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Monday, October 31, 2016

Applesauce Baking

The recipe tells me that it makes about 24 cupcakes. I never could figure out how you could have the batter ready and then hold back some until the first 12 were done. I sure don't have enough cupcake pans to make 24 all at once so I just made a small loaf with the extra batter. Whatever works, eh? The tricky part for me is that I have one pan for small ones and one pan for larger ones. Of course several toothpick pricks tell me when a tray is ready to come out of the oven. I topped them with a  cream cheese icing when they were cold. 
Click on image to view larger

Please don't think these have the texture of cupcakes or cake just because they have icing. The texture is drier and denser and they are heavy and sweet MUFFINS.

🎃👻🎃💀🎃👻🎃💀🎃👻🎃💀🎃👻🎃💀🎃👻🎃💀🎃👻🎃🎃👻🎃💀🎃👻🎃💀🎃👻🎃💀🎃
Applesauce Muffins

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 10 min. Bake:  about 30 min.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups applesauce
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts, optional (YES use these!)
  • Cinnamon-sugar, optional

  • Directions
  • 1. In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Stir in applesauce. Combine the flour, baking soda and spices; stir into creamed mixture. Fold in nuts.
  • 2. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar if desired. Yield: about 2 dozen.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Back to Baking

This old traditional recipe was used in a new way. I never before have tried to bake a pumpkin pie in a pre-made graham cracker crust. Now I could have prepared my own graham cracker crust as I have the ingredients, and I could have used the classic recipe, but I was feeling a bit adventurous. It sure is delicious! I have cream topping but didn't take it out of the freezer in time for lunch. 
Delicious! Click on image to agree.
Here is the recipe. Note that it was taken from the can of Eagle Brand many years ago. I only added a pinch of clove powder. Note that I scanned the old label. 

This one is a no-fail as well:
Classic Pumpkin Pie

2 Eggs (slightly beaten)
1  can(15 oz.) Pumpkin
3/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 tsp Salt
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
1  can(12 oz.) Evaporated Milk
1 9" Pie Shell, unbaked


Preheat oven to 425°F. Mix ingredients in the order given and pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° and bake 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. 

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Pumpkin's Progress

From a coloring book picture
to these.....
please click on image to be dizzy like me
All it took me was time and energy! Free applications on internet were used.
I like the circle creation the best.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Serious Business

When your toilet seat needs to be replaced it has to be replaced. When we moved into this old cabin in 1997, the seat that we used was the same one that had been installed by my father many years before then. He was also known as using second-hand goods in here, so I have no idea if it was purchased new but it was serviceable for many, throughout a significant number of years. Finally, the white painted surface was worn through and the bracket that held it onto the bowl was failing.

In 2004 we went to Home Depot while we were in SC when shopping for something else. We saw and then bought and brought a beautiful (if you can say a toilet seat is beautiful) oak wood toilet seat with a patterned top back to PA with us. Because I keep detailed records of cabin expenses and improvements, I can tell you that it cost $35. plus tax.
SEE? It IS beautiful!
Alas, it lasted for only 12 years. The brackets were failing and no longer were stable. Off to the Home Depot the Mister went, to find a new replacement. In err, he brought home a WHITE one! He was so concerned about getting a round and not an oval, that he picked up an UGLY WHITE one. I think the Sta-Tite factor had some influence on his choice as well. 
Back it went for a refund as there was no other in a nice wood available. Soooooo, I ordered one online from Lowe's. Well when it came, it was UGLY bamboo wood. It looked nice on the computer screen but there was no finish to speak of and failed my exam. We took it back to Lowe's in person to protest its quality and were given an entire refund of $63.76. Still there was no other in the store that was suitable soooooo.......
(Online photo)
I searched and found another online at Home Depot this time and we picked it up and kept it ready for use and now have installed it. Cost $52.61.
(Online photo)
(Online photo)
It isn't nearly as nice as the old one with the herringbone pattern but it is real wood and the color is honey oak. The fittings are  brass. We will just have to get adjusted to the seat as it is not as well rounded as the former one. See?

It IS a big deal getting a toilet seat. The final one was installed today but it was ordered on February 24! The beautiful one finally gave out. This new replacement has been sitting in the closet waiting to take over any jobs that need to be done. It is good to be prepared. 

Whoever posts such a topic? Well I do. Toilet seats are an important part of life. 

Monday, October 24, 2016

Aye! Pie!

The last pie from fresh apples that I'll make this year. Too much of a good thing is no good, don't you know? That's what they say, anyway.
Please click on image to smell the deliciousness!

Sunday, October 23, 2016

It must be the Apples...

.....that have made me be so weird. I'm having great fun playing and wasting time with these, but the last of the apples are peeled, sliced and ready to go in a pie. There must be something in the air that affects me or it may be too much cider. Sorry to drown you with my creative juice but I have to get rid of them some way. I promise no more. Back to real life photos and foods.
Orange you glad it's over? Click on images to see colors.

Friday, October 21, 2016

This and That

Carved an apple and it is drying. An applehead it will be.     (Actual untouched photo!)
Cut sourdough bread slices that were getting dry. Perhaps I'll make garlic and oil croutons for salad  or a small bread pudding. Currently they rest on the propane stove which is now heating the cabin. 
I created a flying horse to go over my autumn road photo.
He was traveling to a nearby path that was much used by a friend in the past. Her photo was used. She told me that another rider's horse that looked like this one could jump those stone fences without hesitation. It's name was Red Fox and this is his ghost.
One more "creation" of a walk down the country road by Mr. Arabian. (GMG photo)
please click on image to view larger

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

To Market to Market

Well, not really. It should read "To laundromat, to laundromat..." but I took the camera just in case I saw something pretty. I did! 
 Home again, home again jiggity jig!
please click on image to view larger

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Socks, Meatloaf and Muffins

Yesterday I received my 3rd pair of homemade knitted wool socks from an amazing friend who lives in Canada. We met at the beach several years ago as they spent their winters there. We traded craft hobbies and activities and I really miss her and her husband. She's outdone herself this time with this beautiful pair!! I am really grateful.
Made in 2015
Made around 2012
I've been busy this morning. The three pound meatloaf is hot out of the oven. I love Big Red Workhorse that mixes it so well, saving me finger freeze! 
The muffins are bran with golden raisins added. Of course we ate a couple to taste first and then I shared with a fellow who drives by every Tuesday morning. 
These are tasty and I'll share the recipe upon request. 
please click on image to view larger