Saturday, December 28, 2013

Monopoly Kind of Day


There was FROST on the cover of the backyard onsen this morning - and this was a couple of hours AFTER I opened the lid.....

The steam was welcoming. The moon and sunrise was beautiful when seen from the backyard onsen. I had just gotten out when Krista came down and joined me. I didn't mind a bit longer. 

Michael had to go to the base to prepare for tomorrow. The rest of us busied ourselves with games, wedding prep, and more games. 

Krista and the kids headed to the park....what is this? A mugging perhaps? No.....just a new game....knots.



Michael got home. I made Yakisoba. We sat around the big table and enjoyed dinner and conversation. I do love the the family table.  Cleanup got underway...Michael  went to run through his sermon, Stacia played a computer game.....these kids played Monopoly Empire.

Yuuki is worn out from the park


Krista and Arielle enjoyed the backyard onsen. I was tempted to join them but 3x in one day seems a bit excessive. Krista had a hard time keeping her eyes open with the bright flash....I told them to keep their eyes open wide....

 Arielle's got wider and wider...

This is a unique solution 


Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Gooey Cinnamon Rolls (Vegan Option)



 I believe I first got this recipe in a Faith Academy cookbook.  Thanks to Barb I now know it was Peter Ford - dorm father - who made these at Faith. I've been making them for years - quit when we got healthy. I've now made them two times  this week. I have fond memories of discussing Cinnamon roll recipes with Twyla in the onsen so I now think of these as onsen rolls and think of Twyla each time I make them. LOL 

Ingredients:
Topping: 
1 C whipping cream 
1 C rapadura (brown sugar)

Rolls: 
3 - 3 1/2 C flour
1 T yeast (pkg)
1/4 C rapadura (sugar)
1 tsp salt
2 T butter
1 egg
1 C hot water

Filling:
1 1/2 C rapadura (sugar)
2 tsp cinnamon 
1/2 C butter

Mix sugar and cream topping in an ungreased 9 x 13 in pan. 

Blend 1/2 of flour and next 6 ingredients.  Beat 3 min. 

Stir in rest of flour - note with whole wheat it is important not to use to much flour. I find 3 C is enough.  Knead. 

Roll to 7 x 15. Spread filling on top - roll from long side. Seal and cut into 15 pieces. 

Cover and rise until doubled - 35 - 40 min. 

Bake at 375* for 20 - 25 min. Watch closely. Cool 10 min. Turn out. 


Vegan option: 
I made these and liked them. I wasn't sure the kids would but I woke to find only 1/2 of one left. So in the future I will play with this a bit more. Even healthier. 

Ingredients: 
Topping:
1 C coconut cream
1 C rapadura

Rolls:
3 C flour
1 T yeast
1/4 C rapadura
1 tsp salt
2 T oil (Coconut oil/butter or Earth Balance)
1 c hot water
(skip the egg)

Filling:
Date honey (enough to cover the dough)
2 tsp added cinnamon

Or I would guess Coconut butter/rapadura and cinnamon...but the dates are natural and SWEET.

Follow directions above.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...