Fishing for Pickles

I want a pickle, I mean I REALLY want a pickle. I love pickles, I always have, I guess you could say I have a pickle passion. I have such fond childhood pickle memories. I remember as a child having giant jars of pickles in our home. I would take a fork and try to spear one on the end of it. Those slippery little things liked to try and get away, but it never lasted long. In the end I stood triumphantly with a pickle on the end of my fork. Then came the first bite and pickle juice drips down my chin. Ahh, the memories. Most people probably have memories like this with peaches or something, not me, I have pickle memories.

Cinnamon Hang Over

I have found the perfect cinnamon roll recipe. These cinnamon rolls turned out absolutely perfect. In my quest for the perfect cinnamon roll I knew it had to have yeast, the last time I made cinnamon rolls without yeast they turned out to be small, crunchy, sad, little things. As I searched I came upon this recipe that looked good and so I began the second leg of my journey. Now that I had found the perfect cinnamon roll recipe I began to create the perfect cinnamon roll. Here is the recipe with a few alterations.

Harvest Cinnamon Rolls
1 cup milk (heated approximately 1 minute in microwave)
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F.)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature and beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
5 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten (optional)*
3 teaspoons instant active dry yeast

In a large bowl or in the bowl of a 5 quart stand mixer, combine all the ingredients in the order given . Using a dough hook, mix everything together until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled surface (I use a nonstick cooking spray), and knead until elastic, approximately 10 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.

Butter a 9x13x2-inch baking pan; set aside.

After dough has rested, roll and stretch the dough into approximately a 15x24-inch rectangle.

Brush the softened butter over the top of the dough with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle Cinnamon Filling over the butter on the prepared dough.

CINNAMON FILLING:
1/2 cup butter, melted or softened
1 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
1-2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3/4 to 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Soften the butter; set aside. In a bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon

The original recipe called for 3-4 tablespoons of cinnamon, but that was way to much so I cut it is half. I am also going to try 1/2 cup white sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar to see if it helps.

Starting with long edge, roll up dough; pinch seams to seal. NOTE: Rolling the log too tightly will result in cinnamon rolls whose centers pop up above the rest of them as they bake.
With a knife, lightly mark roll into 1 1/2-inch section. Use a sharp knife (I like to use a serrated knife and saw very gently) or slide a 12-inch piece of dental floss or heavy thread underneath. By bringing the ends of the floss up and criss-crossing them at the top of each mark, you can cut through the roll by pulling the strings in opposite directions. Place cut side up in prepared pan, flattening them only slightly. The unbaked cinnamon rolls should not touch each other before rising and baking. Do not pack the unbaked cinnamon rolls together.

TWO OPTIONS:

Refrigerating or Freezing Unbaked Cinnamon Rolls:

• At this point, the cinnamon rolls can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight (I've actually made them two days in advance) or frozen for 1 month. Before baking, allow rolls to thaw completely and rise in a warm place if frozen. I have found that I have to take the unbaked frozen cinnamon rolls out of the freezer 10 to 12 hours before planning to bake. I just put the frozen cinnamon rolls (container and rolls) on my counter (not in the refrigerator) overnight for 10 to 12 hours.
  
• If refrigerated, they can be either baked upon removing from the refrigerator or let come to a room temperature (I've done both ways). They do a slow rise overnight and it is not necessary to let them come to room temperature before baking. NOTE: If you rolls are not rising enough after being refrigerated, your yeast may need to be tested. To overcome this, let them rise, while sitting on the counter, until you achieve the desired rising before baking.

Bake Immediately After Making:

Cover and let rise in a warm place for approximately 45 to 60 minutes or until doubled in size (after rising, rolls should be touching each other and the sides of the pan).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. for regular oven or 325 degrees F. for a convection oven.

• Bake in a convection oven approximately 15 to 20 minutes until they are a light golden brown.
  
• Baked in a regular oven approximately 20 to 25 minutes in a regular oven until they are a light golden brown.

After you have baked the cinnamon rolls (they may need a little extra time) let them cool for a little while to frost, but make sure they are still pretty warm so that the frosting melts.
speaking of melting, this frosting is amazing.

BUTTER FROSTING:
2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar
1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon lemon extract or oil (optional)

When I mean amazing, I mean "forget the cinnamon rolls and pass the spoon," this frosting is heavenly. I loved it. I wanted to lick the frosting off and leave the rest. I did not add the oil and I added just a little extra sugar and vanilla...wow, it is good.

If you do not like cinnamon rolls you at least have to try this frosting, it is just that good...try not to think about the ingredients, it just ruins the whole heavenly experience. Mmm...all in all a day well spent, and one tasty night.

Listening

Happy Friday the 13th everyone. So today I was talking to a friend of mine whom I love dearly, but something about her really confuses me, she often apologizes for talking about problems or things that bug her. I am confused because of two reasons, 1)listening: that is what friends are for right? and 2) listening is so easy, I wonder why people don't do it more often.
I got this picture from an article that said if people listened more it would solve a lot of societies problems, I agree. So to my kindred random spirit, I WILL always listen (except when my mind starts to wonder, but I'll try not to let it) and to any one else who needs an ear, I have two. I want to change the world, I want to make it a better place, and if I can do that by listening I will listen to anyone who needs to talk.
Now the hardest part for me is going to be shutting up long enough for someone else to talk. I can do it...I CAN do it.

Genius in the Making

I had hoped for at least a few years before my son could out smart me, no such luck. At 7 months Glen was able to solve this brain teaser puzzle that I have been working on for months, and it took him about 30 seconds. He truly has the Hansen smart genes.

Father Like son

I walked into the living room the other day to find Glen wearing John's headphones. Don't ask me how he got into them, but he sure was having a good time. I ran to get John so he could see, his comment? "He is his father's son" Because of this and the fact he loves computers so much already I have no doubt. Of course I have still had a say in matters and Glen also loves reading, Sign Language, and playing cards...though the last is probably for the chewing factor.

Roar, Trumpet, HIss, Squack

Glen loves reading books, and chewing on them, and this is his favorite. It is a lift the flap book that makes him laugh every time I read it. what a fun book.

My Little Vampire

Glen has two more teeth. Instead of getting his front top teeth he got the two pointy teeth on each side. So he has a gap in the front and then two pointy teeth on the side. Awww..my little vampire. He sure is a cute vampire, maybe we should call him Edward...nah, Glen is a better name, even for a vampire child.

Boxen and toeses

Why do parents even bother to buy toys, I mean seriously. Christmas comes around and Glen has a pile of new toys that he plays with for all of two minutes before he is done. Give him the wrapping paper though and he is good for a half hour.
Take this box for example. Glen loves this box. He will play with this box until the cows come home. I starting taking the video because he was laughing so much. He can't get enough of this box.

Why buy toys when you have a perfectly good box,
Toes.a water bottle
or a mirror.

Even Bella loved the box more then the toys

Poor desolate toys. They are so lonely. Look at the poor Sneech hanging his head in shame. Won't somebady play with them?...Anybody?

Let Him Lift you

I had an interesting experience skiing with John last week. On one of the runs I was not able to get off the ski lift when I was supposed to so I kind of had to jump (not far) but I fell. I was trying so hard to get up, but for some reason I couldn't. A man came over to help me up. I figured it would make it easier for him if I tried to help him help me...WRONG! As we both struggled I heard John say, "Just let him help you." Here is where the Lord taught me. As soon as I stopped struggling and trying to do it my way the man was able to pull me up quickly and easily.
When we are struggling and the Lord come to give us a hand it is time to stop struggling and allow Him to help us. I know that often the Lord wants to help us, but we won't let Him. It is time to let Him lift us.