Sweet Saturday

Had a great Saturday nursery hopping with a friend and her two cute little boys. I came home with something I've been admiring for years...a pink dogwood. I had a gift card from my very generous former co-workers for a really nice local nursery called Watson's....so it ended up being free! No pic of it, but hopefully it will look something like this one that I admire every day on my way to work. Don't worry..I was probably stopped for traffic when I snapped this....probably....

We saw this cool arbor that we decided Lynn's husband Ed should build for each of us. Nevermind that Ed knows nothing about our diabolical plans for him.....

I also picked up this Bleeding Heart I've been admiring called Burning Hearts

So what could be sweeter than spending the day with a friend shopping for plants??? Well maybe starting the day with Cinnamon Sugar donuts!



I tried these donuts and was impressed at how quickly they came together. Tasted good too! I didn't have much time in the morning, but next time I'll try some iced or glazed. My friend Lynn's little boys liked them...or at least the cinnamon sugar (imagine licked clean donuts lol). I guess its kind of like eating the Oreo white stuff first :-) Works for me!

Simple Raised Donuts (makes about a dozen donuts and holes)
*inspired by Recipe found on Cully's Kitchen blog (I used substantially more flour than source and my change is reflected below)

1 (8 g) packages fast rising yeast

1/2 cup lukewarm water

1 1/2 tsp sugar

1 egg, well beaten

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3 Tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups flour (use More if too sticky)

cooking oil (for frying)

Mix yeast, water and sugar in large bowl. Wait until bubbles form on surface. Add egg, cinnamon, butter, vanilla, salt and flour. Mix together to form dough. Add more flour if too sticky to handle. Knead dough for a minute or two. I kneaded until the dough began to feel more smooth and elastic but not for long. Roll dough out to about 1/2 inch thick and cut out donuts. I used a little donut cutter, but you could use round cookie cutters. Allow to rise for about 30 minutes on a flour surface. I put my silicone baking mat on a cookie sheet, dusted with flour and let them rise on that. Fry donuts and holes in 350° oil until golden brown on each side. Coat in cinnamon sugar or your favorite glaze or icing.