My Mom baked a lot. I aways thought she was a 50's housewife who would have made a great career woman. One of her specialties was her home made cinnamon rolls--the secret--mashed potatoes in the dough.

She always baked double or quadruple batches. She would take them to the wheelchair bound neighbor 2 houses down the street, and then to a new neighbor who moved in 4 houses down. Whoever in our area was sick or bereaved or needed something special got a plate of cinnamon rolls delivered by Mom or one of us.

So when I got married I made cinnamon rolls. One time our lab-setter mix--maybe 9 months old, got up on her hind legs and ate 9 of them from the pan sitting on the counter to cool while we watched TV. I baked them for family Christmas or events to take to my sister's house.

The rolls take a lot of time and work. I made them less often once the boys left home. My brother-in-law always asked if couldn't we bring some the next time we visited. I haven't made them in years. Yes, they do have the recipe.

Then last fall my sister was diagnosed with PMR (polymyalgia rheumatic) a difficult type of rheumatoid arthritis that my Mom had suffered with. Only good news is that it doesn't last forever--2 years, or in Mom's case, 4 years. Sis asked me if I could make some cinnamon rolls for her and I said I would when I got a chance, but not for Thanksgiving, which we spent with her family.

A few weeks ago I offered to make them again for her birthday in early February, but she said no, she can't eat sugar or drink alcohol because of her medications.

I decided to make them anyway. A few days ago my BIL had a birthday--he's having health problems too, so I made the rolls. As I went along lots of memories came back. I forgot that I needed to have certain ingredients ready to go ahead of time. These are yeast rolls and I had to throw out one batch of yeast because I didn't get my act together in time. The dough gets so stiff the last cups of flour have to be added and mixed by hand. Then the dough rises in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Next I used the rolling pin to stretch out the dough--Panic because I thought I might have tossed the pin out, but it was in the bottom of a seldom-opened drawer.

Once the rolled up dough is cut and put into pans we wait another hour for it to rise. Then bake.

All this was done without a hint to Sis. Once baked and cooled DH and I put them into plastic bags, then frosting was sealed into a plastic jar separately. The rolls and frosting went into a box and cushioned. Then sealed. Yesterday morning Dh took the box to Fedex and sent it off.

It arrived at their home at 11:16 am today. Got a call an hour later. When the box arrived, address to BIL from DH, they assumed it was some information about tax law changes, or family history, but Sis thought maybe it was a book from me. They opened the box and the rolls fell out. They were so happy they frosted and ate "25%" immediately. Forget the sugar!

The best part for me was keeping it a surprise!

Great news is that Sunday their son and his wife (both MDs) arrived at SFO from Australia. Long story--they immediately went home to Oregon where they are isolating for 14 days and then will go to work. We're relieved they are home. I still have 2 grand-nephews in Europe--they are staying for now. Nephew is uncle to 2 adorable red-headed boys.