Brrr...

We're experiencing a c-c-c-c-cold snap right now. It reached -17 degrees F this morning. I don't know if it was colder last night or not, but that's brrrrr. We stayed home from Gillette Sp. Mtg today. I have a pretty good cold going with a cough, so we decided not to go. We sure look forward to our guests coming tomorrow. I have to go into M's office and help his receptionist get the Longaberger baskets filled with all the goodies he's giving to his 2008 customers. All for today...time to get off the computer.

Sleepy Boy and another Sunrise

Jonathan was tuckered out one day...yes, it doesn't happen very often that he actually takes a nap in the afternoon. Daddy must have been very impressed to take this pic. But doesn't he look so peaceful?!
Another sunrise...according to my husband, if you get a chance to see a sunrise about once every ten days in your life, you will get to see about 2,400 sunrises. I didn't do the math...I figure I'll enjoy all the ones I get to see.

RRRRobin Hood!

Jonathan got to watch the animated version of "Robin Hood" one evening. Now he's really into it. The next day, (while I was supposed to be sewing basket inserts for the Longaberger baskets Michael is sending out to 2008 customers), Jonathan asked if I could make him a Robin Hood dress. I looked all over the house for a big green t-shirt I could just belt for him. No luck! Then I spotted a pair of green sweat pants that was slated for cutting for rags. Perfect! So I cut off the legs, slit them up the seams, then sewed it all together, realized I had just made a perfectly good bag but NOT a tunic, ripped out what I had just sewed, bit back a few bad words, (said a few in spite of myself), made several other attempts, ripped out a few more seams, growled a few times at my sweet boy who was getting impatient for his "Robin Hood dress", made lunch, put Annisia down for a nap, then managed to finish the tunic in just under 4 hours! Yes, you read that right...4 hours of my life making this thing. Man was I stressed out! Sewing machines and I do not have a very good relationship. They have always been a source of stress for me. Just ask my mom and my home economics teacher! Seam rippers and I, on the other hand, have a very bonding relationship! Yep, we are like apples and pie. I really think I should have invested in an ergonomic handled seam ripper...
Here he is, with his quiver (a Basmati rice bag), and bow (handle off of a basket and shoelace). His arrows were raspberry stalks cut last spring so they were nice and dry.

He wore it the rest of that day, the next 2 days, and took it off (under duress) to go to Bible study. I think he likes it. He still wants a hat and shoes to look more Robin Hood authentic. We may have to wait until Aunty Leilani comes to visit to do those!

Thanksgiving

This is the sunrise we awoke to Thanksgiving morning. Wasn't it beautiful?

I made the dinner rolls...the recipe is at the bottom of the post...they were great! And my apple pie turned out pretty good. At least it was pretty...(heehee)!

We had the day with Michael's family.

Pumpkin Cloverleaf Rolls

“The herb flavoring is subtle, but the texture is rich. In fact, these pull-aparts are sweet and buttery enough to please even the most stubborn self-proclaimed vegetable hater – despite the fact that they’re made with (shhh) squash.” (Family Fun magazine, November 2008)

3¾ cups flour, plus more for sprinkling
1 package or 2¼ tsp instant or bread machine yeast
1 tsp salt
¼ cup milk
¼ cup honey
½ cup canned or frozen and thawed pureed pumpkin or squash
1 large egg
½ cup warm water
8 fresh sage leaves, slivered (or 1 1/3 tsp dried leaves)
½ cup (1 stick) butter

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, yeast, and salt and set it aside.

Pour the milk into a microwave-safe bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup and microwave it on high for 30 seconds. Whisk in the honey, squash, egg, and water. (The liquid mixture should be less than 110°; anything hotter might kill the yeast.)

With a fork, blend the squash mixture into the flour mixture until you have soft dough. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Two hours before baking, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead 6 sage leaves into the dough. Melt the butter and set it aside in a small bowl. Divide the dough in half, and then divide each half into 6 portions. Divide each portion into 3 pieces. With floured hands, roll each piece into a ball and dip it into the melted butter. Place 3 balls in a muffin cup. Continue until 12 muffin cups are filled.

Drizzle or brush each roll with ½ teaspoon of the leftover melted butter and then sprinkle them with the rest of the sage. Let the rolls rise in a warm spot (at least 70°) until they’re double in size, about 1 to 1 ½ hours. The 3 balls of dough will rise together to form a cloverleaf shape.

Heat the oven to 350°. Bake the rolls until golden, about 15 to 17 minutes. Makes 1 dozen.