Pumpkin Rolls and Cream Cheese Orange Rolls

Keren got me thinking about Jelly Rolls last week as she endeavoured to master the art. I have tried a few different recipes at different times but the one I go back to always is this Pumpkin Roll recipe as I cook to please a pumpkin loving Man. Even though I have made it many times over the years it has been a really long time since I last made it.

I also created a fun orange cream cheese roll that we really enjoyed a whole lot. I took it to our life group meeting on Thursday evening. I am going to put its recipe here so I will know what I did if I ever want to make it again.

Pumpkin Roll

1 cup sugar

3 beaten eggs

2/3 cup canned/frozen,thawed/cooked and mushed pumpkin

3/4 cup flour, I used 100% whole wheat flour this time and they taste great but they were a little harder to work with as they wanted to fall apart more than normal.

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 375*.

Mix the sugar, eggs, and pumpkin in a bowl, add next 4 ingredients and mix well.

Grease a jellyroll pan with oil and line it with a greased wax paper (all of this oiling is really important). Extend paper over the sides of the baking sheet. Pour batter into pan and spread to edges. Sprinkle batter with pecans (I used almonds I had slivered this time and that was tasty).

Bake for 15 minutes, or until done in the middle and turning golden.

Sprinkle a clean dishtowel generously with powdered sugar ans flip cooked cake onto the powdered towel. Gently remove wax paper:

Roll your cake up with the towel on it. My recipe says to roll loosely and I tend to roll it tightly. I guess you can try it both ways and see what is best for your cake. My philosophy on tightness was that would hold it better and not allow cracking. Let it stand until cooled, not cold though.

Filling

1-8 ounce package cream cheese

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 Tablespoons butter

1 cup powdered sugar

Beat ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

Unroll cooled cake and spread frosting across it. Roll your cake up again (without your towel).

If it is fragile you can use your towel/cling wrap to help you roll it by evenly holding one end of the towel higher and letting gravity roll the cake for you. You will need to start the rolling with your fingers though.

Wrap you roll in cling wrap and aluminum foil. Place in the freezer. Unwrap and slice while still frozen. They thaw fairly quickly.

They keep for sometime very nicely in the freezer and make for a great quick desert when surprise guest arrive. And now the:

Orange roll

1/2 cup flour ( I used whole wheat)

1 teaspoon baking powder

8 egg whites

Zest of one orange (leave about 1 teaspoon for filling)

2/3 cup sugar Oven 375*

2 Tablespoons slivered almonds

Whip egg whites until very frothy. Add the sugar and orange zest and thoroughly beat together.

Mix flour and baking powder and stir into egg mixture until well mixed.

Grease a jelly roll pan with oil and line with greased wax paper. Extend paper over sides of pan. Sprinkle slivered almonds across wax paper and then, pour batter into prepared pan and spread to edges evenly.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cake springs back when touched lightly near center.

Filling

1-8 ounce package cream cheese

1 teaspoon orange zest

1 teaspoon orange juice

2 Tablespoons butter

1 cup powdered sugar

Follow directions above for compiling the roll.

Now that winter is back I felt like something warm and sweet would be a pleasant drink. Margaret was craving an ice cream treat but our house is way to cold for a cold treat right now. I don't feel like starting a fire or turning on our furnace so it might be chilly around here for awhile. At least until Travis returns, he is always in the mood to start a fire.

I had seen this recipe a while back but never tried it. It was very well received by everyone. Margaret made it with lots of help in stirring from the boys and Beatrice.

Warm Vanilla Soother

3 cups milk

3 egg yolks

1/3 cup real maple syrup

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Mix all of these in a saucepan and stir over medium high heat until it begins to thicken. Shut off burner and add:

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 Tablespoon butter

Mix well and serve warm in mugs.

The kids enjoyed adding a sprinkling of cinnamon to theirs. For our crew we doubled this recipe. We got this recipe from here. I hope you like it too.

~Anna

What to do with a few Rubberbands

These guys have been going through a lot of rubber bands recently.

Aaron is the only one around here that seems to know how to tie them as they call it. Today he told Gregory, "I will show you one more time how to do this and then you will need to do it on your own". But anyways, yesterday when they had made their bow and arrows Nahum and Nati each needed one too and it was pretty cute seeing them ask Aaron for tips on how to put them together and the right sticks for the job.

So the best way to make these, if I have been listening right, is to find the right stick. Smaller guys need smaller sticks. Then get several rubbers and knot them together until you have about the same length of band as the stick. Put it onto the stick ends and find some nice straight twigs for arrows.

Have fun hunting small game. Another thing you can do is make a musical instrument. Find some handily placed knobs and stretch them across.

Have fun making beautiful melodies. These are whatever you want them to be. They thought you could use them like helicopters or lots of things. Knot two bands together and have fun with your imagination.

Thanking God for imaginations!

~Anna

Making Salt Crystals, a fun recipe

Here is a fun science expirement to do to revive the last few days of school for this year. It would be especially good for you if you are doing a study on salt or salt water like we were.

Here is what you do to grow your very own salt crystals.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and remove water from the heat.

Add salt 1 Tablespoon at a time until the salt no longer dissolves.

Pour the salt water into a clean, clear glass jar.

Tie a paperclip to the end of a string or thread. Tie the other end of the string to a pencil and balance it on the top of the jar.

Allow the paper clip to hang in the water about 1 inch from the bottom of the jar.

Place the jar in a sunny window where it will not be bumped. This is one day later. Two or three days later. One week, four days later.

It was really exciting to see it growing at first, and to see how perfect the cubes always were. The growth has really slowed down now.

People are now regularly asking what are you going to do with them and I don't know. So I need to figure that out I guess. Maybe if I shellac them they could work as jewellery. What do you think? I don't want to loose them by eating them in our supper.

Enjoy!

~Anna

Springtime Walks

With the warm days and beautiful green we have been taking a lot of walks this past week. It helps that my van wasn't working for a few days so we walked to and from Car-X and took a bike ride to the library to return over due books during that time. Also we had company and that seemed like a good source of entertainment. You can't help but want to get out and see the colors of the new flowers and leaves opening right now. It was beginning to mist and sprinkle at the beginning of this walk but we went ahead and started out. We never really got wet. There were a couple very brief showers that dampened the pavement but that is all. I think it sharpened the colors though. Doesn't Keren look very sweet explaining her thoughts to the girls? At every flowering plant some of the girls thought they better try to add more to their bouquets. Our arms were quite laden with lilacs, apple blossoms, wild mustard, lilacs and a few other varieties by the time we returned home. The boys, they gathered sticks. We had a mock wedding under the trees of one vacant lot. Here we are doing a bridal dance?

Live! ~Anna

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to the Best Mother ever, the most wonderful example of being a godly wife and mother and friend a girl could ever wish for, my Mom! May your next year be awesome.

Love,

~Anna

My Kitchen Window

Every-so-often I get comments from friends saying, "your house is so clean, your kids are so nice, you home school, you make all your own food, whatever, how do you do it?". I always think it is funny because I do Not have it all together and I am well aware of that. Right now one of the many places that reminds me that I have more clutter than not in my house is this window! Is that ridiculous or what? I thought you might like close-ups of both sides just to see it better :) We are growing tomatoes, marigolds, asters, salt crystals, and cosmos, basil and parsley. We are washing coffee filters and drying them on empty pop bottles. We are keeping elephants and violets, candles, feathers, short straws, mortar and pestles and nappa cabbage flowers over here.

When a friend was telling me the above last week I told Travis about it when I came home later. Margaret walked in and said you should have them over just so she can know the truth! I really do.

~Anna

Sundays

Last Sunday we took a bike ride to a local park. We wanted to because we like to take rides on pretty, sunny Sunday afternoons, but also because a friend of Beatrice's came over that afternoon from church. The first thing she told me when we got into the van is Travis won't have to help me learn to ride the bike anymore because I learned how now. As soon as Travis got in she told him also. So it was a fun thing for her to share with us.

The cool activity on this ride (aside from Tea sharing her new skills) was a guy at the park with his kids and birds. He kept whistling every once in awhile and they would stay near by him. I think being able to train them that well is pretty cool. He said he has another one at home that does a few more tricks. He has had him longer. I was happy watching from afar, but as soon as Malia saw them she went to check them out. The white one is a fiddlederoo, afigilreuu or something pigeon and the yellow one is a love bird parrot. The parrot likes to stay in the trees and the pigeon is happier on the ground and they both seemed to be happier in Margaret's hair. She has a very sensitive scalp and was not too happy to be their favorite landing perch. It was funny though.

Beatrice was smitten for the next few days and kept begging for a bird, any bird, one that would be hers and she could care for. Then for some reason since I wouldn't let her have a bird (they stink and I do not ever want one to live in my house :) she decided that a pig would be fine so she had Travis looking on craigslist for pigs. No luck. Except for a guinea pig which we all agree they stink (except for Bea).

Can you find the Love bird?

This Sunday we had a couple over from church that have been coming for awhile but we have never had over to our place. The food was fine, but I tried a Lime Cheese Cake Recipe and it was REALLy good. They were so sweet and thankful to come. It was fun. I have been really trying hard to be ready to have a decent dinner on Sundays ready so we can invite a family over every Sunday Travis is able.

This morning Gregory was the first one up besides me and he got all dressed for church right off. Often he fusses about needing to go to church and hasn't wanted to go to class for a really long time. So that was neat that he got ready so perkily. Then he got out the bowls and spoons and cereal and milk for everyone and started eating his breakfast. (This is the only morning of the week we do that but to get to church on time I want the kids to eat as soon as they are up) Once Gregory got all set up at the table he asked me if it was morning church and I said yes. He said, oh, good because then we will have friends over afterwards. That made me feel so good. Then at church he went to class without me asking him too, or anyone!

I like Sundays!

~Anna

Airplane rides

Today Margaret got to realize a dream of hers. She has long wanted to fly and today she did. She was so excited!

This is a homemade airplane that you can buy a kit and make. It is considered a two passenger. I think it would be very crowded! It is cute though. While the kids waited for their turn to fly they flew Styrofoam gliders. Beatrice's is just behind Gregory's shoulder in the air. The boy in red, his airplane, is above his head.

More waiters.

Before getting into the plane the pilot gave them a little walk around of how an airplane works. Here they are learning about how the aileron works, what it does.

Harrison was allowed to be the co-pilot and Margaret and DJ sat in the backseat. They all wore headsets. When they got out of the plane after their twenty minute ride Margaret was jumping all around so excited about it her experience. This is a Piper Archer. They received certificates of flight.It was a really neat experience.

It is hosted by EAA an airplane flying enthusiast club and their cooperation with Young Eagles which is a club that encourages young people to get excited about flying and dreaming big.

So any of you can come visit us on the third Saturday and we will take you to watch and ride airplanes!

Why I Enjoy Homeschooling

1. When Travis is home we are able to do something fun as a family or just he and the kids. Being flexible is very important for Travis' job. If we sent them away from home they might only see their Daddy every week or so.

2. Playing games with a purpose. Climbing Mount Everest allows them to know what mountain climbers go through and some facts about the mountain. Chinese Checkers is cultural. Playing games is not really a favorite past time of mine but I think it provides a great bonding time so multi-purposing my time is really nice.

3. Home school kids are not as bound by age limits in their friendships. Gregory's best friend right now is 13 years old. 4. When the days are sunny and it is beautiful weather we take a walk and enjoy the changes of spring. The mallards appear to have set up housekeeping on Ames Lake. The snails were huge sitting on the lily pad stumps from last year. Without all the greenery on the plants you could see them. We never have before. It was pretty cool to me. 5. When time is running out and Beatrice hasn't gotten all of her school work done, then her mini teachers kick in and get the job done. Computer time can't start until all of the school work is completed. I like seeing my kids helping each other. 6. Gregory wanted a story read. Harrison was doing his schoolwork but he happily read his little brother a story and the girls gathered round. Sweet fellowship is fun to watch.

7. When our schoolwork is too frustrating, we can take the rest of the day off to do less stressful activities. When a new morning breaks and we are rested we will likely have no problem with the previously frustrating material. 8. When the opportunity presents itself for an exciting adventure we aren't bound by predetermined time tables.

(the macho team from the Hurricane 2009, they came to almost the exact weight limit)

9. I am learning so many neat things that I must have forgotten since my school days.

10. We get to eat the product of our research and labors from the countries we are learning about. 11. Great grandparents are the recipients of more letters than would likely happen if the kids were away all day at a different school.

This is not a complete list, I am sure, but, some of the reasons I do homeschool.

Enjoy your day.

~Anna

Springtime

In one week you can really see a difference in our greenery. We have gotten two nice rains and everything looks so much nicer! I love new buds on all the trees.

There is just one week between the taking of these two train pictures.

Now that Spring has Sprung I am enjoying grazing around our yard for edible plants. There isn't too much out there yet but I have managed to insert dandelion greens into two meals so far, with a bit of red clover leaves for good measure. Harrison and Margaret try to say they don't like greens, but truly they do. Especially when they are in a nice rice Pilauf or in Kabab Masala. The Shepherd's purse are growing nicely. They are really good cooked until tender and add a few beaten eggs and salt and pepper. Cook until set. Yummy stuff.Spring is when my Birthday is. This is my terimisu cake Margaret made for me. This is also yummy stuff! We had it for our morning tea. She couldn't wait any longer to see how it turned out. All week, until yesterday, she was trying to get everyone to vote on the type of cake to make and never could she get one hundred percent vote for her choice so yesterday she just went ahead and baked it without consulting the rest of the clan.

Our Weekend

We just got done with a lovely few days up in Bemidji. It was very peaceful and fun, not exactly relaxing since we probably stayed up later than we needed most nights but we did have a really good time.

I think this is such a homey picture. I love it!

Abner the goat is glad we have all gone home though since somehow he was harnessed up and expected to give many children rides in the wheelchair chariot Dad and Luke rigged up for him. I guess he didn't pull his weight this past fall so now he had to do it this spring! He was given regular rewards of grain to keep him moving. See, Margaret is carrying his rewards bucket. These guys played many games together. Most of the games needed helmets and leather gloves. Jaten thinks Grandpa's rendition of Jesus Loves Me is the very best. And now it is time to say goodnight with one last big smile.

~Anna

You can see more of our weekend pictures here.

Our Week, so far

This week we have had sweet, surprise visitors around our place. At three months this one is not afraid of strangers and is perfectly happy to give lots of sweet smiles.

Margaret can't take enough pictures of Jaten.

We got to take our first bike ride of the year on Wednesday to play at the park. It was down right hot out on March 31st! Such pleasant weather to be out and about! I made gluten/dairy free rumpledoodles for snacks this week. They turned out quite good although a bit dryer than they would normally be. I used rice and corn for the flour.

The lizard liked seeing the warm sunshine, just like us.

This morning I sent my eldest and Nic off on a ride with Travis at 3:30 am to sneak a ride. I expect them home in a couple hours. I hope they have made fun new memories. It ended up they needed to sit in the car quite awhile waiting for things to get organised in the office so I am hopeful they didn't have too much down time, but with their active imaginations it was probably just fine!

Talk to you later,

~Anna