It's So Easy To Make Me Happy...

Look at this beautiful pattern! A few weeks ago I won this from my dear friend Linda at Prairie Flower Farm. Linda has a heart of gold and is such an encouragement to me! On top of everything else sweet about her, she adores her chickens too :)


I cannot wait to make this apron! Look at the way it wraps around back without cinching the poor homemaker around the waist! Comfort all the way...
 
Now all I need is to decide what fabric to use...

The Famous Cinnamon Rolls!

If you've ever been at the farm for a Saturday morning, you may have been treated to the Famous Cinnamon Rolls .

For those of you that may never make it here, I'm sharing the recipe for you to enjoy with your family. It's more work than Pillsbury, but there is no comparison to that "down on the farm" taste...and the satisfaction of being able to bake something so delicious...well, I think it's a dying art! So have fun~your family will be so glad you did!

Regan Family Farm's Famous Cinnamon Rolls

Mix together in mixing bowl:
2 1/2 c. flour

1 T. yeast

Heat gently to 115-120 degrees:

1 c. milk

1/3 c. butter

1/3 c. sugar

1 t. salt

Add to flour mixture. Blend. then add:

3 slightly beaten farm fresh eggs

Mix well.

Add an additional 2 c. flour to make sticky but manageable dough. Mix for 6-7 minutes. Let rise until doubled.

While rising, mix the following:

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. flour

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 c. butter

1 peeled and finely chopped apple

When dough is finished rising, roll out on lightly floured surface into large rectangle. Spread with brown sugar mixture and sprinkle with apple.

Raisins and nuts are optional, though we never use them!

Roll the dough starting with the long edge, then cut into 12 or 16 pieces, depending on personal preference. Place in a greased 9x13" pan. Here is a trick for the greedy ones that always want the center: after cutting into pieces, take the end slices and place in the center two spots in the pan. I work my way out from there...no need to punish the people who end up with the corner rolls, as they get the most goo!

Cover and refrigerate for 2-24 hours. Uncover, and let sit for 30 minutes before baking. Bake at 350 degrees until golden, and I'm sorry to say, I go by sight and smell here. Just don't overbake! Rolls can be inverted after out of the oven for a minute or so, or served from the pan.

We make a buttercream frosting and spread when warm. Enjoy!



For all my dear friends who commented on my previous post, THANK YOU for your kind and helpful comments. Though my progress was interrupted due to another back injury, as of tonight I have given away four large bags of children's clothing and thrown a couple of unnecessary items out. More is on it's way!

On the Farm...

Preparations are under-way for Thanksgiving at the farm. We like to clean and organize before everyone arrives, and bake, bake, bake! I can't seem to stick with the planned menu...I just keep adding more. With all the children helping, we seem to want to try just about every delectible recipe out there. Our first responsibility is to make the traditional Pecan Pie to honor my momma's southern heritage, Pumpkin Fudge to bless my brother-in-law, and someone else has volunteered to make the Apple Pie, Cranberry Tart and Pumpkin Pie. Who knows? Maybe we'll think of something else!



In addition to the turkey, we will bake a delicious ham~children-loved and farm-fresh from the summer. Now that is a reward...knowing our meat came from the farm.

If anyone is looking to try a new sweet potato recipe this year, I humbly submit our third-generation recipe as, well, the best. Besides, marshmallows in my potatoes make me nervous...

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 c. mashed sweet potatoes (bake your own~approximately one large potato =one cup)

1/2 c. brown sugar*

1/2 c. white sugar*

1 c. milk

1/2 c. butter

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. vanilla

2 eggs

2 c. corn flakes (crush after measuring)

1/2 c. chopped pecans (optional)

Add milk, sugars, butter, salt, vanilla, eggs and 1/2 of the crushed corn flakes to the mashed potatoes. (We add the butter to the warm potatoes to easily soften/melt it) Mix well on high. Put in large, greased casserole. Sprinkle with remaining cornflakes and pecans. Bake 15 minutes if warm or 30 minutes if cold at 375.

*The sugars can be reduced some, based on personal preference

What are some of your favorite recipes?

Have a blessed day tomorrow as you prepare for Thanksgiving, and do remember to enjoy the labor.

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17

Hymn-sing!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Col. 3:16-17

The farm was alive with fellowship and singing Friday night! Several families came in the sub-zero weather to our hymn-sing and we had such a great time around our Lord. Lots of grace, encouragement, and Christian love. Just what I needed. Even after a number of years as a Christian, God is still showing me areas in my life that need growth. Among them...loving the brothers and sisters in the Lord that He has placed in my life, caring for the needs of others, and the desperate need for a gentle and quiet spirit. I'm not too excited to put this out publicly, but there it is. In addition to a quiet spirit, I just need to be QUIET and STEP AWAY FROM MY MOUTH. (Thanks sis, for such an approriate directive). So, we begin our morning now, and it will be the dear children that will see the day-to-day progress, Lord willing.