IT's GoNe!

For the last 2 weeks or more I had been contemplating chopping off my hair and donating it. I have donated my hair to Locks of Love a few times before, but it's still so nerve racking every time. I searched the internet and looked at other's haircuts trying to decide what I wanted. I was thinking that the shorter the better, but not too short. I've never had a haircut shorter than my shoulders so it was time to try it out.

Before:
On Sunday, I decided this was a go and I was planning for the big chop off on Monday. I went to Platinum Salon (this was recommended to me) and realized they were closed. Such a bummer. I had finally gotten up the nerve to get it done and now it was going to have to be postponed. Well I still went through with it and I am glad I did. Now, it is so so so short. It's crazy that all my hair is gone. Total chop off was 13 inches (over an entire foot). Some cute kid is going to have a nice head of hair now, which I am happy about.

Brandon likes it. He had this enormous smile across his face when he saw my new look for the first time. It was a fun moment.

After:

The Big 8 Tag

8 Favorite TV Shows (I don't actually watch TV very much, so these are in order of most watched):
1) Man vs. Wild
2) Destroyed in Seconds
3) Anything interesting on the Animal Planet
4) Mythbusters (These first 4 are the ones I have gotten used to watching because Brandon often rules the remote.)
5) Deal or No Deal
6) KSL 5 News
7) 24 (When it comes back on)
8) The Pretender (on DVD)

8 Things I did yesterday:
1) Went to Church
2) Took a nap
3) Returned the Redbox
4) Made a roast in the crockpot
5) Dishes
6) Watched funny YouTube videos with Brandon
7) Watched a little TV
8) Thought a lot about chopping off my hair

8 Things to look forward to:
1) First Anniversary next week!!
2) This Holiday Season (I love the Holidays)
3) Going to CA (home) for Thanksgiving
4) My 1/2 Marathon season coming this spring
5) The Wasatch Back
6) Being a real live NP in 2 years
7) Straight A's this semester (maybe)
8) A new haircut (I think I am looking forward to this one though I am kinda scared)

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1) The Olive Garden
2) China Garden (Best Chinese in Provo!)
3) Tucanos
4) Cafe Rio
5) Papa John's Pizza
6) The Happy Sumo
7) Magleby's
8) Sizzler's Salad Bar

8 Things on my Wish List:
1) A little baby!
2) A maid
3) A Truck
4) That I was done with my Thesis
5) That we move to CA when we are done with school
6) That I could run the Boston Marathon
7) A cute haircut
8) No more cold weather or snow starting New Year's Day

8 People I tag:
1) Lauren Davies Heal
2) Angel
3) Liz
4) Anna Tew
5) Kathy
6) Heather
7) Cory
8) Everyone that wants to. It's a fun one! (Thanks Ali)

Cinnamon Rolls

The hit around our home this weekend has been the cinnamon rolls. I have found that Shirley's Bakery in Provo, UT makes THE BEST ones. I wish I knew the recipe she used to make her dough soooo fluffy and soft and good. It's a real treat to have these because we get to enjoy the deliciousness without doing all the work.

The closest recipe that I have found to Shirley's Bakery is very good, but it's A TON of work. I would only recommend trying this at home if you love to bake because if you don't, you won't want to enter the kitchen anymore after making these rolls (lots of standing and messing and cleaning). Here is my recipe:

1/2 cup warm water
2 pkg yeast
2 Tbsp sugar
1 pkg vanilla instant pudding
2 cup skim milk (room temp)
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp salt
8 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup butter, melted
2 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp cinnamon
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla
2 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp milk
1/4 cup butter, softened

In a small bowl, combine water, yeast, and sugar. Stir until dissolved; set aside. In large bowl, mix pudding with milk. Add 1/2 cup melted butter, egg, and salt. Mix well, then add yeast mixture and blend well. Gradually add flour and knead until smooth, adding a little more flour if needed (this is a soft dough). Place in a very large greased bowl. Cover and let rise until double in size. Punch down and cover and let rise again.

Roll dough out on a large floured surface to a rectangle about 34x21 inches in size. Brush the 1 cup melted butter over dough. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over butter. Roll dough up and cut into about 24 rolls. Pat each roll as you place it into a large greased pan (this helps keep rolls in shape). Let rolls rise in a warm place about 20 minutes. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes, until done.

Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth; beat in vanilla and milk. Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Frost rolls while still very warm.

For the freezer: After cutting the rolls, flash freeze on a cookie sheet, then wrap for freezing (Ziploc works well here). Before you go to bed, take out the ones you want, put them in a pan, place in the oven with if OFF and the light on. In the morning, bake as usual.

Tip: After baking 15 minutes, place foil over them and bake for another 10 minutes more. This keeps the rolls from over browning and they stay soft.