Why does cold weather make me want to bake?

That is the question of the day!  I don't know the reason but recently I have been in the baking mood.  It must be the fact that I am stuck inside my toasty warm house all day long and have run out of things to keep my 3 year old entertained.  So this past weekend I went a little crazy!  It all started when I was trying to think of something to do for my friend Amy who just had a new baby boy.  I had already bought a gift but wanted to take a little something more.  I didn't want to do a full dinner because I am a little worried about whether or not they would like it, so I decided to do what a friend had done for me a number of years ago after I had my second baby.  So I dug through my recipe book to find a recipe for Cinnamon buns.  The title actually says Cinnabon's so I am guessing that it is pretty close to the actual recipe used by them.  I promised Amy I would share so here it is for all of you to enjoy!  I don't know how long they lasted at her house but the pan I made here didn't even last a day!

Cinnabon's

1 1/2 Tablespoons Yeast
4 Tablespoons Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
2 Cups Hot Water
1/4 Cup Oil
5 Cups Flour
1 Egg

Combine Sugar, Water, Oil, 2 Cups of Flour, Egg and Salt in large bowl or mixer. Add yeast and let set for 1 minute.  Add remaining 3 Cups of Flour.  Let rise till double in size.

Roll out on lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick and 2 feet long by 1 1/2 feet wide. Spread with 3/4 Cup of Butter or Margarine.  Top with mixture of  3/4 Cups of Brown Sugar and 1/4 Cup of Cinnamon.  Roll into long tube.  Cut into 2 1/2 inch pieces using thread or dental floss.  Place 1 inch apart in pan lined with wax paper.  Let rise till touching.  Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes till brown.

Ice Immediately
1 Package Cream Cheese 8oz.
1 Cup Butter or Margarine
4 Cups Icing Sugar   (Powdered Sugar for all my American readers)
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla
Drop of Lemon Juice  ( I use around 1/4 Teaspoon)

Eat until full!

My kids won't stop asking for them so this may have to be a regular on our Breakfast or Dessert menu from here on out!

She's finally walking.

I was so worried that Addy would start walking while we were in San Francisco, but luckily she decided to save it until we got back.  She finally decided it was easier to get around on 2 feet.  I can't believe how quickly she is growing up.  But I guess she can't stay a baby forever.  She also has increased her vocabulary to include kitty along with mama and dada.  Soon she will be talking up a storm! What a big girl!

San Francisco

So a couple of days after Halloween we were able to take another trip, this time just the two of us.  I was actually just tagging along, Pat spent the day in a continuing education class.  So that left me exploring by myself from 8-5 every day.  Who knew that San Francisco was so easy to get around.  We rented a car, but next time won't.  Not only is there hardly any parking the only parking in most places was Valet and it cost a lot.  Even our hotel only offered it.  On the first day there we had great weather, I spent the morning at Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39.  Saw the famous Sea Lions, had a good view of Alcatraz, browsed the shops and got familiar with the area.  Then grabbed some take out and went back to the hotel to eat and rest my feet.  After that was all said and done I walked down to the Hyde Street Pier.  Got an even better look at Alcatraz, Coit Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge, and walked down the pier and looked at the restored ships they had docked there.  Hyde Street is a crazy street.  I think it is one of the steepest streets in all of San Francisco, but you can't really tell from the picture I took of it.  I met Pat back at the hotel after his course was finished and we went back so that he could see everything that I did that day, and so we could get some dinner. 

The Sea Lions

Golden Gate Bridge

Coit Tower

Alcatraz

Hyde Street

While we were there we wanted to see a Broadway show. I was very sad that Wicked decided to go on tour during the time of our trip but I wasn't disappointed in West Side Story. Even better I actually recognized one of the cast from the show. Well actually Pat did, and pointed it out to me. Neil from So You Think You Can Dance Season 3. He was my favorite on that season so to see him in person was pretty great! Might have even got his picture if we stayed after for the cast Q&A, but we didn't want to miss our bus back to the hotel. This was the theater where it was showing at.

I also spent the day at Union Square doing some shopping.  It was super easy getting there thanks to the front desk attendant at our hotel.  They actually recommended using the bus instead of driving everywhere.  It took only 15 minutes to get there and every store you could imagine was within a 4 block radius.  This was from the patio at The Cheesecake Factory in Macy's.  It was a great view and good food of course!

Our last day there I decided to find Lombard Street. You can't visit San Francisco and not see it in my opinion, but for some reason Pat was not that interested. After a quick stop at the front desk for directions, I was on my way. It wasn't too far, but what they forgot to mention was that walking up Hyde Street is like walking up the side of a mountain. But hey now I can say I did that too! I couldn't imagine living on this street and having a million strangers walking up and down it every day.  Still it was very cool to see.

After dinner and a movie (our plans to go on a sunset cruise didn't work out)on our last night we stopped at Union Square one last time. They had been working on it the entire time we were there so we decided to see what was going on. They had put in an outdoor ice rink and we missed it by 3 days. It would have been so fun to be able to go skating!

I have a list of things to do the next time that we visit, and hopefully it will be soon. It was such a fun city to visit, and surprisingly very family friendly. We might have to make it a family affair next time!

Happy Halloween

So this year because Halloween fell on a Sunday, we celebrated on Saturday at our Tri-ward Trunk or Treat.  I love this.  We attended our first one when we lived in Kentucky.  We actually had a Trunk or Treat every year, not just when Halloween was on Sunday.  I forgot how much I really enjoy it.  We went all out this year.  Even I dressed up.  But of course in our rush to get out the door I forgot to get pictures of the kids.  This is the only picture I have and I am not even in it.  My brother did take a picture and as soon as I get a copy I will let you all see it!  Pat had a riot, can you guess where he is in this picture?

Did you find him? He spent the entire night scaring the kids! Some left in tears, some wouldn't even come near our trunk, and some came back for more! The best was when he scared the parents! Can't wait till next year! Happy Halloween!

Dear Jessie please update me more often. From Your Blog

I am sure that all of you loyal readers out there are agreeing with the title of this post.  I don't know why but October seems to be my worst blogging month.  I know it shouldn't be because we have sooo much going on, so I will try to redeem myself with this quick post!  The first thing I have to tell about is Rawley's friend party.  I guess it was a good thing I combined some of the celebrating with Addy, because by the day of his party only 2 of the 5 friends he invited could make it!  I am feeling somewhat guilty for limiting the number of invites, but seriously who would want 10 or 15 six year olds running wild in their house for 2 hours?  Not me!!  We had a Mario themed party complete with pin the mustache on Mario, a gold coin hunt, a koopa stomp, and a little Wii of course.  The cake was not my favorite,  not only was my frosting sliding down the sides of the so called 1 up mushroom, but it didn't really resemble a mushroom at all!  Good thing it tasted good!  In fact the cake looked so bad I didn't even take a picture of it! I guess I will have to redeem myself one of these years! Anyone want a Mario themed party? I have to thank my hubby for the awesome Mario and mustaches. We just used a bit of poster tack on the back of them to keep the paint from peeling off with each try and it worked great!

Yesterday was Emmy's preschool Halloween party we went back for the last 20 minutes of class and played Halloween Bingo, danced to Dem Bones and then came home.  Emmy was Little Red Riding Hood.  This was actually her costume from last year, but she changed her mind last minute so she really didn't get a chance to choose anything else.  She sure makes a cute Red Riding Hood in my opinion!

Rawley went as Wolverine and Hadley wore her gi that she used for Judo.  Every year the school does a costume parade so we joined in the fun this morning bright and early! Here is Rawley.

Hadley's picture was so blurry I just couldn't use it! The lighting in the school hates my camera!


I also made the cupcakes for Rawley's Class party.  Brains anyone??

We have trunk or treat on Saturday! I will tell you all about it hopefully before we head to San Francisco for a kid free trip!