general conference traditions and things

Somehow it's become our tradition to have cinnamon rolls during General Conference. What's better is that we had the missionaries from our church and my sisters here to share with. So the 33 gooey goodnesses that are gone as of now are not all in my belly. All I have to say is Paula Deen, you're a woman who knows what to do when it comes to buttery, doughy, palatable pastry.

The recipe is just too good to not share.

Cinnamon Rolls, courtesy of Paula Deen, with a couple of my own adaptions, of course

Dough:
1 package yeast
1/2 c warm water
1/2 c scalded milk cooled to 110º F
1/4 c sugar
1/3 c melted butter or shortening (I used unsalted butter)
1 t salt
1 egg
3 1/2 to 4 c flour (I used closer to 3 1/2 in this climate and they turned out perfectly moist)

Filling:
1/2 c melted butter, plus more for pan (we used PLENTY in the pans)
3/4 c sugar, plus more for pan (I used 2 parts cane sugar, 1 part brown sugar)
2 T ground cinnamon
3/4 c raisins, walnuts, or pecans, optional (raisins--ew, and I would have used pecans, but one of the missionaries is allergic so I left them out and the rolls were still divine)

Glaze:
4 T softened butter
2 c powdered sugar (I always try to use less sugar in icing because I don't like it too sweet)
1 t vanilla extract (I always use more than called for)
3 to 6 T hot water

Directions:
Heat oven to 350º F.

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside. In a large bowl, mix cooled milk, sugar, melted butter, salt and egg. Add 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth. Add yeast mixture. Mix in remaining flour until dough is easy to handle. Knead dough on lightly floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes. Place in well-greased bowl, cover and let rise until double in size, usually 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

When doubled in size, punch down dough. Roll out on a floured surface into a 15 by 9-inch rectangle. Spread melted butter all over dough. Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over buttered dough. Sprinkle with nuts or raisins (again, ew!), if desired. Beginning at the 15-inch side, roll up dough and pinch edge together to seal. Cut into 12 to 15 slices. (I doubled the recipe and had 33, some pretty small). Coat the baking pan with butter and sprinkle with sugar. Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let rise until dough is doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake for 30 minutes (I think mine were in for 20 so watch them closely, and make sure your over rack is not all the way to the bottom--let's just say my pan on the bottom had some really caramelized butter and sugar going on).

Meanwhile, mix butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Add hot water 1 T at a time until the glaze reaches desired consistency. Spread over slightly cooled rolls.

Eat and enjoy, then thank me and Paula Deen later.

Now that we've spent the past two days enjoying conference from our home (can I just say I absolutely love the spirit it brings to our home), I feel more ready to face challenges and the call to be better, more patient and kind, less judgmental, and happier because of it all. Emory was really pretty good, and it was a treat to have the missionaries and Kendal and Amber here with us. 

Favorite talk. It's a great message for anyone, mormon or not.

Photos courtesy of Instagram. Follow me @megbeutler. 

a birthday celebration

The synopsis: we rushed out of bed and into little E's room to sing him happy birthday. We've been talking about his birthday for a few weeks, so he knew it was coming and was so excited. Sleepy, but excited, as shown in the photos. We sort of rushed through getting ready (thankfully I had packed our bags the night before) so we could make it to the Jetty Island Ferry. I called my sisters and woke them to give them instructions on how to save us a place on said ferry. Emory decided to have pancakes for breakfast, of all choices the most lengthy in preparation. Jon made the pancakes while I busied myself loading the car and Emory threw a fit, thinking I would leave him behind, no matter how many promises of "you're coming with me when I leave" came out of my mouth. For the record, it was pretty sad to see big tears flowing unnecessarily from the birthday boy's eyes. Then Jon saved my day and announced he was coming with us. I have gotten so accustomed to doing things without him that I didn't know what to think or even if I could believe he was serious, but he was, and I will forever be grateful that we all got to spend Emory's whole birthday together.

As we drove to Everett, we finalized plans with my sisters, and made our way to my mom's house to pick up Amber and my grandma to take them to meet the others at Jetty Island. When Kendal called and said the tickets sold out, we quickly changed our plans and headed the opposite direction, to Mukilteo Beach, where Emory played in the sand, and played with his aunties and cousins on the playground.

After lunch and a good de-sanding bath, it took an excited little boy a couple hours to fall asleep for his nap. But when he finally did, I frosted a very flawed cake, while my mom and grandma made potato and pasta salad for the upcoming feast, sisters and cousins wrapped presents, and Jon assembled a tricycle.

We woke Emory up and walked him across the street to Harborview Park, where he first saw his balloons tied to his trike, or "zumba," as he called it. Jon's parents, Nanny, Kenny, and Kenny's parents all joined us at that point. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying the view, pushing E around the grass on his tricycle, eating, and watching the little man open presents. Highlights included seeing his faces of wonder at his gifts and watching him successfully blow out one of the two candles on his cake.

happy 2nd birthday to emory from Meghan Beutler on Vimeo.

easter in two parts, a week later, part 2

Emory looked so adorable in his green sweater and blue seersucker pants. And though he was without nap, the little man enjoyed another basket from the Easter Bunny (apparently he visits Grandma's house too), and lasted for about 10 minutes coloring eggs his second time around. I'm so glad I reused his bow-tie from last year--lengthened with a piece of ribbon and a safety pin. This guy looks good in green, and it's so appropriate for this time of year with all the abundant plant growth and lush, new green life surrounding us.

easter in two parts, a week later, part 1

We prepared for the Easter Bunny's arrival by letting Emory get really into coloring eggs. He loved it, but of course, hated the sticky mess on his hands afterwards. Such a child of his father! Anyway, our colors enticed the Bunny because he came, and Emory relished in his spoils of goldfish crackers immediately upon finding them in his basket. Holidays with a kid are so much fun.