Cake Experimenting...

I'm experimenting with different recipes for Italian Cream Cake.  Samantha said it was a favorite for her fiancé, Everett.

They're going to have a December 7th wedding and she wanted me to make the Groom's Cake.  Never have I done anything like this but, I'll try anything once.  This is their sample cake...  She'll let me know if I need to keep trying or if we have a winner.

Everett and Samantha (granddaughter)

Larry said (hubby) I'd been working too hard on that cake...I needed a break...geeez...I can Not stay on my locarb diet routine...no will power!

Makes getting the cake out of the tin, effortless!  Aluminum handles!  I cut a cardboard round,  placed two strips of foil under the round,  folded over the tin's edges...Placed the ice cold cake on the cardboard round and placed it in the tin.  When the kids go to eat it, they can take it out easily!

And it was Libby's dreaded day to visit the vet for her nail clipping... :o(

Not a happy camper...she stresses out, poor baby...but it always ends up well and with a treat.

SO...That's been about all I've been up to this week.  It rained here earlier in the week...almost four inches!!  We have great drains for just this reason in the back yard but hard and fast is always overwhelming.  It let up about the time we started to worry!  But, all ended well with nothing in the house ruined.  The water came up on the patio but not high enough to reach the back door...dodged a bullet!

Well, y'all be safe and warm or cool my friends!  Hopping over to check on you!

Not Doing a Blooming Thing...

My Hibiscus tree is blooming

Chicken Supper

Our Buddy

Our Libby

Chicken Supper Prep

Our friends, Bill & Wanda were up from the Valley for a visit, headed to NY State for the Summer so we ate donuts, drank coffee then headed out to the Mammoth exhibit...

Bill & Wanda (known since we all were kids in high school)

Crystal came up for a visit so we took her over to see her PawPaw (Larry's Dad)

Larry and his dad, Gerald (93)

Our Crystal Anne... 

Talk about boring!!  Not much happening here, for a change.  Had visitors, ate good food...cleaned out a bunch of books, saw our daughter, Crystal...yep, just boring.
Binge-watched Hannah, on Amazon Prime.  It was good but you need to listen to what's going on.  Another show is Bosch, also on Amazon Prime.  There's a new season out now. 
Anyhoo...guess I'll get this posted and come visit you.
Stay warm or cool my friends...

Happy First Day of Spring!

Morning!  Happy Spring...I'm glad to finally see it.  Larry and I took a drive over to McGregor, Texas (a 15 min drive) for breakfast at GW Bushes favorite restaurant then onward to check out the SPACEX facility.  (Sorry the photos are a bit blurry...wrong setting) We went several years ago and could ride right up close to the buildings, etc.

No More!  Security gates...all entry points.  SO, we stopped before getting too close and turned around, and headed to main street, where our tax accountant is located.  Took two minutes to drop off the packet and we were headed home with a promise that he'd be calling within a few days.  I'm so glad that we have someone to do them...what a pain!  They certainly earn their money!

Well, I best get outside and dump my used coffee grounds on the roses before the neighbors start leaving for work...a coat, gown and Larry's shoes isn't a pretty picture first thing in the morning!

Stay warm or cool my friends!

What Are You Waiting For....Use Those Dishes!

Castles and Ships of England by Johnson Bros

Blue Willow

Blue Willow by Johnson Bros

Pursuit by Noritake, Keltcrafe

Old Country Roses by Royal Albert 1962

Lunch...Hahaa...needed a break from hunting down all those dishes!

And checking out a squirrel hunting his lunch...

And finally, Larry needed a haircut...couldn't   wait!  Stormy!

I sat in the truck while an ambulance buzzed by... :O(

Morning!

Last week, I saw a post about dishes at  Janice at Gypsy Farm Girl …. and how we should just start using those that we've all relegated to cupboards...china cabinets...the closet or the cedar chest (Hope Chest). She made a great point and made a ton of sense.  I've had dishes put up in different spots of my house, for years!  How ridiculous do I feel...No child of mine has my taste in really, anything!  SO, I don't think they are going to put them in their closets or cupboard after I'm gone!  The one set I have is really a hard to find pattern...Keltcraft, Pursuit.  $2500.00 now.  I have the six plate 30 pieces set plus teapot.  I may end up selling it.  Of course, it's only worth that IF you can sell it.  Who knows...Anyway, my point is...go look in your cupboards!  What do you see?  Why are they just sitting there?  You didn't originally buy them for investment, did you?  You bought them because you loved them...the pattern...the look.  Well, I for one am going to go for it...I'm 67 now...I think it's about time.

Stay warm or cool my friends!