Three Things...

I am grateful for:

1. Our picnic and hike at Donut Falls tonight. Even though we picnic'd in the back of the car because it was raining, and hiked in the aforementioned POURING rain! The kids had fun, they thought it was an adventure, and that we were crazy because we were letting them get soaked for once!

2. Relief because I taught my lesson at church today and don't have to worry about it for another 3 weeks. Woo Hoo!

3. Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread. If you would like to be grateful for this bread tomorrow...here's the recipe:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 beaten egg
1 cup sugar
1 cup finely shredded, unpeeled zucchini
1/4 cup cooking oil
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)

1. Grease the bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of an 8x4x2 inch loaf pan; set aside. In a medium bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg. Make a well in center of flour mixture; set aside.

2. In another medium bowl combine egg, sugar, zucchini, and oil. Add zucchini mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened; batter should be lumpy. Fold in nuts (if using) and chocolate chips. Spoon batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50 to 55 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on a wire rack. Wrap and store overnight before slicing.(ya right!)

Recipe courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens, with my own variations included...

Bubble Baths

...are wonderful aren't they?

And, look who I found hiding in the bubbles...



I sure am grateful for these two stinkers,
even on days when they are really BIG stinkers!
Like today.

And, for those of you dreaming of the
cinnamon roll recipe, here you go:

For Dough:

3/4 cup milk
(warmed in microwave for 30 sec.)
3 tblsp sugar
6 tblsp butter
1 1/2 tsp yeast

Combine these 4 ingredients in bowl,
or bread machine (set on dough setting),
let proof for 5 minutes.

Then add:

1 tsp salt
1 egg
3 cups flour

Start bread machine and let it do it's thing, or mix ingredients in bowl until dough is forming a ball. Turn out onto floured surface and kneed for 10 minutes. Place in bowl, cover, allow to rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

Once risen, roll dough out on floured surface into a large rectangle. Cover dough with a
generous amount of butter, then cinnamon & sugar. You can also add nuts, raisins and cinnamon chips at this time. Now start rolling the dough up. I like to roll it up on the long side, you get more rolls that way. Does this make sense? I'm sure you've made them before right? Once done rolling, take a sharp knife and cut dough into 2-3 inch sections and place them on a greased baking sheet. Now cover and let rise another 1-2 hours depending on how large you want them. Be sure to space them about 1/2 inch apart on the sheet, because they will rise and it will give them room to grow.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Once done rising, bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Make the frosting while you're waiting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz butter (1 stick)
4 oz cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Combine butter and cream cheese, with an electric mixer, blend until well combined. Add powdered sugar. Once incorporated, add vanilla and mix well to combine.

When the rolls are done, allow them to cool slightly and then frost away! Enjoy!!!