choices

Lately, i have been rethinking staying at home.  When initially making the decision, a lot of things were weighed. less money to do fun things. it would take longer to remodel our home. the house we buy would be smaller so we lived within our means.
i go back and forth because lately, the boys are wanting more and more. a new room they don't have to share. a laptop. things that cost money. we can no longer please them with a package of hot wheel cars.

it always comes down to material things.

i made a choice to be home for my kids. so if they call me from school because they are sick, i can be there in two minutes. if they had a rough day, i am there for them to talk to about it.

is it more important for me to be here when they need me? to have seen every tear, every first milestone, everything??? for me, yes. i wouldn't have changed anything. we all make choices about what is best for our families. mine is to continue to be home. I don't want to miss a thing.

Attention, Attention!!!

ATTENTION READERS!

The family just returned  home from a wonderful week away.  There is just nothing like a good old American road trip.  We had a blast and now it is time for reality to return.  I apologize for the slowness of the blog and can only say that with your help good food is coming!  I have missed cooking very much and can't wait to try some new things, so I decided I want to try recipes that all of you, my readers, love and do a "Readers Recipe" entry once a week.  A few rules:

1. All recipes must be family friendly
2. All recipes must be sent with a story
3. All recipes should be thrifty in some way.  Maybe you are a couponer, grew your own veggies, or eat meat that your husband/family hunted, whatever way just tell me how you save money on this recipe.
4. All recipes need to be submitted to me via email at acooksquest at yahoo dot com 

Teachers and Students

Quote of the Day:  I started writing because of a terrible feeling of powerlessness:  I felt I was drifting and obscure, and I rebelled against that.  I didn't see what I could do to change my condition.  I wanted to control rather than be controlled, to ordain rather than be ordained, and to relegate rather than be relegated. - Anita Brookner

Oh, how this quote speaks to me and about me.  All of the things that blocked me and silenced me were released as I found my voice through writing.  During my years as an English teacher, I encouraged my students to write, to stretch themselves and to discover their voices.  Then, they turned that around on me and challenged me to do the same.  One of those students is Beth.  She is a writer and an actor and a musician, and now, a mom with two beautiful daughters.  They stopped by to visit me last Sunday.

I was her teacher for only a few months.  She was the star in the school play that I directed.  When I moved away, we stayed connected.  We sent writing to each other.  She kept me connected to her education.  She babysat for me one weekend when she was a college student, and I had four kids to care for. And, she invited me to her wedding and asked my son, the one who was born the year I was her teacher, to be the ring-bearer.

Last Sunday, she took the time to visit me, share her sweet family with me, and catch up.  I held sweet, baby girl, and talked to big sister (well, listened is the better word), gave her a booklet and stickers, which she categorized on the way home, and hugged my friend who was both student and teacher.

Her husband is a super guy, too, fun-loving, and gave me tips on archiving my photos.  He's super-organized in this area!  Plus, he's a techie - good to have a few of them on your team!

Journaling Prompt:  Summer is the season of reunions.  Did you reconnect with anyone?  Make new memories?  Who are you missing?

Simply Sensational Cinnamon Rolls . . .

Cinnamon rolls were always one of those things that I shied away from trying, afraid I'd screw them up somehow. That, however, was before I overcame my aversion to baking with yeast. Within the last twelve months or so, I've managed to pretty much conquer that fear and it's a good feeling. Yes, I know--I've already blathered on about that particular topic (my yeast-baking phobia) before, so I'll refrain from rehashing it too extensively here.

Suffice it to say, though, I suspect that I owe at least part of the success of these sensational cinnamon rolls to my current happy relationship with yeast. Yes, we're cozy comrades now. Having called a friendly truce, we've built up mutual trust--the kind of trust that allows one to dive into a recipe like this not with foreboding or apprehension, but with an expectation of at least partial victory.

 
The preparation of these rolls is pretty uncomplicated when you get right down to it. Just a few basic steps: make the dough and let it rise; toss together the filling; roll out the dough, scatter the filling, and roll it all up; slice the pieces and let them rise; bake the rolls; ice the rolls. It's not rocket science. Heck, it's not even library science.

Just remember to bring an attitude of sensitivity to the task, and concentrate on what you're doing while you're doing it. The culinary reward will be both lovely and scrumptious. And each lucky recipient of the rolls will be in your debt.

 
After all, a cellophane packaged convenience-store bun can't begin to rival the warm, fragrant, cinnamon-encrusted  treat you'll have set before them. Most people encounter a well-crafted cinnamon roll, beautifully assembled from scratch, only on the rarest occasions. There's just no comparison, and they know it.
 

These are well worth the time it takes to make them. Of course, they're also rich and must harbor a zillion calories. Not something you'd want to have laying around the kitchen tempting you too frequently. Unless, that is, you're endeavoring ferociously to gain weight, in which case these would definitely be the ticket.

About this recipe . . . 

This is an amalgam of two cinnamon roll recipes that I like a lot. One is from a small spiral-bound book that had belonged to my mom. Put out 30 years ago by the Red Star Yeast company, it's called The Red Star Centennial Bread Sampler. And the other recipe came from Bubby's Brunch Cookbook: Recipes and Menus from New York's Favorite Comfort Food Restaurant. This is one I'd love to own and hope to add to my own collection one of these days (I borrowed it from the library, speaking of library science!). Check it out if you get a chance.

My combined adaptation of both recipes is a nice hybrid, I think, and it borrows from the best attributes of both formulas.

Cinnamon Rolls


(For a printable version of this recipe, click here!)

For the dough:
3 and 3/4 cups All Purpose flour (I used unbleached; no need to sift)
2 tsp. instant yeast (I used SAF Gold Instant Yeast; this stuff works really well in rich doughs. Keep in mind, instant yeast does not require proofing and in many instances can be mixed right in with other ingredients. I'm a total instant yeast convert; I rarely use active-dry yeast anymore.)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 and 1/2 Tbsp. light brown sugar
1 tsp. salt (If you'd like to use kosher, add a pinch extra.)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter, unsalted
1 egg, large

For the filling:
1/2 cup  light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon (I used Penzey's brand Vietnamese--very intense flavor.)
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup moist raisins (I soaked mine in warm water for about 20 minutes; drained them & gently squeezed out excess water with a paper towel.)
2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup (I used Trader Joe's brand--it's inexpensive, not too thick, and tastes good; you can use honey instead, if you prefer.)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the icing:
2 cups confectioners' sugar (no need to sift)
2 to 4 Tbsp. half and half or milk
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
A couple of drops of almond extract

In a large mixer bowl, combine 1 and 1/2 cups of the flour, the instant yeast, the two sugars, and the salt. In a small saucepan over low heat, warm up the milk, water, and butter to about 120 - 130 degrees; test it with a stem thermometer if you're not sure. It's fine if the butter doesn't fully melt. Pour this into the flour mixture. Add in the egg and the vanilla extract. Beat at low speed just until moistened, then beat for 3 minutes at medium speed.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and, by hand, stir more flour in gradually until you've made a soft dough (I needed to use all of my 3 and 3/4 cups of flour; my dough was quite moist to start with).

Dump the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead it by hand until it feels smooth and elastic; this may take 5 to 8 minutes (mine took barely 5 minutes to reach this stage; beware of over-kneading rich dough). 

 

Place the dough in a large bowl that's been sprayed with vegetable spray (I used Pam) or greased with vegetable shortening. Turn the dough so it's lightly greased all over. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap that's also been sprayed/greased on the side that could touch the dough.Let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in bulk (mine took just about one hour). 

Next steps: 

• Prepare the filling while the dough is rising (see below). 

• Butter the bottom and sides of a  9" x 13" baking pan.

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium size bowl, mix together the two sugars, the cinnamon, and the salt. Mix in the raisins. Pour in the maple syrup and stir to combine. Set aside.

When the dough has risen sufficiently, dump it out onto a lightly floured work surface, and use a rolling pin to roll it into a 12" x 15" rectangle (my dough was not very rectangular, but it didn't matter). Use a pastry brush to spread half of the melted butter all over the dough; set aside the rest of the melted butter. Sprinkle all of the filling evenly over the dough, leaving about one inch uncovered at the farthest short side of the dough.

Starting with the short side that's nearest you, carefully roll up the dough. It needs to be snug but not too tight. If you can, pinch the long seam to help seal it; then end with the seam underneath the completed roll.

Using an extremely sharp, smooth knife (like a chef's/French knife), gently but firmly cut the dough into eight slices of even thickness.

Place them in the pan, evenly spaced. Cover the pan with lightly greased/sprayed plastic wrap, and loosely cover it with a dish towel. Place it in a warm spot to rise.

When the rolls have doubled in size, in perhaps half an hour (it's important not to over-proof rich dough, so be on your toes), they are ready to go into the preheated oven. Bake them for approximately 25 minutes, until they're golden brown and they sound hollow when you tap them. (To err on the safe side, I tested mine with a stem thermometer stuck into the doughy part of a roll; I looked for a temperature of about 200-210 degrees inside.)

 

Make the icing before the rolls come out of the oven. In a small bowl, stir together the confectioners' sugar, half-and-half or milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Stir until all the lumps dissolve. If you'd like the icing thinner or thicker, adjust it with a bit more sugar or milk. To drizzle it on, make it on the thinner side. To smooth it on like frosting on a cake, make it a bit thicker.

As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush the rest of the melted butter over them.

Then, ice the rolls. They're great served warm, and they're definitely best the first day. They can be left in the pan when cool if you like; just cover them well with plastic wrap.

(If you'd like to comment on this post, or to read any existing comments, please click on the purple COMMENTS below!)

Hope in Haiti

Quote of the Day: The following is a excerpt from a book I read called Grace Under Fire - Letters of Faith in Times of War - Edited by Andrew Carroll

I am convinced as I have never been convinced before that the Gospel is the only solution - that is, when people are more concerned with giving than getting, with self-giving than self-fulfillment, with loving than being loved, of understanding rather than being understood, of genuinely being interested in doing good without expecting any returned reward, recognition, and benefit, when people realize that complete forgiveness and selfless service are the only way - only then will everyone be really living! (Chaplain Ray Stubbe, stationed in Vietnam, letter dated 25 November 1967)

Sometimes I wonder, If the world wasn't so busy trying to kill each other off, what great things we could accomplish.  We could channel that need for a cause to things like knowing when an earthquake would hit.  Or, even if we couldn't predict every natural disaster, we could be ready to help anyone in need.

Soaking Feet by Joey Halvorson

My friend Joey Halvorson is a fantastic photographer.  She's done many of the shots for my articles that appear in our local women's magazine, Her Voice.  She joined up with a team of doctors and nurses from the Brainerd area and traveled to Haiti after the earthquake.  Imagine the healing of body, mind, and spirit that the woman above is experiencing from a tub of water, a chair to sit on, and soon - caring hands rubbing her feet, giving her rest.

Guitar Man by Joey Halvorson

The medical team and Joey got to Haiti through an organization called Lifeline Christian Mission.  Over several different trips, they brought instruments to the Haitians.  Music has the ability to transport you beyond time and circumstance.  It fills you, like healing waters, and gives you hope.  Joey said that without a lesson or bit of sheet music to read, people were playing these instruments, raising their voices and dancing like no other place on Earth.

Joey Halvorson at the Q Gallery in Brainerd

Joey brought her stories and her photos back to Brainerd and displayed them at our local gallery, the Q Gallery.

Joey talking about her experiences in Haiti with Jon

I asked Joey if she'd had any medical training since she was there with a medical team. She said, no, but could find ways to help, and her main goal was to take pictures and bring along her suitcases filled with medical supplies.  They arrived with two surgeons and were told there was no surgery center.  They improvised.  Shortly after they arrived, they performed emergency surgery on a mother of twins.  All three would have perished without their team.

Not all of us can pick up and go to another country to help.  We're not all equipped to perform surgery under improvised conditions.  We have people right in our homes and neighborhoods to care for.  We can use the talents God gave us to connect, to care, and to share the stories.

Thanks, Joey and the Brainerd Medical Team.  Thanks to everyone who reads this and shows love and caring for someone else.  Those are our glimpses of Heaven.

Journaling Prompt:  Describe a time when you cared for someone, or when you needed someone to take care of you.

Women's Retreat

Quote of the Day:  Come to the fount of creation, where the water of life is flowing free. lyrics from the song by John Ylvisaker

Sunset after a storm at Mount Carmel

At a Weekend for Women, Sept. 17-19, I will be leading journal writing at Mount Carmel Camp near Alexandria, MN.  You can visit their website by clicking on the name, or contact me, if you wish, and I'll connect you.  mary(dot)aalgaard(at)yahoo com.

What happens at a women's retreat?  Besides great food, fun, and fellowship, you have time to tap into your creativity, or just Be.  I have some things to share about journaling, a few prompts, and we'll have time to write and create.  My friend, JeMA, will teach art, using nature and texture, and re-awakening our creative spirits.

You also have the option for massage, spiritual direction, walks, time to enjoy the lake, meet new people, or even take a nap.

Last year, I attended two of these retreats, lead some journaling, and enjoyed the beautiful women who were there.  Mothers & daughters, sisters, cousins, aunts, friends, and singles arrived to find rest and nurturing by the still waters.

Last year, I sat next to this lovely woman and her sister for dinner on Fri. night.  Turns out, she raised four children, taught piano lessons, and was a church musician.  What a great connection!  I enjoyed helping with the journaling and teaching the women how to make their own journals.  I had a cabin to myself along the water's edge.  The weather was lovely for September.  I fell asleep to the lapping of the water along the shore and felt peace.

Come away with me, if you can, or find a retreat for yourself wherever you live.  Women need to nurture their creativity and tend to their own needs.  Give yourself a little time-off.

Journaling Prompt: Write about a retreat experience that you've taken, or one that you dream of taking.

Joy in Creating

Quote of the Day:  We are adventuring in the chartless seas of imagination. - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Children teach us so much about experiencing Joy in creating.  As you enter Lake Carlos from the shores of Mount Carmel, you must walk over layers of rock.  You can think of it as a bad thing as they dig into your feet.  Or, you can see it as a good thing, as it gives you endless tools for building a tower of rocks as you sit in the cool water.

You might discover that your new friend who is really your second cousin likes to build, too, and you make a pier together.

Maybe you and your daughters create a sand turtle to live on the beach. 

What you have really discovered is that making something doesn't cost anything.  It takes as long as it needs to, and it lasts forever in your mind, or as a picture, or only until the next wave comes up and washes it away.

I was talking to my oldest son about the magic of computers and how information that seems lost can be recovered.  He said, "That just shows you that once something is created, it's never completely gone."

Summer is slipping into the past, lingering in our memories, and yet, we cherish what we've made.

Journaling Prompt:  Where did you go this summer?  What memories did you make?  Which ones will linger the longest in the snapshot of your mind?