Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls

This is a first for me, my college roommate, Anna requested I try this one.  Not wanting to disappoint, I made them for Sunday dinner.  My family was excited because they love going to Texas Roadhouse and eating the scrumptious rolls.  To be honest, that is a rare occasion.  The kids earn free kid's meal at school, so we save up and enjoy the opportunity to celebrate their successes.

Here goes Anna!  These were yummy rolls and relatively easy to make.  The recipe shows two different recipes for the cinnamon butter and we definitely had a preference.  I made some adjustments and it still worked.  I think next time I'll 1/2 whole wheat.  My daughter begged me not to do it this time, I figured I wouldn't try too many changes first try.

Texas Road House Rolls (adapted from Monica at A Godly Heritage)

• 3 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tbsp. active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 T. sugar
• 1 c. milk + 1/4 c. water, warmed
• 1 large egg slightly beaten
• 6 tbsp. butter + 2 T butter, melted

Place 2 cups flour , yeast, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.  In a large glass measuring cup, combine water, milk, and egg.  Pour milk mixture into the well. Mix by hand, frequently scraping bottom and sides of bowl.

Add 6 tbsp.  melted butter and stir into the dough.  Add remaining flour, 1/3 cup at a time, and stir after each addition.

Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Set dough in a warm place such as an oven .  Allow dough to rise until double in bulk, about 1 hour.  Spray a cookie sheet and your hands with cooking spray.  Divide the dough into 16 rolls.  Shape and arrange on the pan.  You may need to respray your hands.

 Brush rolls with  1 T. of melted butter.  Let rise for another 30 minutes in a warm place until doubled.  Bake rolls on middle rack for 16-18 minutes at 400 degrees. After removing rolls, brush top with remaining melted butter.( I didn't add the extra butter but it was because I forgot in the rush to feed the starving kids.)

Cinnamon Butter

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 c confectioner sugar

Stir together in a small bowl.  Serve with warm rolls.

Farm animal finger puppets

I have realized that I really need to work on my photography skills!  I was trying to get pictures of these cute finger puppets and it took several tries.  I'm still not satisfied but these will have to do.  

When I was looking for things to put in the big sister bag, I came across this fun set of finger puppets.  I had all the colors of felt laying around, so no extra cost to me!  Of course, I had to make two sets, one for my niece and one for my little one.

I found the pattern for these really cute finger puppets here.  The directions were very clear and easy.  I took some short cuts, like using a sewing machine.  I would sew the front and back together, then glue the parts on.  My french knots are not pretty, so I used googly eyes and drew nostrils on with a black sharpie.  The sheep still needs some work, doesn't look finished to me.

But the little ones don't seem to mind!  I even made a barn bag to keep them in.

Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole

We make a hot breakfast for our kids every school morning.  It started years ago when we were trying to address our son's difficulties at school.  Now we do it because it is healthier and cheaper.  

The first bus comes at 6:55 am, really early!  So we have to roll out of bed at 6 to make sure everyone eats a good breakfast.  I was excited to try a crock pot recipe that allowed me to hit snooze an extra time.  My family loved this and it was completely ready when I rolled out of bed.  Or it would be perfect anytime you want a wonderful breakfast without slaving away all morning.

Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole

1/2 pound cooked breakfast sausage(more if you like lots of meat)

1 onion chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

2 lbs. frozen hash browns( I used dehydrated and it works if you re-hydrate first)

1 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar

12 eggs

1 cup milk

1 tsp. dried dill

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

Spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray.  Layer 1/3 of the hashbrowns, 1/3 of the meat, peppers and onions and 1/3 of the cheese.  Continue to layer, ending with cheese.  In large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, dill, salt and pepper. Pour over the hash browns.  Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Enjoy a yummy breakfast when you roll out of bed in the morning!

Marble mazes

This is one of the projects I did for the baby showers over Christmas.  My brother had told everyone that his second baby's gender was a surprise.  So what do you do for a shower gift?  My idea was to make a big sister or mommy sanity kit.  I made a little bag to hold everything and began to fill it with activities for the big sister.  

I found this fun, simple idea here.  Serving Pink Lemonade has lots of great ideas, especially for kids.  I love that it is simple and compact.  I just found scrap fabric and cut it to my desired size.  Sew(with right sides together)around the edges, leaving a 2 inch space.  Turn it right side out, insert a marble and sew up the space.  Then stitch a maze leaving a path large enough for the marble to pass through.  Use your imagination.  If the kids get bored, unpick it and stitch a new maze.  This is really fast and so easy.

P.S.  My brother spilled the beans once everyone was together.  Now I get to make more cute little boy things!

Little boys!!!

I love being an auntie!  This spring will bring me two more nephews, so excited!  Since my own son has long out grown these fun ideas, I need cute little boys to make them for.  Thank you Brie and Annika for giving me opportunities to have some creative fun.

I had seen these in stores and didn't want to spend a ton of money.  I found the pattern and tutorial here.  It was very clear and easy to follow.

My sister decided to decorate in a monster theme for her little one.  I found lots of great ideas, I was inspired by this Halloween post.  She was keeping the baby's name a secret until Christmas but I convinced her to tell me the first initial.  

I wanted to find a plain colored t-shirt but I was short on time and couldn't find what I was looking for.  I happened to find a sweatshirt that fit the bill.  I was really pleased how they turned out.  I can't wait to see pictures.

I did a couple of versions, that way he can have something fun to wear for a while.  One tip to share, don't use hot glue.  My machine was not happy when it got gummed up from the glue.  I was trying to find quick way to stick the layers together, there were several.  I wanted to do a quick overstitch to give it a finished look.  But the needle started skipping stitches once it went through a spot of glue.  I'm hoping to try another slower type of glue or be more careful where I use the hot glue.

Hand warmers

It is that time of year again, winter!  Last night it was 16 below and the kids love playing outside.  They are cold quickly and these help them stay warm a little longer.  I made these as gifts for friends at Christmas.  These are easy to make and really useful.  

Hand warmers

fleece

rice

funnel

template(cookie cutter or desired shape)

thread

scissors

1.  Trace desired shape on fleece.  I did a 3 inch heart and was a perfect size for pockets.  Cut out 4 for one set.

2.  Sew around(1/4 inch seam allowance) the shape leaving 1/2 inch space, for filling.

3. Using a funnel, fill the shape with 2 tablespoons of rice.

4.  Sew the space closed.  Clip the strings.

To use:  place in the microwave for 30 seconds.  Set them in pockets or inside gloves.  Enjoy toasty warm hands.

Crock pot beans

I use beans in a lot of recipes but I always use canned.  It is not too expensive if it is a can here and there.  I always forget to start beans early enough unless I do a lot of planning ahead of time, doesn't happen most days.  My family has a new favorite dinner, white chicken chili. Since there are so many of us, it takes several cans of beans.  It was adding up to an expensive meal.  So when I found this money saving recipe I had to check it out.

The idea is to cook up the beans and use them immediately or freeze them for a meal later.  I did both and loved the results!  If you freeze them, the best way to thaw them is to leave them out on the counter for a few hours.  But if you're short on time, immerse them in hot water for a while.  Do not heat them in the microwave, they break open and will get mushy.

Crock pot beans

1. Wash any type of dried beans and pick out the discolored or broken beans.

2.  Pour them into your crock pot.

3.  Add enough water to cover 2 inches above the beans.

4.  Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice.  (This helps makes the beans easier on your tummy.)

5.  Cover the beans and turn the crock pot on high for 3.5 hours.

6.  Check them for desired tenderness.  It will take longer if you live at a high elevation, mine took 4 hours.

7.  Now they are ready to use.  Enjoy a nice healthy, cheap meal!

To freeze:  let them cool slightly and then place them in a ziploc bag.  Keep them in the freezer for months.