Potato Pearl Cinnamon Rolls

The secret ingredient to these luscious Cinnamon Rolls is the potato pearls.

1/2 Cup prepared potato pearls
1 Cup milk
1/4 Cup butter or shortening
1/4 Cup sugar
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon yeast
1/4 Cup warm water
4-1/2 Cups white flour
1 Egg

Prepared potato pearls (1/4 cup pearls to 1/2 cup water). Scald the milk. Add shortening or butter, sugar, salt and potatoes. Cool to lukewarm. Sprinkle yeast into warm water. Stir to dissolve and let proof for 5 minutes. Combine with cooked milk mixture. Add 2 cups of flour and egg. Beat well. Scrape bowl occasionally to make a smooth mixture about 2 minutes. Stir in enough flour, a little at a time, to make a soft dough that leaves the sides of the bowl. Turn onto lightly floured board and knead until satiny and elastic about 5 to 10 minutes.

Place in lightly greased bowl, turn dough over to grease top. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled about 1-1/2 hours. Punch down. Roll flat in rectangular shape. Spread with softened butter. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Roll and secure edge. Cut with thread into 1 to 1-1/2 inch slices and place in a baking dish. Let rise again. Bake at 400 degrees until lightly browned about 15 minutes. Allow to cool. Frost with cream cheese frosting and enjoy.

FROSTING

1 8 ounce package cream cheese
1/4 Cup butter

6 Cups powdered sugar
1 Teaspoon vanilla

Milk

Beat cream cheese and butter together until soft. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat well adding milk a little at a time until desired consistency.

Mother's Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I hope each of you had a wonderful day.

I love reading your blogs.

they are such an inspiration to me

as you share the joys and trials of your lives.

I am lifted many times by your posts

and am a better person because of knowing you.

My Mother's Day actually started on Saturday. My married children and their little families showed up at 6:00 AM to haul decorative gravel to my backyard. They had organized the gift, purchased the gravel, and then had it delivered. (I know it seems weird to give your mother rocks as a gift, but I promise, it was one of the items on my Mother's Day shopping list.) Michele's mother and brother even came to help. I felt so special. It was supposed to be a surprise, but I knew they were coming. I always know! It is almost impossible to surprise me, you know mother's intuition and all. (It also helps when younger children are so excited that they just have to tell someone and that someone is always me.) I had intended to take pictures of the whole process, but I got tied up in the kitchen making Cinnamon Rolls as a thanks for their thoughtful gift. (I will blog the recipe tomorrow.)

The gravel now covers the areas

between the gardens and the grass.

Later that evening I had a special delivery.

Brianna and her girls sent me these beautiful flowers.

On the morning of Mother's Day I was greeted with breakfast. Mar-Kay and the children had to get up extremely early because our church meetings begin at 8:30. They served me Breakfast Burritos, Milk and Orange Juice. It was quite a treat.

Thanks for the great breakfast!

After church we gathered at home for a special dinner, again prepared and served by my family, and then more gifts. What was even more amazing was that I did NOT have to clean up afterwards. I could really get used to all of this pampering.

The highlight of my day was my long awaited phone call from my missionary son. I have received a special Mother's Day phone call from my 3 missionary sons for the past six years. This is my last one until Kendrick is called to serve. Mother's Day just won't be the same without this unique call. It was so amazing to hear Elder Petty's voice again and listen to him speak Chinese.

He returns home in 15 days, but who is counting?

All in all it was a incredible day. With all the pampering and special gifts, the thing that gave me the most joy was being surrounded by my family. I am so grateful for each one of the children that Heavenly Father has blessed me with. I am truly humbled to have been entrusted with their care.

A Little Parable for Mothers
by Temple Bailey

A young mother setting out on her path of life was told that the way would not be easy but that the end would be better than the beginning. She taught her children that life was good. She gave them courage, fortitude, and strength. And finally she was able to teach them to look above the clouds that bring shadows of darkness into this life, to see the glory of God. Knowing how to find their Heavenly Father through the darkness and living by the light of his glory, her children could walk alone. The mother’s journey was over, but the end was better than the beginning because of what she was able to teach her children.

The greatest gift that I can receive from my children

is to know that they walk in truth.

I love being a mother.

A special thanks to my wonderful husband

and children for making me feel so exceptional

today and everyday.

Most of all a special thanks to my Mother

for the sacrifice, love and support

she has given me throughout my life.

Treasure Hunt

It was very disheartening to have to harvest some of our potatoes early, but with no foliage on top (due to puppy issues) they had no way to receive nutrients. I have to admit though, it was quite an adventure. Brigitta and I went out early in the morning and began our "treasure hunt."

She was so excited to dig in the dirt.

She found treasure after treasure.

This one seems to be stuck!

There are rewards for those who endure.

The harvest from three plants.
We are hoping the rest survive our
"puppy issue."

And where was the guilty party

who caused all of the damage?

Kendrick took Padme for a walk, far from the

scene of the crime. But wouldn't you know it,
the first thing she did when she was set free

was run to the garden to see just what we did.

My Favorite Part of the Day

Sometimes I feel a little overburdened. I watch my grandchildren, home school my children and teach a large studio of piano students every day. Then of course there are the demands of everyday life.

No wonder I cherish this quiet,

peaceful time of the day.

It's hard to imagine how crazy these kids can

get when you see them like this.

It's times like these that make it all worthwhile.

Lullaby and Good Night

Brigitta has a little princess bed which she sleeps in, it is just her size. Last night she was not tired because she took a lengthy nap earlier in the day, so I let her stay up to see Kendrick and Shantell come home from their youth activities. When bed time rolled around she reluctantly crawled into her bed. It was 9:30. Around 10:00 we hear her singing out loud. At 10:30 she comes into our room and announces boldly, “I’ve tried everything but I can’t go to sleep! I’ve even been singing myself lullabies.”

I’m surprised the lullabies did not work for Brigitta because Shantell was out like a light. After a chuckle and thinking that she might wake the entire household, Mar-Kay got up and moved her little bed into our room and placed it on my side of our bed. She quietly went about her business. She plugged in her night light, knelt down and said her prayer, covered herself up, and asked to hold my hand. Brigitta then fell promptly to sleep. I am sure going to miss these precious moments when she grows up.

I love being a mother.

It is the most rewarding

job in the world!

It's Written All Over Her Face

My potatoes have grown so much

and have even started to blossom.

It won't be long until they are ready to harvest.
Or so I thought.....

Look at the guilt on her face.

She can give me those sweet puppy eyes

but I know better.

This is what is left.

Ask me if I'm happy.

It would have made a great picture had someone been there to catch the look on MY face when I noticed Padme's destruction. If she wasn't an important part of our family, she would be gone by now.

I hope there is enough left on the top of the potato plants to get food and nutrients to the potatoes underneath. We really hate to fence in our raised gardens and flower beds. We would rather teach Padme to stay out. Any suggestions???

Pictures by Kendrick

Tropical Wheat Berry Fruit Salad

I know its a new month, but before I begin featuring recipes using a different food storage item I just had to share this delicious recipe. This is a cool, creamy fruit salad that can be thrown together in no time at all.




1 8 oz. package cream cheese
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
4 Cups Cool Whip
1 Package coconut flavored instant pudding
1-1/2 Cups cooked wheat berries*
1 Small can crushed pineapple, drained
1 Can Mandarin oranges, drained
1 Cup coconut


Beat lemon juice and cream cheese until smooth. Add Cool Whip and blend. Stir in coconut pudding and mix well. Fold in wheat berries, pineapple, oranges, and coconut. Chill and serve.

*I keep cooked wheat berries on hand in the freezer to use at a moments notice.