Male or Female?

*Warning this may be a little scandalous for those of you with tender hearts, but you'll probably be the ones who get the biggest kick out of it.  You know who you are!  Those who are so good, but deep down inside you like a little sassiness.   This post is for you!*

So what is it male or female?  Which would you prefer?  I know I always go for the males if given a choice.  Years ago when my Jimmy worked at the Great Harvest Bread on 25th St. in Ogden he was working the counter bimbo shift when an older woman came in and asked for a male cinnamon roll.  A male cinnamon roll James questioned.  "Yah, you know the one with the nuts!"  The woman replied.  James blushed, and felt like he was almost sexually harassed.    It takes a lot for Jimmy to blush, but this little woman accomplished that.  It's been male or female at our house ever since.   Always with a giggle of course.

I love male fudge, but my Jimmy seems to like female fudge.  I love male cookies, and of course J love female cookies.  Maybe it's just our genetic background.  I love James and he loves me.  So this morning being the wonderful muther I am, I made cinnamon rolls for my little clan.  I made the first dozen female, and the second dozen male.  In reality I should have only made one male cinnamon since the family seems to prefer females.  So I have an entire pan to myself.  I'm eating for 2 now though, so I figure I might as well do it right.  

Yes you heard me right. We're having baby #5.  Jed will be 16 and Seth will be 8.  Laugh your guts out if you must.  I know I did when I found out that my friend Merideth was expecting, Tesha was having twins again, and Rachel was having #6.   I have to remember there is a bigger picture out there, and sometimes my plans don't fall quite in line with the eternal perspective.   Hence my lack of blogging the last few months.  I have to admit food has been my worst enemy.  It stinks, it smells, it lingers, and it stays on my loved ones breath for ever.  I wanted to barf at the slightest hint of garlic, bread, bacon........ even my favorite Chicken Enchilada soup.  My entire church smelled like garlic one Sunday.  I told James I was never going back, but I tell him that all the time.  I always go back.  But I'm feeling better now.  I haven't cried in 2 weeks, and I'm finely getting used to the fact that we aren't done.  My mother has been giddy, and my sister-in-law Katie is expecting too.  I'm not alone!!  My sister Hollie told me that I've always wanted and needed a 5th, but I was just too afraid to ask.  I believe her.  Heavenly Father knew he had to get this baby here by miraculous means, and he did.    

So I'm finely back to cooking.  Just in time for the holidays.  James was squeezing me last night in bed and told me how glad he was to have his Lisa back.  12 weeks of not feeling good is hard on loved ones, and I missed myself too, but I'm back.  I'll try to keep the posts coming, but for now I hope you enjoy the delicious male cinnamon rolls.  Happy gestation!!

My Favorite Roll Recipe

2 1/8 cups warm water

2 tablespoons active dry yeast

2 teaspoons salt

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup white sugar

6 cups bread flour

raisins and nuts optional for cinnamon rolls

Directions

In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, salt, oil, sugar, and 3 cups flour. Mix thoroughly, and let sponge rise until doubled in size.

Gradually add about 3 cups flour, kneading until smooth. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn several times to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled.

Punch down the dough, let it rest a few minutes. Divide dough into 2 equal parts. Shape into loaves, and place in three 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch greased bread pans.  Or divide dough into 2 and roll out for cinnamon rolls.  It makes about 2 dozen cinnamon rolls or orange rolls.   Let rise until almost doubled.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 to 45 minutes for loaves or 20-25 mins for cinnamon rolls.

Cream Cheese Frosting 

 1 8 oz. package Cream Cheese

1 cube butter

powdered sugar 

1/2 t. cinnamon 

milk to thin

Beat ingredients together until smooth and creamy.  Spread over warm cinnamon rolls.