This is the End . . . .

Of 2008!

I can't believe how fast 2005 has gone by! WOW! It's been fast paced with lots of changes and surprises! So, here's to ending the old year and starting the new year with a bang! For the month of January, I want to focus more on my eating habits. Not a diet, or following a set plan, but changing my bad to good! I'm thinking I'm going to have the kids go along for the ride and see how long we can make it last! So for the month of January, I'm going to be posting healthy recipes that I find and tweak to fit my cooking needs which fall into the category quick and easy to make! So long 2008 and hello 2009!

I Have a Problem

Seriously. Bad. Huge. Mistake.

I've been making cinnamon rolls today.

Seriously. Bad. Huge. Mistake.

I might have to not ever bake them again.

Seriously. Bad. Huge. Mistake.

The smell so heavenly.

Seriously. Bad. Huge. Mistake.

The taste so good.

Seriously. Bad. Huge. Mistake.

Here's the recipe:

Dough:
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 TBSP yeast
2 cups warm evaporated milk
3 TBSP white sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
8 1/2 cups of flour
1 instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces)
2 eggs

Filling:

1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups brown sugar
6 TBSP ground cinnamon
nuts and raisins optional

Frosting:
2 containers of your favorite cream cheese frosting

Combine all the dough ingredients in either your bread maker or bosch. Set the bread maker to the dough cycle and let it do it's thing. If your using a bosch, let the ingredients mix for about 15 minutes. Let rise for about 45 minutes in a warm place. Punch down and let rise again for about 30 minutes.

While the dough is on it's final rise, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Set aside for later.

Once the dough is ready, roll it out on a lightly floured flat surface. Roll it out into a big rectangle, about a 1/4 inch thick throughout. Spread the butter on the surface, until evenly coated. Sprinkle the brown sugar/cinnamon mix over the butter. Roll the dough, starting on the long side. Slice the roll into inch thick slices with a very sharp knife and arrange on a well greased pan. Let rise until doubled in height.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the tops are a light golden brown. DO NOT OVERCOOK!!!

Remove from the oven and smear the cream cheese frosting over the tops. Enjoy hot or let cool for awhile!

Seriously. Bad. Huge. Mistake.

Divinity

Ok, I know this sounds complicated. But it's really simple, as long as you have a candy thermometer. A candy thermometer is way different than a regular thermometer, so make sure it's really a candy thermometer!

2 2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cups broken pecans - optional

Stir sugar, corn syrup and water over low heat until sugar dissolves. Cook without stirring, to 260 degrees on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a hard ball. In mixer bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Continue beating while pouring hot syrup in a thin stream into egg whites. Add vanilla, beat until mixture holds its shape and becomes slightly dull. Mixture may become too stiff for mixer. Fold in nuts. Drop mixture from tip of buttered spoon onto wax paper.

Easiest Fudge Ever

OK, so it's that wonderful time of the year! Time to bring out my inner kitchen diva! YeeeeHaaaaawwww! Christmas Goodies Galore!!!! Yum Yum! Here's my favorite fudge recipe:

3 cups milk chocolate chips
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup butter

Line an 8x8 pan with tin foil, leaving plenty of over lap. Place all the ingredients in a large microwave safe bowl. Zap for 3-5 minutes until the chips are melted, stirring ever minute. Give it a final stir before pouring into the pan. Refrigerate until set. Once set, lift the fudge out of the pan with the tin foil, much easier to cut and serve this way!

My Sister's Hot Cocoa

This is the very best Hot Cocoa recipe out there. Nuff said. Don't argue with me over this. Just trust me. (This makes a lot, but once you try it, it won't be enough!)

HOT COCOA

10 2/3 cups instant nonfat dry milk
6 ounce jar powdered non dairy creamer
2 cups powdered sugar
16 ounce can instant chocolate drink mix

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Put in airtight container. Store in cool dry place for up to 6 months.

Hahahahaha

So, I really haven't finished posting my thanksgivings for the month of November. Lets just say I was beat after the Thanksgiving rush. So to finish things out, here goes:
My family. Mom, Dad, siblings niece, nephew, all of my family. I had such a blast with Breezey and Jack Bug. They are just so cute! And I had a blast with my Mom and sisters just chillin. I'm so thankful for the chance to hang out together and just be a family. I'm also thankful for naps! Without them I don't know how I would have survived! I'm also thankful Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas season is finally here! I'm so excited and my kids are so very very excited! We have our Christmas tree up and decorated and new christmas clingons on the window and our stockings hung with care. I love this season and watching the excitement build in my children! It's the best! We opened our 1st day on our chocolate advent calendars today! Chocolate trains wooohooo! I know that only my sister will understand much of this, but oh well! Christmas music I am now allowed to offically blast for the next 24 days! Hot chocolate! I love this time if year! I'm so thankful for my many blessings and thank you for being patient enough to read my ramblings! So here's to a great thanksgiving season and looking forward to an awesome Christmas season!