Mrs. Walter's Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Isn't it amazing how wonderful aromas can bring back such vivid memories from our childhood? One of those wonderful memories for me was from a tiny frame house where a

Fresh hot cinnamon rolls!  uh oh - minus 1!?( I love the center ones!)

baking in the oven (can't your smell them?)

sweet little lady, Mrs. Walters, baked for people in our little town. You could smell the bread baking from blocks away.  Her cinnamon rolls were a staple at our house anytime we were having guests.  Large and ooey gooey with lots of winds.  Every bite was to savor.  The browned butter icing filling every crevice  was a sensory delight.  She was kind enough to give us the recipe when I was a teenager.  Silly me for ever thinking I could duplicate.  I actually have a picture of my sister and I chiseling the icing out of the pan after a dismal failure.  Well it has taken me 40 years to get up the courage to try again and amazingly it was a success!!!  Not sure I can do it again but for this one time they were perfect.  It was such a large batch that I gave them out to several people and now they are asking for the recipe.  I am glad to share it with you and hope that you too can create memorable smells for your families to enjoy this holiday season.  I cannot guarantee your success any more than I can my own but I'm sure you will create warm memories just trying.  Enjoy!!!   ele

Recipe: ( this is half her recipe which will make about 2 dozen, can be doubled if you want)
1 package dry yeast
2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
6 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
5 Tablespoons melted shortening
1 egg

Measure warm water , add sugar  yeast and salt.  Add half the flour to this mixture and mix well. Add the shortening and 1 beaten egg. (you can add a few drops of yellow food coloring at this point if you would like) Add remaining flour and mix in bowl til smooth.  Allow this to rise til double in bulk ( about 2 hours)punch in down and roll out on a floured surface to about 1/3 inch thick into a large rectangle. Brush entire surface with melted butter and liberal sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar. Roll up from one end and cut into 1/2 to 1" pieces and place in a greased pan. Let these rise again till about double in bulk.  ( some rising will occur during baking)Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes. If not browned bake a little more.  While baking make icing.

Icing: Brown 1/2 cup sugar in skillet and then add 1 stick of butter and 1/4 cup milk.  don't be alarmed if it clumps at this point, keep stirring.  Add powdered sugar while stirring till you get it the consistency you want, should take about 1 lb.   Pour this over hot rolls to completely cover.  These freeze well but always serve warm to get the full pleasure. !

This is how the icing looks.

Bright spot in th midst of dreary sickness.

An inexpensive decorating idea.



The runners!

Precious sick baby Callan.

Sick, sick and more sick is what has eaten up the last month and put me so far behind this holiday season.  First I had the flu (Hump #1) and before I got well I was called to help with my sick grandbaby in Nashville who has caused her parents to miss a lot of work.  So we gladly went  over later  that week as I got stronger,  helped them out a couple of days and headed back to Memphis.  Hump #2 done. Then grandbaby came to Memphis a week later so her parents could run in the St. Jude 1/2 marathon and she woke up with the stomach virus  again.  Parents in a panic as she obviously could not go back to daycare the next day so I got in the car with them and went home to Nashville and stayed the next 4 days with a very sick baby.  Hump #3 went on endlessly for the little one. Meanwhile my hubby went down with the stomach virus (Hump # 4) and had to go it alone as his wife was off in Nashville.  Then my son began with the stomach virus  (Hump # 5)as soon as we got to Nashville. This virus is NOT a quick one and leaves your stomach problematic for several days.  Then just as baby was getting better her mother came down with a terrible throat and cough (Hump #6).  Then son caught the throat cold but got better quickly with juicing and veges. (ck out his new vegan blog  www.veganormous.com) Now I find out that the baby is back to diarrhea again!!!! (Hump #7 ongoing)  Running tests tomorrow.  Please pray.
 I say all this to tell you why I have not blogged in almost a month!  But I've been thinkin about ya!  So here are a couple of Christmas ideas I worked on during the sick duty.   These plastic  plates came from Hobby Lobby  at  1/2 price.  Just glued them together and put stick on letters for the JOY. Cute on a stand for about $7 total. The small plate came as you see it.  Got this cute idea from my sweet ( and sick) daughter in law. She also showed me hoe to make these tissue Christmas trees!  Just cut 2"x4" squares of tissue and bunch them up and pin them to foam tree forms. (also from Hobby Lobby)  Very easy to do and them set them on painted candlesticks to elevate them for a fun and inexpensive Christmas decoration. You all wash your hands and take your vitamins!!!  This sick season has way too much to offer!!!  hugs to all, ele

Farewell to Fall.......Sad to see you go

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. The air turns from humid and muggy to clear and crisp. The display of leaves is breathtaking. Football is in the air. I looooove it!!! So before we put away all the pumpkins and fall leaves I thought I would leave you with a few fall decor ideas. Tuck them away for next year and go on and try to get in the Christmas spirit while there are still red and gold leaves on the trees. (lots o' luck!)

A copper tray gathering a few fall items: pumpkins (1/2 price at Hobby Lobby, leaves and pheasant feathers from a family hunting trip). Doesn't take any special arranging, the piling up of it all makes it interesting.

A group of candlesticks will make any table festive.

Same great urn I use for so many occasions with some fall berries and vines.  Easy! Keep a look out for great containers that will have multi-uses. Please ignore the cleaning products in the background!  LOL

Front door welcome.  These baskets actually came from WalMart last year for about $20.  I just added the large mesh ribbon and one clump of grapes.  Door pieces can run hundreds of dollars so keep an eye out for inexpensive items that can be dressed up for very little extra money.

 These glass candlesticks were a bargain at Pier 1!  $5 each on clearance.  Since they are clear glass they can be used with any colors of candles and for any occasion.  I'm a sucker for candlesticks!!

You all have a blessed Thanksgiving!.  I am most thankful to the Lord Jesus for my family and friends.
Hugs all around, ele

Moving is the pitts!!! New apartment tour.

Hi ya'll,
No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. As you know members of my family have been in a state of flux and who knew it would be so all consuming?! ( one daughter moved, husbands office sold and then moved, took a load to son in Nashville, and will help move other daughter to her new house next week!  The end is in sight.) Youngest daughter is now safely tucked in her new apartment in Bradenton, Florida. It took 3 trips and driving one VERY LARGE truck down there to make it all happen but all is well now. (When are parents too old to help kids move?????) If you remember we were picking up bargain furniture for her and refinishing. It all turned out pretty cute! Here is a quick tour of her new place. There is still much to be done but I think it was a pretty good start.
Hope you enjoy and I will be back soon.  I promise.
hugs, ele

It all started with the fabric on the pillows. Then the blue and green were pulled out.  Lacey painted the trays on the table freehand. Still a few details to add but pretty cute.

You can see the print a little better on these chairs.  Remember the Drexel Heritage dining room set we got at a thrift store?  these are the arm chairs painted black.  The side chairs are at the dining table. Love the way these turned out.

Guest room.  Lacey painted this pic but doesn't like it, so I hung it when she wasn't looking!. I really like it in place of a headboard to come later. 

Wish you could see the cute linen shade with scrip writing on it that we put on that naked floor lamp.  Maybe she will send me a pic.

Great Drexel Dining Table.  Painted side chairs we upholstered in the lime green.  Still may paint the table legs but haven't quite decided.

View toward the kitchen and patio.

The reason you move to Florida is the view of the water, right???  She gave up a washer and dryer in apartment to get this view.  I think is was a good swap don't you?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh... It was all worth it at the end of the day.  Sunset from her patio.

Paint a New Face!

Hi Ya'll!

     Been away far too long so will try to do better! While I was away I have become obsessed with redoing, re purposing, reinventing,    .....you get the idea.  Thrift stores have become my favorite haunt.  It all started with helping child #3 prepare for her new digs in Florida.  Another post coming soon on how her furniture is coming along.  But then I went shopping in my own house.  I found this old wooden tray. Not bad as it is but a little tired looking.  Soooo with a little paint it is now a special part of my guest room  for only the price of a little paint.  Go shopping in your home and see what kind of hidden treasure you can find.  Hugs, ele

Go Bold in Small Spaces!

Have you ever seen a wonderful wallpaper or fabric that was very big and bold and thought to yourself, 'I could never pull that off'', or  'I like that but I don't think I could take a lot of it'?.  The answer is to use it in a small place.  Half baths, utility rooms, and entry halls are perfect places to go bold. Just because a space is small does not mean it can't be fun or have bold impact.  Here is a half bath of my friends new home,  the black molding really sets off this bold paisley. ( this home actually won a home show for the design the year before she bought it)

I also have used bold pattern in my entry hall.  I have actually had this paper up for 10 years and am not a bit tired of it.  You can see it through my glass front doors and I love coming into it.

So don't be afraid, go out thee and BE BOLD! You will love it!!!

hugs to all, ele

Furniture makeover

Ahhhhhhhhhh, where has the time gone?????  Who knew it takes so much time to help your last (boo hoo) child get all packed up and ready for her 'real life' move to Florida?!  It has been a lot of fun getting stuff at resale and thrift shops and redoing for the new digs. (yes, I just said digs, hmmmmmm dating myself?)  I wanted to show you a little progress report.  I think I told you that we found a vintage Drexel Heritage dining room suite and were redoing it.  Here are the original chairs. Great 'bones' don't you think??

So we found a fabric remnant that she loved and the redo went from there.  We only had 1 1/2 yard fabric so we had to add coordinates.  I have found that when you have to work at something because of limiting factors that many times it comes out even better and more interesting.  So she started with the floral and then added the apple green diamonds and the solid blue.  Such fun colors!!!!!  Ok here is the reveal of the chairs.

Are these not just the most fun??!!!  I want them!!!!  My daughter has really good taste and an eye for color.  We haven't quite decided what to do about the table.  Thinking of painting just the legs maybe black shiny like the chairs of maybe an antiqued blue and leave the top wood toned.  Will keep you posted.  Let us know what your vote would be.  Hope this has inspired you !!!!

hugs, ele

Have you heard about...........

I hope this finds you all resting after a fun weekend.  I was sooooo productive!  I got the upstairs sorted through and cleaned out!!!!  Oh MY Goodness, I had started this clean out in the winter and just got bogged down (been there?) .  It feels sooo good to have it done.  This leads me to something that will be coming up in the near future.  I am going to be offering at greatly reduced prices (some even FREE!) the leftover inventory from my Antique Booths!!!  Watch for it!!!

Now on to my new obsession......PINTEREST!!!  Have you heard of it?  It may be old news to some of you but I am a newbie!!!  Basically it is online bulletin boards.  Think about it.  How many times have you been on a website and thought that you wish you could remember that idea or recipe.  Well now you can.  It is super easy.  You can have as many boards with individual subjects a you want.  I think I have 7 right now.   I am sure I will have more soon.  It is like organized clutter!!!  AND... you can follow your friends boards and repin their best ideas on your boards!!!!  By the way, did I say SOOOO MUCH FUN!!!???  Just go to Pinterest.com and look for friends, (you can start with me if you want).  You will be surprised at how useful this is.  Kindof like a filing cabinet of ideas but no clutter!!!  Gotta love it!  Beware.... it is addictive!!!
Have a great week!!!!  Hugs to all ele

Painted Furniture!! Everywhere!!!

One thing that became very clear while I was at market recently is that painted furniture is what is HOT! Any style furniture can have a whole new look with a painted finish.  Some are finished with a distressed look while others are painted in shiny lacquer.  All colors are out there.  You can breathe new life into an old boring piece of furniture or buy new that is already painted.  My youngest daughter and I have been haunting thrift stores lately and giving new life to some great old pieces.  We actually found a vintage Drexel Heritage dining room set that is awesome with the chairs painted shiny black.  when we finish with it I will post pics.  Soooo much fun!!  So don't throw it out, PAINT IT! Here are a few pics of great painted furniture I have run into lately.

Have fun with your decorating!!!  ele





tobifairley.com





tobifairley.com





I actually bought this pair of little tables for my new guest room.



More Pics from Market

You all asked for more pics from market so here they are.  If anything really speaks to you then let's work on it!  Don't put sprucing up off until the holidays are upon you, then it is too late!!  There are lots of ways to give you home a lift without spending a lot of money.

Say Cheeeeeeeeese!!! Friday's favorite!

 TGIF!!!!!!  Time for me to share a favorite of mine.  Today I am sharing something my friend Maria got me started on.  It is Dubliner cheese and I get it at Costco. (of course!) I was a late bloomer when it came to cheese but when I did start liking it (as an adult) i went over the top.  Now I don't want anything without cheese!  I probably would have never tried this cheese had my friend not raved about it. The reason is that it comes in a large block and I don't usually like to commit to that big a purchase unless I know I like it.  But when my friend Maria tells you something is good you can just take it to the bank! ( however I don't think she has ever NOT liked a restaurant and that is really suspect!) This one is a real winner.  It is somewhere between a cheddar and a Parmesan.  I'm not really sure how to describe it except very flavorful.  Now that does NOT mean strong, as I don't really like 'stinky cheeses' like blue cheese, etc.  I would just say yummy!!!   Thanks Maria!!!

Everyone have a great weekend!!!  ele

Back from Atlanta Market

 Hi Ya'll!!
I've been away from you waaaaaay too long!!!  First my computer got eaten by a virus (Do Not google Nicaragua!)  and then the first guy didn't do a good job getting it off, soooo after being out of town a week had to call in the good guys!!!!  Yea I'm back! I promise not to stay away this long anymore.

I just want to peak your interest about all that is going on in the design world.  I will be specific with lots of pictures soon.  I tell you it is an overwhelming feast for the eyes.  I know you all want to go but believe me when everything in the world is under one roof it is
VERY overwhelming and one set of feet and legs just cannot last too many days. (at least not these old dogs)  Things to look for in design:
*Bold rugs
*Lots of shiny silver ( lamps, vases, trays, etc)
* Gray (not my favorite but paired with another great color can be nice)
*Tile or garden gate patterns on everything!
*Red  lots of it
*Orange  lots of it
*Anything bamboo
 Ok, enough for now, will expound later in detail.  But just to throw you a bone, here are a few pics of market displays.
See you soon!!  ele