Cinnamon Rolls Recipe + Apron Giveaway!

These cinnamon rolls come from a Glace Bay Nova Scotia cookbook that was gifted to me in 2001 "Centennial Cookbook.”

My family is from Glace Bay and on Glace Bay’s 100th birthday I had the honor of speaking to a group of local women and men [OK – mostly relatives!] about my fond memories of our family’s birth place. In case you don’t know Nova Scotia is known for its baking- particularly its wonderful tea biscuits and blueberry pies. These cinnamon rolls are a close cousin to the tea biscuits with a lovely scone like consistency. I like to make a display in a glass covered cake stand, where anybody entering the kitchen will be sure to grab one. These recipes from the past ground me, I love making them as much as I enjoy eating them and sharing them. I like to think that they also create memories for those around me, my children, their friends, my friends, to carry fondly to the future. This way the recipes of Cape Breton stay alive forever.
Cinnamon Rolls from the ‘Bay

4 cups of flour
1 tsp baking powder { I also like to substitute bakewell for baking powder not available everywhere- I find it gives a creamy finish to baked goods.}
I tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
½ cup sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
2 brown eggs { because I like brown}
1 cup sour milk {1 tbsp vinegar plus milk}

Topping :
2 tbsp melted butter- to spread on dough
1 tsp cinnamon/ mixed with 1 cup brown sugar
1.Blend dry ingredients and cut butter or margarine in with pastry blender { or two knives}
2.Beat eggs and add with milk. Mix all ingredients together.
3. Divide into 2 portions.
4.Roll out each portion to forma a rectangle.
5.Spread with melted butter and sprinkle with topping.
Roll up like a long jelly roll and slice into 1” wide rolls.
Place on cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 12- 15 minutes.

Share with me a special baking recipe and you may be chosen to win a beautiful canvas printed apron – perfect for baking memories for many years to come.
(**please be sure to include your email address so I can contact the winner, or email your posting anonymously to: aprilcornell@aprilcornellholdings.com)

April

Live Beautiful Feel Beautiful Be Beautiful

A Magic Purse + Handbag Giveaway!

Do you have a magic purse? A bag where all of your life is stored?

I do - My paints, my keys, a cotton nighty, my passport, a box of raisins, and piece of dark chocolate. There's my granddaughter's photo, a special letter from my son, makeup, a wooden comb, salty nuts and a toy for a child; there's a 'words of inspiration' book, my journal, my nataraj pencil and a nail biting mystery - seriously I could be marooned with my magic purse and still have a good day.

Tell me what is in your magic purse that tells your tale? For posting an answer, I'll choose a random winner on Friday afternoon at 4pm to win a beautiful new (spring 2010 collection) handbag!
**Remember to include your email address (so I can get let you know if you've won)**

April

Feel Beautiful, Live Beautiful, Be Beautiful

Let's Springify! + Linens Giveaway

My home in Northern Vermont is still snow coated and cool, with just a tease of warm air and cracking ice to be heard.

I say it is time to Springify! I am grabbing the hot colors of spring and bringing them indoors. The last of my Xmas brocades are heading for the basement and oranges and roses are decorating my table. I love the hothouse pinks of our new Paisley Bouquet print and they marry up nicely with the real pink roses from my favorite market. I add some matching red pears, limes and oranges to my table, and you would never know that outside is dove grey and brown.

What do you do to brighten up your February days?
Tell me your tale and you may be chosen to win a set of colorful placemats and napkins from my Spring 2010 collection (please remember to include your email address, so I can contact you!)

April
Live Beautiful Feel Beautiful Be Beautiful

UPDATE: We have a winner! Please congratulate Holly S.!

The Beauty of Color + Book Giveaway!

Enjoy this video that gives you an insight into the April Cornell world of color. Color evokes emotion and mood, and through it I establish a point of view, sometimes delicate and soft, sometimes deep and dark and saturated, other times, brilliant and boldly expressive. I use color to make a statement and reflect the many influences of our beautiful world.

Tell me how you feel about color in your life and you can win my book:
April Cornell Decorating with Color!
-- Please remember to include an email address so the winner can be contacted --

April

Live Beautiful, Feel Beautiful, Be Beautiful

UPDATE: We have a winner! Congrations to Lynne D.

Race Day in Delhi- Athletes with Heart

One of the happiest places in Delhi yesterday had to be at Concern India’s Sports day in Gurgoan. Seventeen different NGOs fielded teams of 20 children, from age 6 to 14 in a day long Track and Field event.

More than 340 children had the time of their lives, and scores of volunteers, teachers, project leaders and sponsors felt like children again. I was there with my son Kelly, family friend Gabe, and 8 of the most dedicated and enthusiastic supporters from Cornell Overseas that you could imagine! The Giving World was a sponsor through Concern India of two fabulous teams of children. Sai Kripa – a school of mostly first generation learners outside of New Delhi and Navjyoti, a street school project in Delhi. We cheered on our teams, heralded our winners and high fived everybody else in sight.

The day was professionally organized in a large field, with a marked track – we had elimination rounds, semi finals and finals. We had shot put and 100 yard dash, leap frog and three legged races, inventive skipping races, relay teams and a cardboard race that has to be seen to be understood! There was the spoon with lemon race, and the sack race too- in short something for all age groups and athletes to excel in. The day is organized as a give back to underprivileged children of a variety of Delhi projects. And designed to allow them to step into the exciting world of sports and spectators.

There are trophies, ribbons and certificates for all attendees. There was a winner’s podium for first second and third place. There was a March past that was a happy organized and inspiring kick off to the day. Breakfast and lunch were served by the volunteers complete with a Tiffin box to take away. All of the children received a fresh souvenir tee-shirt and a new pair of white running shoes. By the afternoon many had discarded their shoes in an effort to be the fleetest of foot.

Competition was high, and so was good humor. I had to constantly pinch myself to feel that this was a real day and not a dream. The sun shone on us and we all left with a little sunburn, a lot of smiles and memories for a lifetime- children and grown children alike.
I have to thank my lucky stars that through the Giving World Foundation and Concern India I can work with such a tremendous group of people and have the privilege of participating in these awesome events.

Life is it’s own reward.

April


Live Beautiful Feel Beautiful Be Beautiful