Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

As promised here is the Pumpkin cinnamon roll recipe.  I am NOT a food blogger by any means, but i hope the pictures help.
This is not an my original recipe, this recipe was given to my by Chef Catherine Hallman, and I believe she got it from "King Arthur"

1 lb Canned Pumpkin 

4 large Eggs, lightly beaten

4 oz Water, warm

4 oz Butter, softened 

1 lb 5 oz All~purpose flour

14 oz Whole wheat flour

2 oz Dry milk powder

2 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Ginger

1/2 tsp Cloves - optional

3 tsp Salt

3 oz Brown Sugar

.5 oz instant-Yeast

Add Yeast to warm water and soak for 10 minutes

Combine all ingredients and beat on low until all incorporated. 

Beat on medium speed until dough is soft yet firm enough to handle

Kneed, on a floured surface,  till smooth and elastic (avoid using too much flour)

Place in oiled bowl and let rise 1-2 hours or until doubled. 

Doubled in size.
It took several hours since my house is so cool.  Place in a warm place or in the sun  to speed it up

Punch down and let sit for 5 minutes before rolling out.

Roll into rectangle, cover with melted butter layer generous layer of cinnamon and sugar.

Roll up jelly-roll style, and cut into sections

Not ready to bake yet

Ready to bake once they have doubled in size

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes 

Top with Cream Cheese Icing 

(I forgot to take a pictured of the finished product oops)

ENOY!!

Email me if you have ANY questions renee.croad@gmail.com

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to the most amazing man!  I love him more than words could truly express.  Five years have come and gone far too quickly.  It seems like yesterday I was getting ready to walk down the aisle to say "I DO!"  Too much has happened during the last five years to write about it all, but here are some of the highlights 

Our journey began in Calculus class at Hillsdale College in the fall of 2001.  After a few years of ups and down we finally realized that we were made for another.  Jason proposed while we are out hiking a trail during my senior year of college in March 2006.  

We walked down the aisle October 14, 2006.  That day was only the beginning of our journey.  

A month after we married Jason was accepted to medical school at Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine.  

We moved to Harrogate, TN the summer of 2007.  That same year Jason joined the Navy. 

January 9, 2010 we welcomed the first addition to our family, Gavin Robert Croad.  

May 14,  2011 Jason went from Jason Croad to Dr. Jason Robert Croad, DO.

July 2011 We made our first Military move to Orange park FL where Jason is working as a Family Practice intern.  

Currently we await the arrival of our second baby boy.  

We have cried, laughed, stressed, worried, fought,  and rejoiced together.  There is no one else that I would rather go through life with than Jason.  He grounds me and lifts me up at the same time.  I am so blesses to be married to such a wonderful man! We are only at the beginning of "Our Adventure", and I can't wait to see where we go!

Shots!

Today I started my progesterone shots.  I have to get one every week  in my tooshie until I am 36 weeks and 6 days. I am not to keen on the idea of getting a shot every week but it what seems to be best for the new baby.  Gavin's early arrival is what prompted the shots.  Since my preterm delivery doesn't have a reason the chance of it happening again is likely.  The extra dose of progesterone should help keep this new guy in until he is full term.
There are minimal side effects to the shots,most of them just make my butt cheek sore but the one large side effect is that they put me at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes(GD).  About 5% of women taking the shots develop GD, and since my mom has diabetes I am already at risk, this just ups my chances.

I will take the shots, the sore butt
 and risk the diabetes if it means I will get to hold a healthy, fully developed baby in 18 weeks!