Instead of a regular entry.. you get How to make cinnamon rolls.. step by step.. with pictures.. this is my grandmother's recipe. enjoy!


Cinnamon Rolls

What you need
2 yeast
2 tablespooons sugar
1 1/3 cups warm water

1 1/3 cups milk, scald and cool
1 stick of margerine

3/4 cups sugar
dash salt

6-7 cups of flour

for filling:
brown sugar
chopped walnuts
melted butter or margerine
cinnamon

bake at 400* for 15-20 minutes


*just a note.. use the recipe I wrote down.. not the one in the picture.. I added a little more of everything to get more cinnamon rolls. lol*



small bowl, or small pyrex measuring cup- combine warm water, yeast and 2 tablespoons sugar.. mix with wire whisk and let sit for at least an hour, it'll most likely double in size.


In small saucepan heat milk until it comes to a boil, then remove and add stick of margerine and let melt, and cool.

In large bowl - sugar and the dash of salt

Once the milk mixture is partially cooled, add it to the sugar and salt and mix with wire whisk until combined.








Once yeast is ready, add to bowl with milk, sugar, margerine and salt



now, start adding your flour.. one cup at a time.



once its ready, knead it so it looks like this.



then cut it in half, and put each half in a bowl to rise



now wait about 2 hours.

I forgot to take a picture of the dough doubled in size.

start with first bowl, lightly flour the counter or work surface and tip dough out of bowl, cut in half..

then carefully flatten it like this..



and start with melted butter, then a little cinnamon, then brown sugar and nuts, top off with a little more cinnamon



roll it up!



and slice, I usually do about one inch slices.



place in pan and repeat with rest of the dough



pretty?

now let them rise, at least an hour.. I usually wait 2 hours.

then preheat oven to 400 and bake for about 15 or 20 minutes, depending on your oven

til they look like this



yummy!

but they're not ready to eat yet!
let them cool for about an hour and then make your glaze.

very easy.
2 cups confectioners sugar, and just a little butter and vanilla, then add milk slowly til its got the consistancy you want.



then frost and eat!

I really need to update more often. Laura recently wrote about people who haven't updated in awhile and it made me realize I hadn't updated in awhile. I update on Open Diary about once a week, but rarely write here. I think I just feel a little "safer" at OD, because there, I know whos reading!

Its been a bad week. Jamie's Uncle Ray passed away Saturday night and its been difficult at times. He was a wonderful man, he always had a kind word to say and he'll be greatly missed. I remember the first time I met Uncle Ray. It was almost 15 years ago, I had just started dating Jamie and I was at his parents house visiting and Aunt Joan and Uncle Ray had just gotten back from a vacation and they'd stopped by the house to visit. Uncle Ray had a Cats Eye ring that he had gotten on vacation and he was showing it to everyone and he showed it to me and he said "this is from a real cat" with a very straight face. I actually believed him for a second.

I've been out of work since 2/29. I've had problems with my foot for awhile and started having even more problems and couldn't walk on it at all for about 3 weeks, now I'm doing alot better, but I've decided not to put the surgery that I've needed for 2 years off any longer and I'll be discussing it with my doctor on Monday and most likely having it done soon. at this point, I just want to get it over with.

more to come...

=)

hello.

I'm still here.. its just been forever since I posted anything.. things are going very good right now.. certain things in my life are coming together and things are working out well.. this is the happiest I've been in a long time and I'm hoping everything will work out in my favor.

just wanted to check in and post something. more to come soon!

4 years tomorrow.

I want to come here and write something meaningful, something she'd be proud of, but I can't seem to come up with the words. I just can't believe its been 4 years already, it seems like just yesterday that you left us. I miss you.

Atlantic City pictures



The above 2 pictures are from "The Walk" the new outlet mall in Atlantic City. There were tons of great stores, including a Borders book outlet, Yankee Candle, Lane Bryant, Kenneth Cole, KB Toys, Guess and tons more. The only store I actually bought anything in was the Borders book outlet. Liz got a few things in the Carters outlet and a cookbook in Borders, but that was about it. Neither of us were really impressed with the prices, but it was nice to walk around and kill a few hours. Its only 2 blocks from Ballys, so we just walked back. We took a cab there cause we didn't know how far away it was. lol it was a cheap cab ride!








the above 3 were taken from the Tropicana, where we stayed. The hotel closest is the new Tropicana South Tower, then you can look down the boardwalk and see Trump Plaza, Ballys and some of Resorts and the TajMahal.


Boardwalk, looking toward the Tropicana.. the construction you see is the new mall that connects to Caesars.

Ballys and Johnny Rockets, where we ate dinner Thursday night. It was cool eating outside on the boardwalk. The food was awesome, but the service left alot to be desired.





couple more random boardwalk shots





this pretzel shop was pretty cool, you could watch them make the pretzels and they were cheap too. 3 pretzels for a dollar, they were good too. The second shot is the store floor.


this picture came out really cool. I have no idea why the picture came out this way, but I kinda like it!









more random boardwalk shots.. and shops. I love these souvineer shops on the boardwalk, everythings so damn cheap too.. keychains, magnets and crap like that are all 99 cents, tshirts range from $3 up to about $7. most of the stores sell the exact same things, so don't waste your time going in each one. you could also literally eat your way down the boardwalk, there were tons of fudge stands, hot dog and ice cream stands, and candy, salt water taffy, peanuts, etc. The trip was a blast, it took about 6 hours to get there and about 7 to get home cause we got stuck in traffic in Connecticut. damn Connecticut!


this is the Borgata, the newest hotel in Atlantic City, its on the other side of town, by Harrahs and trump marina, so we never went in.


taken from the car on the way out of town.

King Richards Faire


my nephew Chuckie



























all the rest are various pics that Jamie took when he went to King Richards faire with Liz and chuckie

My darling JoJo,

I remember the first time we met. I'd gone to the shelter to see the kitties, I wasn't really looking for another kitty as I'd just lost Oreo and my heart was too fragile. I turned to leave and I heard this "raah" from behind me. I saw this silver paw sticking out and this beautiful silver kitty sitting behind the door.

"well, hello" I said

"raah" you replied

"you are just so cute, I have to bring you home with me" I said.

"raah" you replied.

2 hours later I brought you home and you'd already captured my heart. You were just what I needed and I loved you from the minute we met.


You've been with me for over 10 years and during that time you've been with me through so much. The loss of Nana, then Pa, Patches, Mema, Rambo and M&M, just 3 weeks ago. I knew I could always count on you to be there for me, to listen and give me a simple "raah" as an answer. you always knew the right thing to say.


I remember thinking how handsome and fluffy you were the day I adopted you. you were only 4 then, a sweet little silver furball who loved to follow me around when I got home from work and tell me all about your day. You loved mornings in our house on Gardiner Street, when the sun hit the living room windows and you loved chasing the bird shadows. You loved open windows, the cool air against your fur, and sitting in the window doing the neighborhood watch.


You were a great big brother to Patches. Once you let her out from under the bed, that is! you two had so much fun. you loved chasing her around and laying on the coffee table and pitching candy from the candy dish at her as she went by. She didn't mind because she loved you. Everyone who met you loved you, you just had that special charm!


You were also a great big brother to M&M, Eboney and Rocky and a great little brother to Rambo. You and Rambo barely had a year together, but you loved him and looked up to him and learned from him. I loved it when you rolled around on the carpet trying to get M&M's attention.. you chasing Eboney around the house and then he chased you back til you'd had enough and ran to the top of the couch for safety and you tolerated Rocky, although by the time he came here you were already sick. He seemed intrigued with you.


You loved your family, especially me and I love you just as much. I was your person from the very first day and you were mine.


If I could have had one wish, it would have been for you to live forever. The thought of losing you was more than I could ever bear, but I knew one day the day would come that we would have to part and that day was today. you'd been sick for awhile and you couldn't hide your pain from me anymore and I couldn't bear to watch you suffer. Over the past 10 years you've given me so much and rarely asked for anything in return except for love, which you got plenty of. I love you too much to let you suffer, so I made a hard decision. I stayed with you til the very end and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I love you so so much and my heart and life is very empty right now. Our memories will live in our hearts forever sweet kitty, I love you JoJo. I love you so much.


all my love,

Mommy




~The Gift~


Eyes fearful, pawns worn;

A sorrowful sight - so forlorn.


love, they said would be the cure

for the suffering you had endured


So our family grew that day.

We brought you home.

With us you'd stay


Slowly, gently the bond it grew

faithful, loyal, loving, true


looking back its so unclear

how we got by without you here


trusted companion, devoted friend

you give and give

it never ends


they said we were a gift to you

but now we know who rescued who


BM Berry

The Silhouette
(Terri Onorato)

The silhouette stands boldly
at the end of the hallway
ears erect, eyes like jewels
the tail, it softly sways.

This wouldn't be the first time
I've seen her stand nearby
her image clear as crystal
from the corner of my eye.

Her visits I don't share with some
who think I've went over and beyond
the grieving time they deem I need,
they say I should move on.

I sometimes pity people who
have never felt just cause
to share the bond between two souls,
one with hands and one with paws.

The silhouette reminds me
what the others say is wrong
for as long as breath goes through me
there exists our mighty bond.

When the Keeper calls me home
and the Bridge gates open wide
our bond will deepen ten fold
as we walk through side by side.

You see, I am the lucky one
as I've been truly blessed
for someday we'll walk together
as eternal silhouettes.

Get Your Own! View Slideshow

M&M April 1993-August 31 2006


She came to us on a warm summer day in 1993 and captured our hearts from the moment she walked in the door. She was a little bundle of striped fur and energy, dressed in a little red collar. She loved to play and climb the curtains, luckily she grew out of that habit as she got older. Most of all she loved her little white kitty. She made biscuits on her kitty, mostly as a kitten, but once in awhile, even in recent months, she'd make biscuits on her. I think her kitty reminded her of her mommy and she loved her so much.

She loved the outside world, she was the Queen of the Neighbhorhood and everyone knew it. She made the rounds daily, checking her territory early each morning, making sure it was safe for the rest of us. She did a wonderful job too. She also loved to lay in the warm summer sun, unlike the rest of us, she loved the heat. and she loved to hunt, she had the patience of a saint when it came to hunting. She could sit and watch the same mouse hole for hours, or a bird nest. She had the talent of being able to catch a bird in mid-air, she was so good at that! I have a picture somewhere of her first mouse, she was so proud of it!

She was a sweet, sweet kitty with a wonderful personality. She loved her mommy best and always slept with her (and her kitty) when she was in. She had beautiful stripes, cute white paws and a strong sense of pride and independance.

Rest in peace sweet M&M, we love you so much and we'll miss you forever.

I'm thirsty!


I am SO cute!


whats this?
oooohhh catnip!


M&M paying her respects


M&M sitting pretty!

misc kitty pictures



Eboney



JoJo and Eboney



M&M



JoJo
hes my favorite and he knows it!

Jamie's probably going to kill me for this!

misc Vegas pictures

This was the view from the bedroom window in our condo. lovely.



Big Kitty! Lion Habitat inside MGM Grand



Jamie looks nice!

The Fremont Street Experience
Vegas October 2005

Veteran's Day pictures.

Vegas pics from earlier this month.


from top.. Jamie's Dad, sister in laws Liz and Jen, Jamie and Jamie's mom and Aunt Pat sitting down


me, somewhat zoned out.. Jamie's Dad, Liz and Jen and Jamie's mom and Aunt Pat


Stratosphere tower


my picture taking skills suck. thats the Sahara, I was trying to get it with all the lights on :

They even light up the McDonalds


circus circus casino


This is Emeril's restaurant, inside the MGM Grand. It wasn't very well lit, but you can see theres a fountain on each side of the entrance and you walk under the water to go inside.


Lion Habitat, also inside MGM Grand. I spent alot of time standing here watching the big kitties.
and just as much time in the gift shop next door to it!








These 3 are all from Paris. the casino, that is :) the last one looks like a statue, I thought so too.. til it moved!













All 5 of these are from the New York New York Casino, one of my two favorites.












Bellagio Fountains, I could sit and watch these all day. They're absolutely beautiful.



Excalibur


The Luxor


Alladin


I went to M&M's World. and the Coca Cola store. Check out the Star Wars M&M's.



and I got my picture taken with M&M.










We took a day trip to Laughlin, a little town on the Colorado River thats about an hour and a half away from Vegas. The bus ride was the more BORING bus ride I've ever taken. An hour and a half of desert scenery.
then the ride home was even more boring, I didn't think it was posslble, but it was. boring and dark..
I almost forgot.. those fish are by the Colorado Belle casino, they're cool. big ass fish!


yes, thats garbage on the street. Jamie took it. Let me explain.. it rained while we were there, lots of rain, when it rains in Vegas, it floods. they used garbage to form dams, if you look closely, you can see a TV amongst the garbage.

How many kitties do you see?!

a few more pictures.. taken yesterday.


Ocean Drive, Newport



Knotty's Rock pile, Newport. you used to be able to walk all the way to the end, but Hurricane Bob knocked out the middle section a few years ago.














Above 4 pictures were taken at Fort Adams in Newport, by the boat ramp.
















the above 4 pictures were taken at the end of Ledge Road in Newport

and a few more.



Memorial Blvd and Bellevue. find the car.


gatehouse at Oceancliff



Oceancliff. looking toward water



Oceancliff




pool @ oceancliff

taken Monday afternoon



top of Park Ave. Portsmouth




somewhere in Common Fence Point (I think!)



Park Avenue, by the beach




old Stone Bridge, Portsmouth



taken from the overpass between Island Park and Hummocks Avenue.



forgot the name of this street, but it brings you to the entrance to Common Fence Point



can't remember where this was!




Mount Hope Bridge, taken from Bayview Ave.



Mount Hope Bridge again, I think there used to be a restaurant in the fenced off area. anyone remember?



view of Mount Hope Bay from Bayview Avenue, Portsmouth

taken Monday morning..

digging ourselves out!

hello from Blizzard Central!


looking up my street




my neighbors car, minus the hood. Its under there somewhere!




looking up my street again, taken from my side door





back yard. pretty soon the birdbath will be buried!




at least I don't have to clear off much of the car!



back deck. the other two stayed clear cause of the wind. we're up to our asses in snow.



picnic anyone?