Saturday, July 31, 2010

What to do when the cake falls?

A few weeks ago, I was incharge of bringing dessert to a dinner party. After consulting with the hostess and clearing all likes, dislikes, and alergies, I deciced to make my special angle food cake. A simple cake with a dusting of powdered sugar. Just the treat for a warm summer evening.

It's really simple and borrowed from WW as it was a one point dessert. Really easy cake to make and best done the day before. Take the box mix and fold in a can of crushed pineapple including the juice,nothing more,and pour into a tube pan and bake according to the directions on the box.

Some 50-60 minutes later (longer since my stove is way too old) pull it out and let it cool for awhile upside down on top of a sturdy wine bottle. And Yes, you need to have drunk a bottle of wine before making the cake. Only Kidding. Upside down is important so that the remaining juice floats back up to the top of the cake. No soggy bottoms for me.

So early that morning, made the cake, had it cooling on the wine bottle. I began to remove the cake from the pan. It all looked okay. Pleased as I was, then the cake fell over and cracked all over, in six pieces. Oh no I exclaimed, "what am I going to do now". My heart was racing. Dinner was in three hours and not enough time to do a re-do.

So with my heart racing - a little cleverness and I went into 'Plan B'. Since the cake was broken, I broke it some more, into little pieces and placed them into a large glass bowl, kinda like a bare trifle. Looked into the fridge and found a pint of blueberries. Mixed the blueberries in and added a few basil leaves around the edge for color and pizzazz.

I served the "cake and blueberries" ontop of a little whipped cream and the dessert was saved. I sat back in relief as all the guests just loved it.

Remember - when the cake falls - literally - a little bit of cleverness will save the day!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Recycle - Our World is in Your Choices

Our In-Line recycling trash container was delivered just before my vacation. It means that we don't have to use the blue buckets any longer, do not have to separate the paper from the cans and such. It does mean we can recycle more stuff that wasn't allowed before we came to this new level.

The Town delivered a 65 gallon container - still not sure it will work in the garage and I've asked to be on the 35 gallon container list. In the mean time, I'm looking at everything I buy and am making a conscious effort to see how much I can reduce what will be my "trash".

Found this video on the infamous 2 liter plastic bottle - some great ideas here for your home!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Back from St Louis

Just back from taking "Aunt Camp Patty" on the road.  I was out to St. Louis to visit my three neices and nephew.  We had a grand time and as times come to an end, back to reality.

As I arrived home after a long travel, KC had seven or eight thinks to say. It kinda went like this.....

Thanks Aunt Jules for the link!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

A Good Quote

 a quote by Bernard Moitessier. He put it:

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present. In this limitless nation, this nation of wind, light, and peace, there is no other ruler besides the sea."

Sometimes someone gets it!  See some amazing Sailing Pictures here

Sunday, July 11, 2010

CT Calendar

Looking for something to do any day of the week.  Check out CT Calendar

The site is a little quirky - though you can find out about events all over the state!  Connecticut offers so many types of events that we can all find something great to do.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Home Garden

Finally today I had a few minutes to finish planting the herbs and flowers in my container garden. 

This year's planting of basil, basil, thyme, purple sage, chives, parsley flat & curly, balm lemon, and savory and more basil.  So far all is healthy and growing well. 

When I stoped at Bob's Fruit Stand, in Wethersfield (next town over) they were having a sale. I was able to pick up some annuals, called mini bells and a plant with blue flowers.  So much for my flora knowledge at this time.   More pictures as the plants grow!

 Two summers ago, the large grass fern in the picture on the left was only 2 ft high when I planted it.  It is now over 4ft high.  The mound of green in front of the fern is Savannah's plant.  This year it was so beautiful and it too has grown.

My evergreen wreath,  by my door, is decorated with American Flags.  You can also see the "new" walkway that was installed earlier this spring.  Seems like the outside is getting better!

Looking forward to my herbs and watching my garden grow.