Tiernan is 10, and the world's best cinnamon buns!

Today, my baby boy turned ten. This kid is incredible. He could win over anyone's heart. He has the kindest heart - for everyone he meets. He's so wise beyond his years and had been from day one. Tiernan was always a very serious child; you could tell he was always thinking deep thoughts. Ironically enough, he also has an awesome sense of humour - one much like my own. ;) He and I share so many inside jokes that have us laughing so hard we're crying. We really get each other, and I just love that about him. It's a pretty special relationship and I am thankful each and every day for my Sunshine.

As per tradition, the kids got to eat cupcakes for breakfast this morning. Sounds like a great way to start your day, hey?

Avery is still very sick, and we're thinking it's mono since it's going around their school. We're beginning to think that's what Tiernan had when he was sick in April. Apparently you can get pneumonia after having mono. The rest of the symptoms are spot on. Avery has been so tired all week, barely being able to make it out of bed or off the couch. He has wicked headaches, and no appetite. I took him out with me, briefly, on Friday and halfway through our very short trip he was throwing up. Of course this is a long weekend here in Canada, but I'll call our doctor in the morning to see if the office is open. If not, I'll take him in on Tuesday.

The point to that little story (besides updating on the state of my guy) was to explain that we had our little family party outside on the back porch instead of inside where there are likely higher concentrations of germs hanging around. I don't want to infect my parents with mono (or whatever else it is), and the day was perfect for sitting out there. We had our garden party over lunch hour, feasting on the meal Tiernan chose. He requested pepper jack soup, VBSTCs and corn on the cob. Everyone gobbled it up, and still had room for some rainbow cupcakes (well, except for Avery who ate a few bites of his sandwich and almost all of his corn on the cob.).

I was planning on making some more werewolf cupcakes for Tiernan's family birthday, but the last week has been painfully busy. I've been far from inspired in the kitchen, and too exhausted to make anything too exciting. Instead of the werewolves, I decided to make rainbow cupcakes, and Tiernan asked if we could add a layer of Smarties inside the batter.... what a great idea! They were delicious! The best was when they first came out of the oven and the Smarties' chocolate was all melty and warm - oh my!

She picked this dress out just for her big brother's birthday. :)

And my poor Avery. He was in tears this morning because he really wanted to be healthy for his little brother's birthday.

Birthday boy with his proud grandparents!

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As I mentioned earlier, I've been feeling uninspired in the kitchen this week. I haven't been cooking anything new, and instead going for quick and easy. Last night was Date Night In, though, and that calls for some inspiration. I whipped up some cinnamon buns for us to eat while we played Settlers of Catan, and I must say - they were the best cinnamon buns, ever! Hot from the oven... oh yes. Would you like that recipe? Oh, I bet you do.

Best Cinnamon Buns, Ever!

dough:

1 tsp cane sugar

2 1/4 tsp dry active yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup cane sugar

1/4 cup butter

1 tsp salt

2 eggs, beaten

4 cups flour

topping:

3/4 cup butter

3/4 cup cane sugar

1 cup pecans, chopped

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup melted butter

Dissolve 1 tsp sugar and yeast in the warm water, whisk, and set aside for about 10 minutes until frothy.

Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles. Remove from the heat and mix in 1/4 cup cane sugar, 1/4 cup butter and salt. Stir until melted, and then cool to lukewarm.

In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture, the milk mixture, the eggs and 1 1/2 cups flour. Use an electric mixer to combine. Slowly add the rest of the flour, 1/2 cup at a time. Continue mixing with dough hooks on an electric mixer. If it isn't smooth and elastic, turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough.

Oil a bowl, and coat the dough with the oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let it double in size, about an hour.

While the dough is rising, melt 3/4 cup butter in a saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar and mix until smooth. Pour it into a greased 9x13 pan and then sprinkle with half of the chopped pecans.

Melt the remaining butter and set aside. Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and second half of the chopped pecans in a small bowl. Set aside.

Roll the dough into an 18x 14 rectangle. Brush the dough with half of the melted butter, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the butter. Roll the dough up from the longer side. Pinch the seam to seal. Cut the roll into 15 pieces, and place them into the prepared 9x13 pan. Brush the tops with the remaining half of the butter.

Cover the pan with the damp towel, and let it rise for one more hour.

Preheat oven to 350.

Bake the cinnamon buns (uncovered) for 25-30 minutes until they begin to go golden. When you remove them from the oven, immediately invert the pan onto a serving platter. Make sure to scrape out all the butter/sugar mixture from the bottom of the pan and spread it over top.

Enjoy!

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The best part about making those cinnamon buns? It felt so good to be back in the kitchen! I'm ready for the week ahead... I'm going to make some serious messes in there. Watch out, husband of mine. ;)