Yeast Cinnamon Rolls - YUMMY!! - Tiara wearin' good.

Why is it that a rainy, dreary day makes me want to bake? Maybe because baking or cooking in general makes me happy. I love it. One thing that I don't love is cleaning up the mess. So with that in mind, it's easy to understand why I don't just whip up a batch of cinnamon rolls every weekend for the family. As you can see by the pictures below, I seem to make a huge mess with these, but they are so good, sometimes ya just gotta do it. SO, today was the day. Try them yourself, when they come out perfect - OMGOSH - they melt in your mouth. Now I'm not gonna lie and say every time is that time, because I have created some real duds....but just like with anything baking......alot depends on the weather and other conditions, but when it's good, it's reeeaaal good. I wish I had a smell widget because the smell of them baking cannot be described or imitated and there is no candle in the world, that, well,..... holds a candle to it. 

So carve out a little time and dress for the mess, then, prepare to impress. And then wear the tiara, because by golly, you've earned it.



In a large bowl, mix
1 c. Dry Milk
2 Qts (8 c.) Flour
1 TBSP Baking Powder
1 TBSP Salt

Mix in bowl and set aside 10 minutes:
2-3 pkgs Yeast (5 tbsp)
1 Qt. Lukewarm water

Cut 1 c. Shortening into  the Flour mixture. Make hole in middle and pour yeast liquid, it will be very sticky. Turn onto floured surface. Dough will be soft, knead a few minutes. Pat or roll dough into a  flat rectangle approximately 1/2 inch thick. Spread softened butter thickly over dough.
Then sprinkle on a mixture of:
1 c. Brown sugar
1/4 c. Cinnamon  (I don't even measure I do what I need to liberally cover the dough)

Roll up tightly, pinch ends and cut
into 1 1/2 inch thick rolls (I use thread)
Let rise 45 minutes or so in a warm place.

This is what my shirt looks like when I'm done----------------------------------------------------

Bake 375 25-30 minutes.

 After rolls are cooled, melt together:
1/2 C. Brown Sugar
1/2 C. White Sugar
1/2 C. butter
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
1/2 c. nuts (optional)
After that is melted together add 1 c. of powdered sugar, then pour over rolls.

25 Moments When A Woman Should Be Allowed To Wear A Tiara

The other day I was thinking and came to a realization. I had a day that was totally crummy, nothing had been going right, a big project was due and from the beginning it had been one obstacle after another. After struggling through the day and finally getting this accomplished on time and then it turned out better than I could have imagined, I sat back and took a deep breath and smiled. I had that momentary feeling of attitude and could actually feel my lips pursing and my eyes narrowing and quite possibly a slight bob of my head. Grinning to myself, I thought, if I had a tiara I would wear it because today, right now, I am princess of all, I have EARNED the right to wear a crown.

Now there are moments such as homecoming queen or pagent winner that a woman is issued a crown and can wear it without judgement but if I were to walk into my local Walmart wearing one, I can without much hesitation predict that heads would turn and there would probably be much muttering.

I can't say if guys have this, but I know, we, as women, have these moments throughout our lives, some are small accomplishments, some are huge ordeals but they all evoke the same basic emotion. One of success, victory, conquest, power, or pride. Feeling on top of the world and nothing can knock you off, as a matter of fact, you OWN that world. I asked some of my friends to help me with the list of 25 moments that we should be able to wear a tiara and not be judged. The list is in no particular order and by no means conclusive but I hope it brings a smile to your face. I also hope that if not today, some day soon, you have that shining moment and you don that tiara- virtual or real - and you wear it with attitude and pride acknowledging your royal awesomeness. 

25 Moments A Woman Should Be Allowed To Wear A Tiara
1. Accomplishing a huge task and being able to look back and say I did good and this looks spectacular.
2. Getting your driver's license.
3. Sitting in your first apartment.
4. After seeing yourself in your wedding gown on your wedding day.
5. Completely potty training your youngest child.
6. After the birth of a child.
7. Your first paycheck from your first "real" job.
8. Watching your child succeed, whether performing on stage or hitting a home run, to riding a bicycle or tie their shoes.
9. Starting a brand new job, completely different from anything you have ever done, and knowing it was exactly what you were born to do.
10. Paying off a huge debt.
11. Seeing your children adopt your religious views because they agree with them.
12. Your first road trip without your parents.
13. Going to bat and advocating for your child.
14. Signing the final divorce papers and standing on the brink of a new start.
15. Getting your first car.
16. The day your first child starts kindergarten.
17. The day your youngest child graduates.
18. The day you paint a room a color no one else will understand, and you love it.
19. The day your underwear and bra both fit well and they match.
20. Slipping into "those" jeans.
21. After raising your family, going back to school and getting your degree.
22. The first time your mother-in-law tells you something you did is good.
23. The first time your husband tells you, you did something better than his mother.
24. After successfully making bread, gravy, or fried chicken.
25. The first time your child sleeps through the night.