Tuesday, September 29, 2009

This house is meant to have flowers



For anyone who knew my husband's Grandmother Grubbs, they knew of her love of flowers. There were always flowers inside and outside. Violets on the bathroom window shelf to the flowers behind the kitchen table on the plant stands. There is no way of knowing how many flowers she shared through the years with friends and family. She never had a selfish heart. She was always willing to share what she had with others.

The only down side to Grandmother's flowers were when you were mowing the lawn. There were the lilac bush, snowball bush, crepe myrtles, iris, daylillies, rose bushes, the hedge, just to name a few to mow around. Oh, and the trees -apple trees, maple trees, locust tree, now gone, just to name a few.



This past week my wonderful husband added just a few more flowers for me. Actually, I purchased the flowers, he just surprised me with new pots for our rock wall. Good job sweetie.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Apple Cake



I would have to say either Apple Cake or Jam Cake would have to be my absolute favorite cake. Both are cakes I have been blessed to enjoy my entire life, and I would imagine every year of my life. We could always count on my mother baking a couple of Apple Cakes in September and then come December she would make two Jam Cakes.

Both are moist, juicy, packed with cinnamon and only get better with age. I am fighting the temptation to eat a second piece today. The main reason for my resistance is the fact that by Wednesday it will be so much better than it is today. After sitting a few days - if it will last - it becomes just that much more moist.

Today's cake is lacking the cinnamon, due to the fact I married a man who doesn't like cinnamon. I am not sure that is even normal, that's like not liking marshmallows in your hot chocolate. You guess it - he doesn't.

Thanks to the memory packed cookbook from my mother a few years ago, I have successfully made one of her recipes "Fresh Apple Cake".



Now about those left over apples....Apple Glazed Cookies will be next.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

I think I need some apples

On my way home fall arrived. Didn't you hear? Like around 4:18 pm central time - give or take a second or two. With the crazy weather we have been having, I am not so sure it hasn't been fall for like a month or so.

It also helped to get a new catalog in the mail today. With all kinds of fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving cupcake and cookie supplies. I could order one of all of them. I do think it is time for a visit to the Stewart Apple orchard, I can almost take a fresh apple cake.



I think my goal for the weekend will be to put out my fall wreaths and other decorations and make a fresh apple cake. Stay tuned......

Monday, September 21, 2009

Newest Addition and empty nest


It is time to meet the newest addition to our family. Reba, our Min-Pin (miniature pincher). I know it would seem every time our son goes away, we get a new dog, but I promise this is the last one for a while. Reba is 8 weeks old now and on Saturday weighed a whole 2 pounds and 14 ounces.

She has now stolen our hearts. Even Philip's, who didn't care about that dumb dog. Yes, you will hear her referred to as Reba the Rat, but hey, she does look like a rat at times. But spend some time with her and she will steal your heart. Even Obie, our oldest black lab is taking a liking to her.


About that empty nest, well it is just half empty for a few months. Our wonderful daughter chose to live a home for her first (and probably all) semester of college. She is adjusting to college life. Her biggest bother is the constant question - How is college going". As soon as she conquers Physics and Calculus she says college will be just fine. And for our son, he is getting as he calls it - three hots and a cot.

Our son joined the Army National Guard last November. He has begun his Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He has called a couple of times and has sent some letters. I think he is anxious to get it completed and move on to his AIT at Fort Sam Houston in Texas in November. When finished with both trainings he will be back home until he starts. We miss him, but wish him the best. For both of our children we only wish the best. They have both made us very proud.

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