Week 20 of the Recipe Challenge

After two weeks I finally managed to bake this new recipe I ran across for Butter Rum Banana Cake. It smelled wonderful and was delicious. My grandchildren are not that fond of Chocolate Cake so this was a nice alternative. I used canned whipped cream as I had some in the fridge but whipping fresh cream would make it an elegant guest dessert.

Loom Weaving Progress

Here is the photo of the 'playing' I have been doing with my new Love and Money Looms. I was trying out the different sizes from Coaster up to Place mat and most of the patterns and then reversed the colors. There are different methods of finishing the edges but you can see I liked the fringe the best but did not brush it out as suggested. I bought some yarn so I can make some Christmas gifts. These go quickly so hopefully I can finish before I become bored and move on to another project.

Week 19 of the Recipe Challenge

The cooler weather this week has me so looking forward to the first day of fall and to get into the mood I photographed this Nutty Caramel Apple Dip. It calls for chopped peanuts but this time I left them out as I was wanting something a little softer. I do love the flavor and this is my version of a carmel apple since I dare not risk pulling out a crown with the real McCoy!

First Bloom

I was out back checking out this velvety black beauty that was single handedly decimating my mint when low and behold I looked up and saw the first bloom on my Pineapple Sage.  Does this mean it is officially fall?  It feels like it as it was only 80 degrees with a slight dry breeze!  Which explains the slightly blurry photo, as it kept moving.

Week 18 of the Recipe Challenge

Today I tried this new recipe in the crock pot.  The chicken came out tender and moist but we all felt like the orange flavor was a bit too strong.  I may try working on this as it is good.  Obviously is is called Slow Cooker Orange Chicken.

September on the Third Coast

It is September which means the temperatures are starting to cool down to mid to low 90's for the highs and lows dipping occasionally into the 70's!  My chives are in full bloom now and have such a lovely fragrance, which is seldom mentioned.  Chives are the one thing I have managed to not kill here.  And I have them in several locations around the yard with seeds from last fall still left.  Maybe I should consider edging the driveway with them.  Or better yet as a border out front, but they probably won't get enough sun there.  Oh well, I will continue to enjoy them out back and share the seeds with anyone who asks.

If this photo looks slightly 'softened' it is because the humidity causes my camera lens to fog up so I have to act quickly to get a photo most days.  Just another challenge.

09-09-09

I decided to get a photo of these two, my grandson and mein Schatten today.  Years from now I hope I remember to give it to him so he can remember what he did on this date.  I have a difficult time getting a decent photo of my black dog, Schatten.  Shadow is such a great name for him on so many levels.  He is especially fond of my grandson but is really fascinated with the pointer on the laptop screen!

Week 17 of the Recipe Challenge

This week I tried this recipe for Banana Cookies as I am trying to increase my Potassium levels.    I made about three dozen of these and then couldn't resist putting a chocolate chip in the center of each one on the next batch.  I have to say I really like the chocolate ones better.  A nice thing about this recipe is that the batter can be refrigerated and baked later. 

Full Corn Moon

Today, September 4th is the Full Corn Moon, a time when corn should be ready for harvesting, but usually this is known as a Harvest Moon. More on this next month.  In the meantime if weather permits take the time to step out and enjoy a view of our celestial neighbor.  You won't regret it.

More Caterpillars

I discovered these fellows munching on my tomato plant this evening.  I have no idea what kind they are other than they are not Monarchs.  What I want to know is why the birds keep eating the Monarch caterpillars but left these fat guys alone?  They only have one evil looking spike!

At any rate I decided to limit the damages and cut off the branch they were on and put it with them in the butterfly house while I wait to see if my daughter wants them for the science lab.  They do demonstrate the ability to blend into the background successfully!  Natural camouflage.