Books4Me asked for the Pumpkin Bundt cake link, so I thought I would make it a post for anyone else who wants to try it.  I got the recipe from recipezaar--I really enjoy that site!  You can search for a recipe, then sort them by rating, so that you try out the highest-rated recipes (I try whatever recipes I am interested in, but the highest ratings are almost sure-not-to-fail!).  Also, I read most of the reviews before I start the recipe, because sometimes people have great tips on how to proceed. 

This bundt cake had a streusel filling that I left out.  I will definitely add it next time--this cake is fantastic!   All of my boys have been eating it--it makes a huge cake, too.  I had to change bowls as I mixed it, because I thought the batter would fit in my 2 qt. Pampered Chef mix/pour bowl.  (I knew, when I tasted the batter, that it was going to be good!)

Pumpkin-Streusel-Bundt-Cake-46427

This is my last one of these fun vintage pics...

Tonight, I learned something.  Don't buy "traditional" canned salmon, unless you want to pick out the bones and eyes.  Gross.  Although, maybe some people eat the entire can?  I have no idea.  I bought canned salmon on sale a month ago, and decided to make salmon cakes tonight.  After I removed all of the bones, I put it in the food processor with onion, celery, cracker crumbs, eggs, and garlic powder.  I mixed in a few tablespoons of lime juice, and sour cream instead of mayo (we're out).  Three out of four children ate the fried salmon cakes--Pilot, our two-year old, surprised me by eating them.  I thought he would eat a sandwich with Sailor (6-year old--he has turned into a very picky eater...I was indulging him, but cannot any longer--it's impossible when on a food budget!).  I also made a sour cream sauce--I have a Sam's tub of sour cream to use before the expiration date--I added lime juice and capers--the boys devoured it!  It was really good on top of the crunchy cakes.

I just did a search on "pumpkin bundt cake" and found one that uses 8 ounces of sour cream--perfect!  Tomorrow night, we are having baked potatoes for supper--hopefully we'll use the majority of the sour cream...(I am really trying not to waste food--this grocery challenge helps in that, as I only buy exactly what we need). 

Have a wonderful evening, everyone!

 

 

 

I no longer use our microwave.  Well...that's not entirely true...I have used it once in the past month.  I needed to melt butter, and all of the burners on my stove were taken.  My husband does not support ousting the microwave, so it is plugged up in the garage for now.  He pretty much uses it for popcorn.

BUT--when the microwave popcorn bags were gone, I did not buy any more.  When I pop popcorn, I pop it on the stovetop.  (Pour in just enough oil to cover the bottom of a large stockpot, then do the same with the popcorn.  Cover, turn the burner on medium, and wait...we peek in after it starts popping, then peek again when the popping slows down).

Out with the microwave, in with the convection oven (eventually, lol!).

This is strange...I started a post the other day and saved it as "private", and it is not here!  I wonder what happened to it?  Lost in inter-space?

What have I been doing instead of blogging?  Lots of cooking and baking--from scratch.  Pizza dough, bread, rolls, muffins, sauces...  I am basically planning my day around the kitchen.  And, now that I read about the mercury levels in ketchup and chocolate syrup (among other foods), I will either start making my own or buying organic.  It's getting CRAZY, isn't it?!

If you want a little laugh, go read this link--and know that part of me loves this, while part of me rebels against it.   

My friends and I gave a baby shower this past weekend~I love hostessing showers.  I have a hard time holding back--it is kind of like the holidays with me!  I will have several ideas of what I want to do, but when it comes down to it, I can only produce so much.  Frustrating.  So, I save these thoughts for "the next one"... 

Jumping back to the cooking marathon I have been on, I took the Grocery Cart Challenge, and am forcing myself to set a budget on food for the week.  I have never attempted this before--actually setting a *number*  that I will not go over...  I came in under budget this past week, and I will see how things go tomorrow for our second week. 

Ah...this reads back so boring...hopefully I will find my rechargeable batteries for my camera--I like a post with pictures! 

 

 

 

 

Hehe, I did not return to xanga for a political tirade~I will soon be posting about home, family, and schooling!  And, maybe I'm behind the "times" on any discussions, as I have been preoccupied with other things, but I am disgusted with the people who booed President Bush at the inauguration, and lined up to throw shoes at him.  They also laughed at Cheney because he was in a wheel chair.  I realize that not all of Obama's supporters are as low as the people who acted in this way (only one person spoke against the behavior), but it does not bode well for our country...

---

Crowds boo, shout obscenities at Bush
'I'm coming home with my head held high and a sense of accomplishment'

---

Posted: January 20, 2009
9:00 pm Eastern

By Chelsea Schilling
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

While crowds cheered Obama during his inauguration, the reception wasn't as warm for outgoing President Bush – some booed him while others lined up to throw shoes at his effigy.

Many in the crowd began booing and shouting obscenities when President Bush and Vice President Cheney were introduced during the inauguration ceremony, St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Kevin McDermott wrote.

"The booing was, in fact, pretty shocking, regardless of your political bent," he said.

Vice President Cheney recently injured himself while lifting boxes. McDermott said some people chuckled at him.

"When they showed VP Dick Cheney in the wheelchair, the booing was joined with some laughter at his predicament," he wrote.

MSNBC hosts called the booing "bad form" in their coverage.(link to video)

"[I]t was a little surprising that just one voice piped up in opposition, saying things like, 'Don't do that,' and 'Hey, we don't need to do that,'" McDermott wrote.

He found the one person who spoke out, Alven Muladdic, an Italian immigrant, and asked him why he chose to go against the crowd.

"He's still the president of the United States and I think we should show respect, regardless of how we feel ideologically," Muladdic said. "I supported Obama, but I feel the president should be given due respect. … I don't feel the need to boo him now. The elections are over and we can certainly give him his due. We have change now; we have enough change to spare."

Crowd decorum was similar later in the day.

Protesters with Arrest Bush 2009 carried anti-Bush signs along the inaugural parade route.

Prior to the inauguration, crowds gathered around a two-story inflatable blow-up doll with a Pinocchio nose to "Give Bush the Boot" at DuPont Circle in Washington, D.C.

"That felt so much better than I thought it would!" exclaimed one woman, according to New York Magazine.

"I could watch this all day," another person declared.

When Bush climbed aboard Marine One to retire to his Texas home today, some in the crowd cheered and erupted in song, chanting, "Na na na na, hey hey, goodbye."

But Bush had the last word when he spoke at a welcome home rally in Midland, Texas. He listed achievements, announced plans to write a book and said, "I'm coming home with my head held high and a sense of accomplishment."

"No matter whether you agree with my decisions, one thing you have to agree with is that we have not been attacked in the last seven years," Bush continued. "When I get home tonight and look in the mirror, I'm not going to regret what I see – except maybe the gray hair."

Two things I want to say:

When has George Bush not been gracious and a gentleman?  I have read too many condescending posts that refer to these qualities on the *day* he left office--it is quite annoying....

And, isn't it interesting how Obama's flub during the inauguration has been spun?  Obama interrupted Justice Roberts, which threw Roberts off, but it is being reported (interpreted, actually) by Diane Sawyer that Roberts was the one who threw Obama off.  (I guess Diane can read lips--at the end of that clip when Obama and Roberts are shaking hands, she says that Robert "seems" to say that the flub was entirely his fault--because someone HAS to be blamed?)...

I just cannot ignore the riDONculous media!

And, yes, he did repeat the oath again last night.  Just in case....

...and your lovely lady, Laura!

I will patiently let the years pass and wait for the truth of your legacy to be revealed...

 

 

It's been a busy time!  I have been hand-journaling quite a bit, and have only been on-line to read a few inspirational blogs and research various topics that arise in our home...and look up phone numbers (I don't even know where our phone books are--I just come straight to the computer, LOL).

Happy New Year! 

 

It might snow tonight!  We are keeping watch~making cookies and hot chocolate!