Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

When I first saw this picture it looked like the turkey was walking with a cane, ha ha, creepy! Anyways just thought this was an unusual picture of a turkey. I am so thankful for this holiday, it really helps me to reflect on everything that is important in my life, (plus we get to eat ourselves silly). I just want my sisters (sister in laws included) to know how much I love and appreciate you all. I look up to all of you. You are such wonderful loving examples to me. I wish the world could be filled with more women like you all, because then maybe more people would understand my sense of humor. Ha ha. Seriously, I love you all have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Kanye West, BOO!

So I don't have a huge opinion on pop stars/ movie stars usually, unless they just completely make "donkey's" out of themselves. I am sad because I actually liked some of his music, now I don't want to listen to it because I think he is acting like an insensitive jerk. He is on my do not listen to list along with a few others, that I may or may not post in the near future. It's also sad because he is supposed to be role models for kids out there. So I say BOO, to him! Go here to see what I am talking about: http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/hiphopmediatraining/317955/kanye-west-says-taylor-swifts-2009-vma-win-was-disrespectful-claims-today-exploited-him/

Gorilla Snot Gel

Okay I know it sounds gross, but this is the best gel I have ever used on my boys hair. Right now it is only $2 at walmart. I put it in their hair in the morning and it holds all day, I love it! So if you've got boys who have unruly hair go and get this gel. (oh just so you know, it is clear and it smells like fruit.)

I like this one too.

No Ordinary Family. Also in it's first season. I thought that I wouldn't like this show at first just because it seemed a little like "The Incredibles," but I actually do like it. It's more of a clean family show which is refreshing. I don't feel like I have to change the channel when my kids are in the room.

Deon's Favorite Shows

The Defenders. This is the first season, but I think this show is cleaver and funny. Jim Bulushi has always been a favorite of mine. It's about two Las Vegas Lawyers who get stuck defending the bizarre and almost impossible cases. But they always seem to come out winning in the end. Which I love, because I love when the underdog wins.
Leverage, is Dillan and my favorite show. I give this show 2 thumbs up, mostly because I don't have to guess week to week what is going on. They have a separate case for every week so there is no catch up necessary. My favorite character(s) are Parker and Elliot.
Okay so this is just a classic. I could watch this everyday. Oh wait I did until we moved to NM, now we don't have cable. boo hoo!
Psych, of course. I think Catherine, or Elizabeth got me hooked on this show. SOOOOO Funny. I actually get some of their 80's references too. I know I'm old.

Beans

I have discovered a new obsession. Beans. As in, replacing butter and oil with Beans. I added a roll recipe below that uses them. They are so amazing because you get protein and fiber without the fat. Amazing right!? I have used them in sugar cookies (1/2 butter, 1/2 beans) they were dang good. I also made Chex Muddy Buddies...not so good. Actually they were good the first hour and then they started getting really stale. I don't know why. I made ginger cookies with half and half butter and they were pretty good too. I think I have made some other things too. If you make anything, let me know how it turns out.

Classic Dinner Roll Knots with a Twist...Get it?

My sister in law, Jennifer gave me this recipe a few years back and I have never gotten around to trying it until now. I loved it either way (as in the original or my new version). Especially warm with honey butter...actually, all I know is warm since they were gone before they had a chance to get cold. Literally. So, you'll have to let me know how they taste after they have been stored.

Dinner Roll Knots (Original):

4 1/2 C. Flour
1/4 C. Sugar
2 Tbsp. Yeast
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 Warm milk (about a minute in the microwave does it perfectly)
1/2 C. Butter or margarine
2 Large Eggs
Cooking Spray
Poppy Seed or Sesame Seeds (optional)


Combine one Cup Flour, sugar, UNDISSOLVED yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. (I don't like to put yeast right on salt since it can kill it, so I mix the other 3 ingredients first before I put in the yeast. Add milk and butter; beat 2 minutes at medium speed with electric mixer (or in kitchenaid type thing if you have it); scraping bowl occassionally. Add one egg and one cup of flour; beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Gradually add enough remaining flour to form soft dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl while mixing for three more minutes. Spray top of dough with cooking spray and cover with plastic wrap (Or I just put a clean kitchen towel over the top if it has plenty of room to rise.) and let rest for 10 minutes. {For later use, dough may be refridgerated up to 24 hours.} Remove dough from bowl. Punch down dough and divide into 24 equal pieces. (For those Math-challenged: Cut it into 3 pieces and then each of those into 4 and each of those in half.) Roll each piece into a 9 inch rope. Tie loose knots in center of each rope. Place on sprayed cookie sheet. Spray top of rolls with cooking spray and cover with plastic wrap. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Let rise in a warm, draft free place until doubled in size, about 20-40 minutes. Beat remaining egg; brush on rolls. If desired, sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack.

My Healthier Version:
The only difference I madeto the recipe is that I replaced the butter with white beans (See instructions below.) and the white flour with wheat flour. Okay, I actually used all wheat except for one cup of white. Just remember to put them in an airtight container after cooled so they don't dry out.

White Beans Puree:
Put one can of Great Northern White Beans in the blender with a few Tbsp. of reduced fat sour cream and a little bit of water. Puree. It should be the consistency of runny peanut butter. If it is too thick add a little more water. It can replace butter cup for cup in the recipe.

Honey Butter:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Combine and beat until lightly fluffy.

If you have any questions let me know. I will add a picture later. Enjoy!