The Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls

Yes, I did. Or shall I say, yes we did.  And with matching aprons too!  Aren't we cute for 7:30 AM?

Here's how we got ourselves into this hot mess.  A few months ago, my good friend phoned me to ask if I'd be interested in taking on The Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls  Ummm, yes please!  After reading all about these rolls for months, I was happy to have someone to embark on this journey with me.  I say journey because the recipe makes EIGHT PANS of cinnamon rolls which are heavenly in every.single.way.  But I must say the icing....Oh my goodness, the icing is amazing!!!  Coffee and Maple heaven.  We started at 7:30AM and finished early afternoon.  I know it sounds like a long time but much of it was simply waiting for dough to rise.  While we waited, we watched Ree throw down with Bobby Flay on Foodnetwork, which she won. Good for her!  I'm pretty sure anyone who refers to themselves as "Pioneer Woman" could win just about any kind throw down she set her mind to!

Beautifully sifted flour....sifted by my sweet friend.

I highly recommend refrigerating the dough before rolling it out.  Also make it as much like a rectangle shape as possible.  Obviously, my photo is bad example but the rolls were still edible.

This recipe requires a ton of butter!  About 5 sticks to be exact.

This is where two sets of hands are better than one!  After slicing the rolls and placing in your pans, be sure to cover and let them rise a bit more as the recipe suggests.  I really think it helps the rolls puff up better while cooking.

As if this wasn't good enough....

You then add the glorious maple flavored icing, of which I could sing its praises forever and ever.  Amen.

These rolls are everything promised and more.  Sweet (very, very sweet), sugary, gooey, sinful goodness.  My friend and I had a blast making these together and we served them to our families on Thanksgiving morning for which they were very, very thankful.  My only warning for this recipe is this....Be prepared for an intense sugar high.  It's the only thing I may do differently next time around.  I think you could reduce the amount of sugar by almost half and still have a perfect cinnamon roll.  In the end though, the pièce de résistance is the maple frosting. I could drizzle it on everything.

If you plan to try these for yourself or for gifts this Christmas, be sure to read Pioneer Woman's tips on making her famous cinnamon rolls.  Happy Holidays and Happy Baking!

Sunday Best

Social by yoursouthernpeach featuring a camel coat

Mary Katrantzou Snuffbox Dress, $1,535
Diane von furstenberg coats CAMEL, 639 GBP
ANTIQUE TAN FAITHFUL BOOT, $1,155
PRADA Medium Square Tote, $2,350
Lee Angel Etienne III gold-plated necklace, $340
SCOSHA 10-karat gold diamond stud earrings, $270
Super 'People' - Black/Yellow Gold Metal, 129 GBP
SEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful Palette Miami Vibes 11, $24
Laneige - Pore Deep Clearing Foam (for all skin types) (new) 160ml, $25

A Southern Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I must say this years dinner was one of the best I've ever had!  My in-laws can cook some food and entertain some folks no doubt.  They had about fifteen people at dinner and the menu included two turkeys (one smoked on the Green Egg and one oven roasted), a ham, mashed potatoes, corn pudding, green bean casserole, two types of sweet potato casserole, cornbread dressing, three cranberry salads, homemade gravy and rolls from here.  And let me just say that these rolls are absolutely the most heavenly rolls you will ever eat!  The dessert table included apple, pumpkin and pecan pies...a southern delight!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.  Let's continue to realize our blessings throughout this holiday season and carry our gratitude into 2011.  A grateful heart is a happy heart!

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

- Marcel Proust

Southern Cornbread Dressing

I had pretty much let myself off the hook for cooking this Thanksgiving but I just couldn't let the day take place without a homemade dressing. It's one of the highlights of my meal! So I scurried about today making some dressing with a little help from my son who has a new obsession with cracking eggs.

Anyway, my mom always stuffed her turkeys, therefore we always referred to it as stuffing when we were little. However, down South, most folks call it dressing, which I prefer just for the sound of it. Who really wants to consume something called stuffing in large quantities anyways? So let's just stick to dressing okay?

A few years back I tried some "fancy" dressing recipe with cut biscuits and it turned out a big sloppy mess. So this year, I opted for a simple and classic Southern Cornbread Dressing and I must say it turned out quite tasty.  I know this already because I had to do quality control of course.  All I can hope is that they prefer it over the Stovetop that will be served.  A travesty, I know...I know...I know.  That's why I HAD to make it.

What are your "must have" side dishes for Thanksgiving? 

100th Post!

I cannot believe I'm making my100th post! And how fitting that it comes just before Thanksgiving. I'm so grateful for all of you who love and support me and for those of you who have stopped by to read or comment at "Your Southern Peach." It really means so much to me.

When I started "Your Southern Peach" earlier this summer, I intended for it to be a simple creative outlet for me to play around with. In the short life of this sweet little blog, it's encouraged me to acknowledge, explore and discover so much more of my everyday life.  

My daily life is busier than Atlanta traffic at rush hour but finding time for this blog has been easy because I really enjoy it! It's a place to call my own. A place for my  thoughts, ideas, inspiration and creativity. But really, it would be nothing without all of you reading and encouraging me so thank you, thank you, thank you!  I hope you always find time to do the things that make you happy.

"Jesus Gifts"

I know, I know.  I promise, I'm not rushing Christmas.  I plan to fully enjoy Thanksgiving, eat way too much and feel remorse for all the poor turkeys that are consumed.  BUT, I know many of you will start your Christmas shopping before the dishes are even dry from Thanksgiving dinner so I wanted to put a little bug in your ear.  But first, let me tell you a short story.

It's no secret I grew up financially poor.  I say financially poor because inside I was rich with love from a mom who never seemed to skip a beat.  But at Christmas time, my sisters and I knew not to expect too much because money was always tight.  In fact, it was more than tight.  It was more like Aretha Franklin squeezed into Heidi Klum's skinny jeans.  But a strange thing always seemed to happen on Christmas morning.  We got most anything our little Barbie lovin' hearts desired.  One year we even got an Atari which made us wonder if mom had taken up bank robbing on the side.

Another strange thing about Christmas was the writing on the gift tags.  A few would read "From: Santa" and a few would read "Love, Mom."  But a large majority of our gifts would say "From: Jesus."

I always wondered (particularly after I was rudely informed of the Santa scam at the ripe age of 5) why on Earth my mom would put "From: Jesus."  Did she really expect us to believe that Jesus wrapped that scantily clothed Malibu Barbie and put her under our tree? The answer is yes, she did.  She would sell out Santa in a heartbeat but anytime we questioned her on who the "Jesus gifts" were really from, she would confidently and convincingly insist that "They are from Jesus!"

Because they were.  As an adult, I know those gifts were there only by the grace of God.

God's grace is so abundant at Christmas time and who better to experience it first hand than an innocent child.  I know many of you are kind, generous folk who would love nothing more than to be someone's angel this year.  Some of you may already have a giving plan in place but if not, please consider one of these organizations to partner with. 

Toys for Tots by the US Marine Corps

Operation Smile Greeting Cards

Clark's Christmas Kids benefiting Foster Children

JCPenny and Salvation Army-Adopt a local angel -Deadline to adopt is December 10

Angel Tree

Make-a-Wish and Macy's team up for Fundraising! All you have to do is write a letter to Santa.

These are just a few ideas for Christmas giving.  Also, remember to use your local resources like teachers and clergy.  They know first hand which kids really need an angel and can partner with you on sponsoring a local family.  Let every child experience the love of Christmas through the little miracle of "Jesus gifts!" 

Sunday Best

Fierce by yoursouthernpeach featuring peeptoe heels

Silk Cowl Back Dress, $135
Christian Louboutin Canon 140, $1,295
Ri2K Ivy Pleat Grab Bag, Orange, 110 GBP
Versace Metal chain circle bracelet, $475
A.McQueen Pearl Ring, $325
TOM FORD TF 163 GREY/ORANGE PLASTIC 98 P, 234 GBP
stila cosmetics - smudge pot
Borghese - Dolce Notte 50ml/1.7oz, $48
Makeup Expiration - When Does Makeup Expire - Real Beauty
Colorful Background

Thanksgiving Inspiration

I love when I come up in the rotation for hosting Thanksgiving. I look forward to it for months. But this year, my mother-in-law has graciously offered to host everyone at her house. All the fixin's will be the same with Southern favorites like sweet potato casserole, cornbread pudding and green bean casserole but I'll still miss the preparation and decorating.

Anytime I set the table, particularly for special occasions like Thanksgiving, I think of it as my gift to the family. Sometimes the meal doesn't turn out a perfect 10 but the table will always be beautiful and set with love.

Here are a few photos from last year's humble Thanksgiving feast at my house. Of course, mom helped me with the turkey and everyone brought their favorite side dish. (Thank goodness! You can see in the picture I was very pregnant!) The kids each had a personalized pilgrim with their own photo.  We also used Grandmother Lorene's  glassware to remember her sweet soul. 

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your house this year?  If so, enjoy these lovely inspiration photos.  May your days be filled with blessings and your heart be filled with gratitude.

Silverware Display

Green Goblets

Ghourd and Floral Centerpiece

Blue Goblets and Lattice Tablecloth 

Nut Centerpieces

Country Living

Gumball Placecards

Simple Candle Centerpiece

Kid's Table

Whimsical Placecards

Nut Wreath

This is the time of year I get inspired to challenge my crafting skills. I do it simply because I enjoy it!  Since I've been a little girl, I've always enjoyed "making things" and that hasn't changed a bit now that I'm an adult.When I'm creating, I'm relaxing.  But with two little guys running circles around me, I have minimal time to indulge the left side of my brain.  I really have to pick and choose my projects.  

There are so many beautiful creations out there in blogland.  Most of them I look at and say to myself, "Isn't that cute?" and then there are those that I say to myself, "I must do that! !"   So, here is my spin on this gorgeous creation made with nuts, berries and pine cones.  I absolutely adore the organic, natural look of this wreath and it can be used throughout both fall and winter.  It took me about an hour to complete this project and piecing the nuts together was similar to putting together a jigsaw puzzle.  It was actually quite fun!  All you need is a Styrofoam form, glue gun, ribbon, nuts and and any other trimmings that suit your fancy!

I found this bag of mixed nuts at my local Publix.  One wreath required one and a half 16 oz. bags.
 

  Start with placing the ribbon around the wreath.  Secure with hot glue.

Secure pine cones, faux berries, nuts and any other trimmings with hot glue!

I gathered some (free!) acorns (again) from my neighbors driveway to fill in any gaps.  I love my neighbors.

Voila!  A beautiful nut wreath complete with "pine cone bow!"  If you have any questions on how to make your own, I'd be more than happy to answer them!

Next on my list is a kissing ball because everyone needs extra kisses during the holidays, right?

Sunday Best

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Diane von furstenberg dresses FUSHIA, 593 GBP
Christian Louboutin Miss ChaCha, $945
Jimmy Choo Sylvia large grained leather bag, $1,995
Philippe Audibert Manchette gold-plated cuff, $510
Maharajah Earrings, Small, $299
OVERSIZE SQUARE FRAME SUNGLASSES, 148 GBP
Benefit Cosmetics Her Name Was Glowla, $36
Estee Lauder - Nutritious Vita-Mineral Infusing Eye Gel 15ml/0.5oz, $50
Iffer's Nest: Trend: Mint Green Nail Polish
Heart Doodles - Fonts.com

My favorite holiday

I'm gonna go ahead and say this.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  Yes, I enjoy Christmas, Easter and the Fourth of July but the simplicity of Thanksgiving is so unassuming and lovely.  There's no Santa, Easter Bunny, gifts, office parties or fireworks.  All Thanksgiving requires is a grateful heart, friends, family and a HUGE delicious meal.

The tradition of Thanksgiving dates back to a feast held among the Pilgrims and the Native Americans where they celebrated the bounty of their harvest.  These days, people just march into the nearest Publix and take for granted all the items so readily available to them.  Of course much of my own Thanksgiving celebration is indeed centered around "the meal" but when I step back and reflect on all the sweet blessings in my life, I begin to truly enjoy "Thanksgiving."

Now, in late October we begin to see retailers displaying Christmas decor and such.  I admit that sometimes I too am tempted to jump right into the Christmas season because it is such an exciting time of year!  However, I really try to make a point of fully recognizing and appreciating Thanksgiving before I even think about Christmas.  Doing this allows my heart to be fully open to the season of "Giving" and helps get me in a good state of mind as Christmas approaches.

Wishing you a full and happy Thanksgiving season filled with a million reasons to give thanks!

A Charming Guest Room

My younger sister flew down from Baltimore this past weekend and I miss her already! I'm looking forward to her next visit in December. I know many of you will also be hosting friends and family during the holidays so I thought I would take the opportunity to share these lovely ideas for a charming guest room. You know us Southerners are world famous for our hospitality!  Whether your space is big or small, I think most of us would agree that it's the little touches that make it cozy and inviting for our guests. 

Small Flower Arrangement for the Nightstand

Fresh Towels and Soap

Hot Water Bottle to Ease the Aches and Pains of Traveling

Footstools at the end of the bed that serve as extra seating or a luggage stand

Writing Necessities, Mints, Alarm Clock and Water Carafe

Extra Pillows and Throw Blankets

Small Chair for Relaxing

Some Reading Material

I hope your holidays are filled with friends, family and fun!