Cinnamon Rolls

Our favorite recipes go on the blog....this means I've NOT baked these much since the blog began in 2005. However, they ARE our Christmas Tradition. 

1 C whipping cream 

1 C brown sugar

Rolls: 

3 1/2 C of flour

1 T of yeast

1/4 C sugar

1 tsp sea salt

2 T butter

1 egg

1 C hot water

Filling:

1/2 C butter

1 1/2 C sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

Mix brown sugar and cream in 9 x 13 pan. 

Blend 1/2 the flour and next six ingredients. Beat 3 minutes, stir in remaining flour. 

Knead - roll to 7 x 15. 

Spread on butter and filling.  (I just eyeball it -this seemed like WAY to much butter and sugar). 

Roll, seal edges, cut into 15 pieces. 

Place on topping. 

Cover and let rise until doubled for about 40 min. 

Bake at 375* for 20 - 25 minutes. 

Cool 10 minutes. Turn out. 

*Note:

I substituted Coconut oil for the butter, Coconut cream in place of whip cream and used rapadura for all sugar. You can also skip the egg. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Celebrating the Gift Which is too Wonderful for Words!

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Cor 9:15.  Today we set apart the day as a family to celebrate and worship our indescribable, unspeakable, inexpressible, too wonderful for words gift!

Sitting around the living room and sharing what God's gift means to each of us was precious. We discussed  Jesus sacrificed for us and we are called to live as a living sacrifice in response (Romans 12:1). Then we allowed Stacia and Zander to open ONE GIFT.

This was followed with heartfelt popcorn prayer - as opposed to slow cooker prayers that go on and on for hours. ::snort::

Beware of the unintended traditions you are starting if you have a young family. Every year on Christmas Morning I would try to have fruit, cinnamon rolls, cereal, egg casseroles. A couple of years ago my Mom let me know the girls had brought our traditional cinnamon rolls to their Christmas morning breakfast. I thought, "Huh! I don't remember that being our tradition."  A few weeks ago Nolan began to remind me we needed cinnamon rolls for Christmas. Michael and I have talked. Neither of us remember this being a particular tradition - other than I'd make or we'd buy some from Cinabon, "If we remembered."  But the KIDS remember this differently....it isn't our tradition to have GRANOLA every Christmas morning...it's not our tradition to have FRUIT every Christmas morning....it IS OUR TRADITION TO HAVE CINNAMON ROLLS ON CHRISTMAS MORNING.  Since we have changed most our traditions in the past four years, we wanted to make this one work.  The problem arose when we FORGOT until Nolan mentioned last night, "Did you stop by Cinabon?"

This a.m. I was up bright and early seeing if I had the ingredients to make the famous cinnamon rolls I've not really baked since we lived in Hardin, MT (17 years ago).  I was not surprised I did NOT have whipping cream in the house...nor brown sugar. I discovered COCONUT CREAM works well.....and the rapadura was "ok"....I did have a bit of white sugar left from last year's Christmas baking...enough to make the filling..... It was worth the effort.

Everyone appreciated the rolls....well...nearly everyone....Yuuki got Stacia's shawl, wrapped up in it and pouted because she didn't get to eat breakfast with us.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Christmas Eve

Michael went into the office today. He submitted our "dream sheet" for our next assignment. We really haven't seen that mean anything in the past. ::snort:: 

Arielle went to the mall with her friends, Emily and Alicia. Nolan and Stacia put together this: 

Michael came home from the base with boxes....a couple more Christmas gifts have arrived....this package  solved a mystery for us. We now know what Adrian Monk is doing now that his show has run it's course.... He's running the shipping dept for Vitacost! Beautiful! Amazing...most of our boxes arrive as a jumble. 

Before we headed to base for the Candlelight service we had Stacia open a gift...she was thrilled...she received shoes, tights, this sparkly dress and black sweater with bling - all from the clearance aisles at Target in Nashville, TN. ::grin::  She was excited and loved wearing it all tonight.

It's our tradition to open Christmas Stockings after the service. This remains.....

I had no clue how much  Arielle was looking forward to her Christmas Eve PJs. Finding the Cheerios box nearly did her in.

Michael and Nolan are making the Birthday cake for Jesus - G style. 

Unfortunately, I keep forgetting, and my family keeps insisting, it's TRADITION for me to serve cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. We tried to hit Cinnabon but they were closed. Guess what I'll be doing bright and early....and then we'll spend the day as a family, worshiping Jesus, celebrating Emmanuel - and trying to catch the elder Gherkins via skype...

Merry Christmas Y'all! 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Brown Christmas

We have long and snow winters in Northern Japan. A White Christmas seems to be a well-earned bonus....but this year...things are BROWN.

We had white. We've had a "warm front" this week. It's sad, melty, wet and brown.

We're praying for a White Christmas. It would be a special Christmas gift for the kids....and today is 24 Dec.

Michael drove yesterday - there is no fear of not being house-bound - please Father - send the snow.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Lazy Talks, Ocean Trips, Yummy Food, Advent Hunt

This was a red-letter day! A lazy Sunday - not the norm around here. Michael is still on convalescent leave until 26 Dec. We sat and talked about Birthday Party plans for the 25th. I thought I'd make Chocolate Cupcakes (these are good, low fat and vegan) with candles and sprinkles. Michael would like an ice cream cake. I'll probably make some cupcakes, eat one and freeze the rest - and make an ice cream cake for the rest of the crew. 

We also discussed a 2013 Family Prayer Verse and Family Focus. We have a verse; we're still working through the focus....trying to separate what we are hearing from various ministry themes, what may be an overall family vision and my personal word of the year. Yes, I know it seems to be over-thinking but it works  and is meaningful for us. 

 I cooked....and then...I suggested Michael get dressed and I'd drive us to the ocean. I thought getting out of the house would do us all good. 

He got dressed and DROVE us to the ocean.....both great signs - jeans and keys. I don't like the cold but I love the ocean...so I stayed in the warm van and Michael got out and took photos.  They are still working on transforming our beach since the tsunami. 

Stacia was in the van with me. She, truth be known, was the reason I didn't even try to venture to the cold. She didn't bring a coat and Michael didn't want to leave her alone in the car.

Doesn't he look great in JEANS? 

 This man is amazing. He knows I've been struggling with the food issue the past few days. I got up early and climbed into my "secret place" with Jesus and felt much better today. I was excited at dinner when Michael passed up the meat entree. I said I thought he was becoming flexitarian. He fessed up and said he thought I could use the support and was joining me in my nutritarian lifestyle for a bit. While I was sad he wasn't you know - CONVERTING - I was touched my meat and potato man was taking such concrete steps to support me on my journey to health.

Jesus is the Light of the World - and the darkness did not overcome him!

Advent Clue Hunt: "Got a can-can?" Stacia ran upstairs. Nolan and Arielle found it quickly and went back to the couch to wait.....

The Muppets - from a year ago - watched this with all 9 in TX last year

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Hazelnuts (Deliciously Organic)

Serves 6

1 pound brussels sprouts
1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt, divided
2 tablespoons ghee (click here for an easy homemade recipe)
Juice of half a lemon
1/4 cup crispy hazelnuts (I used this method to dehydrate the nuts)

Place brussels sprouts in a medium-size pot and cover with water. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and bring pot to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes. Drain. Coarsely chop the brussels sprouts. Melt ghee in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add brussels sprouts and remaining 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sprouts begin to turn golden brown. Remove from heat, spritz with lemon juice and sprinkle with hazelnuts. Serve.

I only had 1/2 a lb. I'll need a full lb next time. Three of us loved them. The other three didn't try. BUT there were NO leftovers. I didn't have hazelnuts and used almonds....still good. The hint of lemon was perfect.  I didn't use Ghee.

I found this recipe at Deliciously Organic.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Golden Cheddar'd Potatoes (Mouthwatering Vegan)

These were a hit with the entire family - even the non-vegans.  I'm not sure WHY there were so oily looking  - I will cut the oil by 1/2 next time - make it more nutritious anyway. LOL  This, and other yummy vegan recipes, are at Mouthwatering Vegan Recipes. 

Serves 3 to 4 (depending on portion size)

INGREDIENTS FOR CHEESE SAUCE

3 cups (750 mL) soya milk, or other non-sweetened dairy-free milk (I used Alpro)

1 Tbsp all purpose plain flour

3 Tbsp nutritional yeast

2 Tbsp olive oil

½ tsp fine garlic granules

salt (don’t omit)

a knob of vegan butter

¼ tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp vegetable stock powder or granules (try Kallo)

a little water if needed

FOR ROAST POTATOES

4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into large quarters (Cyprus potatoes are ideal)

1 large onion thinly sliced

¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil for roasting

¼ cup water

salt

paprika and fresh rosemary for garnishing

METHOD :-

1. Preheat your oven to 440ºF (225ºC).
2. Place all the ingredients in a ‘milk’ pan and whisk.
3. Heat the mixture up, mixing virtually non-stop, until you have a thickish consistency.  Lower the heat, and continue cooking for a further minute or so.
4. Next, arrange your potatoes and onions in an ovenproof dish, (around 8 x 8 inches), pour on the oil and the rest of the ingredients, except for the garnish of paprika and rosemary.
5. Place in the oven for an hour, or until the potatoes are all golden.  Remember to take them out after 30 minutes to turn them around.
6. When golden, pour the cheese sauce on top of the potatoes, making sure to allow some of the potatoes to show themselves through – so don’t dowse the entire surface.  Do this by pouring the cheese sauce all around the edges, and the rest on the top, leaving a few inches of space between the sauce mix and the potatoes.
7. Place in the oven for a further 20 minutes, or until a skin is formed.  Remove, garnish and serve.

These were yummy  - almost like dessert Arielle said. I think this is because I didn't have enough potatoes and used a sweet potato too. I didn't use the vegetable stock powder and it was fine. Next time I'll cut the oil.  No animal products and it tasted wonderful - even better than cheese potatoes. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...