I made LindaC's cinnamon buns/rolls last week and while I was happy with the end results, I messed up a bit and knew I could do better. Basically, last week I made the dough in my KA which I do not recommend as it tends to over mix the dough, bringing out the stickiness and making one think it needs more flour. This time I mixed it with a wooden spoon to start, and then kneaded it on my counter top adding flour as necessary. After I made the dough, I remembered Lou's plea for photos and a tutorial. So here it is, unfortunately minus the mixing of the dough. But the recipe I used was very easy for the dough. Basically proof the yeast and start dumping in the other ingredients. I used LindaC's recipe as a base and added 1 and 1/4 cups brown sugar mixed with a generous tbs of cinnamon for the filling. I spread about 1/3 cup soft butter before I put down the brown sugar mix. The icing is a combo of almost equal parts cream cheese, butter and a cup or more of powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla. Next a rise of about 1.5 hours: Punched down: Rolled out like buttah: Spread with softened butter: Add brown sugar mixed with cinnamon: Start rolling up on the long side: finished roll: Sliced, in a greased pan, then let rise 30 min: Out of the oven: Iced:

I never make grilled cheese sandwiches because I make soft tacos or quesadillas instead - I've always eaten more tortillas than bread. I do make a Reuben sandwich, however, and recently I started making panini. I generally have a sandwich for lunch, but I seldom take the time to heat or grill it, unless I'm making a Reuben. I do prefer hot sandwiches, however, and so maybe I should start grilling them this month! Today's sandwich was smoked turkey breast, Italian salami, smoked ham, Jarlsberg cheese, tomato, and lettuce on Swedish rye bread. I would have to leave the lettuce off if I grill it. Thanks for the suggestion! Lars

I actually celebrated National Quilting Day a few days early with my Mom. The Southport Quilters Guild held their Annual Quilt Show at the Kenosha Public Museum (on the shore of Lake Michigan.) I knew it would be crowded on Sat., the 17, and it would be very hard for my 89-yr-old Mom to get around with all those people there, listening to speakers and such. So we went last Tuesday, the 13th, in the early afternoon, and she was able to use one of the museum's wheelchairs to get around. Very few people were in the quilt display area, so we had a wonderful time gazing at all the beautiful quiltwork. "Stars" was the theme of the show. I was inspired by the high quality hand and machine piecing and quilting. My Mom was intensely interested in the small "challenge" quilts displayed on one wall. The challenge was to design a small wall hanging (less than 24" x 24") using a color pallet of three shades/tints of a color plus only one other color. My Mom, being an artist herself, was intrigued with the creative landscapes/seascapes and tiny intricate designs of the quilters. After seeing the show, I decided to add something else to my "To Do" list...learn to make Prairie Points! Julie

Wow, thanks, it looks wonderful with the cream cheese … I'll have to try that, yum!! This is a recipe my mom had, but with some tweaks of mine. I don't cream or sift or anything, just throw it all in and mix it with my hand mixer. I grease the loaf pan with Country Crock and bake at about 350º. It takes 50-60 minutes depending on how much banana and whether it's in the glass or metal loaf pan (glass takes longer). I run a knife around the edges when it comes out and let it cool for at least 1/2 hour before trying to remove it onto a plate. 1 stick soft butter (original said 1/3 cup shortening) 1 tsp vanilla 2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp soda 3/4 tsp salt 2/3 cup sugar (I use brown but white also works) 2 eggs 1-3/4 cup flour (I use whole wheat) 2 large or 3 small ripe bananas chopped walnuts (as many as you want)