Vols vs. Vandy

Tonight Alan and I went to our first basketball game of the season and our Vols beat Vandy 58-57. It was a fun way to spend time together after work today!

Cinnamon Rolls

Alan decided he wanted to make Cinnabon-like cinnamon rolls this morning so this is the recipe we tried. It is from www.thedailymeal.com and was really good! They were pretty time consuming to make so that was the only negative, otherwise- well worth the effort! Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

For the frosting:

• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons cream cheese
• 3 tablespoons light butter from a stick, softened
• 1/2 tablespoon fat-free milk 
  
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the buns:

•  Butter-flavored cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons light butter from a stick 
  
  
• 1 cup fat-free milk 
  
  
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup artificially sweetened fat-free vanilla yogurt
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
•  One 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast
• 4 cups unbleached flour, plus more as needed
• 1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

For the frosting:

In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed with an electric mixer fitted with beaters or stir with a spoon until combined, about 1 minute. If using a mixer, increase the speed to high.

Beat or stir vigorously until smooth, about 30 seconds. Allow the frosting to set for at least 10 minutes. Place in an airtight plastic container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Just before using, stir well with a spoon. 

For the buns:

Lightly mist a large bowl with cooking spray. Set aside 1 tablespoon of the butter to soften.

In a large microwavable measuring cup or a medium-sized microwavable bowl, combine the milk, granulated sugar, and the remaining butter. Microwave on high power until the milk is hot (130 degrees), 2 minutes.

Add the yogurt. Whisk until the sugar dissolves (some small lumps of yogurt may be visible). Add the egg and egg white. Whisk to beat well. Add the yeast. Whisk until dissolved.

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook or in a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of the flour, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and the salt.

Mix or stir by hand with a wooden spoon to blend. Add the milk mixture. Mix on medium power or stir vigorously to blend. (The mixture will be very sticky.) Add the remaining flour, mixing or stirring until absorbed.

Lightly flour a work surface. Turn the dough onto the work surface. (A plastic dough scraper or brittle plastic spatula is helpful for getting out all of the dough and starting the kneading.)

Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Add scant amounts of flour as needed. (The dough should be soft but not sticky.) Place in the reserved bowl. Lightly mist with cooking spray. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the corn syrup, brown sugar, the remaining cinnamon, and the vanilla extract. Stir to blend well. Set aside.

When the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down and place it on the lightly floured surface. Knead for about 1 minute. Dust lightly with flour. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Lightly mist a 9x13 inch nonstick baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside. Using your hands or a floured rolling pin, press or roll the dough into an 18-by-12-inch rectangle.

With a butter knife, evenly spread the softened butter over the dough. Drizzle on the filling. With a knife or spatula, spread it evenly to the edges. Starting at one shorter side, roll the dough, jelly-roll fashion, into a tube, ending seam side down. Cut into 12 equal pieces. Place, spiral side up, in the reserved dish.

Cover the dish with a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm spot. Let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Bake until very lightly browned but slightly doughy in the center, 22-28 minutes. Using a butter knife, frosting over the top.

Hello 2013

Alan and I rang in the New Year with sweet friends, dinner & drinks, and fun games. 

Toasting to 2013!

Christmas in Memphis

The weekend after Christmas we went to Memphis to see Nonnie. Although we do not see her often enough, we always enjoy every minute we are there with her. Nonnie always goes above and beyond to take care of us all when we visit.

Nonnie got us both shoes for Christmas!

Traditional "after church" picture of everyone

We had a fabulous visit!

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas! Alan and I woke up about 9:00am and enjoyed a yummy breakfast with his family. After that we opened stockings and presents.

That afternoon we went to my parents' house and opened stocking and presents there. The only person missing was Colin who is in Japan, we really missed him!

Gotta love flannel :)

That evening the Michalik family came over and we had a wonderful time hanging out with them. I think my favorite part of the night was singing Christmas carols together. God is so good!

Cagle Christmas

The weekend before Christmas, all of Alan's mom's extended family came to Knoxville. We had a delicious Christmas dinner together and then had fun exchanging gifts. It was good seeing everyone, especially since it can sometimes be challenging to get everyone together!

Christmas Cookie Exchange

Last weekend I hosted my annual Christmas Cookie Exchange. I had so much fun planning and preparing for it and I'm so thankful for the sweet friends and family who came. We had a wonderful time!

Everyone was so creative with their cookie recipes this year!

Every year I give out prizes for:

Prettiest Cookie

Best Story/History of a Cookie recipe

Most festive holiday attire

...and what do you know?!

Everyone voted for my family, ha!

Christa won "Prettiest Cookie" 

Mom won "Best Story/History of a Cookie recipe"

Maggie won "Most festive holiday attire"

All in all, it was a fantastic night and a great way to get everyone in the Christmas spirit! I cannot believe Christmas is less than 1 week away! Yippeee!