The Truth About Benghazi?

It would be very sad to think that American citizens died because their own country was there to help them. There is so much cover up and mis-explanations, I wonder if the real truth will ever be known. In the meantime, families have lost loved ones supposedly in the protection of the United State Government.

Breaking news on Benghazi: the CIA spokesman, presumably at the direction of CIA director David Petraeus, has put out this statement: "No one at any level in the CIA told anybody not to help those in need; claims to the contrary are simply inaccurate. ”

So who in the government did tell “anybody” not to help those in need? Someone decided not to send in military assets to help those Agency operators. Would the secretary of defense make such a decision on his own? No. It would have been a presidential decision. There was presumably a rationale for such a decision. What was it? When and why—and based on whose counsel obtained in what meetings or conversations—did President Obama decide against sending in military assets to help the Americans in need?

Fresh Apple Cake

I used this recipe for cupcakes today but it would work for a sheet cake, too. I like that it can be mixed in one bowl and in the oven quickly. There is a little prep work for the apples but isn't that what teenage children are for??

Fresh Apple Cake . . . or Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest

3 heaping cups of peeled and diced apples
1 tablespoon brandy
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Either line cupcake pans with papers or vegetable oil spray and line the bottom of a 11 x 13-inch (or there abouts!) with parchment paper.

Place all of the first group of ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix until just combined. If the batter is too dry, add drops of milk until it reaches the proper consistency.

In another bowl, combine the second group of ingredients. Fold the apple mixture into the batter and put into your prepared pan(s).

Depending on the pan(s) used, baking for approximately 15-25 minutes or until golden and the top springs back when lightly pressed. Cool in a wire rack.

The cake goes well with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you want it simple, ice with a thin lemon glaze.

A Cupcake Morning!

Time to bake a cake for my friend's daughter. Since my friend has six children, I like to come up with something different each time. Given the various favorite flavors of the family, I hit on making a 'cupcake cake' with banana, apple, spice, and chocolate cupcakes. Since the birthday is the day before Halloween, I put in a little of the the holiday by way of the lavender icing which also happens to be the birthday girl's favorite color. It will save the mess of cutting the cake, too!

Look, Chick! The cat is awake!

 The morning routine. The dogs have gotten their treats for the day and they spy the stirring cat through the window and wait for her to start playing.

Through the Looking Glass?

 Our cat has made friends with our new dog, Griff, but only on a provisional basis - through the window! The cat is always joyful about seeing our dogs in the morning but the friendship is a 'protected' one with the cat on the inside of the window and the dogs on the outside of the window. The dogs like the cat but we aren't sure that the dogs wouldn't like her too much and end the cat's last chapter on earth!

This basis of friendship seems to suit all parties concerned. Sometimes, they get a chance to sniff through the screen door but more often, the cat will pounce against the window, the dogs will react and they will do it all over again.

Today's Blessing . . .

Budget Candy Treats . . . from your own kitchen!

When my children were very small, we didn't always have the extra money for special treats. Fortunately, I liked to bake so something could always be managed and the children never really knew when we were struggling financially. A favorite was a simple candy recipe that only required melting, stirring something into it, and letting it harden.

Although you can use your choice of chocolate chips for this, I watched for the sales of the chocolate melts at the craft stores. Besides chocolate, it came in a variety of colors. It is easy to gently melt in the microwave and you can stir in just about anything to come up with a crunchy treat. You just add enough so it holds together when you drop tablespoons onto some waxed paper to harden.

Some ideas . . .
Peanuts and raisins.
Candied fruit.
Chow Mein noodles (the dried, ready-to-eat variety)
Coconut.
Crisped rice cereal.
Tiny marshmallows and nuts.
Pretzels

As you can see, the list is as long as your imagination. Just make sure you don't use any 'wet' ingredients as it will seize up the chocolate and turn it into a grainy mess. Also, there are candy molds available if you want to be really fancy and, as they are reusable, it is a great investment of a couple of dollars.

Mother Teresa always had the best words . . .

“I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.”
― Mother Teresa

Who Invited the UN to invade our election process?

You never know what is going to happen next in the United States. The campaign trail has been littered with lies and deceit . . . from the incumbent's administration. The debates were one-sided as the current administration seemed to feel he could stand on his own record . . . whatever that might be. There was a massive cover up regarding the murder of our ambassador in Libya. The president has stated twice that planned parenthood provides mammograms . . . even after planned parenthood admitted publically that it did no such thing. Now, we find out that the UN will be overseeing our election day voting to make sure there are no disputes or that people are prevented from voting. Why can't American organizations take care of that even if there really is no problem. In fact, the one voting problem in the last four years was when the new black panthers harrassed voters, were cited, and then the attorney general dropped the clear cut case.

First of all, according to the news coverage, 44 UN officials will be monitoring polling places in the United States. Uh, I think we have a lot more than 44 polling places. And, what will they be doing? And what will they constitute as a problem that needs attention and why have people other than fellow Americans even be given that authority? I like the stand being taken in Texas - The UN comes in and they will be arrested.

Meanwhile, the violent threats against Mr. Romney continue via Twitter, etc. I have yet to hear the president come out and comdemn such 'intolerance'. Or, do you suppose tolerance is only something required when one side is winning and ignored if it concerns the challenging faction.