Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Yes - the day finally came. Every year I make pumpkin cinnamon rolls for Caleb and the day was yesterday! If you've made cinnamon rolls before you know that they can take a while to make, and these rolls are no different! I had a terrible time waiting for them to be done!

Here is the recipe for the rolls which is from Taste of Home magazine.

*It is my STRONG recommendation to add lots of spices to the dough. This year I added lots of cinnamon, and a good amount of pumpkin pie spice. (you could add cinnamon, ground cloves, ginger, nutmeg etc.) If you don't, these will still be good but they won't have that "pumpkin spice" flavor you were wanting.

** Here is a little tip that I read somewhere for cutting the rolls. Once you've got your long log of beautiful cinnamon dough, grab a piece of dental floss (yes, that's right, dental floss - mint flavor is fine) slide the dental floss underneath the roll and bring the two sides up and cross over each other, pull down until the floss is taut and you'll have just made a beautiful slice while keeping its form. TRY IT! I've never gone back since.

For the icing, I went with something different this year. I used Martha Stewarts recipe for Brown Butter Icing and it was wonderful! It tastes like caramel. Caleb was only so-so on the icing as he is a traditional cream cheese frosting kind of guy.

These are a really special treat to make for your hubby or kids and something pretty impressive to bring to a brunch. If you want to make these for your family in the morning then follow these make ahead steps:

Make the dough and bring it through the first rise. Then roll out spread with butter & cinnamon sugar. Cut the rolls and place in a prepared pan and cover with plastic wrap. Put the rolls in the fridge and leave overnight. In the morning, set the rolls out on the counter for about 30-40 minutes while you make coffee and preheat the oven. Then, bake the rolls and make the icing so they are ready when everyone wakes up!

I Quit!

Bye-Bye Bank of America! Hello home! Yes, it is true! July 29, 2011 was my LAST day at The Bank! Woohoo!! Thank you Jesus and Caleb for making it possible for me to come home and do what I've wanted to do most!

Now, since I haven't been working for nearly an entire quarter - why haven't I posted? Well, I've been busy getting this place in tip-top shape! Our Internet was crap so that had to get that fixed and all kinds of other things were a wreck so blogging had to take a backseat. But NO FEAR! I'm back! (for the 3 of you who actually read this)

Pancakes

Caleb has never been much a pancake fan. He has been more of a french toast or pastry person. Pancakes are just kinda... blah to him. It is very difficult (not to mention expensive) to make gluten free french toast and literally impossible to make any kind of good tasting gluten free pastry. So, alas, we've had to give pancakes another try! In the gluten free aisle of the grocery store I met a nice lady who recommended making pancakes from the Bob's Redmill mix. I bought it and tried them out - not bad! Caleb said he actually likes gluten free pancakes better than regular ones - WIN!

Lillian Came! She Is Finally Here!

She has been long awaited and she FINALLY came! Little sweet Lillian Grace Fowl arrived in the wee hours of the morning on July 14! I can't remember how much she weighed or how long she was (who am I?! seriously!) But whatever it was, it was certainly perfect and a picture of God's grace in our lives. Trina is a dear and sweet friend of mine and it was a blessing for me to have a look into her and Jesse's lives as they prepared for the blessing of a beautiful child. Caleb and I (but let's be real, mostly me) were antsy to get a look at this little beauty and see her beautiful momma and proud daddy. Below are a few pictures of our recent visits.

It look Caleb a few visits to agree to hold her! He didn't want to drop her!
But once he actually held her, it is clear that she has him wrapped around her itsy bitsy finger!!
Dinner time! All the baby feeding, crying and playing has made mom and dad hungry! (all the oooing and ahhing made me hungry too!) We had Asian style ribs, and cheddar corn spoonbread!
My first time holding her! She is precious and a beauty! look at her eyes!
Me and the happy momma - look how pretty and beautiful she is! Graceful and lovely and so joyful! From the Davis Family to the Fowl Family, we couldn't be more happy for you! Thank you Jesus for the blessing of a beautiful and healthy baby! We pray you capture her heart and save her from an early age.

I love you Trina!

Everyday Gluten Free

Well, I think most of you know, but Caleb cannot (should not) be eating gluten at this point in life because the doctor says he is allergic to it. Not like he will die if he has it, but it will make him sick and eventually "blow up" his intestines.... (that would be seriously freaky!) But... one of our favorite things to eat is pasta (not to mention it is great on the budget end) but pasta is like a gluten allergies worst nightmare! So, upon research and word of mouth, I heard that the BEST gluten free pasta is actually made from quinoa which is a protein. I don't know that much about it but once I do, I'll post some more info. Anyways, all that to say that quinoa pasta is the best substitue for real pasta, but let me tell you it in NO way is friendly for the budget, coming in at a whole $3 for an 8oz box! (YIKES!) but it's easy, it tastes pretty darn good and since it's a protein less pasta still fills you up. Above is a picture of what I made, gluten free pasta with basil oil and goat cheese. It is a recipe from Real Simple, July 2011. The recipe is as follows:

12oz (I did 8oz) of pasta, cooked according to package directions, drain and return to pot

Meanwhile in a blender combine 2 cups fresh basil leaves with 1/2 cup olive oil, blend until smooth

Pour basil oil through a fine mesh strainer pressing on solids to release the oil, discard solids

Toss the basil oil with the pasta and stir in 4-5oz (almost a whole log) of crumbled goat cheese

Top with fresh basil leaves and serve

*I added sliced chicken to the top, because my husband is not the vegetarian type!

** This isn't that good cold, so make sure the family is at the table when you're putting the finishing touches on it!

Enjoy!

Peppercorn Spill

Most of you know that Caleb, my husband LOVES pepper. It is an odd love, but a very intense one. With most of our friends knowing this, we received upwards of 4 containers, jars and helpings of peppercorns for our wedding! I am finally, after nearly 3.5 years of marriage, in need of another jar. I would have been able to last a few more months if I hadn't spilled an ENTIRE jar of peppercorns all over my kitchen floor one night. The sweetest, Trina was over (about ready to POP I might add) helping me clean up my house when the project got bigger! I was picking up the jar to wipe down the counter and it slipped out of my hand and the lid wasn't on all the way and... you know the rest of the story! Ever since this night every once in a while I'll find a little peppercorn hiding in the corner or roll out from under the fridge... I don't think I would have thought it was so funny if I hadn't been with Trina!

Paul's Birthday Party

Last week our friend Paul turned the big 40! He and his wife Rachel decided to throw a big party to celebrate. They pulled out all the stops inviting all of us friends (past and present) to celebrate aboard a beautiful old ferry that is docked near gas works park on Lake Union. We ate, drank, danced and heard a wonderful speech from the birthday boy himself! Rachel caught a cute picture of us at dinner with Tim and Brittany. Jesus has blessed us with a wonderful community of friends to live life with! Doesn't Britt look so pretty in this one?! I think so!