This past week's happenings

Hello everyone,  with a very full weekend and the Labor Day holiday, I didn't get my usual weekly to do list made.  It's already Tuesday so I am just going to wing it this week and hope for the best!  

We went to a cookout this weekend.  I baked a double batch of cheese rolls.  They are made like cinnamon rolls except the dough is not as sweet, and when the dough is rolled out, it is covered with grated cheddar instead of cinnamon sugar.  

How I made them.

 (This is a big recipe and could easily be halved for a smaller family) 

 - in the bread machine on dough cycle Add

2 Cups water

1 stick softened butter

2 t salt

2 T sugar

6 cups all purpose flour

2 t dry yeast

After that cycle,  punch down the dough and roll out on a floured cabinet to a large rectangle.  

Spread with 2 T soft butter and about 2 generous 

cups of grated cheese.  I used sharp cheddar.  Roll dough up tight and then slice into 1 inch rolls.  Put on a prepared baking sheet (I like to use parchment paper but greasing would be fine) Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise about 30 minutes.  Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven until golden brown.  

Melt 2 more tablespoons Butter and mix with some garlic powder or salt.  Brush on to hot rolls.  

This is a photo from my son.  He went to friends party and they made baked corn dogs from a Pinterest recipe.  They used Jiffy cornbread mix and ordinary hot dogs.  

He said they were really good.  I think I might make them soon when we have a group over here. Except I will use Kosher wieners and a less sweet cornbread than Jiffy.

I don't sign up for many freebies or contests but I do remember doing both of these freebie offers sign ups. 

The Smuckers fruit pouches were a commissary shopper contest and the Ziploc bags were from Right At Home.  

Both full size products came in the mail, one day apart.  It's always welcome to get free groceries in the mail! 

It doesn't happen too often but all 7 grands were here at the same time this weekend.  

They range from almost 2 months to 6 years.  

My parents celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.  

Two of the grandsons had the best time playing in this box.  

They like toys too but this big box and a quilt kept them busy for hours.  

Hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Monday to do list

Here is my weekly to do list.  After 2 very busy weeks, this week is much less scheduled.

We were able to pick some wild plums yesterday, what we call Oklahoma Sand Plums.  They are not good to just eat raw, but when cooked down for their pretty pink juice, Sand Plums make wonderful jelly.   Both of my Oklahoma grandmothers, my aunts and my mom all made Sand Plum jelly and it is truly a family favorite.  It was the only jelly one of my brothers and many of my cousins would eat.

 I washed our 5 gallons of sand plums last night.  Then today, I simmered them until they released their juice and strained them.   I hade one big pot full, one medium pot full and 2 little pans full.  It just seemed better to cook them all at once.  

I ended with enough juice to make at least 4 batches of jelly.  Yum!   

I've had already several requests from family members who hope I will share.  Of course I will and we may be able to pick more plums in a few days when they have finished ripening.  

The downside of all this cooking is the cleanup to do afterward.  

The stovetop was a mess but cleaned up without much effort 

And my trusty dishwasher washed 3 loads today!  

Hope you all had a good Monday!