Mock Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls (bread machine)

This is the recipe I used to make Cinnamon Rolls and Cinnamon twist for my family this morning, and it was a hit!!!
Next time I will add a tad more Brown Sugar to the filling, as they weren't as sweet as I expected.

Dough -

1 cup warm milk (110* F)
2 eggs
1/3 Cup margarine, melted
4 1/2 Cups All purpose Flour
1 tsp. salt
2/3 Cup white sugar
3 tsp Rapid Rise Yeast


Filling -

1 cup packed Brown Sugar (I will add 1/4c more next time)
3 Tbsp. ground Cinnamon
1/3 Cup butter, softened

Icing -

3 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup of Butter softened
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Place dough ingredients into bread machine in order recommended by manufacturer. Select Dough cycle and start.

After dough is together, and has doubled in size, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and let rest for 10 minutes.

Mix together the filling mixture, set aside.

Roll out dough to a 1/8" - 1/4" thickness.

For Twist -

Trim sides down to an even edge. Spread filling over dough, and fold in half putting the two long edges together.

Cut into 3/4" strips, and twist, pulling slightly as you twist. Lay into a greased and floured baking pan.

Let rise for 30 minutes, or until dough is doubled.

Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes

Use a rubber spatula to spread on icing as soon as you take these out of the oven!


For Cinnamon Rolls -

Trim the short sides so that the dough is fairly even - don't cut too much off.

Spread the filling evenly, reaching to the sides as far as possible, but keeping a 1/2" margin clean on one of the long sides.

Roll the dough starting at the long side without the clean edge, and roll to the clean edge.

Grease and flour a 9" x 13" baking pan.

Cut 1/2" - 3/4" rolls, and place them in the pan with sides barely touching.

Let rise for 30 minutes, or until rolls are doubled.

Preheat Oven to 400* F (200* C).

Bake Rolls for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Use a rubber spatula to spread on icing as soon as you take these rolls out of the oven!


- Patty
The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

Crock Pot Pork Loin

I made this for my family the other day, and it was "OMG Good"!!!

3 lb. Pork Loin
4-5 Potatoes

Rub -

3 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning
2 Tbsp. Dried Parsley
2 tsp. McCormick Tomato Basil Seasoning
1 1/2 tsp. Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper Seasoning
1 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
2 pkts. Sassoné Red (in the Spanish Food isle)


Put all rub ingredients in a gallon size zip lock bag, shake to mix.
Cut Pork loin in half, and place in zip lock bag, shake till well coated.
Refrigerate for 12-24 hours.

Day of -

Peel potatoes and cut long ways, then cut into 1/2" - 3/4" slices. Arrange slices on the bottom of the crock pot, add about 1/2" of water.

Lay Pork Loin on top of the potatoes so that the pork DOES NOT touch the bottom of the pot, or the sides (if possible).

Cover, and cook on low 4-6* hours.

Remove pork loin and potatoes from the crock pot.

Optional -
Make a roux with Butter and Flour and use the drippings from the crock pot to make a gravy for the potatoes.

I served this with nice big steamed Broccoli florets, and my family loved it!!

*cooking time will depend on the heat levels of your crock pot.

- Patty
The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

Salt Clay

I love, love, LOVE this stuff!!!

4 cups All Purpose flour
1 cup table salt
Cold water (approximately 1 1/2 - 2 cups)
Food coloring if desired


In a large bowl (because you will need room to kneed!) mix together the four and salt.

At this point, if you wish to color the clay before drying, add the food coloring to the water. I recommend using about 20 drops for a good color.

Gradually add the water to the flour and salt mixture. Your looking to get a clay / play dough consistency.
Once the consistency desired is reached, you can now begin your projects!!

Here are a few ideas -

Home made holiday ornaments

Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and use a lolly pop stick to punch a hold in the soft clay - this will make it easier to string later. (these all make great gift ideas for teachers as well!!)
* Pumpkins for Halloween
* Trees for Christmas
* Hearts for Valentines day
* Eggs for Easter

I like to let these dry on the TOP of the stove (so this while the kids are playing outside, preoccupied with a movie, etc. You will need to prop the oven open, and you do NOT want the kids in the kitchen during that time.

Once you cut out the shapes, lay onto a cookie sheet, and set on top of the stove. Turn the oven on 350* and prop oven door open about half way. Let the shapes sit on top of the oven for about 2 hours. Then turn off the oven. Leave the shapes on top of the oven until all the heat from the oven is gone.

Let shapes cool completely before painting!

(you can also bake these shapes at 200* for about an hour, but they can bubble!)



Hand / Foot prints

Roll out a circle of dough about 8 inches round and 1 inch thick, and place it into a glass pie plate.
Have your child press his / her hand or foot into the dough.

Bake in the oven at 250* for an hour and a half with the oven door CLOSED. (I do not recommend using the air drying method for the bowls, or any other *thick* craft as it may not dry completely).



Decorative Bowls

Choose a OVEN safe item (Cupcake pan, tart pan, etc), roll the dough out to a good size circle (depending on the size bowl you are using, you want about a 1 inch over lay) and lay a moist paper towel over the bowl you will be using to shape the one you are making. Once you are done forming the bowl you can decorate the outside with small glass tiles, gems, etc.
DO NOT REMOVE CLAY FROM THE BOWL!!

Bake the bowl upside down in the oven at 200* for about 1 hour. (I do not recommend using the air drying method for the bowls, or any other *thick* craft as it may not dry completely).


- Patty
The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

Crock Pot Easy Potato and Ground Turkey Casserole

My Aunt used to make this in the oven all the time, but she would use ground beef. I used ground Turkey this last time, and it came out really yummy!! So I wanted to share the recipe!

Ingredients

6-8 Rustic Potatoes, peeled, and slicked into 1/4"-1/2" slices
1 lb ground Turkey, cooked, drained, crumbled
1 - 12oz bag frozen corn (canned corn works fine as well)
1 envelope Lipton Beefy Onion Soup Mix


Directions

Cook and drain the Turkey.

Mix the soup with 4 Cups of boiling hot water (I use hot water from the tap! works just fine!), set aside.

Peel the potatoes and slice them once you are ready to start the crock pot.

Begin layering the ingredients in even amounts until the potatoes are all gone.

Start with the Potatoes on the bottom, then do some turkey, and some corn. Another layer of potatoes, and another layer of turkey and corn. Keep in mind, you dont want to cover the potatoes, just sprinkle about 1/4 - 1/3 of the meat and corn on each layer.

Once all the layers are finished, pour the onion soup mix on top. At this point you can add salt and/or pepper.

Cover and turn on low - cook 6-7 hours until potatoes are fork tender, and starting to brown in color on top.

Hope you enjoy this!!!

- Patty
The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

Why am I a SAHM?

I grew up seeing the differences between a home with a SAHM and one without. But as much as I always wanted to be a house wife, and SAHM, I never thought I could, or would. I loved working too much, I loved the break, the social aspects of work - I loved having people to see outside of my home, and I loved having the money to go do things.

Well, in 2009 I was involved in a rather abusive relationship with someone who was abusing drugs. by October 2009, I was pretty much fed up - I was ready to leave. My depression had hit a all time low, I lost all my friends, I couldn't go anywhere, and my daughter and I stayed at my ex's house every weekend. If we didn't  my phone would blow up, or she was checking on me, or wanted to know why I was mad at her. All because I wanted some down time.

I wasn't married to her, I was dating her.

In November 2009 the unthinkable happened. While she had pushed, smacked, and shoved me several times, she had never full on attacked me.

We left for church, and I told her before we left that I had to get my stuff and go. I couldn't handle the relationship anymore and it was wearing me down. She begged me not to go, asked me to please just go to church with her, and to pray about it. I did....

when we got back to her house, I asked her to open the door so I could get my things, she refused. Her father (who lived downstairs or the two family) opened the door for me, and I started packing my things. She was furious, and so angry. She started calling people, she started telling my daughter how I lied, and how I don't love her (my ex) anymore, and that we were leaving. She really pulled my daughter into it.

After I packed all my things into the car - TV and all, I asked her to get out. I told her I was going home and I wanted her out. She refused.

We drove maybe half a while from her house and while I Was driving down a side street, out of no where, she started attacking me. Punching me in my head, my face, my shoulder and my arm. I had cuts from a ring she was wearing, my ear was bleeding, my eye was swelling - and all this took place while my daughter was in the car watching, screaming for her to stop.

I still cry thinking of how she much have felt, helpless, in the back seat yelling for someone to help Mommy.

My childhood was filled with unmentionable abuse - abuse that took place in and outside of my home. My father was a very angry man, and his step father ...... he did things I dont feel the need to speak about.

Anyways, after all this happened - I cowered. My depression got even worse, I felt worthless, I felt like I could never be loved, and no one would ever see me as someone worth loving.

Then, I met Andrew. He was performing at a local bar, and I went to see him. Love at first sight? I think so ;)

He has spent the last 3 years undoing what my ex did to me.

In December of 2009 I lost my job at Key Bank.  My FMLA had ran out, and I was spending more time off the phones crying in the bathroom than I was helping customers.

I tried so hard over that summer to fix what was happening, I felt like I could be her superwoman and help her get her life straight - I was wrong.
So when I met Andrew, I was broken, weak, and unable to even feel anything worthy of love.

I still felt like it was all my fault, and I did for well over a year.

I have struggled with depression and BiPolar for the majority of my life. In and out of counseling, on and off of med's. I placed a child in adoption, and I lost one child to his father.

I wasn't able to stay in counseling, or to stay on meds - I was working full time and I couldn't afford my medical plan. I had no idea what I was doing when I signed up.

On top of all this I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in July 2009, and I had no idea how to cope. But on top of it, my legs were going weak and giving out on me. I was blacking out and passing out. But through the MRI's, CAT scans, and EEG's, nothing shows up. I feel like I am lost.

So, I pour my life into my home. Some days are better than others - some days I spend on the couch all day wanting nothing more to cry, but fearing if I start I wont stop, other days I bake and clean until the house is beautiful and smells yummy. But the minute my daughter runs in that door from school, or comes in from playing outside in the summer, I wrap her in my arms, and know she is ok.

The biggest part of my depression is fear - fear that what happened to me will happen to her. I never want her to feel worthless like I did. And when Andrew came along, he made both of our life's better.

Like any married couple, we have our ups and downs - but he is my rock. And he is Kathleen's Daddy. And I couldn't be happier to be a SAHM so I can show them, on my good days, just how much I love them.

So you see, my decision to be a SAHM wasn't because Andrew made enough money to cover two salaries (because he makes just above minimum wage), it wasn't because I just loved spending time caring for my kids 24/7 (had I done this when Kat was a baby or a toddler, I would have lost my mind), and I didnt do this because I am lazy (I go stir crazy on a daily basis).

I did this because my disability keeps me from working - most days (99% of the time) it keeps me from even walking out the front door. I live in fear that if I Walk out of the house, something bad will happen - Murphy's Law. When I do leave, its never alone, and almost always with Andrew.

but I found comfort in knowing, I can still provide for my family - even if not financially. I can cook for them, I can clean for them, I can show them all the love I can. And when I cant do those things, Andrew does. He knows how hard it is for me to lead a normal life. But in the end, I try my hardest to be as normal as possible.

I guess you can say, in a way, I didnt chose this lifestyle, this lifestyle chose me.

I was just lucky to have an amazing Grandma to show me how to do it right, when I can....

*Patty*

"Chicken in a hurry"

as the Girls say - it doesn't cook in a hurry, but you can prepare it in a hurry.
I WILL be making these with the slow cooker Cheddar Mac!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 - 3 Pounds of chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 Cup of ketchup

• 1/4 Cup of water

• 1/4 Cup of brown sugar, packed
• 1 envelope onion soup mix

Directions

1. Step One

   Arrange chicken in slow cooker.

2. Step Two

   Combine remaining ingredients and then pour over the chicken.

3. Step Three

   Cover and cook on HIGH for 4–5 hours or on LOW for 7–8 hours.
   
   via
   crockingirls.com
   
   - Patty
   The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

Crock Pot Cheddar Mac

Ingredients

• 1 (16-ounce) Package of Macaroni
• 2 Cups of Half and Half
• 1 Can of Cheese Soup
• 1/2 Cup of Butter, melted
• 4 Cups of Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Directions

1. Step One

   Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.

2. Step Two

   Combine pasta with remaining ingredients and place into 6-quart slow cooker.

3. Step Three

   Cover and cook on LOW for 2–2 1/2 hours.
   
   via
   crockingirls.com
   
   - Patty
   The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

Cheesy Ham & Potato Casserole

My Aunt used to make this and bring it to all the family reunions. I was excited to find the recipe!! I'll be making it very soon!


1- 1.5 Pounds of Ham, cube
8 Rustic Potatoes, peeled and diced
1 Small Onion, dice (I wont use this because the Hubby is allergic)
2 Cups of shredded Cheddar
1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup plus 1/2 can of milk mixed


Layer these items in a slow cooker; potatoes, ham, (onion), cheese, potatoes, ham, cheese, soup.
cook on low heat for 8 hours. 

OR you can bake this in the oven at 350 until potatoes are fork tender 

- Patty
The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

"Come Together Roast"

"Come Together Roast"

Ingredients

• 3 Pounds of Beef or Pork Roast (coated* and browned)
• 3-4 Whole of Large Potatoes (cut into chunks)
• 1 Pound of Baby Carrots
• 2 Cups of Celery, diced
• 1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1/2 Cup of Water
• 1 Package of Brown Gravy Mix
• 1/2 Cup of flour
• 1-2 Tablespoons of Garlic seasoning
• 1-2 Tablespoons of Onion Powder

Directions

1. Step One

   Coat roast in mixture and brown on the stovetop.

2. Step Two

   Place veggies in the bottom of the slow cooker and place the roast on top.

3. Step Three

   Mix ½ cup water with ½ of the can of cream of mushroom soup (save the remaining soup for gravy) and pour over the top.

4. Step Four

   Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours.

5. Step Five

   When done cooking, remove roast and veggies.

6. Step Six

   Add ½ can of cream of mushroom soup and the prepared brown gravy to the juices that are left in the bottom of the slow-cooker.

7. Step Seven

   Stir until smooth and serve the gravy over roast and veggies!
   
   via
   crockingirls.com
   
   - Patty
   The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff w/ Cream Cheese

Beef Stroganoff with Cream Cheese – made in a slow cooker

Ingredients

• 1.25 Pounds of Cubed Beef Stew Meat
• 2 Cans of Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1 Onion, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons of Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/4 Cup of Water
• Beef Broth or Red Wine
• Dash of Garlic Salt
• 8 Ounces of Cream Cheese
• Egg Noodles

Directions

1. Step One

   In slow cooker, combine uncooked meat and all ingredients EXCEPT cream cheese and noodles.

2. Step Two

   Cook on low setting for 8 hrs or high for about 5 hrs.

3. Step Three

   Approx. 15-20 min before serving, add the cream cheese; stir occasionally until melted.

4. Step Four

   Approx. 10 minutes before serving, add uncooked noodles, push down in sauce to get lightly coated; replace lid, but stir occasionally until noodles are soft and ready to eat.
   
   via
   crockingirls.com
   
   - Patty
5. The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook
6. 
   

Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey Garlic Chicken

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breats, I used 4
• 3 Garlic Cloves, smashed and chopped
• 1 Teaspoon Dried Basil (I used Fresh)
• 1/2 cup  Soy Sauce
• 1/2 cup Ketchup
• 1/3 cup Honey

Add all ingredients to Gallon Size Freezer Bag.  When you are ready to cook this, put all ingredients into a crockpot and let cook for 3-4 hours on high.

via

TheKrazyCouponLady.com

- Patty
The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

Brown Sugar Chicken

Brown Sugar Chicken (Don’t Judge me)

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, I did 4
• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/4 cup Sprite (I will add this once I add everything to the crockpot)
• 2/3 cup Vinegar
• 3 cloves smashed and chopped garlic
• 2 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
• 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Add all ingredients to Gallon Size Freezer Bag, except for the Sprite.  When you are ready to cook this, put all ingredients into a crockpot, add the sprite and let cook for 3-4 hours on high.

recipe via The Krazy Coupon Lady

www.thekrazycouponlady.com

- Patty H.
The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

Crock Pot Meals - to Freeze, or not to freeze?

I keep coming across all these links on the web for crock pot meals you can freeze.

Sounds great to me! But, I guess if I had to pick, I would take 20 minutes before each meal, rather than 5 hours to fill my freezer with bags of food for my crock pot.

BUT, with that being said - I have my reasons.

I've never cooked frozen fresh potatoes, tomatoes, etc There are some foods I just cant imagine eating after freezing - even if I have bought them from the store frozen, I am always worried I will prep them wrong, and they will come out bad.

So, whats your take on it?

At any rate, I'm going to add some recipes I have collected from the web for Crock pot meals - frozen or fresh!

I hope you all enjoy them!

-Patty H.
The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

Nothing Last Forever!

They said the only things certain in life are life, death, and taxes. Well, I need to add another; all good things must come to an end.

Yes, I said it. And think about it, think of all the things you have enjoyed that eventually came to an end.

·         A family vacation

·         A good book

·         A good movie

·         A trip to an amusement park

·         A lunch with an old friend

·         Maybe, the life of a close friend

·         The life of a family member

·         The life of a family pet

·         A family dinner

·         Special time with the one you love

·         A special afternoon with your child

·         A family reunion

·         Cooking dinner together with your family

You see, there are a lot of things that we do that are special. The problem is, we don’t always appreciate them until they are over. What can we do to appreciate them today? What can we do so that we remember these moments, lives, or activities even after they are over?

Well, I bet the number one thing that popped into your head is photographs or video tapes. But lets me honest, all those photos can fade, get sun damage, DVD’s get scratched, hard drives crash, online files can get corrupted, even tiny SD cards can get erased. Trust me I have had these things happen.

But, when those things are gone, what do we have left?

While you were taking photos or recording the videos, were you more interested in the subject of the frame, or the moment taking place? Were you worried about little Sarah’s hair and smile looking perfect, or were you just wanted to capture her just as she was running around on that playground. When that photo is damaged or lost, will you remember her playing, or will you remember how hard it was to get her to sit still on the slide?

You see, there is no point of capturing the moment if you have to stage the moment. If you spend your time worrying about how the photo will look, you will spend hardly any time enjoying the moment you are trying so hard to capture.

My favorite photos of Kathleen, or of anyone, are the ones when they aren’t looking, or don’t know I’m taking them, or when they ignore the camera all together.

THAT is when the moment is happening, THAT is what you want to capture. I mean, think about it. If you just wanted to take pictures of Johnny sitting on the swing, you could pack him up, grab the camera, and drive around and try out every playground in the city until you found just the right background. Then you would shoot 20 photos to see where you get the best light, least shadow, and best background scenery.

But that’s not what you want to catch is it? Because by frame 10, Johnny’s smile is weak, and he is slouching, and you’re fighting over getting him to look like he is really swinging, or really having fun.

What you really want, is to get a photo, and keep the memory of Johnny laughing and playing, and having fun with his little cousin, or sister, or best friend at the park. So, if those things are already happening, why stage it?

Let Johnny play, and snap the photos, 5, 10, 15, 30 at a time if you need to, and just pick the one you love the most. Because those are the memories you are trying to capture.

But let’s face it; you can’t always have a camera at your hip, so what about the other times? What can you do to make those times special so that they are never forgotten?

- Patty H.
The All-in-One Parent on FaceBook

Stay At Home Moms and Dads, Intro

Its not 1950 anymore, and things have changed, a lot!!

Mom's aren't the only ones staying home with the kids anymore! And not all households have a Mommy! Times have changed, and so have us SAHPs!

I remember spending a lot of time at my Grandma & Papa's home. He worked, and she stayed at home. She did the cooking, the cleaning, the washing, and the shopping - My Papa did the working, and the household repairs.

In my home - my Mom & Dad both worked, we didn't spend much time with them. When my Dad became disabled, he did everything - cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.

On a personal note - I remember my dad always being quite angry, and vocal about it, but when he couldn't work anymore, and became the SAHP, he became even more angry. I am sure he felt emasculated. He wasn't bringing home the "bacon" anymore, and he was doing the woman's work.

I remember thinking, I never want to do that. I never want to make my man feel less than how my Grandma made my Papa feel. But now I realize, it isn't about the man and the woman, its about the roles each plays, and its about each of them feeling satisfied in their roles.

If the man works and the woman stays at home - is he happy leaving the kids behind for work everyday to provide for them? If so, great! Is he able to set time aside on his days off to bond with them? Is the Mom happy spending her time cooking, cleaning, carpooling, and checking homework? If so, great! That's all that matters! And if the roles are reversed, and the Dad is at home, and the Mom is working, great! So long as they are both happy in the role! And if the two parent home is a same-sex couple, as long as each parent is happy in the role they are playing, that is ALL THAT MATTERS!!!!

Remember - even if we don't vocalize how we feel inside, the kids know when something is up!

So, that's what this blog and page are about.
Its about sharing tips about how to handle the household - be it a man or a woman doing the house duties. Cleaning, cooking, laundry, time management - learning to master all these things are what makes the home run smoothly. And even when we do master these things, there is no guarantee that the house will run smooth.

So, here I will share links I found, recipes I have tried, ideas I like to use, and things I would LIKE to TRY and see if they work.

I encourage you to do the same!!

Check out the link to my brand new FaceBook page below

www.facebook.com/SAHMandD

-Patty H.