Just a peek
at what I’m working on for the kids
can you guess 🙂
This Mom-Mom has to get out of the kitchen and back to hooking real soon!
(When I’m finished I will give you the links where I got/purchased some really cute patterns)
WIP
Sweet Pumpkin Dip
 My little friend, Ella, and I made this recipe together. It is easy and a great recipe to make with kids. It does not have a strong pumpkin taste, making it perfect for young children. Big people too, my husband tasted it while home for lunch and loved it! He likes that it has a mild pumpkin flavor. It sure is a nice way to enjoy some autumn fruits!
What do YOU think?
John was thoughtful to bring me a pot of very pretty Paperwhites and I didn’t have the heart to tell him I didn’t like them, not because of their appearance but because of their strong fragrance.
So, while sitting and chatting with Jamie this past Sunday, I knew right away what she was referring to when she said,
“Mom, your living rooms stinks!”
I showed her the culprit and then quickly relocated the plant to a distant part of the house.
~*~
“Paperwhites” refers to a type of narcissus, usually of the Tazetta group, native to the Mediterranean. They are hardy only in warm winter climates, but are popular for indoor culture. The distinctive odor, which some find unpleasant, is due to a biochemical called indole.
Musky Fragrance
The scent of indole has been characterized as “musky,” though some say its concentrated odor in paperwhite flowers smells like dirty socks or even cat urine. Indole is also present in the fragrance of jasmine, orange flowers and gardenias, plants renowned for their pleasant fragrances.
Bacardi Rum Cake
I baked a cake for
National Bundt Day
Mary @The Food Librarian is celebrating her 3rd annual
I Like Big Bundts by baking a Bundt a day for 30 days!
I am baking along by sharing another one of my old recipes.
One I make only around the holidays as it is full of rum!
recipe from The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 package plain yellow cake mix
1 (3 3/4-oz.) package vanilla instant mix
1/2 cup Bacardi dark rum
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
4 large eggs
Glaze:
4 Tbs. butter (1/2 stick)
2 Tbs. water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup Bacardi dark rum
Place rack in the center of oven and preheat to 325 degrees.
Lightly spray a 12-cup a Bundt pan and dust with flour.
Sprinkle the pecans or walnuts in the bottom of pan.
Place the cake mix, pudding mix, rum, oil, water and eggs in large mixing bowl. Blend with mixer on low for 1 minute. Scrape down sides of bowl; increase speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more. The batter should look thick and smooth. Pour into pan.
Bake until golden brown and springs back when lightly pressed; 58-60 minutes. Remove pan from oven and cool on rack 20 minutes. Invert onto serving plate. Poke holes in the top of cake with a wooden skewer.
Prepare the glaze. Place butter in small saucepan and melt over low heat. Add the water and sugar, stirring. Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat slightly and let glaze simmer until thickened, 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in rum. Spoon over warm cake allowing to seep into holes and drizzle down sides. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Store cake, cover tightly at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate up to 1 week. Freeze up to 6 months. Thaw overnight on the counter before serving.
Linking to:
Tasty Tuesday Party @Naptime Creations
Tuesday’s Treasures @My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Made by You Mondays @Skip to My Lou
Under the Table Dreaming’s The Sunday Showcase Party
WOW us Wednesday @Savvy Southern Style
Home Decor and Organizing Link Party
Foodie Friday @Designs by GollumTransformation Thursday @The Shabby Creek Cottage
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
Think Pink Sundays @Flamingo Toes
Cocktail Meatballs
Sweet and sour meatballs, Chafing Dish Meatballs, Pungent Meatballs, and even, “those” meatballs are all names for what our family calls Cocktail Meatballs. A dish that is ever popular and so easy to make!
Morning & Afternoon
When the view from your kitchen window looks like this…
You have to do two things.
Praise God for the breathtaking work of his hands
then grab your camera and run outside.
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| still roses on the Knock-Out bush |
Psalm 8
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
{italicize mine}
Baked Cider Doughnuts
Baked Cider Doughnuts are delicious and a great alternative to fried versions without giving up flavor. Made with apple butter, cinnamon and maple syrup then rolled in more cinnamon sugar, they are a fall food favorite.Continue Reading
Autumn Days
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight
Genesis 2:9
almost time to take the gold fish from our tiny pond to the lake and prepare for winter.
Linking to Mary@Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
Impish Strategy of a Baby
Or what to do when caught in current favorite past-time
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| Give cute, cheesy smile when discovered |
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| Make innocent expression with soft brown eyes |
play peek-a-boo with Pop-Pop to melt hearts
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| Explain the situation in sweet baby talk |
Give purpose to the misbehavior
Illustrate the fun of playing in water
do this dozens of times each day
Cambrie ~ age 22 months
Cambrie ~ age 22 months
Baked Donuts
Spelling was never my strength and debate remains as to how to spell these circular wonders of dough with the hole in the center. Spell them as you please, there is no debate in our home about enjoying homemade, baked donuts. The only decision is whether to choose frosted, rolled in cinnamon sugar, confectioners sugar or a perfectly plain doughnut.
Having Fun
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| Cambrie Noelle |
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| Keri Caleb Silas and Noah |
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| Jamie and Cambrie |
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| Raider wearing his mean face even at Jamies |
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| Noah and Mom-Mom trying to be serious until Mom-Mom’s mustache kept falling off |
And, the sweetest of all!
Keri and Annika
Remember my birthday friend from my last post…
She is Anni’s Grammy!
Three generations of friends.
I’d say that is pretty special.
♥
Butternut Squash Salad
Getting together with the dearest of friends is always a blessing and a delight. Celebrating birthdays with these precious ladies makes each added year much easier to accept. Part of the autumn themed menu included this Ina Garten recipe, butternut squash salad is tossed with a warmed cider/mustard vinaigrette.
An Unwelcoming Welcome
Welcome or unwelcome? Our schnauzer isn’t sure about all the Halloween visitors that dare approach our front door as he faithfully guards the premises.
Antique Highchair
When we were expecting our twin daughters, John’s aunt gave us an antique highchair that had been in the family for many years. We think this antique high chair is from the early 1900’s and was used by John’s dad who was born in 1918. I was never able to find another highchair like this one with the beautiful carved Dutch children and tiger oak wood, nor was I able to learn anything more about it.
A Collection of Grandchildren
Enjoying every minute with each other during Jill’s surprise weekend visit
Jill with her Shaela, Ryan & Brenna ~ Jamie with her Silas, Keri, Noah, Caleb & Cambrie
Wondering when I blinked and this one got so much older.
Ella is not our grandchild but taking care of her for so long, we love just like she was!
Macaroni and Cheese Casserole
What do you think of when you are hankering for your favorite comfort food? When you just want to sit down and dig in to something that makes you happy to eat. Maybe it even evokes special memories. For many people it is a plate full of warm-your-tummy, creamy, homemade macaroni and cheese.