Wow...

I am blessed to have such an amazing family.  These last two weeks were all about spending time together and making memories.  

My niece had a dance with a live band to celebrate her graduation and birthday.  It was the first time all of us kids were together since my brother came home.  

We all love to dance and my brother got to play with the band.  We had so much fun.  I want to thank my sister and her family for putting together such a great celebration. It is pretty crazy that my side of family has 3 cousins graduating and a graduate on my husband's side.  That is a lot to celebrate.

The next weekend was turkey hunting with my husband's nephew and his family.  It has been awhile since they all have been out.  Everyone got a turkey.  It was the youngest one's first turkey at our place.

While the guys were out in the woods us ladies had a grand time.  We watched a turkey peck Kyle's pickup.  It saw it's reflection in the chrome or maybe it was getting revenge.  We did some shopping, wine tasting, and baking.  The beekeeper came to work with the hives and gave an interesting lesson on bees.

 Everyone was able to try their hands at making something throughout the week.  I pride myself in having several recipes that require the use of a hammer.  Boys find the kitchen more intreging when a recipe calls for the hammer.

We found this wonderful recipe for 1 hour cinnamon rolls.  It was delicious and perfect for a crowd.

One Hour Cinnamon Rolls 

by Camille Paskett and Shanna Roberts

Mix and let sit for 15 minutes:

3 1/2 c. warm water

3/4 c. sugar

1/2 c. oil

6 T. yeast (4 1/2 instant yeast)

Then add:

1 T. salt

3 eggs

10 1/2 c. flour

Mix together for 10 minutes, then sit for 10 minutes. Oil the baking pans, dump out dough. Divide in half. Press one half out into rectangle. Spread with ¼ c. melted butter and then with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Roll up tight, but not too tight. Divide into 12 rolls and place in pans. Repeat with other half of dough. Let rise. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 400.  Makes about 24 rolls.

Cinnamon-Sugar

1c. sugar

1 T. cinnamon

 Frosting

1 cube butter

2 dashes salt

2 t. vanilla

6 c. powdered sugar

milk

Orange Rolls: Add orange juice concentrate to regular frosting

Chocolate Rolls: Add baking cocoa and a few drops of water to regular frosting

Cream cheese Rolls: Add cream cheese to regular frosting

I sent some honey home with the crew.  As I was getting it ready we noticed one jar was way darker than the other one.  Of course, we had to have a taste test.  The lighter honey was much sweeter and the dark honey had a richer flavor. 

The daffodils and guineas are blooming.  They look so happy to see the sun.

My bird feeding station took a dive this spring.  The bottom had rotted out.  I took it apart, cut off the rotten wood, made new feet, and stained everything.

Good as new.  I couldn't find a board for our numbers, so I added a wheel to the top.  

I still have one quilt left to finish.  Time is ticking.  I tried spray basting this time and I think I like it.  The test will be how it holds while I am quilting.

My husband has been anxious to start doing some farming.  Once it was nice he was out with his tractor.

 The guinea hen flowers are one of my favorite spring blooms.  If you are interested in learning more about them see the site below. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/guinea-hen-flower-fritillaria-meleagris/

Well it has been a fun and family filled May. All I can say is WOW I am one lucky person. Life is good.  I hope you are enjoying your family.  Do you have any graduations, reunions, or weddings coming up?  Is there a turkey hunting tradition in your family?