As is my habit the last few weeks, I call the community college and try to get an assessment test appointment for my son. Even though he can't get in for the Fall semester, I want everything in place in case he gets a class or two in the Spring. Got through on the first ring and actually have an appointment . . . four weeks after classes begin. Hey, it's progress. Sometimes, God sends His blessings in small groups. I'll definitely take this one and be thankful.
We are still working with going through an on-line set of classes but they won't accept a homeschooling diploma. My son is planning to take the GED to avoid any future problems to getting a start on college. I was even able to find a new GED study guide with a CD-Rom for $16 total.
I think this is the day I get to do some serious sewing. All that stand between me and an entire afternoon of sewing is a six-pound package of ground beef that needs to be turned into meatloaves and meatballs for the freezer. I'm keeping in mind the fact that it should not be considered a burden but a blessing that we have the meat. Okay, I'm trying to keep a straight face because it is still my least favorite job in the kitchen!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Spice Cake - my version!
Although my family will eat chocolate cake as a first choice, I decided on a change of pace, yesterday, and baked a spice cake using some shortcuts in order to get both dinner and the cake done in a timely manner.
Barbara's Spice Cake
1 package of spice cake mix
1 small package of instant lemon pudding mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup brandy (you can use orange juice or even, just water)
1/2 cup finely ground walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat for about three minutes or until well mixed.
You can chose your own baking pans here. I used three 8-inch round pans for my cake. You can also bake it in a 9x13-inch pan if you don't want to bother with frosting layers. Whatever you decide, use vegetable oil spray and dust them with flour.
Depending on your choice of baking pan, bake for approximated 20-30 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched.
Lemon Frosting
1 1/2 sticks of softened butter
Approximatley 3 cups powdered sugar
Grated zest of one lemon
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
Cream the butter in a mixing bowl. Add three cups of powdered sugar, the zest, and extracts. Add enough of the lemon juice to form a spreadable icing. You can adjust with the juice and sugar as needed to reach this result.
*The reason I use lemon juice and lemon extract is that the combination seems to enhance and mellow out the lemon flavor.
*If you opt for using brandy, you won't get a 'drunken' cake. It just gives the cake a certain flair without any liquor taste. Sometimes, I use Sherry instead.
Barbara's Spice Cake
1 package of spice cake mix
1 small package of instant lemon pudding mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup brandy (you can use orange juice or even, just water)
1/2 cup finely ground walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat for about three minutes or until well mixed.
You can chose your own baking pans here. I used three 8-inch round pans for my cake. You can also bake it in a 9x13-inch pan if you don't want to bother with frosting layers. Whatever you decide, use vegetable oil spray and dust them with flour.
Depending on your choice of baking pan, bake for approximated 20-30 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched.
Lemon Frosting
1 1/2 sticks of softened butter
Approximatley 3 cups powdered sugar
Grated zest of one lemon
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
Cream the butter in a mixing bowl. Add three cups of powdered sugar, the zest, and extracts. Add enough of the lemon juice to form a spreadable icing. You can adjust with the juice and sugar as needed to reach this result.
*The reason I use lemon juice and lemon extract is that the combination seems to enhance and mellow out the lemon flavor.
*If you opt for using brandy, you won't get a 'drunken' cake. It just gives the cake a certain flair without any liquor taste. Sometimes, I use Sherry instead.
Where charity and love prevail . . .
Our pastor recently gave a series of talks that touched on how, we as Catholics, should behave, the rules we should follow, etc. He ended with the fact that no matter the rules, the number one rule is Christian hospitality or kindness, basically, doing onto as you would like to be treated. Guess the message didn't get across as one person stormed out of church, one morning, literally yelling about the fact that the priest that morning has some problems with his command of the English language. That seems to me to be the exact opposite of how we should treat anyone, especially an associate pastor who is just doing his best and doing as he is told.
Yes, this particular priest has a way to go before he is fluent in English but he tries so hard and, regardless, of how well the words are pronounced, we still have the joy of daily Mass and all the graces it entails. There is a shortage of priests these days yet our parish hasn't had to cut back on daily Mass . . . yet.
What gets me is that the woman totally blames this poor priest. Uh, he was assigned here by the bishop. He didn't just decide to come here and bother this woman. When he first came, he said that he has been going to classes for his English but that at every parish he has been assigned, they give him all the Spanish Masses which doesn't give him much practice. My son serves the Mass for him and says that Father's hands are literally shaking with nerves at times as several people have been quite vocal to him about their dislike and disdain for the situation.
Every time, I see or hear these people disrespect this priest, I flash back to our Pastor's recent classes where they were also there to hear him say over and over, again, that kindness is the key. How can we spread the love of God when we can't extend it to the priests who make our religion possible.
Perhaps, it was a way to remind even me that withholding a sharp word has more merit than an hour on my knees!
Yes, this particular priest has a way to go before he is fluent in English but he tries so hard and, regardless, of how well the words are pronounced, we still have the joy of daily Mass and all the graces it entails. There is a shortage of priests these days yet our parish hasn't had to cut back on daily Mass . . . yet.
What gets me is that the woman totally blames this poor priest. Uh, he was assigned here by the bishop. He didn't just decide to come here and bother this woman. When he first came, he said that he has been going to classes for his English but that at every parish he has been assigned, they give him all the Spanish Masses which doesn't give him much practice. My son serves the Mass for him and says that Father's hands are literally shaking with nerves at times as several people have been quite vocal to him about their dislike and disdain for the situation.
Every time, I see or hear these people disrespect this priest, I flash back to our Pastor's recent classes where they were also there to hear him say over and over, again, that kindness is the key. How can we spread the love of God when we can't extend it to the priests who make our religion possible.
Perhaps, it was a way to remind even me that withholding a sharp word has more merit than an hour on my knees!
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