Jailhouse Rolls and Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe came from my neighbor, Judia Sarich, almost ten years ago with this explanation:
"These rolls were made for the inmates at the Hemphill Jail House in Texas. The guards loved them so much they took the recipe home to their wives."
You will love this recipe because there is no kneading involved. All the ingredients are blended in your heavy-duty mixer (Kitchenaid), turned into a greased bowl, and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to roll it out. I make a  double recipe and turn half into cinnamon rolls. My daughter, Megan, makes a beautiful tea ring and breakfast pockets using the same dough.  The day before I make rolls I fix a simple comfort meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. The extra mashed potatoes go into this recipe:

JAILHOUSE DINNER ROLLS

1 pkg yeast
1 ½ cups lukewarm water
1 cup Mashed Potatoes
2 sticks soft margarine (or butter), softened
4 whole eggs
1 cup sugar
1 ½ teaspoon salt
7 cups flour
1. Mix yeast with lukewarm water, set aside.
2. In large mixing bowl blend softened butter, potatoes, eggs, sugar and salt. (Don't worry if it separates. Everything will blend when you add the flour.)
3. Add flour to mixture and blend well.
4. Slowly add yeast water and mix thoroughly.
5. Turn dough into greased bowl. (I use my round Tupperware cake carrier)
6. Cover with damp cloth (or lid if you are using Tupperware) and store in refrigerator over night.
When ready to prepare:
7. Take bowl out of refrigerator.
8. Turn dough onto floured surface.
9. Roll out to ½ inch thickness.
10. Cut to size desired.
11. Place on greased baking sheet.
12. Let rise approximately two hours.
13. Cook on 425 for 7 to 10 minutes.
14. Remove from oven and brush with butter.

CINNAMON ROLLS:

1 stick of melted butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon (or more if you like)
1/2 c. chopped nuts (opt.)
1/2 c. dried fruit (raisins, cranberries or cherries) (opt.)
Follow steps 1 through 9.
Spread dough with melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon,add nuts and fruit if you like.
Roll up jelly-roll fashion, starting at long side, cut crosswise into 1-inch-thick) slices. (See Tip below). Place rolls into a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch pan. Let rise for approximately 2 hours. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Icing:

1 c. powdered sugar
3 T. milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Stir together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla; drizzle over rolls. Sprinkle with additional nuts if desired.



Dough may seem too thin, but will thicken
overnight. Roll it out as soon as you get it
out of the frig, it will be easy to work with.



Roll out to 1/2 inch

Spread with a stick of melted butter

Cover w/brown sugar, cinnamon
 and dried fruit. Roll up.

Dental floss is your secret weapon to
making perfect rolls.

Slide floss under the dough,
pull up and cross thread to cut
the dough w/o smashing it.

Leave space between rolls so they can
rise to double in size

I don't really need an icing with the caramel yumminess
created by the butter and brown sugar, but some in our
 family need it. It's easy enough to glaze when rolls are cooled.

I have the Breakfast Pockets recipe on my Pinterest Board. Give them a try!
Happy Halloween!

Budapest, Hungary



Statue of Little Princess
on the Danube River



"What do I pack to wear in Hungary, Megan"?

"Just pack black, Mom. The women don't wear much color or makeup. Tell Dad, 'No white tennis shoes!"

We flew from the land of bling and Mary Kay into somber, rainy Budapest at 1:00 o'clock in the morning. An Uzi-packing guard in Customs did not fill me with warm fuzzy feelings.(I've seen too many spy movies.) In fact, I carefully avoided eye-contact and stood submissively in the correct line until summoned. Obedience was rewarded with admission to the country. Our daughter, Megan, and her husband, Ben, whom we had not seen in 10 months, greeted us with joyful hugs. Ben served as our translator for the entire trip. I am so proud of his fearless communication in language he's only heard for 10 months. He made arrangements for a van to take us and our six pieces of luggage to the hotel. I had reduced expectations of a luxury stay, but the Courtyard by Marriott was surprisingly lovely.

We finally got to pat the baby bump
which we now know to be our first
grandson, Grant Arthur.

Our children stopped by the hotel earlier to
leave this beautiful bouquet of flowers.

After five hours of much needed sleep, Ben took us to purchase our Travel Card and introduced us to the public transportation system. A tram dropped us off about a block from their flat.
  

This lovely breakfast greeted us on the porch. Megan made breakfast pockets from my Jailhouse Roll recipe. Stuffed with her homemade sausage, scrambled eggs and cheese, they were delicious. A perfect way to start our vacation.

 
The next order of business was to open three suitcases of goodies we brought for them which included, among other things, baby clothes, Snickerdoodle coffee, and ranch-style beans for Ben.

For the next seven days we enjoyed perfect weather and were able to see these tourist destinations:

 

Church in the Rock survived
bombing during WWII



St. Stephen's Basilica

St. Stephen's Basilica

 

Door of St. Stephen's Basilica

 

Church at Vajdahunyad Castle

 

Fountain on Castle Hill



There was plenty of time for rest and reflection



We were just minding our own business, having a
mother/daughter chat when the gypsy violinist
began playing behind me. Yes, I bought the CD
so he would go away.



Beautiful outdoor cafe on Castle Hill



Heroes' Square



Restaurant on Castle Hill.
It should be on top of a cake,
don't you think?



St. Stephen's Basilica from Castle Hill





Gellert Hotel



Freedom Bridge destroyed during
WWII and reopened in 1946.

There was plenty of eating and drinking as well. We wanted to try everything.


A 3 o'clock Latte kept me going!



I had to try the Goulash. It was luscious.



Ben and Ralph at one of the many
outdoor cafes at which we ate.




Gelarto Rosa
We chose Dark Chocolate
and Raspberry. Delicious! 



Kurtoskalacs/Chimney Cake
Yeast dough wound onto wooden cylinder
and grilled over an open fire. Cinnamon
and sugar carmelized on the outside
Yummy!

We had more serious moments as well. The House of Terror left a lasting impression on me. Andrassy ut 60 was the most feared address in Budapest for decades. Both Nazi's and Communists utilized this building for the interrogation and execution of citizens suspected of disloyalty. A shadow army of informers betrayed family and friends for infractions as innocuous as failing to clap loudly at an assembly. It helped me understand the reserve of the Hungarian people. The last Soviet soldier left Hungary in 1991, so only the youngest generation knows life without fear of reprisal.


Now a must-see museum in Budapest

 Hungary has a high suicide rate. The Freedom Bridge pictured above is the site of many suicides. Ben and Megan (click here to read more about their ministry) work to bring hope to those whose spirits have been crushed. Along with other endeavors, they are supporting Trey and Denise Shaw, IMB missionaries, plant a church in the Forum. Sunday service is often preceded by a meal, so much of their ministry is simply cooking and cleaning up. (Hungarians do not use paper goods as often as we do).


Trey & Denise Shaw
Megan & Ben Naylor
at the Forum



Church meets behind these doors.




Dinner at the Forum.

 To end on a lighter note, let me share the most unusual birthday present I've ever had, a pedicure by Dr. Fish!

Yup, Fish!



It took a little getting use to,
but my feet have never been softer!

I'm planning to get another one when I go back in January for Baby Grant's birth.
I thank God for the blessing of children who are obedient to Him and the opportunity to see the world.

Terrors of the Night

My night was plagued with dreams. Not just bad dreams, but heart-pounding, terrifying, please-let-me-wake-up nightmares. An overwhelming sense of evil and torment enveloped me. As I lay in bed breathless and shaking, I began to pray Psalms 91:

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.'
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with his feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day....". (Emphasis added.)

As my breathing slowed I asked for His protection from terrors of the night. Peace didn't come right away, but I took "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5) and asked that terror be replaced by

"good things...For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,  nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us (me) from the love of God..." (Romans 8:32, 38-39).

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights..." (James 1:17)  

 Sweet healing sleep replaced the terrors of the night. As the sun began to rise my own laughter awakened me. The answer to my prayer came in a vivid dream of antique shopping with John Wayne. What more peaceful and secure endeavor could there be then one with The Duke?The very idea still brings a giggle to my throat.
     As the Halloween season approaches our children will be bombarded with scary costumes, ghost stories, and generally creepy things. Shield them from what you can. You won't be able to shield them from everything, so give them a verse to which they can cling. One of my favorites is:

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

Pray for the protection of their hearts and minds before you go trick-or-treating and then have Fun!
My friend, Mary Helen Wheeler, always said, "Why just sit there when you can worry?" Of course, she was counseling against such thinking. Mary DeMuth's blog post today 7 Ways to Get Beyond Worry gives practical ways to deal with fear and worry. I found it helpful, hope you do too!



Oatmeal Toffee Cookies

Oatmeal Toffee Cookies are my husband's absolute favorite cookie. Made with oatmeal, coconut and Heath English Toffee Bits, they are healthy enough for breakfast, right? Okay, okay, I know they aren't, but I believe wonderful things should be enjoyed in moderation. This is the only cookie I make ahead of time and freeze. Perfect for unexpected guests.Once it has thawed, you can't tell it's been frozen. All other cookies I freeze the dough and bake them fresh. One way or the other, none of my cookies have a chance to get freezer burn.

Oatmeal Toffee Cookies

Combine:
1 cup softened butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons Vanilla
Blend together:
1 ¾ cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
Add to butter mixture and mix in:
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 10 oz. pkg. Toffee bits
1 cup coconut
Heat oven to 375⁰ Lightly grease cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. Cool one minute. (Any longer than that, they will stick to the cookie sheet. In fact, I spray my spatula with non-stick baking spray to keep the toffee from sticking.) Makes about 4 dozen.

Gingersnaps and Snickerdoodles Redux

Rolled in cinnamon and sugar, baked until they are crispy on the outside but chewy in the middle, these cookies bring a sense of warmth and happiness. I've been known to call them "boy bait" 'cause I've never met a man who could resist them.

SNICKERDOODLES

1 cup soft shortening (part butter)
1 ½ cup sugar
2 eggs
2 ¾ cup flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. soda
¼ tsp. salt
Heat oven to 400. Mix shortening, sugar and eggs thoroughly. Blend all dry ingredients; stir in.
Roll into balls the size of small walnuts. Roll in mixture of 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Place 2” apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. (These cookies puff up at first, then flatten out.) Makes about 5 dozen 2” cookies.

Gingersnaps and Snickerdoodles

Cool air, state fairs and football signal the arrival of fall in Texas. We like to celebrate at our house with Gingersnaps and Snickerdoodles. Crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle they go well with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee. I make at least a double batch of dough and freeze half of it in quart-size plastic bags. I use a Sharpie to write the baking instructions on the bag. These favorite cookies are my most requested recipes. This week --

GINGERSNAPS

Preheat oven 350⁰
Combine dry ingredients in medium bowl and set aside:
3 ½ cups flour
4 teaspoons soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons ground ginger
½ teaspoon each of allspice, cloves, & nutmeg

1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar (packed)
1 ½ cups shortening (like Crisco)
2 eggs
½ cup molasses
4 teaspoon vinegar
2 teaspoon vanilla
Beat sugars together with shortening. Add eggs, combine thoroughly. Stir in molasses, vinegar and vanilla. Blend in all dry ingredients.
Form into balls the size of small walnuts. Roll in sugar. Place 2” apart on greased baking sheet. Bake 7-10 minutes until light brown. Do not over bake. They will be chewy in the middle when cooled. For crispy cookies, bake 2 to 4 minutes longer.

I use a cookie scoop to insure
uniformity of size.





I never suffer a shortage of volunteers willing to sacrifice
their dainty fingers to messy sugar.


 

They also willing to be my testers.

 Next week--Snickerdoodles.

Suicide Survivor



Senior Picture 1971

I hadn’t seen or talked to my older sister in six months to a year, but she called to wish me a happy birthday. She sounded anxious and flustered. I could hear the wind in the phone and the crunch of gravel as she paced.

“Randa, are you okay?” I asked after a minute of pleasantries. 

"No, not really. After I lost my job at Wal-Mart, I got a job helping emotionally challenged kids. I thought I could make a difference, because I understand what they go through. The director said I wasn’t the fit they were looking for and let me go. I don’t know what I’m going to do now.

I’ve been clean and sober for two years, but it is so hard to stay that way. I don’t have any support at home. My husband says it’s his house and if he wants a drink, he’s going to have it,” her voice broke.

Alarmed, I asked, “Randa, are you on your medication for bi-polar disorder?”

“No, I can’t afford it without a job or insurance.”

“Honey, you’ve got to get some help. I can’t do anything from Texas. Is there anyone in Kansas I can call for you?”

“I’ll be fine. Talking to you helps,” she continued to pace.

“Lace, do you think God will forgive me for all the things I’ve done?” she asked.

“Don’t you know He only forgives the perfect people?” I responded. She guffawed. I teased her because we’d had this conversation before. I knew she knew the answer, but it worked to break the tension.

“Randa, no one is perfect. If I gave you a beautifully wrapped gift would you open it or would you put it on a shelf and wonder if it was for you?”

“I’d open it, of course,” she said.

“God’s forgiveness is the same. It was yours the first time you asked for it, but you’ve placed it on a shelf. Open the gift, Randa!"

I assured her of God’s unconditional love and begged her to get some help. She assured me she would be fine. I should have called her husband or sons and thrown a fit, but I didn’t want to interfere.

Last family photo 11/03

     Five weeks later on October 2, 2004, my mother called with the news. In good spirits that morning, Randa had fixed a big breakfast for her husband. They sat and chatted before she saw him off to work with a kiss goodbye. He was clueless to her plan.
     Her 32-year-old son was living in the basement of their home at the time. He had spent the night out and ran home before work to pick-up a few things. Entering the house, he called out for his mom, but got no answer. He ran downstairs to grab a clean shirt and saw Randa’s little Boston Terrier lying at the end of the bed. He called to her as he started up the stairs. She didn’t respond. Her eyes stayed focused on the other side of the bed. He walked back downstairs and around the bed to see his mother’s lifeless body on the floor. She had used his gun to end her life. She was only 52 years-old.

     Today, I’d like to shine some light on the subject of suicide and depression. Every year at this time a spirit of depression descends on our entire family. It affects not just my parents and Randa’s three sons, but my siblings and my children. Last year I was surprised to recognize some of the symptoms listed below in myself. I have a wonderful life and do not consider myself depressed. My doctor however explained it as a chemical imbalance and prescribed a low dosage of an antidepressant. I am amazed how the cloud in my brain has lifted. I no longer wake-up to a barrage of negative, self-defeating thoughts and my energy has returned. My only side-affect seems to be a dry mouth. It is totally worth it for the clarity which has been restored to me. I thank God for giving man the intelligence to create such a little pill.
     The The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, along with other helpful information, lists the following warning signs of suicide:

Observable signs of serious depression:

• Unrelenting low mood
• Pessimism
• Hopelessness
• Desperation
• Anxiety, psychic pain and inner tension
• Withdrawal
• Sleep problems
• Increased alcohol and/or other drug use
• Recent impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks
• Threatening suicide or expressing a strong wish to die

Making a plan:

• Giving away prized possessions
• Sudden or impulsive purchase of a firearm
• Obtaining other means of killing oneself such as poisons or medications

• Unexpected rage or anger

      The emotional crises that usually precede suicide are often recognizable and treatable. Although most depressed people are not suicidal, most suicidal people are depressed. Serious depression can be manifested in obvious sadness, but often it is rather expressed as a loss of pleasure or withdrawal from activities that had been enjoyable. One can help prevent suicide through early recognition and treatment of depression and other psychiatric illnesses.

      Ken Duckworth, medical director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, stated in an article in USA Today, “Ninety percent of people who die by suicide have a mental illness, and many are afraid to seek help. Sometimes people fear they will lose their jobs or be viewed differently if they acknowledge these problems."

     If you or someone you love exhibits any of these symptoms, I implore you to get help. There is no shame in seeking treatment. Depression is an illness which can be treated. If your loved one had pneumonia you would cart them off to the hospital whether they liked it or not. Mental illness should be viewed in the same way. You may save their life or your own.
     The National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is 1-800-273-8255.

     Gratefully, that is not the end of the story. Two years to the day of sister's death, my granddaughter, T-Bug, was born. She is the epitome of joy!

God redeemed the day. He gave us the opportunity to celebrate life, rather than mourn a senseless death.