Black Forest Cake - The Easy Way!

Chocolate and cherry is a favorite flavor combination for my son. When I saw this recipe, I knew I had to keep it on hand and share with you.

Vegetable oil spray a 9 x13-inch baking dish. I like using the glass, Pyrex type. No such pan in your kitchen? Use a couple of layer cake pans or even a tube cake pan. Just adjust the time for the changes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 box chocolate cake mix - your choice.
20-ounce can of cherry pie filling
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of cinnamon
Grated zest of one orange (optional)

Combine all the ingredients in your mixing bowl and mix on medium speed until the mixture is just combined. Pour mixture into prepared pan(s). Bake for 40-45 minutes (depending on size you used for pans). Test cake  by inserting a toothpick in the center of the cake. It should come out 'clean' with no wet batter.

Cool completely and serve with freshly whipped cream.

1 pint heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place all the ingredients in a mixer bowl and beat until stiffened and fluffy. Don't over beat as you aren't looking for making butter here!

You can either frost your cold cake with the whipped cream or serve it along side a generous slice. The whipped cream holds up well for about three days in the refrigerator.

Until the Cows Come Home . . .

More and more, I am observing an epidemic that is invading even the 'more polite' society of the world . . . gum chewing. Whereas the habit of chewing gum used to be with the younger, bubble gum set, is now a part of many grownups' life style. Nothing more fun than being crammed in a plane seat with a jaw-snapping gum chewer. You can often hear the popping of an ardent gum chewer an aisle or two away in the supermarket. You attend a funeral or wedding and it is not unlikely that the father of the bride will come down the aisle, jaw in motion. What is disheartening are the senior citizens who have joined the movement of the jaw.

Is open-mouthed gum chewing now considered a fashion statement? Have any of these people every taken a look in the mirror to see what they are showing others when pursuing this occupation? What is the value of a wad of gum that's been pounded between teeth for hours? The flavor is long gone. Am I out of touch because I don't indulge in the occupation?

One Sunday, I glanced over and saw a large family in an adjoining pew, all completely in rhythm as they listened to the sermon and 'kept time' with their busy jaws loaded with a wad of gum. It was like seeing a line up of cows happily ruminating on their cud.

Now, I'm not against gum. It can have it's uses but to share the contents of one's mouth to view on a constant basis and still be classy . . . sorry, it doesn't work.

A wonderful video to start the day . . .

http://www.videosmotivational.com/best-clips/happiness-videos/believe-in-your-dreams-this-pantene-commercial-made-me-cry/#video

Gluten-Free Bread . . .

 I tried a recipe out of my new bread book acquisition today . . . and the family said it was definitely bread even without the use of wheat flour. It took a little longer as I wasn't used to the new method but the outcome was worth the effort. Naturally, I made an Italian pasta meal (rice pasta, of course!) and the bread sticks added the final touch. We didn't realize that we even missed bread until we ate the first bread stick! Who would think that an odd combination of ground rice, etc., would produce bread!

You can bake bread and still be gluten-free?

I pre-ordered this book because it sounded amazing and, upon receipt of said book, it has more than lived up to my hopes and expectations. Gluten-Free on a Shoestring Bakes Bread by Nicole Hunn is fantastic. She has taken the work and thought out of figuring out bread and presented it to the world in a beautiful baking book. Although I haven't had time to try any recipes yet, I can tell from the reading of them that she has it 'figured' out. I've used her other two books with great success and know this new one will not disappoint. I've been waiting since July for it to finally reach my greedy, little hands!

The one thing my husband has missed since he discovered he and gluten don't agree on any level is the scent of baking bread and a warm dinner roll. I'm looking forward to treating him to this in the near future.

Just as an aside - I have been planning my Christmas baking and a lot of my cookie recipes, gluten-free, have come from either Nichole Hunn's other books or her fantastic blog. Google just about any gluten-free recipe and you are sure to have several of hers show up.

My Christmas treat for my husband - a warm loaf of bread without the adverse effects.

obama flowers . . . (from the Internet . . .)

(Receptionist) Hello, Welcome to ObamaFlowers, My name is Trina. How can I help you?

 (Customer) Hello, I received an email from Professional Flowers stating that my flower order has been canceled and I should go to your exchange to reorder it.

I tried your website, but it seems like it is not working. So I am calling the 800 number. 

(Receptionist) Yes, I am sorry about the website. It should be fixed by the end of November. But I can help you. 

 (Customer) Thanks, I ordered a "Spring Bouquet" for our anniversary, and wanted it delivered to my wife. 

(Receptionist Interrupting) Sir, "Spring Bouquets" do not meet our minimum standards, I will be happy to provide you with Red Roses. 

(Customer) But I have always ordered "Spring Bouquets", done it for years, my wife likes them. 

(Receptionist) Roses are better, sir, I am sure your wife will love them. 

(Customer) Well, how much are they? 

(Receptionist) It depends sir, do you want our Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum package. 

 (Customer) What's the difference?  

(Receptionist) 6, 12,18 or 24 Red Roses. 

 (Customer) The Silver package may be okay, how much is it? 

 (Receptionist) It depends sir, what is you monthly income?  

(Customer) What does that have to do with anything? 

(Receptionist) I need that to determine your government flower subsidy, then I can determine how much your out of pocket cost will be.

But if your income is below our minimums for a subsidy, then I can refer you to our FlowerAid department.  

(Customer) FlowerAid? 

(Receptionist) Yes, Flowers are a Right, everyone has a right to flowers. So, if you can't afford them, then the government will supply them free of charge. 

(Customer) Who said they were a Right? 

 (Receptionist) Congress passed it, the President signed it and the Supreme Court found it Constitutional. 

(Customer) Whoa.....I don't remember seeing anything in the Constitution regarding Flowers as a Right. 

(Receptionist) It is not really a Right in the Constitution, but ObamaFlowers is Constitutional because the Supreme Court Ruled it a "Tax".

Taxes are Constitutional. But we feel it is a Right. 

 (Customer) I don't believe this... 

 (Receptionist) It's the law of the land sir. Now, we anticipated most people would go for the Silver Package, so what is you monthly income sir? 

 (Customer) Forget it, I think I will forgo the flowers this year. 

(Receptionist) In that case sir, I will still need your monthly income.  

(Customer) Why? 

(Receptionist) To determine what your 'non-participation' cost would be. 

(Customer) WHAT? Your can't charge me for NOT buying flowers! 

(Receptionist) It's the law of the land, sir, approved by the Supreme Court. It's $9.50 or 1% of your monthly income..... 

(Customer)interrupting) This is ridiculous, I'll pay the $9.50.. 

(Receptionist) Sir, it is the $9.50 or 1% of your monthly income, whichever is greater. 

(Customer) ARE YOU KIDDING ME? What a rip off!!         

(Receptionist) Actually sir, it is a good deal. Next year it will be 2%. 

(Customer) Look, I'm going to call my Congressman to find out what's going on here. This is ridiculous. I'm not going to pay it. 

(Receptionist) Sorry to hear that sir, that's why I had the NSA track this call and obtain the make and model of the cell phone your are using. 

(Customer) Why does the NSA need to know what kind of CELL PHONE I AM USING? 

(Receptionist) So they get your GPS coordinates sir.  

(Door Bell rings followed immediately by a loud knock on the  door) 

(Receptionist) That would be the IRS sir. Thanks for calling ObamaFlowers, have a nice day...and God Bless America. 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving is NOT about shopping . . .

It is very sad that shopping has taken away the family aspect of Thanksgiving. My memories, as a child, was one of anticipation and a grumbling stomach as so many good smells scented our home. There were neat things like vegetable trays to snack on and calls to the kitchen to taste this, that, or the other to assure my mother it was wonderfully good and can we eat now? Dinner was sort of scheduled but we gathered to eat whenever it was done as a bit more waiting only made the final attack on the turkey all the more tasty.

This year, instead of good thoughts about the Thanksgiving traditions, the stores blasted our televisions and radios with ad after ad about the pre-bargains to be had the day before Black Friday. Wait! The day before Black Friday shopping is . . . Thanksgiving!

I have never joined in the Black Friday frenzy of shopping. There is nothing on earth that would make me want to stand in line with hundreds of other people in hopes of being one of the few that would actually snag one of the great deals. Also, the thought of being pushed, shoved, or even seriously hurt by adamant shoppers dissolved any possibility of allure to the venture.

I just watched some videos of pre-Black Friday and Black Friday shopping mobs. It reminded me of a pack of wild animals snapping and tearing at whatever they could reach. There were injuries at some shopping areas. In our own city, a police officer broke his hand trying to calm down a guy randomly attacking people. What a contrast to years gone by when families gathered in their homes, shared an especially wonderful meal, and made memories.

One year, my daughter and I ventured out on Black Friday around ten in the morning when most of the drama was over. We went to a local Wal-Mart and it was like entering a battlefield after the war. Clothing and other items were almost knee-deep in places. We saw about 30 shopping carts lined up and filled with discards employees had already gathered and were trying to either put back on the shelves or discard due to damage. There were still people 'shopping'. One woman, who should have been old enough to have known better, was systematically opening perfume/bath sets, taking a sniff, and tossing them on the floor. Unwanted shirts and sweaters were still being tossed down on the floor. Harried employees, looking grim, were running around trying to make a difference. They were dealing with humans who decided to be animals set on destruction. A very sad commentary on the human race.

With all the security, we figured things would calm down sooner . . . and it had. The store we went to around eleven on Black Friday was already back in order. What was amazing that without the shouting, screaming, or crowds, we found everything on our list (not based on sales but our own list of gift needs) and checked out and were on our way home in about 30 minutes. We got good deals and no turmoil. Was there really anything on sale that was worth the meanness and bad manners exhibited by the early shoppers?