News

Momma went back to see her oncologist yesterday. She will not have to undergo anymore chemo treatments. It's a huge relief! We were worried that she'd have to begin the chemo all over again after such a long hiatus, but the doctor won't even consider it. He said she was obviously too highly allergic to the chemo to try it again. She will, however, most likely have to have radiation treatments in about 3 months.

I'm just so happy that she's still with us. The chemo did it's best to kill her, but she didn't let it. And we're going to do all that we can not to let the cancer have her, either.

I don't know if any of you remember my post a few months ago when I wondered how her hair would grow back. I know the answer now. Dark. My born blonde mother has a lovely cap of nearly-black, very wavy (and very soft) hair. I love to rub my hand over it and feel how soft and fine it is.

Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe used to be on Susan Meier's website, but the last time I was over there, she had revamped things and the recipe was gone. So, since I have spent the past couple of hours making Susan's Mother's most awesome Cinnamon Rolls, I'm going to share the recipe. If you try it and love it, be sure you thank Susan for sharing it in the first place. I'll be posting the recipe just as she did.

Cinnamon Rolls

If you've read more than two of [Susan's] books, you've probably noticed that [she] love[s] to throw in a scene with cinnamon rolls for breakfast! That's because [her] mother makes the best, mother-watering cinnamon rolls on the planet! Believe it or not, people wait for her rolls to arrive at picnics and for bake sales. [She's] seen small fights break out over these tasty treats.

But they're best served warm, with the maple icing sliding through the layers of sweet cinnamon coated dough...
If you bake, here's the recipe. Icing, too. You'll note that some of these measurements aren't carved in stone. That's because you may prefer a different amount of cinnamon and sugar or may need more or less flour depending upon humidity. You good bakers know all this though!

[SUSAN MEIER'S] MOTHER'S CINNAMON ROLLS
1 qt. milk
3 level tbsp. of yeast (or one 3-package strip)
4 egg yolks
1 lb. oleo
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp. salt

10-12 cups of flour. This amount varies. You add flour until dough is very soft. (Remember dough loses stickiness when it rises.)

Cinnamon and sugar blended for shaking onto rolled dough. (This should be a ratio of cinnamon and sugar that suits your taste!)

DIRECTIONS:

Heat milk until it's hot to the touch, but not so hot you can't keep your finger in it (though I'm not sure why you would want to) and add yeast.

After yeast has grown "fuzzy" and milk is cool, add egg yolks, oleo, and sugar.

Mix.

Begin to add flour until dough is very soft--remember you must be able to roll it, but it should be very soft.

Knead well.

Set aside. Let rise until double in bulk. Knead again. Let rise.

Take about 1/3 of the dough, roll out on flat surface (some people can do this with their fingers, others will need a rolling pin), then sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Use your fingers to spread the sugar and cinnamon evenly. Remember: This is to your taste. If you like more cinnamon feel free to add!

Roll into a jelly roll.

Cut into 1" segments.

Place segments on greased cookie sheets, leaving at least one inch of space between rolls.

Continue until all dough is used.

Let rise on cookie sheet until a little more than double in size. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.

ICING:

1 lb. powdered sugar

4 tbsp. non-dairy creamer of your choice ([her] mother uses Coffeemate...but it's your choice...and shhh...don't tell the other manufacturers [they] have a favorite!)

1 stick oleo

1 tbsp. maple flavoring

Enough water to make spreading consistency you desire.

Blend powdered sugar and non-dairy creamer in mixing bowl. Blend in oleo with hand mixer. Once sugar and oleo are creamed, add maple flavoring. This may be "spreadable" as is. If not, add water to the icing in increments of one teaspoon until you have the spreading consistency you need.

Then spread this wonderful icing on your rolls. If you spread on when the rolls are warm, icing will melt between the layers. Some people (like [Susan]) love this. Other wait until the rolls are cool for a less sticky roll. Especially if you plan to serve them to company!

Enjoy!

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Now it's time to add my own notes to the recipe. I use real butter in all my recipes. I always have, it's just my personal preference. When making the icing, I never have any non-dairy creamer on hand, so I use evaporated milk to thin the icing instead of water. It doesn't take much. And I always make extra icing. For me, this is not enough for all those yummy rolls!!!

Lastly, this makes a LOT of cinnamon rolls, so I bake them in round aluminum cake pans, then slip them in gallon zipper top bags and freeze them, after they've cooled. I also put some (sorry I don't measure this, I just plop some in) icing in a zipper top sandwich bag and put it in the gallon bag too. When we want cinnamon rolls for breakfast, I pull a bag out of the freezer, take out the pan and pop it in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes. While the rolls are warming, I put the bag of icing in a glass of hot water. When the rolls are warm, I cut the corner out of the bag of icing and squeeze over the warm cinnamon rolls. Talk about quick and easy!

did I say I'd be back?

I really did mean it, but my internet provider had other ideas. Yes, we were internetless for a few days. And since we use Vonage phone service, we were also phoneless. Well, almost phoneless--we do have our cell phones, but very little signal here where we live.

I guess you'll just have to wait a few more days to find out what I'm reading. Oh the suspense. Do you think you can stand it?

I know I said I was back

but between writing and the migraines that have been plaguing me, I just haven't found time for blogging. Besides, y'all really don't want to hear about how bad my head's been hurting, now do you?

I will do better in the future, I promise.

I'll try to get back this weekend with a list of what I'm reading now. After all, I'm sure you're dying to know what's on my nightstand this week. <g>