I've always loved cinnamon but even more so once I discovered saigon cinnamon for my
apple butter recipe several years ago.
I find cinnamon is a very comforting spice and I often find ways to use it throughout the dark and cold fall and winter days. That being said, I don't make cinnamon buns often for the fact that I can not stop at just one. The aroma and it's pillowy-soft bread that easily pulls apart draws me in and once the sweet icing and cinnamon flavors hit my taste buds, a trance-like effect washes over me and I am a slave to it's magical powers. I kid you not, I probably ate 2 at one sitting and then when lunch rolled around I ate another 2.
Shameful? Nah. Everyone has their demons and the first step in addressing addictions is admitting them, and I won't lie to you, I refuse to move through the other recovery steps as it is not an addiction I want to cure. I manage well enough with limiting my cinnamon bun making to several times a year. Chocolate, on the other hand, well, that is another post and a half I could write about!
The last time I made a batch, I believe I was watching many back-to-back episodes of Mad Men and I was swept up with 60's housewife nostalgia, and made a batch to be baked in the morning. I wouldn't say I fully played the part since I did not fix my hair and put on makeup. Also, I passed on the pastel flower print dress but I did don my flower print apron, complete with oven gloves, and a big cheerful smile when presenting my kids and hubby with a pan of warm cinnamon buns that morning. I earned my #1 Mom pin that day.
Will I wake up earlier to bake another batch for breakfast? Probably not. I am not a morning person but I did hear that the new season of Mad Men starts up in April. Never say never is a motto that I live by and the smell of cinnamon buns in the morning might once again snag me.
Happy New Years!
I'm doing this post entirely from my phone: photos and text. I'm late to the game in realizing that blogger had an app (I should have known better though, there is an app for everything!). Hope the post looks OK on your computer screens!
I've felt so guilty about not posting but I've had other priorities come first these last several months and when the evening would come around, I had no more mental energy to put forth into my much-loved hobbies. I think if my camera had feelings, it would be suffering from depression due to lack of social contact :(
The Christmas holidays have been relaxing though. I've spent a lot of free time doing nothing other than watching tv or reading, the passive mental activity is exactly what I've needed. Our schedules are all over the place as we have done plenty of staying up late and sleeping in late. Monday morning is going to hurt suffice to say. There were moments of stir craziness and moments of wanting everyone back to school/work because I'm craving structure and routine, but mostly I have enjoyed being surrounded by my family and friends.
"Mom. I want a Minecraft party."
For those of you who don't have children or know computer games,
Minecraft, is da bomb in our household.
While I wish I could be that blogger that is timely with her posting, alas, I am not. Though I don't feel very sorry about that, for many various reasons, but mostly because I do get around to it...eventually! Little over a month ago, I attended the opening of
Cafe Bicyclette in La Cite Francophone, the french quarter of Edmonton.
One thing I was very excited about was that they had an outdoor area with heaters, fireplaces and blankets! This instantly reminded me when we were in Europe last year and I pointed out to the hubby that we just don't have anything like that in Edmonton! Now we do! I wonder though, has anyone been there with all our recent snowfall? I'm sure it's a beautiful sight!
My kids were glued to their computers, playing some collaborative online game, for most of the morning. PD days are the "best school days ever!" according to my kids who revel in their pj-wearing, computer-playing and snacking-all-day, glory.
"Hey kids! You wanna go downtown for lunch? There is a chili cook off!" I yell out.
...crickets...
I should know better than to pose questions.
"Guess what! We are going downtown to meet dad for lunch at the
River City Round Up chili cook off!" I say in my excited, matter-of-factly, voice.
...groans...
