Hoola in the Kitchen

I'm Moving!

2010-02-22T18:52:00.002-06:00

hoolainthekitchen.wordpress.com

come visit me!

This Past Week

2010-02-20T08:49:00.000-06:00

I baked 16 boxes of Funfetti Cookies. I got about 40 small cookies from every box. 16x40=640.
3 tests. Glad that's over.
Graduate School applications are done. it's out of my hands and feels so good.
Miss Auburn campaign week. busy busy
Minimal running. Nashville is creeping up!
Need to go to the grocery store. My goal is to try and cook one new recipe per week. I haven't decided what this week will be.
No more sweets until I complete 13 miles. :) I have a problem. We will have to find something else to fill the cookie/cupcake/ice cream shaped void that shall be in my heart.
The high today is 65. Earlier this week it barely crept above 35. I'm am so ready for Spring. It's my favorite season.
KkBFF and I are meeting the Mama today in Montgomery. Dad and Will are very lucky to be in the Bahamas this week for a fishing trip! How is that fair? Anyway. I'm ready to see my Mama. I need some Mama Love.

Happy Valentine's Day to....ME!!!!

2010-02-14T17:34:00.000-06:00

I have no specific "valentine" this year..so, I am taking this day to be selfish and love myself and love a few things that make me happy!

organized and clean bathrooms...
Fabuloso floor cleaner
walks from my house to the public library then to Kroger to buy an apple to eat on the way home.
the smell of books. especially new books.
the way my hair feels when it's straight.
Coco Chanel perfume. (tasperfumes.com)
my blanket. yes. i am 22 years old and I still sleep with a blanket, and have every single night since I was born.
my beagle even though he smells terrible the majority of the time.even after a bath.
gray and yellow.

Let it snow, let it snow, please let it snow...

2010-02-11T19:15:00.002-06:00

School is out...

Snow day tomorrow!!!

2010-02-08T23:03:00.000-06:00

PSA..
my future career... bahahaha thanks codi!!
Grandmama Sconyers had her birthday on February 4th. I went home for the weekend to celebrate with the other 15 members of the family who were able to come. We missed those who couldn't make it because we truly had a great time! I wish I had pictures but they are on Mother's camera (hers actually works. Not to mention takes great pictures! I looove it.) We do have a great one of Grandmama with her cake. Completely candid. Those are my favorite.

I love going home, I really do but sometimes I just don't want to packe, drive there, pack again, drive back. It just ends up being a lot. And all my stuff is still in my house at school. It can just be hard. But this weekend I really wasn't ready to come back to school. Procrastination perhaps? Or maybe because I just wanted to play that banjo for a few more hours. Go to church and have everyone greet you by name and ask you how you are and sincerely care about how you are and how school is going. Or maybe just lay on the couch for one more night..
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.
Images courtesy of here and here

Nanners!!

2010-02-03T17:40:00.000-06:00

I had some very "ripe" bananas staring at me on my shelf alll last week. I thought "what am I going to do with these? i might as well just throw them out because there is no reason to go spend $10 on ingredents to use up the almost-rotten bananas". I had given up hope until Saturday morning... I was planning on breakfast with KKBFF and Kimbo-Majorette but they sketched and didn't wake up in time. So there I was, craving hot comfortable deliciousness. I returned to my shelf...took stock of what I had and lo and behold I have the ingredients to make MUFFINS! i LOOOOVE muffins. I was so very excited. I used a recipe I had in the cabinet with a few changes. I will post the recipe that I used.

Banana-Add nuts if you want- Muffins
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large bananas mashed {i only had 2 nanners so I used about 1/2 cup of applesauce also}
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup butter, melted
{i love cinnamon and nutmeg so I added a dash of those also. Do it if you want to. And you do.}

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Either grease your muffin pan or use liners...like this (fancyflours.wordpress.com)

fancy pants.

2. Sift flour, baking poweder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Combine bananas, sugar, egg, and melted butter in a large bowl. Fold in flour mixture and mix until smooth. Scoop into muffin pans.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes and large muffins for 25-30 minutes. (When the muffins are done they will spring back when lightly touched)

5. Pop one of those babies out of the pan, spread some more butter on it (you know you want to. nothing like a hot buttered muffin.). Devour the little muffie.

Destined for Greatness?

2010-01-28T08:24:00.016-06:00

We think so.

Today is a Chocolate Festival put on by the Women's Resource center at Auburn. My roommate just so happens to be a part of it and volunteered her roommates to donate chocolate desserts.

Chocolatey Chocolate Chocolate Chip Chocolate Pound Cake was my donation.

Hello heart attack in a bundt pan.

This cake is very very moist and almost tastes like cooked brownie batter if that makes any sense. Cooked batter?

Make it. You'll see.

You'll need:
1 Box Butter Cake mix
3/4 Cup Water
1/2 Cup oil
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
8 oz. sour cream
Small package instant chocolate pudding
1 package chocolate chips
Mix ingredients. Bake at 350 for 50 mins. Cool 10 mins and cover to keep moist.

Make sure after it cools in the pan for 10 minutes you go ahead and turn it out. I forgot this part and my cake hardened to my pan and wouldn't come out this morning...hence the chunk you see on the bottom right of the picture. A little powdered sugar dusting goes a long way.

So simple. So easy. So delicious!!

I still need to get my camera fixed.

I am...

2010-01-26T21:43:00.013-06:00

Excited about my career choice.
nervous about graduate school acceptance
trying not to stress about schoolwork, rather take it as it comes and just keep plugging on.
giving out my blog address even though it's been on the DL until now.
nervous about sharing it.
overly ambitious and would like to sew my own Easter outfit this year. (yes mom, the torch has been passed. maybe I'll stay up until 4 am on Saturday night trying to complete something.)
Baking tonight. Right now actually. Recipe in next post.
training for a half-marathon.
Hopaing I can dig up enough motivation to no only complete the race on race day but actually train properly and keep the work up for the 3 months leading up to the race.
wanting to paint a room a shade of grey. love grey. (gray?)
Taking 15 minutes per day to spend with the Lord. Reading, writing, listening to uplifting music, etc.
going to miss being an Auburn University majorette but...
excited about the new experience of being a student at a football game...and partaking in gameday festivities that don't involve waking up at 3:30 in the morning for practice.
missing my Mema.
loving my Hearing Rehab professor. She is one of those who has been around for a while, knows what she is doing, and does things in her own way.
straight-haired today. tamed the mane.
enjoying the feeling of productivity of today. the sun and crisp yet slightly warm air are more inspiring to get up and "do" than the cloudy wet air we've had lately
ready to SPRING CLEAN! Open the windows, wash the walls/doors/anything stationary, mop the floors, clean out the closet.. you know the drill. I love that drill.
both nervous and excited about being 22, a college senior, almost a college graduate...weird.
looking for a piano teacher.
wanting to join a book club. Sara Catherine suggested I just start one of my own.. Perhaps.
Happy. Loved. and Blessed.

It's official...

2010-01-25T11:52:00.000-06:00

I want to put on my my my my running shoes...

The training starts today. We have been gearing up for a couple weeks, getting back into the swing of school and meetings. And we are swinging so now it's time to add one more dish to our already full plates.

KK BFF and I are training for the Country Music Half Marathon.

Saturday April 24th.

Please pray for us.

If you're running, we will pray for you too.

2010-01-24T22:19:00.002-06:00

JoyofBaking.com would be my best friend if website's could be your best friend. (Sorry Cait).
This cookie recipe is an old standby, tried and true. I have never been led astray by ole Joy. Thank you. Please keep it up. While my waistline expresses some disdain for your gifts, my tastebuds never do.

Snickerdoodles:

2 3/4 cups (360 grams) all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated white sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Coating:
1/3 cup (66 grams) granulated white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
In a large bowl whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until smooth (about 2 to 3 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat until you have a smooth dough. If the dough is soft, cover and refrigerate until firm enough to roll into balls (one to two hours).
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (190 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Shape the dough into 1 inch (2.5 cm) round balls.
In a large shallow bowl mix together the sugar and cinnamon.

Roll the balls of dough in the cinnamon sugar and place on the prepared pan, spacing about 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Then, using the bottom of a glass, gently flatten each cookie to about 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) thick.

Bake the cookies for about 8 - 10 minutes, or until they are light golden brown around the edges. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
Can store in an airtight container, at room temperature, for about 10 - 14 days.
Makes about 6 dozen cookies

Beware. It does make 6 dozen cookies..You may want to adjust proportions a little bit, find some friends in need, or just run a little bit longer on that treadmill. These. Are. Good.
And sidenote: looking at the pictures of her desserts on the website, and on everyone else's blog (because Mom, everybody is doing it) I realize I need to step it up, get my camera fixed...get rid of the darn thing and work to buy one I actually will enjoy. Hello summer job.

KK BFF gives the inside scoop!

2010-01-24T14:06:00.000-06:00

Since I am sure that Laura will not fill her readers in on a fun little escapade that she and her friend, Sara Catherine, took today...... I figured I would not only fill you in, but give you pictures as well!

So want to know what they did? They modeled at a bridal show! Who would have thought? Apparently they randomly signed up to model at this bridal show and got picked! They traveled to Montgomery on Friday and selected two dresses each to wear down the runway today in front of hundreds of brides to be! I honestly did not take them seriously when they first told me about "their big day," but I have proof!

Here is dress #1 for Laura (courtesy of the technological advancements in the wireless industry):

Here is dress #2 (once again, courtesy of wireless technology):

Thats a big big dress.

And the hair that complemented dress #2:

Very pretty hair!

I am sorry to report that I do not have any pictures of the lovely Sara Catherine. (I honestly don't want to have the wrath of Wilson Patrick on me if I did post any pics of SC!) I have no doubt she was also very pretty in her wedding dresses of choice.

We all know that Laura would have never showed these beautiful pictures to you all. So naturally, I didn't let her not share them. She is going to make a very beautiful bride one day and make one man very very happy! Good thing I will get to stand beside her on her next "big day".

Until next time.... KK BFF

2010-01-21T21:44:00.000-06:00

Easy Easy Dinner.

My 2nd year in college I found myself cooking wonderful meals but then I'd be eating the leftovers for 3 or 4 days after. That sucked the fun out of being able to have my own kitchen and cook. I resorted to pretty much the same things every night. Rachel Ray and her 30 minute meals could hold no candle to my 10 minute masterpieces. I made all sorts of things. I also wasted all sorts of things until I got the hang of adjusting portions. I really just missed the company and fun of having someone else sit down at a table and eat with me. My roommates would have it I had asked them to, and sometimes our schedules happened to mesh so that we could but we were all busy and we were all just in different routines. But this year, finally, I have a dinner friend. KKBFF moved into her own little house last fall and has a wonderful little stove (which I believe I have posted about before somewhere. We make cookies at her house a lot. ) We are definitely more adventurous with the cooking when we know we won't be stuck eating for 5 days after cooking. And with only one person using her freezer, there is room to store leftovers in case you want to save them for later. We also have taken to grocery shopping together too. I have this thing for grocery stores. I love them. I couldn't tell you what it is about being able to just walk down the aisles and see what's out there. It's calming. I rarely even take my cell phone inside because the aisles and the fellow shoppers are a little escape from the world for just a little while. Sometimes I will intentionally not buy something just so I can go back. Yes, I realize this sounds wasteful of both time and gas but we all have our guilty pleasures. Mine just happens to be not-so-guilty.

Quick Dinner...Thank you Kroger. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

1. miniature shopping carts.*

2. clean aisles, clean store

3. friendly staff

4. lovely flowers.

5. healthy produce.

6. awesome organics.

7. delicious, reasonably priced sushi.

*Sidenote to that comment. I am in love with Kroger's mini carts. If you haven't used one, you are missing out. I believe WinnDixie has them now too. They are a wonderful size. Bigger than a basket and definitely easier to manage but not as big as those buggies with the truck bed attached. I usually seek them out at stores. Tonight i was "that girl" who HAD to have a small buggy. I went to 3 cart returns in the parking lot (they are rarely inside the stores because they are in high demand.). I saw one..The only problem is this little gem was tucked up into the cart return by the "Return Here" sign. It was pinched in by alllll the other wet buggies. I wanted him. Bad. So I lifted him up and over the rails. Embarassing, a little. But I got my buggy and was a happy shopper.

Kroger goes East. Best thing since Sliced Bread.

Even though I don't really mind tearing in to a good loaf of unsliced bread sometimes.

Between KKBFF and I we bought 2 cartons of Sushi. (found in the deli).

Dragon Roll and Crunchy Shrimp were the picks tonight.

1 bag of frozen Edamame.

2 Frozen eggrolls.

Soy Sauce.

Chopsticks.

Steam your Edamame in the microwave according to package directions. Then while it cools, heat your egg rolls according to package directions. Dump edamame onto a plate with a bowl for shells. Egg rolls onto a plate. Eat your sushi out of your plastic carton if your casual or place it on a plate too if you must.

Dinner is served.

Fat quarters

2010-01-19T17:14:00.001-06:00

I have a stack of them. Cute ones. What to do with them? I need ideas.

today

2010-01-18T20:09:00.002-06:00

was beautiful. Sunny. Warm. Stark contrast to the days we've been having here lately. Harsh and cold and uninviting. The weather this afternoon made me want to open all the windows and just have fresh air flowing through the house. Airing out the winter stuffiness and breathing new life into these old walls. So that's exactly what I did. It feels so good to be in a clean room that feels like it has literally had a breath of fresh air. (Remember that whole "smell post"...well, my room smells fresh now.)

My kitchen is bitchin at me to get in there and show it some loving. I just can't bring myself to do it. With graduate school applications, school work, clinic starting this week, the last thing I find time to do is cook. even though I miss my precious baby mixer like I would miss my left thumb if it fell off. I have promised myself that this week I WILL make something. Now, this sounds a bit selfish and gluttoness (word?) really of me to those who may not know me or even those who do know me but do not know why I enjoy the kitchen so much. It's not about me enjoying the products of the oven, or "fruits of my labor" as some may say..i love giving them away. One of my favorite things is to call up my dear friends and say "Hey I have something for you...are you home?" You see, by the time I finish mixing, baking, and cleaning up (i.e. licking the bowl) I really have little desire to eat the finished product, leaving me with 15, 36, 75-80 (yes that did happen one time.). Everyone loves a treat, especially as an unexpected surprise. I'm not good at too many things and many times I feel like I am a lazy, bad friend. I suppose these sweet surprises are my ways of saying "I'm sorry I've been a bad friend and haven't called you lately. Here. Have a cookie. I really do love you. See?"

And in other news..The tragedy in Haiti. Etsy is sponsoring a "Craft Hope for Haiti" shop. What a wonderful way to contribute to a good cause using talents that we have been given. An excellent chance for service! I realize I am probably like 8 years late with knowing about this but I just got so excited when I read about it that I had to post. Sadly, I have just about missed the deadline that is 2 days from now. I highly doubt I could think of a project, complete it, and send it in with such a short amount of time. ... Better luck next time.

Oh how I need to find a way to serve other people. I feel like a giant sponge and all I do is absorb everything around me and give very little back. Someone please come wring out the excess. I'm feeling a little heavy.

Acts 20:35 (New International Version)

³⁵In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

Almost there.

2010-01-13T22:24:00.004-06:00

The breaking point.

I am so tired and it's only 4 days into the semester. I really do have a positive attitude about this semester! But that little voice keeps trying to creep in to tell me how much I have to do and how there are not enough hours in the day and make me miserable. I'd rather listen to it's counterpart that tells me all will be well. Because really. It will.

I've never been one of those "live for the weekend" types. I have always just tried to enjoy each day as it comes and soak in what every day brings. Good, bad, ugly..and sometimes smelly but I can't guarantee that. You see, I have this thing with smells. It's more of an issue really. for example: Citrus smells. Orange and grapefruit in particular...gag me. I dont' know what it is but I cannot...i mean cannot stand the odor. I will leave a room, bathroom, business, place of worship, if the scent of orange is in the air. This nose knows no bounds. Now, lemon..I can handle lemon. I have actually come to enjoy many lemon-scented cleaning products. Pledge being one of my favorites. In fact, recently I pledged every surface in my room that would tolerate pledge because I wanted my room to "smell clean". See..again. That thing with smells. If I can't smell it. It's not clean. If it has the slighteset twinge of sour or stale..not clean. Even if it only because it's a clean shirt that hung in the closet too long. It must be washed. Yes. I realize this makes me sound crazy..neurotic..a little obsessive compulsive.. Maybe I am? or not?

Just a thought because this candle in my room..that I only burn when I reeeaaally need some smell-therapy (aroma therapy for the technical ones)..is sitting beside me. Beckoning me to please light it. I think I may have to give in...

By his light I walked through darkness.
Job 29:3

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14

..."all will be well"...

hi there...

2010-01-11T21:52:00.004-06:00

slacker here...

Christmas was a blur. It was wonderful to be home, but I am so glad to be back. I'm not going to attempt to rehash the past 3 weeks because I don't have hours to devote to one post.

I share one project...
I got home Saturday night and realized I needed to get Codi her Christmas present. No wrapping paper to be had. No tissue paper. No bows. What is a girl to do? I can't leave an unwrapped present!! I have burlap. Fabric scraps. Paper towels. Thread.

I sloppily sewed the present into the burlap and stitched a little bird on the outside. Done.

Burlap+thread=precious (if i may say so myself) little gift!

Pictures coming!

2009-12-19T17:40:00.003-06:00

Strawberry Shortcake, Red Velvet Cake and two Mini Cakes in two days....pictures to come!
Christmas is sneaking up on us all!
Gifts for mama? Ideas?

Easy Peasy...

2009-12-17T20:40:00.003-06:00

Lemon Squeezy... That's what this chicken salad should be called. There is no picture because, let's be honest, chicken salad rarely looks all that appetizing regardless of how tasty it actually is.
The pictures I have posted are examples of why I did not post a picture of the chicken salad. Frankly, I would not want to consume any of the above salads. I'm not being snooty. I don't even like to look at my own.

The salad takes "60 seconds" to assemble according to Dad. For me or for you, it might take a little longer, but that is neither here nor there.

So. What do you need?
1 can of chicken (yes i know. canned meat hardly ever sounds appetizing but just trust me. O ye of little faith.)
Some mayonnaise
Some celery.
Some sweet pickle relish and juice.
Salt and Pepper to taste.

How to assemble?
Chop your celery. A couple stalks should be find to start with. I loathe celery when I can distinctly taste it so I'm slow with the celery additions. Open your can of chicken. (You are still doubting me. I feel it.) Drain it well. No one likes chicken water in their chicken salad. Dump your chicken into a mixing bowl. Scoop some mayo into your bowl as well. Stir together. Then scoop some relish in there too. I apologize for not having exact measurements but you really don't need them. It's simple. If you want more mayo. Add it. If you like more pickle. Add it. If for some reason you think you want more celery you can add that too if you must. Salt and pepper to taste and voila! You have made chicken salad. Now toast some bread, a croissant, Frito's scoops work very nicely, plain on fork...however you wish to eat it!

Now, I haven't added any additional ingredients but I don't feel that grapes, apples, or nuts would hurt any feelings if they were to be added in. In fact, I think it would add a very nice touch. Perhaps dress it up a little? A little food jewelry... maybe?

So there you go! It's easy and once you get the hang of it, it literally takes under 2 minutes.
And for those of you who don't cook... this is for you!

Big News in Our House!

2009-12-16T22:32:00.004-06:00

Well, my parents have been without a sofa since August of 2008. They had all good intentions when they gave it to my brother to take to his college house. It was a good sofa. Oversized pillows. Comfy. Fairly good, neutral color. Good sofa. They had been wanting a new set of den furniture, so what better way to speed up the process than to give the furniture to the son! Perfect! .....annnd 16 months later, we still have no sofa. We have had an air mattress, a sleeping bag, a rocking chair, and almost a hammock (the Mama had been flexible but put her foot down at that suggestion). They have looked at every sofa and loveseat in our city. Every one. They looked online. In magazines. Nothing. Then one day, they found one that just might do. It was not the perfect sofa but it would be okay if they just had to have a sofa. So in September they picked out this sofa/chair combination. In October they looked at it again and decided that was not what they wanted. The search continued until November. Another possible option. The problem: it was not an in-store sofa and had to be shipped from elsewhere in the country. It arrived. Finally. This morning the parents bought the sofa. "It's not perfect but I guess it will be okay."

Dad: "I hope ya'll like the sofa. It sure wasn't a cheap one."
Me: "Anything beats a leaky, squeaky air mattress. Except the hammock. I think ya'll should have gone with the hammock."
Dad: "Me too but for some reason your mother didn't like that idea at all."
Weird.
So. In the morning when I decide to roll my lazy, not-in-school self out of bed there will be a sofa in the den! and I can go sit on it and watch King of Queens because you may not know this but I really don't watch TV all that much. King of Queens and Everybody loves Raymond are the only shows I really ever catch. But it doesn't matter. We have a sofa now. I'm going to watch so much TV I'm going to become attached to the sofa. :/ okay. dramatic. yes.

Moving on. To-Do list for Thursday:

Sit on the new sofa.
Take picture of said sofa.
Eat breakfast.
Run.
Make gingerbread cookies for the Mama's decorating.
Dentist Appointment. (eww.)
Cake baking with Grandmama Sconyers (!)
Be more grateful tomorrow than I was today for my many many blessings.

Food Gawking...

2009-12-16T21:24:00.003-06:00

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

Dough:
4 large egg yolks, room temp
1 large whole egg, room temp
1/4 cup sugar
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup buttermilk, room temp*
20 oz all-purpose flour (approximately 4 cups), plus additional for dusting
1 pkg (2 1/4 tsp) instant dry yeast
1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
Vegetable oil or cooking spray

* I substituted 1 1/2 tsp white vinegar + heavy whipping cream. Stir to combine and add to bowl of stand mixer.

Filling:
1 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 1/4 Tbsp ground cinnamon
pinch salt
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Icing:
2-3 Tbsp milk
1 cup powdered sugar

For the dough: in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg yolks, whole egg, sugar, butter, and buttermilk. Add approximately 2 cups of the flour along with the yeast and salt; whisk until moistened and combined. Remove the whisk attachment and replace with a dough hook. Add all but 3/4 cup of the remaining flour and knead on low speed for 5 minutes. Check the consistency of the dough, add more flour if necessary; the dough should feel soft and moist but not sticky. Knead on low speed 5 minutes more or until the dough clears the sides of the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface; knead by hand about 30 seconds. Lightly oil a large bowl. Transfer the dough to the bowl, lightly oil the top of the dough, cover and let double in volume, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

For the filling: Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Mix until well incorporated. Set aside until ready to use.

To assemble: Butter a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Gently shape the dough into a rectangle with the long side nearest you. Roll into an 18 by 12-inch rectangle. Brush the dough with the 3/4-ounce of melted butter, leaving 1/2-inch border along the top edge. Sprinkle the filling mixture over the dough, leaving a 3/4-inch border along the top edge; gently press the filling into the dough. Beginning with the long edge nearest you, roll the dough into a tight cylinder. Firmly pinch the seam to seal and roll the cylinder seam side down. Very gently squeeze the cylinder to create even thickness. Using a serrated knife, slice the cylinder into 1 1/2-inch rolls; yielding 12 rolls. Arrange rolls cut side down in the baking dish; cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight or up to 16 hours.

Remove the rolls from the refrigerator and place in an oven that is turned off. Fill a shallow pan 2/3-full of boiling water and set on the rack below the rolls. Close the oven door and let the rolls rise until they look slightly puffy; approximately 30 minutes. Remove the rolls and the shallow pan of water from the oven.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

When the oven is ready, place the rolls on the middle rack and bake until golden brown, or until the internal temperature reaches 190 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, approximately 25-30 minutes.

While the rolls are cooling slightly, make the icing by whisking the milk and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread over the rolls and serve immediately.

Yields: 12 rolls
Source: FoodNetwork

Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy
For the steak:
Vegetable oil
1 cup heavy cream
2 tsp vinegar
1/2 tsp Tobasco
4 cube steaks
1 1/2 cup flour
Fresh-ground black pepper
2 tsp Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning

For the gravy:
1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp pan drippings
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
Salt
Fresh-ground black pepper

Make the chicken fried steak: Heat ~1-inch vegetable oil in a cast iron pan/dutch oven to 350.

Place steaks in a shallow dish. Stir cream, vinegar, and Tobasco in a small bowl until just combined (it can thicken rather quickly - and it’s okay if it does). Pour over steaks. Move steaks around a bit with your tongs to ensure that you coat the bottom.

In a separate shallow dish, combine flour, a generous amount of fresh-ground black pepper, and Tony Cachere’s and mix well.

When the oil is ready, transfer one steak at a time from the “wet pan” to the “dry pan.” Dredge in flour, ensuring complete coverage, shake off any excess flour, and place on a plate. Repeat for as many steaks as you can fit in your frying pan.

Transfer steaks to the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes. Flip and fry until breading is golden brown. Remove from the pan and place on a rack sitting over a baking dish (I put paper towels under the rack for easier clean up). Serve topped with a generous ladle of cream gravy.

Make the gravy: Add butter and pan drippings to a 2qt sauce pan over medium heat. When melted and bubbly, add flour, salt, and a generous amount of fresh-ground pepper. Stir until the roux turns light brown. Stream in milk, whisking continuously. Cook to a boil and remove from heat.

Yields 4 servings

Cream Cheese Cranberry Cake
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, room temp
2 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 lemon, juiced and zested
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 tsp salt
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, tossed with 1 Tbsp flour
Whipped cream, optional

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a bundt pan with baking spray, coating well.

Beat butter and cream cheese until combined. Add sugar and turn mixer to med-high and cream for 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time until combined. Add lemon juice and zest, almond extract, and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Turn mixer to low and add salt. Add the cake flour in two batches. Fold in the cranberries.

Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake 60-70 minutes, until the cake has browned and a skewer inserted in the center comes out with only moist crumbs attached. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes and then turn out onto a rack and cool completely. Cover tightly overnight (I put it in on a cake plate and cover with a glass dome) and enjoy the next day. (You can certainly eat it the same day but it gets better with an overnight resting period.)

Yields: 1 bundt cake, 8-12 servings depending on slice size

3 recipes I MUST try ASAP.

Thank you FoodieBride. I just gained 10 pounds.

2009-12-15T10:05:00.006-06:00

Well, for whatever reason my post from last night decided to post today when I logged back in.
I'm headed home for the break today..HOORAY! Yesterday when I finished exams I decided to go brave the monsoon and spend 3 hours browsing through World Market, Hobby Lobby, and Home Depot. 3 hours. 3 stores. Here is the result:

A painted tote bag

Banana Pudding for Codi & Jim.
A little arrangement for The Mama.
All of these things =A Happy Laura!
(yes, that is a Nilla Wafer, skillfully covered with pudding..)
Note to self: repaint fingernails.

Dad asked what I want for Christmas. I don't know... A new stomach that doesn't hurt all the time. At one point in time, I went through a phase of limiting bread consumption. That seemed to help. As of today, I'm trying that again. We'll see how well that goes.
I miss my friends already.
I am thankful I do not have 18 kids or 18 brothers and sisters.
I wish I had brought my sewing machine home.
That is all.

2009-12-14T17:43:00.004-06:00

Well, the Father and Brother had a successful duckhunt this weekend at the hunting camp. Their only complaint after sitting in the gusty winds, sleety rain, in a duck blind in the middle of wet bushes, and wading through icy water for 4 days... "If only we had Admiral." (Admiral was our former Hunting King Labrador Retriever. He died May 2006 at the ripe old age of 15. )

Now, in more recent news, I finally finished final exams. KK BFF has not finished. I am cooking tonight. Oven fried chicken, friend okra, rice and gravy, and Funfetti cookies for dessert!

FINALS ARE DONE! CHRISTMAS BREAK IS HERE!!!

Bonjour!

2009-12-13T22:41:00.002-06:00

Helloooo FACELIFT!
I have been obsessively cleaning and organizing and throwing away...decluttering. I decided to declutter Hoola as well. You're welcome Hoola.
Love,
The Management.

2009-12-13T14:33:00.005-06:00

I should be studying. I really should be...
but instead I am thinking of gifts. I'm trying to go handmade this year for friend gifts. I would go tor that for the family too except that father and brother are outdoorsmen and besides a pair of knitted socks, I have nothing to offer them .
A few things I have thought of, I googled.

I am on a mission tomorrow when I finish finals:
1. Home Depot for small pots and little succulents. (I think they are precious and adorable and hard to kill. ) I also need small decorative rocks. I should be able to find these there too. If not, Target should have them.
2. Outside for some moss-covered rocks and dirt.
3. Grocery store for mason jars.
4. My fabric scrap stash for strips of old fabric.
Now....Pictures!

I wish I could claim the two images, I cannot. Inspirethebride. thank you.

Precious. I know.

Really, I just have this thing for little plants in little pots. Especially when the little pots aren't typical pots at all.

Hello Procrastination.

http://www.shelterrific.com/

http://manolohome.com/

two fun little sites I've been browsing through today.

“Nothing takes God by surprise. He knows the future and can therefore guide us through its trackless ways.”
— W. T. Purkiser

love.

Graduate Education

2009-12-06T21:08:00.001-06:00

Is it really necessary? I am becoming physically ill with filling out applications and forms and signatures and having everything in order for five thousand different things. Shouldn't there be a universal application for this type deal. I wish. I'll invent a system for that, make millions, and not have to worry about actually completing the application process.

I have crafts to post BUT I don't want to take the time to upload the pictures right now. I promise I will soon! I'm a slacker blogger. I make you feel better about your blog. You're welcome.

2009-12-03T09:36:00.004-06:00

Hello Blog. So nice to see you.

Hello Finals. I'm afraid I do not share the same sentiment.

Obviously finals are fast approaching. The bad news is finals are approaching. The good news is, once I have dominated them it is officially time to celebrate Christmas. I can't fully enjoy the season with all this hanging over my head.

Now in other news, I have successfully created a craft and successfully made a terrible terrible recipe for rolls. Both of which I will post about.... now.

The craft. If I had a camera to post a picture of it in its almost completed state I would gladly show you. This will have to wait for a rainy day.

The rolls. The biscuits. The baked goop.

Over Thanksgiving break, I found a recipe in a certain Lady's cookbook from Georgia. I will not mention the name of the Lady to protect her identity. It was a recipe for Mayonnaise drop biscuits. I was fascinated because the recipe was SO simple. Mayo, Milk, Flour, Sugar.

I wrote it down and was busting to try it out! I got back to school and realized I didn't have the recipe. No big deal. I go to the old standby allrecipes.com. I find what I'm looking for. The recipe has recieved something like 2,000 reviews and 4 and a half stars. I was so excited thinking "This is it. This is wonderful! A simple, quick bread to serve with dinner!" I immediately whip up a batch since the recipe calls for things I always have on hand. I pop those babies in the oven and in 12 minutes..VOILA! I pull them out and ..

1. They didn't rise. - Okay so that could be my fault. I could have stirred them to long, manipulated them too much.. I can live with that because they should still taste okay.

2. They were glued to the bottom of the pan.- Again, that could be my fault. Perhaps I misread the recipe and should have greased the bottom of the pan. Checked and no. Ungreased.

3. Once I finally pried the cement babies off of the ungreased pan I realized the centers were completely undercooked. The rest of the biscuit was crispy. Too hot of an oven? Perhaps, but I was just following the recipe.

4. Took a bite of one of these little blobs in hopes that at least, if nothing else, it would taste alright. - A big blob of crispy gooey floury mayonnaise that really has no taste. Not to mention, it burned my tongue. (okay, maybe I burned my tongue but I'm going to blame it on these flourmayo moments.)

Being the eternal optimist and strong-willed baker/person that I am, I figure..Okay. Bad recipe. I know it got thousands of rave reviews but maybe I just didn't have any luck the first time. I'll try it again with the Lady's Recipe. So i obtain that. I am measuring out my flour and my mayo and milk again.. this time I add some garlic salt to give it some flavor! I'm humming as I'm mixing and singing as I put this batch in the oven. and 14 minutes later I dance on over to the oven to pull them out...

1. They were a tad bit for full of life than the last batch, but that's the optimist in me. Let's be honest, they were flat. They were dull.

2. I took them out thinking, okay. Looks can be deceiving...They aren't.

3. They also were glued to the cookie sheet.

4. They had slightly better flavor than the last batch but they were still not good. At all. Unless of course you like, garlicy floury mayonnaise flat biscuits.

5. I'm not giving up. I add butter. Butter makes it better. Always. .... Or so I thought.

What this all boils down to is this... I will not attempt mayonnaise biscuits. Ever. Again. The happy pictures of ladies in aprons with a basket of these puffy, piping hot babies is false.

image from gotnomilk.wordpress.com

I do not believe in these biscuits/rolls.

I can't even post a picture of my little failures, but I assure you, they look NOTHING like the picture.

2009-11-12T08:58:00.002-06:00

thank you, Caitlin. because KK is not fitting.

wonderful job on your first guest post. thanks for sharing "secrets".

i'm amazed you thought of 10.

Today is a beautiful day. There are no clouds. There is a tinge of bit in the air. I LOVE FALL!!

I bought some new cookie cutters about a month ago. Two in the shape of leaves and one in the shape of an acorn. I have been waiting to use them and I am hoping that tonight I will have the chance! I will def have to post pics if they turn out cute.

Now, if only they could look like this...

Okay...confession. If you read the description of the blog, it was created to document the adventures in the kitchen. Do you see any kitchen adventures? Me either. Goal for this week/next post: Actually post a recipe. I have too many good ones and ones I want to try to hold them all to myself.

That's all I wanted to say. I have to go to class now. Did I mention I am about to bust to be out for Thanksgiving break? Right. I am about to bust for Thanksgiving break. There.

"For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!"

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

BFF Makes a Post....

2009-11-11T18:18:00.002-06:00

So Laura wants the BFF to make a post. So here I go!

Hi all, my name is KK, not BFF. I am not really sure why Laura won't just say KK. I guess she thinks BFF is a way to keep me anonymous. I have obviously ruined it. I will preface this post with the fact that I am a terrible writer. If I could draw something for the blog, it not only would be much more enjoyable but also easier for me to accomplish.

Laura said to write about anything so I guess I will delight the blogging world (well actually just Codi, because I think she is the only one who reads Laura's blog) on all the things most people don't know about Laura. Here is a top 10 list:

1. She is actually a very great writer. She should write more often.

2. She loves anything visual. Art, books, outside, etc.

3. She hates to organize although she loves when her stuff is organized and easy to find.

4. She is hilariously exactly like her mother while still exactly like her father. Weirdest thing ever.

5. She is very picky about movies. It has to be really good to keep her attention.

6. I joke that she is actually 6 years old rather than 21.

7. Her second and third toes are webbed.

8. She likes it best when her hair is straight rather than her beautiful curls.

9. She hates picking out what clothes to wear for herself, but loves to pick out other people's clothes for them.

10. She is obsessed with birds.

I figured that readers would love the BFF insight to their favorite author. Next time is the top 10 list on Laura's most embarrassing moments.... That's if there is a next time.

Love,

The BFF

Snobby Baker

2009-11-10T23:27:00.003-06:00

Yes. I am a snob when it comes to food and believe that most anything is better when homemade. My friends and family will probably tell you the same thing. But i must say there is an exception....

"...happy days are here again..."

you know the holidays are coming when these little babies are set out on store shelves.

BFF and I went on a hunt for these right before Halloween because there is usually a pumpkin set. We only found ones in the shape of pumpkins that were dyed orange. We bought them, cooked them too long, and were completely disappointed. We were unconcerned however because we figured we could just run back to the store in a few days and get another box. Oh no. No no no. We looked all over this town and everywhere was sold out!!! To our dismay we had to return home empty-handed after a few trips to the store until FINALLY we found a box at Kroger the day before Halloween. They were perfect. 8 minutes is all they need to turn into gooey perfection. The best part is that they never harden, even after they cool. So naturally those were gone in about 2 days, we thought we wouldn't have anymore until Christmas time.

Think again!

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Christmas shapes are in a store near you!

I have already enjoyed two reindeer faces this afternoon. Probably one or two more before I finally make it to bed.

I don't think you understand how much I absolutely love. LOVE. LOVE. these cookies.

“Wisdom is, and starts with, the humility to accept the fact that you don't have all the right answers,

and the courage to learn to ask the right questions.”
— Author Unknown

2009-10-14T11:42:00.006-05:00

Written about 2 weeks ago but never posted: Trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. Where I need to go from here. I am thouroughly overwhelmed at the concept of choosing a graduate school. My college decision was easy. I had always wanted to be there, no other options even considered. Now, i am faced with the decision to eeither remain where I am or continue forward while I am young, single, and basically unattached. I have no idea what to do.

"God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for himself the knowledge of them, that he may train us up in a dependence upon himself and a continued readiness for every event."

-Matthew Henry

one long game of pinthe tail on the donkey. we wander around blindfolded hoping eventually we hit something, and the something that we do actually hit is right.

Tonight, Codi and I finished the first portion of our language project. It consisted of us getting a language sample from a normally developing child age 3-5. Our sample was 4. and she was adorable. Soooo glad we had the chance to meet them. Daily my career choice causes me to realize how incredibaly blessed I am to be "normal" (although normal is a relative term). How blessed my parents are/were with their children. What a struggle to watch your child everyday and know that he or she is not like the others. I cannot imagine.

And Codi.Susanne. I am so glad that you are not as uncomfortable around the little ones as you thought you might be! I thought you did really well and wanted you to know it!! :) You'll be a great momma if you ever let your uterus give birth.

Today KK-BFF and I ran. only for about 25 minutes though. I am slacking on the running. Big time. Hopefully that won't last too much longer. After my run, I got a much-needed hair trim. For the first time in my entire life, a licensed cosmotologist did not cut my hair. KK did and it turned out GREAT! I love my little haircut! It was just enough to get rid of the old ends and liven up the new ones!

Tomorrow we are embarking on a journey into the land of jambalaya and bengal tigers. I am so excited, i can hardly contain my energy/maintain focus on the one remaining day of class!!

Since it's getting late, and I am only blogging to further delay homework I am going to have to end. i promise to post more recipes soon because I have made a couple fun things that I have failed to mention!!

(halloween is a little over one week away!!)

2009-09-10T10:03:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since I last posted. The end of last week was extremely busy with Tailgate appearances, Pep Rally, and then the first football game!!! Very very very exciting!!

My parents came up on Saturday for the game. It is always so good to see them. And mom brings good food which is a plus. We didn't have the traditional dips and desserts that most tailgates have but she brought deli turkey. I have a weird love of fresh deli turkey. I don't like prepackaged stuff. I'll eat it but I don't like it.

I made cookies last week. Failed to post about them. Failed to even get a picture of them. They were gone too soon! I found the recipe over at noshandtell.blogspot.com. a recently discovered blog that I really enjoy because they look like they are close to my age! which, that's always exciting. I'll post the recipe soon.

With all this swine flu/regular flu/bronchitis/sinus everything that everyone seems to have, I decided I didn't want to be left out. Earlier this week I was down for 2 days with a fever, runny nose, etc. I'm still trying to shake the after-effects of being sick. I have no energy but somehow I'm pushing through onto this weekend for another game! War Eagle.

I have plans to make a cookies n'cream cake that I found over at Annie's Eats. It looks wonderful! BFF KK asked me to make a dessert for her family's tailgate and this cake sounds perfect! This morning I went to Kroger to go ahead and get the stuff so I can get started in between studying tonight but then I remembered KK is going to buy the stuff! Could it get any better? So, I'm at the store. I have nothing to buy now. I go to look at the tea section because I was craving a little something warm. I found this Apple Orchard Red Bag Tea that Is Delicious and Guaranteed to Keep the Doctor Away Tea. Tazo makes it. Obviously I can't remember the real name. I get home. Immediately make a cup while I'm studying for my test at 11... it's lovely. I love apples. Anything to do with them. The box suggests that this tea just might inspire you to do something great! It's very soothing but I have yet to get up and save the world. I tried to take a picture so that maybe a picture would inspire me but my Crackberry wouldn't capture the steam and the sun rays coming in the window. It looked like a fuzzy blob and very very uninspiring.

I will try to be better with blogging this week!! That's my goal!

Even with the ridiculous amount of schoolwork that is staring at me.

"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it."
Sydney J. Harris

itchin' for the kitchen!

2009-08-27T10:04:00.004-05:00

So far my blogging has been a success. Twice in one week! Look at me!

I have been looking this morning for recipes for an easy delicious cookie. One that does not take too long to mix up and bake, yet one that calls for only ingredients that I have on hand. However, at this point, that doesn't include much. For example, I don't have a full stick of butter. Anyway, I was determined to find something I could bake before running off to class in just a few minutes. i thought "no-bake cookies!" Perfect. I can mix them up, and then let them cool while i'm gone and when I come home, Voila! Cookies! ..... no chocolate. no peanut butter.
So then, i thought just a basic oatmeal cookie. I have lots of oatmeal. i don't know why, I am only one person yet i have 3 containers of oatmeal. ? I was confused too. I don't even eat oatmeal. Well. No butter so oatmeal cookies were out. In the midst of the frustration and browsing through recipes like "Brown Sugar Pound cake" and "Never Failing Chocolate Cake" and "12-layer Peppermint Cake to Impress your Holiday Guests" and "So good It will knock your socks off" cake and "you can't make me because you don't' have the ingredients" cake...

I gave in. I had determined to just wait until next week and go to the grocery store and carefully select a recipe and buy the particular needed ingredients. but then... it occured to me. I have a TON of leftover tortillas from a few weeks ago. I never eat tortillas, tacos, quesadillas, fajitas...anything of that nature yet i have 8 tortillas staring at me everyday from the bottom shelf of my refrigerator. I think "what can I do with you?" I am craving sweet stuff here and usually with a tortilla that is not the first thought. However, I take two out. Cut them with a pizza cutter into strips. I sprayed them with, I know you won't believe this because I couldn't believe it either It's not butter Butter. Then sprinkled them, okay...smothered them in cinnamon and sugar and baked them in the oven for about 15 minutes.

before the oven...

after 8 minutes, i flipped them and rebuttered and sugared..
the finished product!
(it was too embarrassing to take a picture of the cookie sheet after BFF and I 'tasted a few')

Success!! They were wonderful! A light crispy sweetness. Not too much sweet. Not too much tortilla. Definitely something I will make again.

While they were baking, i decided to clean out my shelf in the cabinet. I have 5 roommates so sometimes the kitchen cabinets can get out of control!
I have more powdered sugar, toffee bits, and oatmeal than I know what to do with. I guess the next step is to find recipes calling for those ingredients...

Sew Addicting!

2009-08-25T07:55:00.006-05:00

Matthew 6:34

³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This weekend BFF and I went home to go fishing with my family. We fished. We scalloped. We gained 3 pounds. BFF had never been fishing. Who managed to catch the only keeper? You guessed it. She did! (pictures soon to come!) It was a great day! We left the house at 8:45 am and returned around 11 pm. Needless to say we slept great that night!

Sunday morning we went to church with mom. After church we ate our catch from the previous day's adventure. Speckled trout and scallops. We also had some shrimp to add in to our meal. Delicious. Not everyday you are able to eat fresh seafood. I wish I had pictures but had I paused to take some, I would have been without lunch.

I have been blog-stalking lately. Ridiculous amounts. I have homework I should do. I should be running or working out. I could study. but no, i'm glued to my computer! I have found sooo many sewing and cooking projects I want to undertake! Maybe in the next few weeks before football season begins I can at least start a few.

Yesterday afternoon, I made a little drawstring bag just to play around. I had no pattern or instructions and I am not an avid sewer by any means. I really just wing it many times and this little bag was a product of that. It ended up being very very small, however, it is the perfect size for my camera!

BFF was watching me sew this little bag and wanted a project so we looked up how to make fabric yo-yos!

(Many do not understand the meaning behind this picture. BFF is NOT the kind of person to ever be caught dead in front of a sewing machine....much less actually SEWING!)

"SEW" addicting! (I couldn't resist). We went last night to buy some fat quarter fabric to use for more yo-yos. Who knows what we will end up doing with them, but the fat quarters are fun! and the ideas are endless! You know how you feel at the beginning of a project. All inspired and ready to make something awesome... then life kicks in and you forget about it and it gets shoved to the back of the closet. not this time!!! this morning I am headed to the fabric store to buy some fabric to attempt to make alittle cosmetic bag. I found a tutorial on hiccups-stuff.blogspot.com and I am dying to make one! I would love a new makeup bag! currently the vinyl one I have is uninteresting and dull really. We'll see what I find! I can't wait. I'm sure there will be pictures galore to come because I have reached a "new year's" resolution, and by year I suppose I am referring to the school year since I am still a student. January resolutions are silly anyway. too many people make them and fail therefore you really have no motivation to keep going. People don't make August resolutions so I am. And they say you are more likely to complete your goal if you write it down soo...

"I am going to try and blog at least once a week about cooking, sewing, projects completed, projects I want to complete, etc. Posts shall be complete with pictures because that is another goal-to take more pictures of my life."

There.