The Christmas Carol Roll

Hello friends! This is a family tradition and a crowd favorite!

Christmas Carol Roll

DOUGH:
Soften:
1 tbsp. yeast
1/4 cup water.

Combine:
3/4 c. hot scalded milk
3 tbsp. shortening
2 tbsp. sugar
1.5 tsp salt

Stir in 1 beaten egg, and the softened yeast.

Add gradually:
2 1/2 - 3 cups flour.
Knead well (5-7 min)

Place in greased bowl, let rise in warm place until doubled in size (approx. 1 hour)

CINNAMON, SUGAR, and NUT MIXTURE:
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. chopped nuts (walnut/pecan)

FROSTING:
1 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. milk

DIRECTIONS:
Line pizza pan with foil then grease. Roll the dough and cut into strips 6-8 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Dip in melted butter then in the cinnamon/nut mixture. While rolling in hands (like a snake) press the cinnamon mixture into the dough. Wind into a flat coil in pan (will resemble a LARGE cinnamon roll). Cover with greased plastic wrap or foil. Let rise in a warm place until double in size. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes. Cool slightly and drizzle with frosting.

Some of the recipe can be prepared the night before to save work on christmas morning. Follow the above directions until the dough is complete and folded into a coil. Cover well with greased foil, freeze. In the morning unthaw for 3-4 hours till the dough has doubled in size. Bake as directed above.

Awkward...

Why oh why do women that are not close friends or family have the need to divulge intimate information...

Let me explain.

Today I was speaking with a fellow employee, when she brings up the subject of kids. She has 2. She then asks me the usual question
"When are you guys going to have kids?"
Me:
Her: "We are going to start trying again."
Me: "Oh really? That is nice." (hoping she would leave it at that...but nope! She had to take it a step further...)
Her: "We are going to start trying in February".

Why dear people, do you think that people want to know WHEN your going to try? Isn't it easy enough and clear to simply say "We would like to have more kids" or even "Hopefully in a year or so we will have another babe"... Why do mere acquaintences have to take it that one step further... What am I to say in response to her comment? "Oh February, why not tonight?"

So my dear sisters, cousins, and bestest girly friends and by all means I want to know what is happening in your lives and want all the details you feel comfortable enough to share... but this was just such an awkward exchange... I just couldn't help but post it!

Conundrum... What do you think?

Permanent marker as eyeliner? Bad idea or innovative genius? I hate running out of my morning essentials... I look in the mirror and 'it' as in 'I' don't look complete. So I sit here. Staring at my Black Sharpie Permanent Marker wondering "Why not?"

Giving Thanks

There is much to be thankful for in my life. I thought I would name a few that have been of the most influence the past week.
I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ! Without the savior and his amazing sacrifice I am nothing. He is my light. My redeemer. My brother.
I am thankful for the opportunity to serve in the church as a little primary chorester. Music is my passion and I love being able to teach the gospel through song. The song I chose for November was "I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me". The words to this song always make me cry when I read them.
I am thankful to be a daughter of an amazing lineage. I have always been proud of my family and how close we all are. I have always been proud to be linked to "The Freak'n Vreekens". And echoing my sweetie Adam's sentiments at Thanksgiving dinner "I am thankful that our family enjoys each other so much". They are my best friends and are SO hillarious and SO funny! I think it's rare to find a huge family that can gather together in one place for four and five days and have no conflicts! Just lots of laughs and lots of fun!
I am thankful for a beautiful and working vehicle!!!
I am thankful for Ad, Addie, Adalaid, Adkins, Adel, Big A, ADAM!!! You love me and for that I am eternally grateful! You are an amazing example and work incredibly hard! Your sweet, funny, and have so many interests which makes it easy for you to relate to people and to be around! You will be an amazing father (NO this is not an annoucement) and I super super love you!
I am thankful for awesome friends. I have an amazing group of friends and I am thankful that we are still so close and that Adam has found close friendships with some of their husbands!
I am thankful and proud to be an American! I am thankful for the freedoms that I enjoy everyday because of this wonderful land which we live. I am thankful for all of those amazing individuals past and present that have sacrificed, died, labored, and prepared the way for our liberty and freedom.

Thanksgiving is such a special time of year, and what better holiday to fall in direct coorespondance with the celebration of our savior's birth than one that asks us to recognize His hand in all things?

Happy Holidays everyone! Much Love!

So TIRED!

The timeline: October 23rd - November 20th
The idea: "Twilight" opening night
The perk: Marci's salon, Visions and it's counterpart Professional Design, were selling opening night tickets to Twilight for $15, companied with a free $25 waxing gift certificate and raffle for other prizes like free lazer hair removal, botox, haircuts, spray tans, permanent makeup, dinner tickets, etc...
The wait: As November 20th approaches, Cheri gets a cold, and doesn't feel as young as she once did... a midnight movie is sounding less appealing...
The saddness: Poor Shan came down with the fall sickies and couldn't join in the long awaited events.
The arrival: Show day or should I say show night, arrives! Ad and I grab snacks and dinner and meet up with Marci at Visions Salon and head over to the Jordan Commons.
The people: Holy shmolly! Talk about an estrogen convention! Adam was certainly in the minority!
The wait again: Got to the theatre, waited in line, were seated, then waited some more :)
The hype: There were tons of vendors selling everything from 'Twilight' cups which were "special" to T-Shirts.
The experience: Hillarious
The review: CHEESY and ENTERTAINING. The rest will have to wait till after Shanny has seen it.

*** I do have pictures... but it's now time to move on and I am now posting this a week and a half late... so what cha get is what cha get!!!

The Cure

About a week ago we were discussing fears and my friend Sam said that my fear of clowns was too cliche to be considered a real fear. Well I think I have found the cure!

This is the newest little peanut in the family! Her name is Kiley and I just want to kiss that little face all the time!