Kittens keeping busy . . .

 

After a busy morning of trying to figure out exactly how a fan works, two little kittens fell sound asleep. They are sleeping on the lid to my quilt scrap box. When I needed to get into the box, I just moved the lid and kittens to the floor and they slept through without twitching a whisker.

Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day!

 

After morning Mass, we all headed over to Chick-Fil-A to support them on Appreciation Day. Now, we have often stopped by around 9:30 in the morning and our meal was usually in front of us within minutes. There was a bit of a crowd and we waited 15 minutes for our food . . . but we didn't mind. It was great to watch the people come in, see the families, and enjoy the clean, friendly environment.

As always, they were very attentive to service. They were so busy that they hadn't gotten the ice cream even off the truck but only our gang would order milkshakes before the lunch hour. They gave out coupons for free shakes on the next visit and brought a substitute drink . . . for free. This wasn't in honor of Appreciation Day . . . they always meet every need here.

Although there were a good amount of people there in the early morning, the lines got longer and the drive-thru got more crowded in just the hour that we were there enjoying our breakfast. No protestors in sight but, perhaps, they sleep later.

I suppose the 'real' protest comes on Friday when a 'kiss the same sex' event is threatened. My advice to those who don't want to witness public displays of affection (PDA's)? Don't avoid Chick-Fil-A that day, just use the drive-thru and avoid it.

Too much truth in the smile . . .

New York now leads the world's great cities in the number of people around whom you shouldn't make a sudden move.

David Letterman

Reminder for the day . . .

Never say anything to hurt anyone. Moreover . . . refrain from double talk, from shrewd and canny remarks that are designed to advance our interests at someone's disadvantage. We are to turn our back upon evil, and in every way possible, do good, help people and bring blessings into their lives.

- Norman Vincent Peale

Cinnamon Rolls - the Easier Way

Cinnamon Rolls

2 packages dry yeast (check to see if they sell it in bulk as it is MUCH cheaper!)

1/2 cup hardly warm water
1 1/4 cup buttermilk (or put the milk in a measuring cup, add a tablespoon of vinegar and let sit for a minute)
2 eggs
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour ( extra fiber - 4 1/2 cups all-purpose and 1 cup whole wheat)
1/2 cup softened (not melted!) butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons salt (yeast needs salt so don't skimp and use only one teaspoon)

In a large mixing bowl, place the yeast and water. Add the buttermilk, eggs, 2 1/2 cups flour, the butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Blend either with the mixer or by hand until well combined.

Stir in remaining flour. Dough will be soft and slightly sticky. Turn out on a well-floured bread board or surface and knead for about five minutes. Let rest while you do the following:

Melt 3/4 cup butter.

Mix together 1 cup granulated sugar with two teaspoons cinnamon.

Line the pans with parchment paper. A rimmed cookie sheet works well but any baking pan can be used to accomodate your dough.

Take 1/3rd of the dough and roll it out in basically a rectangle. Doesn't have to be perfect. Brush generously with butter and sprinkle well with the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Starting at the end nearest you, start rolling the dough into a jelly roll. Try to do it firmly but don't squish it out of shape. Now, slice 1-inch slices and place them in your prepared pan. Repeat with the other two-thirds of the dough.

Now, you can cover with plastic wrap and let rise for an hour NOW and bake or cover with plastic wrap and put into the refrigerator and bake in the morning. If you are going the morning route, you should prepare this in the evening. Oh, and to keep from sticking, place the plastic wrap over the rolls, spray with the vegetable oil spray, and then flip over so the greased side is against the rolls.

If you want something fancy, after you have a jelly roll made, curl the whole thing in a round pan (with room for expansion) and take some scissors and cut slashes every two inches to expose some of the layers but not to go all the way to the bottom.

You can throw in some raisins or dried cranberries when you put down the butter and cinnamon if you like that.


Oh, and these freeze well so you can put some way for future breakfasts.

Support Traditional Marriage day . . .

The controversy continues but, today is still appreciation day at the popular fast food restaurant, Chick-Fil-A. I still fail to see what all the hatred is about from the left who seem to feel that if anyone has an opposing opinion, their business should be forced to fail, they should gather and scare away diners, etc. Disagreement doesn't equal hatred yet the left side of this argument certainly takes it to that length.

Who would have thought that one of the main arguments of this election  year would be whether you eat at Chick-Fil-A or not? The same-sex advocates for marriage aren't satisfied with it starting to be possible in many states. They seem to want people who don't support it to not only come out in favor of it but say that it is holy and right. What happened to freedom of choice when there is a disagreement? I just can't understand it.

The same thing happened to me during the 2008 election. I didn't go around advertising my vote but, when asked, I made no secret of where my vote was being cast. There are still several people at my parish who will not talk to me or acknowledge my existence because they asked and I told them, and they didn't agree. What is interesting to me is that they snub me early and often on their way into Mass. Just shows that political affiliations come before religion and Christian behavior.

Anyway, it is nice to see a business, who relies on customers, to stand by their chosen principles. We certainly do not hate the opposition but draw on our American rights to chose our values in life. I'm not sure what the anti-Chick-Fil-A people want us to do. One of their main objections is that the CEO donates money to groups the protestors don't approve of . . . Don't the protestors support their own agendas? Isn't that the freedom we are supposed to enjoy in the United States?