27 December 2010

Blizzard!

I saw this video today - it's a time elapsed video of the snow piling up from the blizzard this weekend that slammed the northeast. Seeing this is a reminder for me why I relocated to the South :)

December 2010 Blizzard Timelapse from Michael Black on Vimeo.

26 December 2010

Sunday Day Book

Outside my window ...it's cold! Only 28 degrees...brrr!

I am thinking … that I had a lovely Christmas, despite the fact that I didn't get home this year

I am thankful for …an amazing family

I am reading The MacGregor Grooms. I've been flying through Nora Roberts' MacGregor family series this weekend. Just because.

I am hoping …that with the blizzard on the way, my family and friends in the Northeast get to where they are supposed to be going.

On my mind ...I need to do more strength workouts. I did my first one in months on Friday and I am sore.

I'm learning … that Kate is a nosy little thing. Couldn't leave me along while I put together their new kitty condo yesterday.

Noticing that … they finally mowed the field outside my window. It was getting high and kind of unsightly.

From the kitchen …debating whether to have a bagel thin or cinnamon toast for breakfast.

Around the house …vacuuming and some peripheral laundry (towels, a few blankets, bathrobes, etc.).

One of my favorite thingsA Christmas Story marathon. Every year, I watch it multiple times. One of the best Christmas movies.

23 December 2010

Thursday Recipe

It's the holiday season...Christmas is in 1.5 days!!! And what is better than a warm gooey cinnamon roll on Christmas morning? I found this recipe for cinnamon rolls on the food network website. Ooey, gooey, warm, and melty. Yum!

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1/4 ounce package)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the bowl
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (13 ounces)
  • 1/4 cup sugar (1 3/4 ounces)
  • 3/4 teaspoon fine salt (1/8 ounce)
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Filling:

  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cups (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, very soft, plus more for coating the pan

Glaze:

  • 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
  • 3 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Combine the water and milk in a medium saucepan and warm over low heat until it is about 100 degrees F (but no more than 110 degrees). Remove from heat and sprinkle the yeast over the surface over the liquid. Sprinkle a pinch of the sugar over the top and set aside without stirring, until foamy, about 5 minutes.

Whisk the butter, egg yolk and vanilla into the yeast mixture.

Whisk the flour, the sugar, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour and stir in the yeast mixture with a wooden spoon to make a thick and slightly sticky dough. Turn dough onto a floured work surface and knead until soft and elastic, about 6 minutes. Shape into a ball.

Brush the inside of a large bowl with butter. Put dough in the buttered bowl, turning to coat lightly with butter. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, trace a circle the size of the dough on the plastic, and note the time. Let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Turn dough out of the bowl and knead briefly to release excess air; reform into a ball and return to the bowl. Lightly butter a large piece of plastic wrap and lay it on the dough. Cover the entire bowl tightly with plastic and proof in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.

To fill and form the rolls: Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Whisk the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Turn prepared dough onto a floured work surface and press, then roll into 10-by-18-inch rectangle, with a long edge facing you. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving about an inch border on the side opposite you. Evenly scatter the cinnamon-sugar over the butter. Starting from the long side facing you, roll the dough up into a tight cylinder. Lightly brush the clean edge of the dough with water. Press the open long edge to the dough to seal the cylinder.

Slip a long taut piece of string or dental floss under the roll, about 1 1/2 inches from the end. Lift and cross the string ends over the roll, then pull the ends tightly in opposite directions to cut a single roll. Repeat, cutting every 1 1/2 inches, to make 12 rolls. Place the rolls cut-side-down in the prepared pan, leaving 1 inch of space between them. Cover the rolls loosely with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place to rise until rolls double in size, about 1 hour 10 minutes.

Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.

Bake buns until golden brown and the tops of the buns spring back when pressed lightly, about 30 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

To make the glaze: Sift the confectioners' sugar into a medium bowl. Whisk in the condensed milk, butter, and lemon juice to make a smooth, slightly loose icing. Add the vanilla and cinnamon. Drizzle the icing over warm buns. Serve.

*Cook's Note: These may be refrigerated or frozen after forming. If refrigerated overnight, allow buns to come to room temperature for about 1/2 hour, then proof fully (until doubled in size) before baking, about 2 hours. If frozen, allow buns to come to room temperature, about 1 hour, and then proof fully (until doubled in size) before baking, about 2 hours.

Storage: Though the buns are best eaten on the day they are baked, they will keep, covered, for a day. They freeze well.


15 December 2010

Wednesday Day Book

Outside my window ...leaves flying in the wind. It's a sunny, windy day.

I am thinking … that my mom and Rich are awesome. Can't wait for Vegas!!!

I am thankful for …a 10 day Christmas vacation. Counting down to 5pm on December 23.

I am reading Mysterious Affair at Styles. Another Agatha Christie. Trying to get in as much pleasure reading as I can before school starts in January.

I am hoping …that everything works the way it's supposed to on Sunday.

On my mind ...commencement. 24/7 til Sunday.

I'm learning … to get it right the first time for a certain person, I need to do the exact opposite of what I'm thinking. Sheesh.

Noticing that … the new. vet is not as good as I anticipated. I think she spent 5 minutes with Jack. We'll see if she's better when I bring Kate in the summer, but if not, time for a new vet

From the kitchen … crunchy noodle salad for the staff holiday party on Friday. I need to shop for ingredients today.

Around the house …there is a huge box in the hallway. It's the kitty condo I bought for Jack and Kate. I just haven't had the time or energy to put it together. Maybe December 24.

One of my favorite things … 75 degree days in December. One of the perks of being in Texas.
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