left my warm house. Brian went along and we had a nice day. We shopped very little before the brief time with the rheumatologist and then the long drive home. It is less than three hours but it's one of those long Texas drives. I was so glad Brian could go.
It feels like we are on vacation. He has no assignments pressing in on him and we don't have to be at the office every day. We are enjoying these days while we have them. After we ate chile, Brian sat down at the puzzle table. Bree started doing puzzles during the Christmas holidays a few years ago so we opened a new 1000 piece puzzle before she left. I've spent the most time on it but Brian has enjoyed it also. It was easy at first but more difficult after we finished the colorful pieces. When he sat down, I stirred together some cinnamon rolls using rapid rise yeast. We worked while they rose. They smelled sooo good in the oven. After icing them, letting them cool slightly, I ate 2 and a half!! Brian was enthralled in the puzzle and didn't even eat as much as his wife. I am sure he'll make up for it in the morning.
What a pleasurable evening. Relaxing. Cozy. We are very thankful. We read Psalms on the way to Lubbock. Don't you just love the intimacy of the Psalms? An intimate day and evening. That's what I'd say.







RECIPE FOR THE CINNAMON ROLLS:
Heat 2 C of water to 105- 110 degrees. dissolve 2 pkgs of yeast in the water. Add 1 Cup sugar and 2 t salt. Stir. Add 3 cups of flour as you are mixing it all together. Then add 1 egg and 1/4 cup of Crisco and mix. Add 3 more cups of flour as you stir. MY mixer won't do the job here and I stir. It takes up to 1 more cup of flour - just work with it and when you can knead it, it's good. If you used the Rapid Rise yeast, you can shape dinner rolls. To make cinnamon rolls, half it and roll each out flat and long - about 1/2 inch thick. I pour sugar and cinnamon and chunks of butter on it, roll length- wise, slice about 1 inch sections, and let this rise till doubled - nearly an hour I think. Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes.
If you used regular yeast, you can let it rise once, punch it down, and then shape as desired to bake. You can also let it rise once in the frig, take it out and shape it, and then bake. I know people who want it for later and do the frig - but I haven't had good luck that way. Add the kind of icing you prefer. Sometimes I use cream cheese icing but this time it was just the milk/butter/powdered sugar.

The puzzle, called The Kiss, can be ordered on-line here -- Bits and Pieces.