Friday, July 30, 2010

They Made It Back

Everyone made it back, safe and sound, from Alaska. It took them 12 days to drive from Anchorage to Parkersburg, WV. Of course, that was with a few stops.. to visit Laura and Geoff in Spokane, Yellowstone and a few others.

Bill and I, Jason, Lucas & Erin and Pat & Missy had a nice dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. Lucas & Erin looked soo good in their sombreros that I just had to share. Missy was probably the only one with brains, lol!



Tomorrow, headed to Morgantown to paint Jason's home. Luke, Erin, Pat and Jason went yesterday and worked on it... or drank margaritas... not sure which!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge

Okay, this isn't absolutely awesome-but it is definitely good enough when you don't want to heat up the kitchen!

1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound powdered sugar

Microwave butter and peanut butter for 2 minutes on high. Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and powdered sugar to peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. Pour into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan lined with waxed paper. Place a second piece of waxed paper on the surface of the fudge and refrigerate until cool. Cut into 1-inch pieces and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Monday, July 19, 2010

While Some People Are Having Fun..

Bill left the 7th to drive back from Anchorage with Lucas and Erin. It's a trip they have looked forward to since Luke was stationed in Alaska. As of today, they made it to Spokane WA where they had a short but nice visit with Laura and Geoff. Apparently, both guys seriously need a shave... and Bill needs a haircut!

At least they got a cooked meal and clothes washed!

Now for me, since I chose to stay home.. Ahh geez was that a mistake! First I did something to my knee so getting around is a chore. Then the hot water tank went out-thankfully after 3 days of cold showers, Jason was able to fix it. The lawn mower broke so everything has to be push mowed instead of using the riding mower. Lightening hit a tree.. it is much, much bigger than it appears in the picture.


Okay, I should be getting lots of "stuff" done, right? Wrong. It is so hot and humid that I don't want to do anything.. plus it hurts to walk. I know.. I know, I am whining. On the very positive side, Jason and I went to Morgantown and cleaned his new home. He bought a place to live while he is working on his Masters in Social Work.. and it is totally awesome. Am trying to convince him to let me decorate it, but not sure he has faith in that!

Knitting is soo very slow. Am still working on felted slippers, socks and a Backtus scarf.. need to speed up a bit!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Orange Sour Cream Bars

3/4 c sugar
3/4 c sour cream
1/2 c softened butter
1 1/2 c flour
2 T orange juice
1 t vanilla
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt

Frosting-
3 c powdered sugar
1/3 c softened butter
3 T orange juice


Heat oven to 375. Combine sugar, sour cream and 1/2 c butter in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often until creamy. Add all remaining bar ingredients. Beat until well mixed.

Spread batter into greased 13 x 9 pan. Bake 17-22 mins or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, combine powdered sugar and 1/3 c butter in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy and frosting consistency. Spread frosting over cool bars.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Lemon Scones

I made these this morning... they were wonderful! We sat outside at the picnic table and enjoyed them.



1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
Whipping cream
Sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl combine the flour,
the 1/3 cup sugar, the baking powder, and salt. Make a big dent or well in
the center of flour mixture. Add the 3/4 cup whipping cream and lemon peel.
Stir until mixture is crumbly. Coat hands with a little flour. Use your
hands to gently knead the dough in the mixing bowl until it can be formed
into a ball. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
Gently roll or pat the dough into a 7-1/2-inch circle. Using a table
knife, cut the dough like a pizza into 6 or 8 wedges to make scones. Place
scones about 1-inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Lightly brush scones with additional cream; sprinkle with additional
sugar. Bake about 18 minutes or until scones are golden brown on the tops
and the bottoms. Use a wide metal spatula to remove the scones from cookie
sheet. Serve warm. Makes 6 to 8 scones.

Fruit Scones: Stir 3/4 cup raisins, snipped dried cherries, currants, or
other chopped dried fruit into the flour mixture before adding the cream.
Continue as directed in recipe above.

Poppy-Seed-Topped Scones: Prepare scones as directed except after
brushing the wedges with the cream, sprinkle with 2 teaspoons poppy seed or
sesame seed, instead of sugar. Continue as directed in recipe.

Streusel Scones: In a small mixing bowl combine 1/2 cup walnuts, 3
tablespoons brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Using a pastry
blender or two table forks, cut in 1 tablespoon cold butter until mixture is
crumbly. Stir in nuts. Sprinkle streusel mixture on top of uncut circle of
dough. Omit brushing dough with additional cream. Use your fingers or your
hands to gently press streusel mixture into dough. Cut circle into wedges
and continue as directed in recipe.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Ho-Ho Cake

1-chocolate cake mix. Bake as directed in a 15x10x1" jelly roll pan. Cool.

Filling~

3/4 c sugar
1/2 c butter
2/3 c Crisco
pinch of salt
2 tsp vanilla
2/3 c evaporated milk

Combine all ingredients. Beat on high for 10 minutes. Spread filling on top of cooled cake.

Frost~
1-16 oz can of chocolate frosting
Melt frosting in microwave for 45 seconds. It will be runny. Pour/spread over filling.

Refrigerate cake until ready to serve.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Things I Am Lacking

Sometimes (often) life gets so busy that we don't take time to listen to great music. Music is sooo uplifting, sooo mood enhancing! Thought I would share this one.. I just love it.