Blue Bird Grove

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

2011-10-10T06:48:00.000-07:00

3 Large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups mayonnaise (I used Whole Foods brand, Canola mayo)
2 1/4 cups unbleached AP flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cups cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups hot water (not boiling)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9 " cake pans, you can use 9 x 13 oblong.

Prep your dry ingredients by adding in a separate bowl flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar in a large bowl on medium high speed until thick and very light in color (may take around 8-9 minutes) Then add the mayonnaise and vanilla extract, and beat on medium speed until combined.

Then add in the dry ingredients on low speed until combined. (The mixture will look very thick and fudgey).

Add the hot water and mix on low speed until incorporated. The batter will be very thin. Pour the batter into you pan/s and back for 30 minutes (for 9" rounds) up to 45 minutes for 9 x 13 or until toothpick inserted into the center for the cake/s comes out clean. Allow the cake/s to to cook on a rack in their pan/s for 10 to 15 minutes or until they are cool enough to handle. Turn them over on the rack and allow them to finish cooling to room temperature.

Please don't turn your nose up at this cake, you cannot taste the Mayo in this. I finished the cake off with a basic bakers frosting. A very old recipe that my Aunt Debbie taught me when I was very young. Here is the recipe:

White Bakers Frosting

3 egg whites
3/4 cup butter softened to room temperature (*see note)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 box of confectioners sugar, sifted

Beat your egg whites just until frothy add in your room temp butter, mix until thoroughly combined. It will look seperated. Add vanilla and then slowly add in confectioners sugar. Mix well until it is spreadable consistency. This recipes makes enough for one two layer cake or one 9 x 13 cake. Be sure and store this icing in the refrigerator due to the icing containing raw eggs. If you are not comfortable with this recipe and the raw eggs, please feel free to omit and make a buttercream frosting.

* you can use Crisco or other vegetable shortening instead of butter and have the same turnout. The original recipe contained Crisco. But due to my soy allergy I can not use it.

Enjoy! Oh by the way, I did not provide a picture of the cake because it didn't last long enough. Even my hubs who turned his nose up at it when I told him what it was, was caught sneaking it as a late night snack after he had already had his piece at dinner. Trust me you will do the same.

Hugs and good wishes XOXOXO

Etiquette for "RSVP"

2011-10-10T06:14:00.000-07:00

Whether it is to a wedding, a dinner party, shower or gala event, an invitation comes with some important obligations. Here’s a quick guide to keep you on the guest list.

1. RSVP

From the French, it means “Répondez, s’il vous plaît,” or, “Please reply.” This little code has been around for a long time and it’s definitely telling you that your hosts want to know if you are attending. Reply promptly, within a day or two of receiving an invitation.

2. How do I respond? Reply in the manner indicated on the invitation.

RSVP and no response card: a handwritten response to the host at the return address on the envelope.

Response Card: fill in and reply by the date indicated and return in the enclosed envelope.

RSVP with phone number: telephone and make sure to speak in person – answering machines can be unreliable.

RSVP with email: you may accept or decline electronically.

Regrets only: reply only if you cannot attend. If your host doesn’t hear from you, he is expecting you!

No reply requested? Unusual, but it is always polite to let someone know your intentions. A phone call would be sufficient.

3. Is that your final answer?

Changing a ‘yes’ to a ‘no’ is only acceptable on account of: illness or injury, a death in the family or an unavoidable professional or business conflict. Call your hosts immediately.

Canceling because you have a “better” offer is a sure fire way to get dropped from ALL the guest lists.

Being a “no show” is unacceptable.

Changing a ‘no’ to a ‘yes’ is OK only if it will not upset the hosts’ arrangements.

4. “May I bring…”

Don’t even ask! An invitation is extended to the people the hosts want to invite—and no one else.

…a date. Some invitations indicate that you may invite a guest or date (Mr. John Evans and Guest) and when you reply, you should indicate whether you are bringing someone, and convey their name.

…my children. If they were invited, the invitation would have said so.

… my houseguest. It’s best to decline the invitation, stating the reason. This gives your host the option to extend the invitation to your guests, or not.

5. Say “Thank You.”

Make sure to thank your hosts before you leave, and then again by phone or note the next day.

Copied from Emily Post:

http://www.emilypost.com/social-life/invitations-and-announcements/153-invitation-etiquette-

A Lady is altogether lovely

2011-07-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

1. Generous with her smile

2. Kind

3. On time, if not a little early.

4. Believes others come first.

5. Disciplined in her mind and heart.

6. Impeccable in appearance.

7. Has a good work ethic.

8. Has a balanced life with her values intact

9. Loves wholeheartedly

10. Never lets herself believe that anybody is different from anybody.

11. Gracious.

12. Always authentic and never puts on pretenses.

13. A giver

How to be a Lady

2011-07-28T06:45:00.001-07:00

Manners, attitudes, appropriate dress and social mores have changed so dramatically that the definition of being a lady has left everyone confused.

A lady by today's definition knows that educating herself in every way possible, from higher education to the common sense manners, empowers her to become a woman of accomplishment and poise. She knows it is not her dress size or the money she possess that brings her satisfaction in life.

A lady knows that beauty and wealth can be fleeting, but her inner character is the measure by which others will ultimately judge her as a person.

Her courtesies, the high esteem in which she holds herself and others, and her sincere words of praise and thoughtfulness will reflect her strong values and place her ahead in the minds and hearts of those who know her. Being thought of as a "lady" may be the one of the highest compliments a woman can receive in her life.

Ricotta Cookies

2010-01-19T05:37:00.000-08:00

Ricotta Cookies with Icing Recipe

Set your oven to 350 degrees

2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
3 organic eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups all purpose, unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 15 ounce carton whole milk ricotta cheese, (homemade preferrably but storebought will do)

Incorporate all your dry ingredients except sugar in a medium mixing bowl. In another bowl or Kitchen aid bowl add the butter and on a slow speed mix just until smooth. Add in your sugar and beat until fluffy. Add one egg at a time. When eggs are incorporated add in your vanilla. At this point add in slowly your dry ingredients. Do not worry about the appearance of the mixture, it will be very dry. Once dry ingredients are incorporated add in your ricotta. (See note)

Note: Most Ricotta cookie recipes I have found do not refrigerate this dough. I found in refrigerating these cookies they not only came out softer, but also smoother in appearance.

At this point I placed the dough on a very large piece of plasic wrap into a roll and refrigerated for two days. You really only need to overnight but that is when I got to mine. This process also makes the dough easier to handle and you can cut them into the desired size. My children found this to be an easy recipe to do as well.

When you are ready to bake, bring your dough out onto the counter. With a sharp knife or you can use unwaxed and unflavored dental floss. Slice the dough to your desired size. Place on to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until just the under side of the cookies have lightly browned. Do not overcook this cookie. After slightly cooled on the pan transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool before proceeding with the icing or frosting step.

Icing or Frosting:

The following is a Cream Cheese Frosting be sure and see the note following this recipe.

1 3 ounce package of Cream Cheese, softened and room temperature
1/2 cup of butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, sifted

Mix the cream cheese and butter until smooth. I do this by hand but you can use your mixer if you choose. Add the vanilla mix until smooth again. Add in your sugar and stir until very smooth. If you need to add more sugar for a stiffer icing, you can at this point. With this icing you must wait until the cookies have cooled completely before adding the frosting.

*You can also add 1 teaspoon Lemon peel and/or 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to this recipe. This cookie is so versatile that you can do whatever combinations you choose. Sometimes I only use powdered sugar on top of them. Another time I may sprinkle a small of amount of nutmeg on top of the cream cheese frosting. This time I used Nonpareil dots by Betty Crocker. The kids love those the best. Try it out be creative.

Have fun and enjoy!

Vintage Skincare (con't)

2010-01-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

Well ladies I am well into my third week of using the vintage skincare regimen. I have to say that is working fabulously! I can see complete improvement with my pores, fine lines are less apparent and my overall skin texture is wonderful and smooth. I have got my routine down to a science, if I have make-up on I apply the Ponds Classic Cold Cream and allow it to sit for at least five minutes.

(Hint: it is great to apply Cold Cream and then get into shower) Ponds makes for a great facial product if you want to leave it on for a considerably longer period of time. I apply it and go do dishes in the evening)

*Note: Use Kleenex or Tiolet Tissue to remove the Ponds, due to it being so difficult to remove from cotton washcloths.

After removing the Ponds, I then wash with Warm water and Dove soap with a washclothe. Next, I apply Witch Hazel with a cotton ball. I then add Boots Vanishing Cream and Ponds Dry Skin Cream.

* Note: Do not use Boots Vanishing Creme around your eyes or mouth. It will make your wrinkles stand out. Due to it having a tightening affect.

Now, for the routine before make-up:

I wash the Ponds Dry Skin Cream off from the night before with Dove soap. Apply witch hazel with a cotton ball, I then apply Boots Vanishing Creme and go on with Make-up. The Vanishing creme really makes for a great preparation for you to apply your make-up. Your make-up will look smoother and fresher, also it will last longer with less use of powder for the shinies during the day.

I have been using a new product line of make-up as well as Clinque. I will update you on the in another Blog. I also have the Vintage Hair Style Book on the way.

Hugz and Lollipop kisses!
x

Vintage Skincare

2009-12-25T14:48:00.000-08:00

Recently I decided to research what ladies in the past were using for skincare. I have seen so many pictures and read many articles that described how the ladies then were so meticulous with their hair and skincare regimens. Obviously if you either remember or have seen in photos there is no acne. Just creamy white or alabaster skin with prominent red lipstick and perfectly styled hair.

In today's world we are bombarded with so many different types of skincare. Through either magazines, departments store skincare pushers and/or we wonder aimlessly through name brand skin counters in our local Walmart or Target. But I feel as if we fail to see what our Grandmothers did to make their faces so clear and beautiful. With my research I found and was surprised to see that they were using very minimal products. Usually a Cold Cream that dissolves make-up, then tissue off, cleanse with a Witch Hazel and then apply a Vanishing Cream. That simple, so you say that seems to good to be true. Well, I say it is not. I have been trying it for one week. I went out and purchased a bottle of Ponds Cold Cream (just regular Cold cream), one bottle of Dickinson's Witch Hazel and Boot's Vanishing Cream. All of which I found at Target. I spent less than $20.00, which was comparingly cheaper than a trip to the Clinque counter that I normally purchase several items, such as Make-up remover ($12.95), facial cleanser ($14.95), a small bottle of Toner
($12.95), not one but two or three different moisterizers that the lady at the counter said I had to have (winks eye). So we are looking at roughly what I spent in that trip could cost me at least, at least $200.00 easily. I would rather buy the Cold Cream. What do you think?

Okay my skin type, before I started the Vintage skincare regimen in which I was using the Clinque products. I had prominent blackheads, medium pores, constant breakouts on my face and neck. It seemed the more breakouts I had the more I had to buy makeup.

So one week in using the vintage skincare products...my face is clearer, I have only a few breakouts on my neck; none on my face at all. My face is visibly whiter and smoother in texture. The blackheads have softened and less visible. I am using less make-up. All over I am loving the new skincare. I will post later the results at two weeks. Maybe I should have taken a picture of the before face.

xoxo

One word quiz

2009-12-17T06:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has been awhile since I posted anything...crazy round' here! Hope all of your lives are normal and safe through this holiday season. On to the quiz :)
This one comes with a set of questions to be answered with one word only!

1.Where is your phone? Charger

2.Your hair? Mousey

3.Your Mother? Gracious

4.Your Father? Deceased

5.Your favourite food? Salad

6.Your dream last night? Curious

7.Your favourite drink? Tea

8.Your dream/goal? Success

9.What room are you in? Office

10.Your hobby? Motherhood

11.Your fear? Emotions

12.Where do you want to be in six years? Suburb

13.Where were you last night? Bed

14.Something that you’re not? Lonely

15.Muffins? Blueberry

16.Wishlist item? Love

17.Where did you grow up? Indiana

18.Last thing you did? Slept

19.What are you wearing? Nightie

20.Your TV? Off

21.Your pets? None

22.Friends? Super

23.Your life? Moving

24.Your mood? Peachy

25.Missing someone? Possibly

26.Vehicle? Feet

27.Something you’re not wearing? Makeup

28.Your favourite store? Vintage

29.Your favourite colour? Pink

30.When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday

31.The last time you cried? Recently

32.Your best friend? Busy

33.One place that I go to over and over? Town

34.Facebook? Resisting

35.Favourite place to eat? Home

Now, I know it's not in the spirit of this sort of thing (and certainly not in the spirit of the festive season) but it took me so long to get around to actually doing this that if I tried to pick people to pass it along to, it would never get done. I'd love to see anyone else do the questions, though!

Love and lollipop kisses,
X

Brown Bread

2009-10-12T20:06:00.001-07:00

Brown Bread
Traditionally called “Wheaten Bread”

Ingredients:

3 cups Organic Whole Wheat flour (12 ounces) 1 cup Organic Unbleached Flour (do not use self-rising as it already contains baking powder and salt)1 1/2 cups of buttermilk (pour in a bit at a time until the dough is moist)1 teaspoon of salt1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)

Method:
Preheat the oven to 425 F. degrees. Lightly crease a 10 inch or larger cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. In a large bowl sieve and combine all the dry ingredients.
Add the buttermilk to form sticky dough. Place on floured surface and lightly knead (too much allows the gas to escape) Do Not Over work!
Shape into a round flat shape in a round cake pan and cut a cross in the top of the dough.
Cover the skillet or Dutch oven with another pan, lid or heavy aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes (this simulates the bastible pot). Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped to show it is done.
Cover the bread in a tea towel and allow cooling. This process is very important, it allows the bread to rest and as it rests the steam from the hot bread moistens it to give it that familiar hearty, moist texture.

Notes: It is a must to cover this bread while it is cooking it gives it its traditional characteristic and rustic look. Do not cut this bread for at least four hours before serving. Let cool and you are ready to have a buttered slice with a nice cup of tea or coffee.

Alternative Service Suggestions: Smoked Salmon spread with diced red onion and lemon. Or Cream Cheese and Homemade Orange Marmalade

Wind Swept

2009-10-12T18:48:00.001-07:00

this wind

came across me

and left me

blank

and full

how you ask

how can you be?

Love can make

us feel

lonely

lonely makes us feel

blank

that love

made me feel

full

that wind

came

it brushed

against my lips

and it left just as fast

as it came

now I sit

wondering

did that wind

mean to come

did that wind

mean to make me feel

lonely

as with all wind

it comes

and

it leaves

and maybe

just maybe

it may return

again someday

Me.

Dr. Jay Gordon on the Swine Flu vaccination

2009-09-07T05:08:00.000-07:00

Please take the time to read this blog...

Our Holistic Home

Enjoy!

Join the race to protect yourself from the Swine Flu

2009-09-07T04:49:00.000-07:00

Holy Basil also known in Ayurveda as "Tulsi"

Holy Basil

Ayurveda, the traditional 'science of life', has a remedy for diseases when every other stream of medicine fails. Now, at a time when swine flu is spreading like wildfire across the world, Ayurveda has the remedy in the form of the miraculous herb, the basil leaves commonly known as Tulsi.Tulsi, the purest and most sublime plant, has been known and worshipped in India for more than five millennia for its remarkable healing properties.

Considered as an 'Elixir of Life', this wonder herb has now been claimed to keep the deadly swine flu at bay and help fast recovery in afflicted persons."The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi improves the body's overall defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu," Dr U K Tiwari, a herbal medicine practitioner says.

Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of swine flu, Tulsi can help the patient recover faster."Even when a person has already contracted swine flu, Tulsi can help in speeding up the recovery process and also help in strengthening the immune system of the body," he claims.Dr Bhupesh Patel, a lecturer at Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar is also of the view that Tulsi can play an important role in controlling swine flu."Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach." This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu," believes Patel.

As its name suggests, Tulsi has again proved to be the 'the incomparable' medicine - this time, in the prevention and cure of swine flu.The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time, but it's possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza.

However, Please consult a practitioner in case of any such symptoms. Doctors have strictly advised against self medication. Yeah right...

Homemade Cough and Cold Remedies

2009-08-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

I was surprised to find this recently and wanted to share with you the information and how to protect you and your families. This goes hand in hand with the Rose Hip Syrup to put in your arsenal of herbals and medicines for this upcoming Flu and Cold Season.

Reuter’s news reported the findings of a new study that showed that the two main ingredients commonly used in over the counter cough syrup formulas are no better at quieting or suppressing night-time coughing in children than sugar water.

The two main ingredients are dextromethorphan (often listed on labels as "DM" and diphenhydramine, which is an antihistamine. DM is the most common nonprescription cough suppressant on the U.S. market, and it is also the most commonly abused over the counter medicine used by adolescents who try to get high off of cough medicine.

So, what's a parent to do? For things like the flu bug, cold virus' and now the new Swine Flu, my family has found that there are many useful herbs that do make a difference in helping to open up bronchial airways, and relieve tight chest type breathing problems. I urge all parents to research the benefits of herbs for themselves, and become well educated in how to use them.

What inspired me to try making my own recipe was a bottle of Raleigh brand "Old Fashioned Cough Syrup" I purchased at a garage sale years ago----it worked so well, but I could not find it to purchase again anywhere. And the ingredients are hard to come by these days too; the recipe used herbs common to the 1800's era. Also, when I was a child I remember taking a medicine called “Cremulsion” every time we even had the slightest cough and it would knock it right out.

So, since I couldn't find those ingredients, I did some research, and these are the herbs I found through research that would be good to use because of their expectorant properties, and soothing to the bronchial system. I have found them to be almost as good as the Raleigh brand of cough medicine formula, they are:

Wild Cherry bark, Mullein leaf, Slippery Elm powder, Coltsfoot leaf, Lobelia leaf, Pleurisy root, Elecampane root, and Licorice root.

Coltsfoot and Horehound are expectorant herbs that should be used with a light hand - not too much, or it may make you cough too much because of their strong expectorant properties.

Licorice, a sweet herb, is soothing and makes a good edition to a cough syrup remedy, but should also be used sparingly, as too much can have the same effect as Ipecac syrup.

If you would like to message me or check out my website I would be happy to share recipes for these wonderful alternatives to over the counter drugs that may hurt you or your family.

http://www.underthewillow.info/

*Due to government mandates. I am not responsible for the effects that these herbs have on you or anybody in your family. I am not a licensed physician and do not have the rights to prescribe or diagnose any illness or ailment.

Autumn Equinox (Part One)

2009-08-27T04:26:00.000-07:00

All my life I’ve loved wading through fallen leaves. At their best they have settled in frothy, tempting drifts on dull pavements. Crisp, wet, and waiting to be ruffled by any passerby. Just remembering the swish, the crunch and the smell; sitting here thinking about it gives me goose bumps. To get the best effect, keep your feet close to the ground and use a skiing motion. This has to be a solitary activity, unless you are under six. But if you don’t mind your friends giving a little laugh, but we all need a good laugh now and then.

I wanted to share with you my love of this time of year by giving you some ideas on activites, recipes and other ideas to make this time of year more enjoyable. I don't need any help with that, but some might. I discovered that homemade rosehip syrup is delicious and worth making. It is a good natural source of vitamin C. It also contains vitamins A, D and E, and antioxidants.

Lets prepare! First of all this time of year, in our ancestors eyes would have been the most tiring. Constant preparation for the upcoming winter would assist them in making sure to have sufficient food supplies, clothing and of course medicines (herbals). I wanted to share with you a recipe that was passed down to me for Rose Hip Syrup. My children love this delight and a daily spoonful of rosehip syrup heralds the start of winter, at least that is what my daughters say.

Rosehip Syrup Recipe

Ingredients:

4 ½ pints of spring water
2 lbs of rosehips, preferably organic and from a locale close to you
1lb of cane sugar (white can be used)

Directions:

* Top and tail the rosehips.
* Bring 3pts of water to the boil.
* Mince the rosehips through a food processor
* Transfer the fruit into fast boiling water and bring to the boil again. Remove from heat and leave for 15 minutes.
* Pour through a sterilized jelly bag/or cheese cloth and allow the majority of the liquid to drip through.
* Return the pulp to the pan and add 1 ½ pints of fresh boiling water and bring to the boil. *Remove from heat and leave for 15 minutes.
* Strain through the jelly bag again.
* Pour extracted liquid into a clean saucepan and boil to reduce the liquid to 1 ½ pts.
* Add the sugar and boil rapidly for another 5 minutes. Pour into hot sterile bottles and seal immediately.

Tips and tricks:
* Use small bottles (we use recycled vinegar bottles) as it only keeps for a week or so once opened. If you don’t want to use bottles the syrup can be frozen in cubes.
How do I sterilize a jelly bag or muslin square?
* Both can be scalded with boiling water. If you are using a clean muslin bag or square you can iron them with a hot iron. This also works with tea cloths.
How do I sterilize bottles?
* The sterilizing method that I use is simple. Just before making the syrup, I thoroughly wash and rinse the bottles in very hot water and place them upside down in a cold oven. Set the temperature to 200°. When the oven has reached the right temperature I turn off the heat. The bottles will stay warm for quite a while. Sterilize the lids by boiling these for a few minutes in water.

If you don’t have roses in your garden there are lots of briar roses in the hedgerows. They are difficult to spot from a car so if you are somewhere rural and have half an hour to spare, it’s well worth walking or cycling along a footpath or a quiet country lane to see what you can find. Try and avoid busy roads as the fruit will have been exposed to exhaust fumes and nasty defoliants. Keep a couple of carrier bags in your coat pocket, just in case.

Rice Krispies on Crack!

2009-08-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

These were some of the best Rice Krispies I have ever made!

1/4 cup of unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 bags of Large Marshmallows

1 teaspoon of vanilla

Melt butter and add marshmallows and vanilla. Then add:

10 cups Rice Krispies

Mix well

While your marshmallows are melting lightly toast 1 1/2 cups of Hazelnuts. While they are still warm add a bag Nestles Heath Toffee Bits. The warmth of the nuts will slightly melt the chocolate. When you have pressed the Rice Krispies into your 13 x 9 pan, add the nut and toffee mixture, lightly press so that the mixture adheres to the krispies. These are better if you allow them to get cool. If you can't wait, Enjoy!

My dream home

2009-08-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Coming soon to a reality near me!

I love Jane Austen, to be continued...

2009-08-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

You have to absolutely check this out!

http://http//www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7847/

If zombies chase us, I am definitely tripping you.

A carved ivory Female Figurine found in Germany

2009-05-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

A carved ivory female figurine is presented in Tuebingen, southern Germany, Wednesday, May 13, 2009. The figurine, found in 2008 in a cave in Schelklingen, southern Germany is allegedly the world's oldest reproduction of a human with an estimated age of at least 35,000 years.

Here is the link:

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Most-Recommended-Photos/ss/1750;_ylt=AgquoZ43ouTfMjmb3A6qQ6TlWMcF#photoViewer=/090513/481/dbeeaa2f38034147875cd0c59300079b

I have been on a lemon kick!

2009-04-17T11:32:00.001-07:00

Lemon Sour Cream Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

1 box of Yellow Duncan Hines cake mix

1 lemon, juiced with grated peel (juice should equal 1/3 cup)

1/2 cup of sour cream

1/2 cup of water

1/3 cup of butter, melted

3 eggs

Instructions:

Add cake mix to a bowl, put in lemon peel. In a bowl or glass measuring cup mix the water and sour cream with a whisk. Place in bowl with cake mix, add the melted butter and the eggs (lightly beaten). Mix with an electric mixer on slow for a couple of minutes, then at high speed until light in color (about 2 minutes). Pour into a greased and floured 13 x 9 cake pan. Bake for 32 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and/or a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Cool.

Frosting:

1/2 of an 8 ounce package of cream cheese (room temperature)

1/2 of a box of confectioners sugar

The juice of one lemon

and the peel of the lemon

Mix by hand until the cream cheese and lemon is thoroughly combined. Add the powdered sugar and mix well until desired spreading conssitency is achieved. Make sure to apply the frosting after the cake is completely cooled.

Refrigerate leftovers.

Sun Punch for Beltane

2009-04-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

* 3 cups sugar

* 2 cups water

* 6 cups orange juice

* 6 cups grapefruit juice

* 2 cups of lemon juice

* 1 1/2 cups lime juice

* 2 liter ginger ale

* Lemon Slices

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil; cook for 5 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until cool.2. Combine juices and sugar mixture; mix well. Just before serving, stir in ginger ale. Serve over ice.This punch is best when made with freshly squeezed juice.

Other ideas: You can make ice cubes with adding mint and simple syrup. Makes a very pretty presentation.

May Queen Punch

2009-04-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

6 cups Water
10 Liption Tea or 5 Luzianne Tea bags
3 cups Sugar
3 cups Orange juice
3 cups Pineapple juice -- unsweetened
1 cups Lemon juice, fresh -- strained
2 Liter Ginger ale
* optional mint sprigs

Instructions:This punch can be made in advance in large quantities.Bring the water to a boil, add the tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags, add the sugar, mix and chill for at least 3 hours. Place the chilled tea in a punch bowl, add the juices, and stir. Just before serving, add the ginger ale and stir. Add some ice cubes and garnish with mint leaves.

Yield 48 punch cups.

It's just for fun

2009-04-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

This is a fun little game... Go to google, type in "[your name] needs", and discover your 10 most important (or funniest, or revealing) needs.Shannon needs:

1. Shannon needs...Rocks in my dryer. (Well alrighty then, who put those rocks in there anyway)

2. Shannon needs...To do her homework! (Let me get right to that)

3. Shannon needs...Help! (Oh My God, do I ever)

4. Shannon needs...To stomp that Latin out! (Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum, minutus carborata descendum pantorum. Translated: A little song, a little dance and a little seltzer down your pants!)

5. Shannon needs...Pictures of cat with special needs (me with cats with special needs...hmmmm)

6. Shannon needs...a Haircut! (Anybody have scissors?)

7. Shannon needs...to come back to NewFoundland (where I left my family, oh my poor children...hope they have on their good shoes)

8. Shannon needs...to Escape! (Oh please, who shall rescue me?)

9. Shannon needs...more ammo! (I know just what to do with it(:

10. Shannon needs...help with probablity! (Cause you know, I am sure nobody every thought that there was much of a chance that I would ever do something like this stupid little game. No what I need is help after doing this! Am I defective now?)

Some very odd and unusual things I bet you did not know about me!

2009-04-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

And maybe, just maybe... you might have been happier not knowing them at all. Who knows but here goes...Don't hate me cause I am unique!

1. I love Pickles and Peanut Butter, yes together!

2. My all time favorite sandwich is a Grilled Cheese with mayonnaise and olives

3. I love the smell of rotten leaves and gasoline...that being seperate of course!

4. When I was young I used to tear worms and bugs into little pieces, then add dirt, leaves and other misc. items into a bird bath and make potions. Then I sold them to my friends for a nickel a piece...who needs a lemonade stand!

5. I can write with both hands and my right foot...you never know, that might come in handy one day.

6. I love to learn about unusual, scary and macabre things but I despise horror movies. Unless they are true stories.

7. I love Anagrams!

8. I absolutely love the smell of Puppies Breath!

9. I am able to change any phrase into a hillbilly response...such as, "He is shaking like a dog crappin' peach seeds"; or one of my all time favorites, "You have been busier than a cat with nine buttholes!" (Of course, when I say them they include the correct foul language. The reason for these wonderful idiosyncrasies is due to my upbringing. I was kidnapped and raised by hillbillies, strangest things about those people...they have the dirtest toes!)

10. In my hillbilly upbringing those people taught me the darnedest things...how to skin a chicken, fix a wound with moss or spider web, how to make homemade cordials and other miscellaneous and sundry items. Did you know that they have some of the strangest terms for things?I just want you know that I speak very eloquently and use correct grammar whenever possible, but sometimes like a little demon inside of me. The hillbilly I have hiding deep inside pokes it weary head and I can not control myself.

Here's the challenge, I double dog dare you to do the same thing, post all of your unusual tidbits so we can snicker about it.

Moccasin Makers and War Breakers

2009-04-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

Moccasin Makers and War Breakers

A call to action by the women of the world.We have the power to stop wars and keep the wars from happening again!"Before the men can go to war, the women must make their moccasins."In the tradition of our ancestors, it was customary for the women to make the moccasins worn by the men who were going to war. If the women did not want war, they did not make the moccasins.Our ancestors recognized the sovereignty of all men and women by solving community conflicts through discussion in a People's Council. In our tradition, three criteria must be kept in mind through all deliberations:

1) Peace: meaning peace must be kept at all costs.
2) Righteousness: meaning decisions must be morally right taking into consideration the needs of seven generations to come.
3) Power: meaning the power of the people must be maintained including the equal sovereignty of all men and all women.Conflicts between nations were also resolved through diplomacy and consensus. War - or the use of violence- was only a last resort. Even then, the women and children of the opponents were spared.Throughout, our ancestors always respected the other nation's different customs, laws and ways of life, whether they approved of them or not. They would work out agreements on how to live side by side. Therefore we have stood by and not become involved in this current conflict. But we see now that it has gone too far. Innocent lives and mother earth is at stake. As women and caretakers of this earth, we have to decide to speak up.

According to the law of our ancestors, the soil of North America is vested in the women. Serious decisions about warfare had to involve the other half of the people - the women - the bearers of life, the nurturers of the earth.We are now facing an unnecessary war in what is called the Holy Lands.We have a duty to use our power to do good. We have decided to remind all humanity of this important truth. War cannot happen without the support of women.We ask the women of the world to come forward and play their rightful role as the progenitors, the creators of all men, of all humanity, the caretakers of the earth and of all that lives upon it.As women, we know the pain and suffering of childbirth. We feel a deep loss when our children die. This understanding compels us to act to stop the destruction of lives. The children must not suffer. Not our children. Not the children of anyone we disagree with. We respect the sovereign and sacred right of each individual to live on this earth.We ask you, the women of the world, and the men who support us, to come forward and stop this madness this war could ultimately bring on the Third World War and end the world as we know it.

This decision to go to war will cause the deaths of thousands of innocent men, women and children as it did in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a decision that has been made primarily by men without the input of the people of the nation, without the input of the women. Most of these men have grandmothers, mothers, wives, girlfriends, sisters, aunts, daughters, nieces, granddaughters, nannies, etc. We are asking all of these women to put pressure on these men and anyone else who is involved in causing the current threat to destroy the world. Women, bring your men to their senses.Women, remember your power. Remember your responsibility. Every person has personal power. We must all use our power to do well.We must stop the war.We must maintain the Peace.

We must hold back the moccasins.

I posted this blog on another site of mine, I thought it would be nice to share it. Even though there is no talks on war at this moment. It is still vital that we keep peace.

Welcome

2009-04-15T06:27:00.000-07:00

I have contemplated starting a blog for some time now. I hope you enjoy.