Apple-Cinnamon Monkey Bread and The Bionic Man

As you know from reading my blog, I grew up in the 70's.  One of my brother's and mine favorite shows growing up was The Six Million Dollar Man (aka Bionic Man), and The Bionic Woman.

We would pretend and do our slow motion running with complete sound effects of course. 

I once saw Lindsey Wagner (aka The Bionic Woman) at a country market in Big Bear, California.  I was standing right next to her as we were both perusing the shelves.  I didn't even know it was her until I heard gawkers whispering...and I was quite certain they weren't gawking at me.   She was so nice, and I was so proud of myself not going "girl fan geek" on her.

Well fast forward, I am now married to the bionic man.  My poor husband has been in the hospital now three times in the past 18 months.

It started a year ago in December when he had to get a hernia fixed.  He had a tear in is abdomen that made his belly button stick out and was quite painful.  We called it getting his turkey popper fixed.  Now everything is tucked back in nicely.

Then on midnight of Mother's Day, he wakes up in the middle of the night with a kidney stone and gallstone episode.  So, five hours later in the ER, he was on his way.

Two weeks ago, after six months of knee pain, x-rays, MRI, icing, knee brace and acupuncture, he had his knee operated on from what he finally learned was a torn meniscus. 

Then, last week, he needed to get new eye glasses for computer and reading.

So, with his new turkey button, cleaned out kidney, fixed knee and new eyes....he is officially the new Six Million Dollar Man now.

Meanwhile, I am trying to food prep as much as I can in preparation for the next surprise ER/hospital visit.

Apple-Cinnamon Monkey Bread
Courtesy of Pillsbury.com

2 cans (17.5 oz each) Pillsbury Grands! Flaky refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
1 medium tart apple, peeled, chopped
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with shortening or cooking spray.

Set aside icing tubs from cinnamon rolls.  Separate each can of dough into 5 rolls;  cut into quarters.

Place chopped apples in small bowl.  In another small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon.  Add 1/4 cup sugar mixture to apples; toss to coat.  Sprinkle half of apple pieces in pan.  Roll half of dough pieces in sugar mixture; place on apples in pan.

Sprinkle with remaining apple pieces.  Roll remaining dough pieces in sugar mixture; place on apples.

Pour melted butter over top.  Bake 40 to 45 minutes or  until golden brown across top.  Cool 10 minutes; run knife around edge of pan to loosen.  Place heat proof serving plate over pan and turn over; remove pan.  Cool 10 minutes longer.

Drizzle reserved icing over top of bread, allowing some to drizzle down sides.  Pull apart or cut in slices to serve; serve warm.

One Year Ago: One Year Older
Two Years Ago: Mexican Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad
Three Years Ago: Sweet Dreams Cake
Four Years Ago: Ham and Cheese Biscuit Bake

Crock Pot Breakfast and The Poppy Plate

When we lived in Alaska, our friend Toni one night invited us over for dinner.  She served one of her amazing meals on the most beautiful plates...my husband even commented how neat looking they were.  I casually asked where she got them...and then I ran out the next morning to copy compliment her...and I have a terrible addiction to dishes, as we all know.

I bought out all the plates and bowls they had.  Toni had already scored both of the beautiful platters that were also in the dish line.  I was disappointed, but you know how it goes, first girl that scouts the store wins the platters.  I think I even had a toddler's temper tantrum moment that my husband had to talk me down from.

Later that year, we traveled 3,000 miles in a U-Haul to our new home.  The Poppy dishes made it perfectly.  Then two years later one night, husband hand washes dishes (because they are too fancy for the dishwasher) and breaks plate...he was devastated, beyond explanation...I mean to tell you, devastated!

I looked high and low and everywhere in between on Google to find another plate.  His birthday was approaching last month and I remembered my mom finding one of her china pieces at Replacements, Ltd..  I went to their website and put the pattern description in their search bar.  It brought up all the pieces immediately in photos.

I couldn't believe it, I was so excited....then I see the small print "out of stock".  Then, I see you can be put on a waiting list.  I have never been so obsessed trying to find a $6.99 plate.  A couple weeks later I get an email..."In Stock".  I ordered it and it arrived in time for his birthday.  I think he even shed a little tear when he opened the box.

I was so excited when I took Felicia to Dabble Pain & Sip during her visit.  I wandered into a room off the back corner (because I am curiously nosy like that) and found dozens and dozens of paintings.  They explained that they take the paintings from the instructors during each class and sell them.  I saw a painting of my poppies!  Score! It looks beautiful in our dining room with our plates.

We love using our Poppy dishes for breakfast, they are just so cheerful, happy and colorful in the morning.

Crock Pot Breakfast

Courtesy of tomatohero.com

1 bag 26 oz. frozen hash browns

12 eggs

1 cup milk

1 Tbl ground mustard

1 (16 oz) roll breakfast sausage

salt

pepper 

1 (16 oz) bag shredded cheddar cheese

Spray crock pot and evenly spread hash browns at the bottom.

Crack 12 eggs in a large bowl.  Mix well using a whisk. Add the milk.

Sprinkle in the ground mustard, salt and pepper.  Mix and set aside.

Cook the sausage on medium-high heat in a skillet, drain and set aside.

Add the cooked sausage to the crock pot on top of the hash browns.  Add the bag of cheese.  Mix all three well.

Pour the egg mixture over everything in the crock pot.  

Using a wood spoon, even everything out.

Turn crock pot on low for 6-8 hours.  

Enjoy with a side of fruit (for your vitamins), and of course, a little sweet pastry!

One Year Ago: One Year Older

Two Years Ago: Mexican Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad

Three Years Ago: "Sweet" 16

Four Years Ago: Hungarian Goulash