under the knife

Well from the looks of yesterdays post y' all have realized that I am feeling much better after this last round of strep....I finished my last portion of antibiotic on Sunday and can still feel the effects of it because I feel great. Thank goodness last weeks strep episode didn't hit me as hard as in November because that round of strep left me beggin' for mercy. I had never been that sick in my life.

So now I am a bakin' fool. There is nothing like a surgery to motivate one to kick it in to high gear and get r' done. I'm am so thankful to have finished my baking and shopping and from here on out it's recovering from the knife in my throat feeling. Trust me I'm not trying to brag about the shopping and baking being done. Just plain happy to have it ready to go. Because I'm thinking this may take a little while to recover from.

And I will report I've had 4 c-sections, 1 kidney stone removed, and 1 appendectomy. I've never been this apprehensive about surgery. The c-sections were easy for me for the fact I got a huge grand prize at the end. I always looked forward to meeting the baby and the baby was a welcome distraction from all the pain. And the kidney stone and appendectomy were emergency so I didn't have much time to agonize over the pain about to happen. And I realize I'm not the first person to under go this kind of surgery, I will probably be just fine. I just have the night before jitters.

And sweet Jack has been having sympathy pains for dear ol' mama as he has been running a fever, coughing, and has a sore throat for the last 3 days. Tonight it was up to 101.9! So he's been home from school, waiting to brake the fever. Most of the time he is up and around and playing some, but not eating much- unless of course there is chocolate.



And let me tell you there was ALOT of chocolate today! Mama Gingerich, sister-in-law Arlene and I got together again this year to make chocolates. A tradition 2nd year running. I managed to even get 4 cream cheese danishes made.

William who begged to take a picture, shot this one of dear sick brother dripping infectious fever germs on the chocolate covered peanut butter crackers.

And here is sicky pants holding Suzy in front of all the beautiful things Arlene did today. She is a fancy one I tell you. Double Chocolate Oreo Truffles....are in the front and let me tell you they are sinful. Just plain sinful. They have a perfect texture inside and are just out of this world.

So off to getting ready for the big day tomorrow. The surgery is at an outpatient surgery center in Goshen at 8:45. No eating from midnight on, no water or even gum in the morning--so I'm already feeling sorry for the Doctor for the fact that my breath will probably cause him to reconsider his "no gum" rule on surgery day.

cinnamon rolls anyone?

I've never been able to master making Cinnamon rolls, they always burnt on the bottom, or didn't bake in the middle, or they were too sweet, etc.....



And it's always been frustrating for me because I REALLY love cinnamon rolls. Until about 2 years ago Donovan's mom convinced me to try again with her recipe. And presto, they turned out and were wonderful!

Of course whenever I start something in the kitchen, someone hears me and wants to "help." That is a nice thought dear, but unless you can reach the counter without a stool you really are not "helping." Again for the record just thinking that- not saying it. And if you have toddlers at home, you know what I mean. But I was feeling soft and loving tonight & let the little ones "help".....and before I knew it all 3 were there to "help." More clean up and it took way longer, but ahhhh the memories. I remember my mama taking the time to let me help her in the kitchen, and have good memories of it. Like the time I was helping my mama and leaned over the mixer to eat more cake batter and getting my hair stuck in the beaters that were beating the cake mix. Ahhhh. True story, she had to cut my hair out of the tangled beaters, mixed with chocolate cake mix.

Jack seriously used ALL of my cinnamon on the rolls....He is so quick and I was busy getting something. And if you live in my neighborhood you might have a little more cinnamon than you usually bargain for in a roll. (because these rolls are gifts for the neighbors)

Isabella really can help....she can stick with the project and enjoys being helpful. She is 7 1/2 and I do appreciate a good hand in the kitchen.

Notice Dad in the background frantically cleaning up William, meanwhile saying..."I just gave you a bath, how can you get so dirty?" That is another reason I don't mind letting the kids help, I've got back up tonight.

Ahhh, you can almost smell them can't you??

And now I think they have cooled off enough to try one. Here is the recipe if you want an easy, homemade, & impressive gift this Christmas season.

Thanks mom Gingerich for encouraging me to not give up.

Cinnamon Rolls

3 T. yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1 cup margarine

3 cups milk, scalded

5 eggs, beaten

1 cup sugar

2 tsp. salt

11-12 cups flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Put margarine in milk after it is scalded. Set aside until lukewarm. Beat eggs and sugar. Add salt, yeast, milk and flour. (the dough will be quite sticky.) Do not knead. Let rise until doubled. Roll out half the dough, brush with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. Roll up and cut into cinnamon rolls. Repeat with remaining dough. Let rise again. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until done. Cool slightly, frost.