Ready for October?

"Death is no more than passing from one room into another.  But there's a difference for me, you know.  Because in that other room I shall be able to see." --Helen Keller

This book has been one of the most eye-opening books I have ever read.  Unbroken gave me a whole new appreciation for servicemen and the true sacrifice they give when they are protecting our country.  This is the story of an olympian turned soldier and his long stay in a Japanese POW camp during WWII.  His story and the overcoming of his hardships is truly amazing.

This quilt is called Happy Jack.  The pattern comes from Pieces From My Heart pattern company.  It's an easy quilt to make and can be completed in an afternoon.

Do you need a recipe to use up some of that pumpkin from that huge can you opened up?  These rolls are light and moist and very pretty.  When I made this batch, I cut the recipe in half and put the ingredients in my bread machine and put the setting on dough.  I still got to play with the dough and the rolls turned out just as nice.

Pumpkin Knot Rolls

2 pkgs. (1/4 oz. each) active dry yeast                                  3 eggs

1 cup warm milk                                                                   1 ½ tsp. salt

1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened                                    5 ½ to 6 cups flour

½ cup sugar                                                                          1 T. cold water

1 cup cooked or canned pumpkin                                          sesame or poppy seeds (optional)

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk.  Add the butter, sugar, pumpkin, 2 eggs, salt and 3 cups of flour.  Beat until smooth.  Stir in enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.  Punch dough down.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half.  Shape each portion into 12 balls.  Roll each ball into a 10 inch rope; tie into a knot and tuck ends under.  Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.  Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.  In a small bowl, beat water and remaining egg.  Brush over rolls.  Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from pans to wire racks.  Yield: 2 dozen.