(no subject)

Mom called me last night, nearly crying. She'd just heard from her youngest brother (which was a minor miracle), to say that he'd had surgery for colon cancer. It's hard for me to be supportive for Mom, because this is the uncle who treats the family so badly (being poor automaticly makes us lesser people), on the rare times he does show up. But he's her little brother, so........

Mom was also upset because her best friend is going in for her 6-month post-cancer checkup today. If you've got some energy to spare, think healthly thoughts for ML, in Podunk, KS. She could use it.

On a less dire note, Mom's "bullying" tactic to get Grandma to take her goddamn insulin seems to be working. The plan ism if Grandma doesn't have her shots and meds with her when they're out, Mom takes her straight home. No visits, no shopping, no lunch. Mom thinks she's bullying Grandma, and feels horrible about it. I'm trying to convince her she's doing the necessary thing, and its for the best.

The kids have a new game today. They've figured out that their rocking chair is tall enough to use the back as a ladder into The Bug's crib, and they've been climbing in and playing in there. The Miss has figured out how to get down, and she leaves The Bug stuck and yelling in the crib.


The Sock Report: finished the Sooper Sekrit Socks last night, and got the foot lengthened on The Miss's pink stripey knee socks. Am hoping to get the other one done today. Also, I started Sekrit Socks II, which I hope to have done by Yule but it's hampered by not having the right length of needle.

And, I got out the Tree Of Life socks I'd started for myslef ages ago, and spent some time figureing out why it just didn't fit. The ankle narrows enough that my heel and high arch won't fit. I don't want to go up in gauge, because the rest of the leg fits nice. I *think* I'm going to frog it back to halfway up the leg, and re-knit without those decreases. I can make the heel work with the new numbers.

Adventures in parenting

So far today, The Bug has climbed the kitchen table, the pantry counter, the kitchen counters, the freezer (!), the buffet in the living room, and made a decent stab at climbing the tv. Good grief.

Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Jera's Cinnamon Roll Recipe
Since I had to type this anyway, because the original typed file is hiding from me....


2 pkg dry active yeast
1/2 c warm water (if you boiled potatoes for this, use the water left from boiling potatoes)
1/2 c milk
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs, beaten
1 c mashed potatoes
1 T salt
4-5 c flour

Filling: melted butter or margarine, cinnamon, sugar to taste --I usually use brown sugar in my filling, and good Ceylon cinnamon

Dissolve yeast in warm water, let sit until foamy (5-10 minutes). Pour into large mixing bowl, add milk, sugar, butter, eggs, potatoes, and salt. Add 2 c flour, mix well. Let sit until bubbly, about 20 minutes. Add enough more flour to make a soft dough. It will be a little sticky for most of the mixing time, because of the potatoes. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead in just enough more flour to make dough smooth.

Place in lightly greased bowl, turn dough to grease all sides, cover with a towel, and place in a warm place to rise until doubled. Punch down, let rise again.

Divide dough in half. Roll each part out to 1/2" thickness (I usually do a bit thinner). Spread with margarine or butter, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar to taste. Roll dough into cylinders and pinch the seam closed. Cut into 1" - 1 1/2" slices and place in greased cake pans.

Cover and let rise until doubled. Bake in 350F oven for 25 minutes or until done. Cool on wire rack. Frost lightly when cool.

For refrigerator dough, allow to rise once, punch down, cover, refrigerate. To use, cut dough, shape while cold, place in pans, rise until doubled, and bake as above.

Note: I do not recommend doubling the recipe--it's a BIG ball of dough, and a real pain to handle. It really is easier to just do two batches. Trust me.

An addendum--

I usually cheat and use instant mashed potatoes. 3/4 c water, a
splash of milk, and 2/3 c flakes, don't even bother to heat it, seems
to work just fine.