i'm sorry!

Dear blog.... I am sorry that I have neglected you. It is not for want of projects but rather for the inundation of too many. So coming soon:
-wedding presents
-gardening projects
-limewash update
-some demolition (and tantrumming)
-and of course many other odds and ends

whole wheat almond paste cinnamon rolls recipe

adapted from America's Test Kitchen Comfort Food Makeovers

 This cookbook is my new obsession. My husband got it for me for Christmas this year and is already appreciating it. However, he is also attempting to convince me that the recipes are 'good' for us since they have reduced calories. Haha boys! Have I mentioned that my husband is thin and has always been, despite being fed a steady diet of McDonald's growing up. That being said, the recipes are significantly better (=less bad) without losing the flavor that makes them enjoyable. So far we have made a Mexican Casserole and Corned Beef Hash with Poached Eggs and both were amazing. In order to preserve my self-esteem, normally we talk about recipes in whether or not we would want to consume them again. Needless to say all of these have made the cut.

Dough:1 C. whole wheat flour, 2 ½ C. all-purpose flour, 2 ¼ tsp. yeast, 1 tsp. salt, 1 ⅓ C. skim milk, 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted, 3 Tbsp. maple syrup (I omitted this though on second thought the extra moisture could've been a plus.)

Step 1: Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Attach dough beaters to your mixer.

Step 2: Combine warm milk (110°F), butter, and maple syrup.

Step 3:  Mix wet ingredients into dry on low speed until dough forms, about 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium-low and knead until dough is shiny and smooth, 4-6 minutes. Add flour as needed if too sticky.

Step 4: Transfer dough to floured counter and knead briefly with floured hands into smooth ball (don’t clean up just yet). Place dough in large greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise at room temperature until doubled 2- 2 ½ hours. Since my house is not precisely room temperature, I have started proofing my dough in the oven which cuts down on the waiting time (approx. half) significantly.  Meanwhile,

Filling: 3-4 oz. almond paste, ¼ C. granulated sugar, 2 tsp. cinnamon, 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, ⅛ tsp. salt

since johnny requested these, here he is filling as my sous chef

Step 4: Using a pastry blender combine filling ingredients til fine, crumbly texture

Step 5: Grease 13x9x2” baking pan. Transfer back to floured surface and roll out into an 18x12” rectangle, long side facing you. Mist dough with water then sprinkle with filling mixture, leaving a ½” border at top edge; press sugar to adhere. Roll dough into tight 18” log. Pinch closed at seam and roll seam side down; even ends and reshape as needed.

 Step 6: Using a serrated knife, slice dough crosswise into 12 rolls; lay cut side up in prepared dish. Cover loosely with greased plastic wrap and let rolls rise at room temperature until nearly doubled, 1-1 ½ hours. Once again I proofed for half the time.

Step 7: At this point I deviated again to refrigerate overnight. Next morning heat oven to 350° F. Bake rolls until deep golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes on wire rack (I skipped this sorry to say was starving). Meanwhile,

Icing: 2 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, 1 C. powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp. skim milk, ½ tsp. vanilla extract

Step 8: Whisk (I used whisk beaters on my mixer) all ingredients together til smooth; spread over tops of rolls. Serve. 

Nutrition info, not completely accurate due to my deviations, but close.

Before--->After                 410--->280               15--->4              8--->2.5

                                              calories                    g. fat                 g. sat. fat

every end is a new beginning

good bye 2013, you went by too quickly; hello 2014 and the promise of a continued life beautiful.

I have had more blessings than I deserve. Life is never perfect, but I hope that I have been able to give as much as I have received. In the spirit of that, I love this take on New Year's resolutions from a Mom with a Lesson Plan


I don't know about the rest of the world, but I spend too much time criticizing myself and not enough focusing on the things that I do well. So with grace and understanding that we are all imperfect, despite the pain or past experiences, lets appreciate ourselves and what we have a little more.

Here is my top 10 for the year in no specific order:

• That Pope Francis is reinvigorating a faith inspired world filled with grace and understanding. I may not be Catholic but who can't appreciate his ability to change the topic to the least, the last, and the lost. 
• That in the UK they are attempting to ban internet porn searches (BBC article for more info) need I elaborate?! I am sure it will take time for this to spread to other countries and to work out the kinks, but just the mere idea and gumption to tackle it is astounding.
• The birth of my niece, Taylor Alexis, who is adorable and brings joy to all around her just like her big brothers, Trey and Ryan  
• The gift of amazing friends, who tolerate, support, and bring so much joy and fun to our lives
• My husband, who often gives more than he takes, is incredibly thoughtful, and just plain gets me.
• A job that is rewarding, leads me to meeting amazing parents and children, and sometimes even leads to the gift of communication that none of us value enough.
• An amazing house, that has given me the opportunity to be creative with an appreciation for old and new. Much of which I have been able to cathartically share on here.
• Having a wonderfully supportive family whom I have actually gotten to see quite a bit this year despite them living on the other side of the states.
• The ability and time (though I am always greedy for more) to exercise, especially playing softball (despite breaking my pinky finger this year) and getting to do hot yoga on a semi regular basis.
• And selfishly, for entertainment, good, great, and terrible. Whether it is hiking, spending time with friends, playing trivia, going to Broadway shows, appreciating art, watching a movie/tv, or reading a good book.

Alright, enough being sappy! Happy New Year to all, may you feel as blessed and sentimental as I do taking in the imperfections and the perfections.
~Sabrina


ps Did I mention I am also appreciative and humbled that anyone takes the time to read this - I hope that my misadventures continue to be helpful as so many others have been and continue to be for me.

For every chapter there is a beginning...

'In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.' - Lewis Carroll

And thus begins my journey into the world of blogging. Much like Alice, I feel as though I am taking a very long and slow tumble into uncharted territory. In this instance, not exactly a walk on the moon as there are probably thousands of others sharing their thoughts in a similar forum, but new to me none-the-less. This is especially true since I cannot yet imagine why anyone would want to read my ramblings. However, I have appreciated so many others blogs when finding new recipes or learning new and more efficient ways to craft that I have decided to follow the encouragement of friends. Friends you know you are and I thank you for thinking that my words and thoughts contain enough value to be broadcasted.
                                                                                                                                  -Sabrina