Newest additions to the family

I forgot to blog about the newest additions to our family.…4 girls…well chickens….. well actually chicks. I don’t know why but I have always wanted chickens. My husband I have talked about wanting to have chickens but that’s all it was…talk. So 2 days before the new school year started, Robbie’s Agriculture Class bunny was stolen and now I have an empty cage. So about a month ago,I asked the boys if they wanted to get some chickens and of course they said yes. So the boys and I took a little ride to a feed store and purchased 4 chicks. Two Barred Rocks (the black chicks) and two Buff Orpington (yellow chicks). We got them when they were just a few weeks old and they are just adorable. I never knew that chickens could be so sweet and so social. They all have their own personalities. You’ve heard the expression pecking order? Well it is true, and we are already starting to see it in our girls. Oh how rude of me, I forgot to tell you their names-Sandy, Haley, Chicken Little, and Chicken Butt. In case you couldn’t tell, my husband and my boys picked out their names. So I will try to keep you updated on our chicken adventure and maybe one day I will have some fresh eggs to share with you.

Chunky Apple Cake

My mother recently saw a yummy picture of the Southern Living Chunky Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and asked me to make it for a recent get together. I was happy to make the cake since I am always looking for new things to try and bake. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical of an apple cake. It didn't sound very appealing but, I would never turn down a request, especially since my mother was the one requesting it.
The good news is it turned out delicious. It reminded me ALOT of a carrot cake and I love carrot cake! The bad news is my mother didn't get any. I show up to her house with cake in hand and she says to me "I don't know what I was thinking asking you to bake that cake. I am on a diet and can't have any". WHAT?! So my mother tortured herself all night asking everyone how the cake was. But I am very proud of my mom for sticking to her diet. By the way, she has already lost 19lbs. Go Mom!!!!
I did promise her a would bake her another apple cake anytime she wants, as long as she is off her diet. Ha ha!

Southern Living Chunky Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced( I used Gala because it was what I had at home)
1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)

Preparation
Stir together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl until blended.

Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture, stirring until blended. Stir in apple slices and 1 cup walnuts. Batter will be very thick. Spread into a greased 13- x 9-inch pan.

Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Spread with Cream Cheese Frosting; sprinkle with walnuts, if desired.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 (8oz) package of cream cheese, softened
3 Tbsp butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Beat the cream cheese and butter at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add sugar until blended. Stir in vanilla.

Just Do It!

Remember the old Nike slogan “Just Do it”? I love that slogan!
We can apply it to our lives in so many ways. Sometimes it can be hard or scary to get started in whatever “IT” is, but if we would just decide that I can do this, learn this, try this, we could accomplish so much. We are capable of so many things if we would just put our minds to it. Whether it is learning how to frost a cake or running a marathon, we can do it!
I have also learned that there are many generous people out there that are willing to help you, teach you, cheer you on, and more if you would just ask.

So quit making excuses-
“I can’t.”
Yes, you can!

“I don’t have enough time.”
Yes you do! Turn off your TV, step away from the computer, make the time.

“I don’t know where to start.”
“I don’t know how.”
Start learning. Get your feet wet and you’ll learn along the way.

“Later.”
No, now!

So what are you waiting for.....
JUST DO IT!

Made me laugh...

I was reading a article about the difference between cupcakes and muffins and this was someones response..

"when your wife was younger, you called her cupcake. When she got older with a double chin, you called her muffin. In short, muffins tend to overflow the cup shape, sort of like double chin."

Jello Cake

My son and I went to his friends birthday party where they served Jello cake. I had never heard of Jello cake so I was excited to try something new. Well it was delicious! The cake had swirls of blue from the berry Jello in it which made the cake look that much cooler when you cut into it, not to mention the flavor it added. It was iced with Cool whip which gave the cake a lighter feel to it, perfect for these hot summer days in Florida!
Of course when I got home I had to google how to make Jello cake. The fun thing about Jello cake is you can add what ever flavor jello you like. For me, it was whatever flavor Jello I had in my pantry. I used strawberry and pineapple. They cake turned out yummy. The only change I would make would be to cook it in a flat pan. What I mean by that is, I cooked mine in a bunt pan to five it a different look. And while I did get the look I was going for, it was hard to pour the jello on it because it just want to fall down the sides. For me this is definitely a cake I will make again. My kids and I had a great time making it and I love the fact I can change flavors and add color each time.

JELLO CAKE

1 white cake mix
2 (3 oz.) boxes Jello gelatin (any flavor)
2 c. boiling water
1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed

Prepare cake mix as directed on package, baking in 2 (8") layer pans. Cool.
Meanwhile, with a fork, prick 1/2" into the cakes. Dissolve each flavor of gelatin separately in 1 cup of boiling water. Carefully pour over 1 cake layer, then the same to the other layer. Chill 3 to 4 hours. Top with Cool Whip and serve

Free Museum Day

September 25, 2010 is free museum Day. There are lots of museums participating so click on the link , put your info in and check it out. I was surprised at all the museums in my area. Did you know that there is a Swimming Hall of Fame? I didn't.
Have fun and let me know where you went.
http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/

Couponing Websites

After talking with some friends and family about all the money I am saving,everyone wants to know what websites I am using that help me find the deals and match the coupons.
There are tons of websites out there that can help you save money, and I am not saying the ones I use are the best, they just happen to be the websites that were shared with me.
My 2 favorites are-
Southernsavers.com
Thekrazycouponlady.com
I also go to
iheartpublix.com
iheartcvs.com
iheartwags.com

If you have any money saving webites you would like to share,send me a link, I would love to check it out. Or if you have any money saving tips please share them with me!