family creative day

I invited my cousins Charlotte and Emily to come over and make valentines. I thought they might very well have other things to do, being cute college students and all, but they didn't! I asked them what their ultimate home-cooking wish would be, and they both agreed on rolls.

I started mixing up a double batch of rolls last night in my Bosch. (keep in mind that it was used when I got it and I've had it for about 15 years) All the liquid ingredients leaked out all over my counter (2 sticks of butter and milk!). The Bosch has never worked perfectly, but this was a new low. After I cleaned up the mess, I started over, this time mixing them by hand (a first).

(it cracks me up that she's always holding her hair out of her face, yet doesn't want me to put it back)

Eva helped me finish the rolls this morning. Her job was to brush each roll with melted butter and she took it very seriously. In addition, she decided that some of the rolls were girls and some were boys -- the girls were already coated in butter and therefore "sparkly" -- and that the rolls on the butcher block couldn't wait to join their friends on the baking sheet. She was cracking me up.

The result: the very best rolls I have ever made! By a mile. I don't know if it was the gentle hand mixing that produced the light fluffy texture or the extra butter that Eva put on or what, but I was very pleased. (I had been concerned that C & E would inevitably compare my rolls to their mother's, to my detriment...)

Charlotte & Emily went to town making cards. I got a call from my brother, enjoyed chatting with the girls, and snacking. I never did finalize a valentine design, but had fun nonetheless. Eva was quite taken with having more girls around and was loving the extra attention. She sat and watched them create, and even complimented their work -- she never does that with me!

Here they are clutching the extra rolls I set aside for them to take home. It was well worth the effort for that kind of excitement! Another good day.