Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The end of 'Dirt Day'

 
Our two days of filling the gaping hole in the backyard soon became known as Dirt Day. What started out as a one-day project stretched into two, full days of hard work for my husband and his two helpers. Finally, however, around seven o'clock last night, it was complete, the job was done. After washing down the driveway and patio where they stomped through with a multitude of trips with wheelbarrows full of dirt, we got back to normal and the hole was no longer. My job was two scrub downs of the kitchen floor which had attracted a lot of the dirt as well as the sandy paws of our dog who had to stay in all day. You can see in the pictures that my son and his friend got a little weary by the end of it all. The dog was a bit upset because she left a bone at the bottom of the pool and refused to retrive it. I'm just hoping and praying she doesn't dig it up!
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Gooey Butter Cake . . .


I've heard of Gooey Butter Cakes over the years but never felt an inclination to make one. First of all, most recipes start off with a boxed cake mix and then add more sugar. It just sounded too sweet for me. Yes, I like sweets but not overdone. I discovered this recipe on-line over the weekend. The blogger seemed to have the same feelings about too much sugar and came up with her own version. I was intrigued and decided I was finally going to try it and see what all the fuss has been about. I made it for a luncheon party, yesterday, and there are only a couple of pieces left. I think it was good!
http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/03/st-louis-gooey-butter-cake/

I did take some liberties with the recipe, however. After I put down the cake layer, I spread two peeled, cored, diced apples over it before adding the topping. I sprinkles the apples with a little cinnamon, brandy, and just a pinch of sugar. The topping baked down into the cake taking the apples to new heights of deliciousness. Easy recipe and it looks like more work than it actually turned out to be.

Chocolate by any other name . . .

Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate.  ~Sandra Boynton


I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert.  ~Jason Love


Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos.  ~Don Kardong


Stressed spelled backwards is desserts.  Coincidence?  I think not!  ~Author Unknown


There are two kinds of people in the world:  those who love chocolate, and communists.  ~Leslie Moak Murray


Vegetables are a must on a diet.  I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread and pumpkin pie.  ~Jim Davis

Some favorite quotes for an early morning!

"The forceps of our minds are clumsy forceps, and crush the truth a little in taking hold of it."
       -- H. G. Wells
 
"Oh, I don't blame Congress. If I had $600 billion at my disposal, I'd be irresponsible, too."
       -- Lichty and Wagner