Sunday Again!!! (Cinnamon Rolls)

Grrrr!!!!  I am frustrated..  I have spent the whole morning writing in my blog,  posting pics and it freaking deleted itself and then saved right after it deleted..  I am going to scream!!!!

So I got up this morning pretty early because I couldn't sleep.. of course,  tomorrow morning will be another story..  but such is life..   I listened to some music and planned my day out.   experimenting in the kitchen,  doing a little cleaning,  still need to get in my bedroom and fold and hang up my clothes..   It has been a pretty good weekend,  very nice,  had some plans for last evening but they didn't pan out..  so I ended up watching a couple movies until time to pick Saundra up..  then came home and chilled for a while and then went to bed..

Jennifer Alayna Lacy..  I love you and miss you everyday!!

Yesterday my niece was on my mind all day..  it would have been her 28th birthday..  which makes me realize how much I miss her..  how much of life she and the others missed.. they were all so young..  it is hard to believe that it is going to be 11 years since the fire..  I just can't believe it..   I miss them as much today as I did 11 years ago..  and when people say that time heals all wounds,  they are so wrong.. this wound,  it is to large..   Jennifer was such a vibrant, beautiful, smart, funny, loving, kind young lady..  she was also very independent and very stubborn,  a trait that all the women in our family share..  I am so glad that she was in my life for the time she was..  I love you Jennifer and I miss you each and every day..  
After I showered I went into the kitchen,  cleaned and prepped to experiment with Cinnamon Rolls..  I am using the base recipe for the Bread I made a few weeks back when we had the snow storm,  I am just changing a few things and hoping everything works out.. :)

Cinnamon Rolls

Rolls:
3 c warm water
8 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp yeast
1/4 c heavy cream
3/4 c milk
1/2 c butter
2 eggs
t tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c sugar
7 to 10 c flour

Filling:
softened butter
sugar
cinnamon

Frosting:
Powdered sugar
vanilla
milk

In a large mixing bowl put the water, 8 tbsp sugar and the yeast,  let proof for 5 minutes until bubbly and fragrant.  While that is proofing melt the butter and slightly heat the heavy cream and milk,  until warm to the touch,  not hot,  if it is to hot it will kill the yeast,  beat the eggs in a bowl.  After the yeast has proofed add the sugar, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, 1 c of the flour..  mix and while it is mixing add the eggs and slowly add the butter, cream and milk.  Add another cup of flour and mix well,  repeating with 1 c of flour at a time until a soft dough forms,   turn out onto a floured surface and knead about 5 minutes adding more flour on the surface until the dough is no longer sticky.. ,  form into a large ball,  cut into 4 equal pieces and form each piece into a ball,  cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 15 minutes.  Punch each ball down to release the air and put 3 aside and roll the 4th one out into a rectangular shape,  spread with softened butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon,  roll up jelly roll style and pinch seam to seal,  cut in 1 inch slices and put cut side up in a greased 9x13 pan.  repeat with remaining dough and then let rise for 1 hour to an 1 1/2 hours, until doubled in size.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes,  the top will be golden brown.  Immediately frost with the frosting and let cool for about 10 minutes and frost again..  they are so yummy!!!  Next time I am going to experiment with the frosting..  either use less,  cause I like to taste the rolls not the frosting or use a cream cheese frosting..   that will be my next experiment..  the frosting..

While I was waiting for the first batch to cook I prepped dinner..  For dinner I am making roasted Chicken Breast on a base of carrots, celery, onions and garlic.. with dirty smashed potatoes and a huge waldorf salad with mixed greens, granny smith apples, walnuts and dried cranberries.. 

Roasted Chicken Breast

6 carrots, washed, halved and quartered
5 to 6 stalks celery, cut in 4 inch pieces
1 onion, quartered
garlic. minced
Chicken Breast,  bone in with skin on, rinsed under cold water
salt and pepper
paprika
steak seasoning
no salt seasoning
Italian herb seasoning
garlic powder
Worcestershire sauce
Olive Oil
Balsamic Venegrette Salad Dressing

Pour some olive oil in a large roasting ran,  layer the carrots, celery, onions, garlic and top with seasoning,  pour a little worcestershire sauce in the pan around the vegetables..   Top with the Chicken Breast, drizzle the breast with olive oil and then pour the balsamic vinegrette over the chicken..  roast in a 350 degree oven for and hour and a half.. 

Smashed Dirty Potatoes

5 to 7 medium potatoes, washed and cubed
4 to 5 garlic cloves, minced
cold water
butter
milk
salt and pepper

Place the potatoes and garlic in a pan,  cover with cold water and put over medium heat, bring to a boil and cook until fork tender,  drain,  mash with a potato masher,  add butter, milk, salt and pepper and stir well.  Taste for seasoning..