Perfect Recipe For Fall and Freeform for Friday

If I Can Bake This, So Can You

Before I get to the above cake...........did you enter the current giveaway yet? No? What, are you nuts?  Go here.  Do it now. You only have until the end of the day!

Onto the cake........

I've said it before and have no problem saying it again. I am a cook. Not a baker. Not a candlestick maker either by the way.

I do have a few things in my repetoire that I can bake, and this cake is, well how should we say it..........ah yes, the only cake. That's it. My only cake.

Trust me, if I can bake a cake that is actually edible, than you can too. This is the one. Great recipe for fall when it's apple picking time.

I adjusted the recipe just a wee bit this time, because I had a couple of pears that needed to be used. Instead of all apples, this time I made the cake with two pears and one apple. Just as good. I'm sure you could use whatever kind of apple you like for baking too.  It is a very dense cake and rich enough to not need anything like ice cream on the side, and that's coming from an ice cream lover. 

Go pick some apples and get baking. This cake is easy. Really easy. It's also delicious.

My Ear Hurts and I Don't Have an Earache

If you ever wonder whether being on facebook is worth it, I'm here to tell you it is.  This morning I got a call from one of my best pals and college roommates. We'd lost each other in moves and life, and were finally able to find each other through facebook.  She called this morning (Hi Ro! I know you're probably reading this!!!).  It was like we had just spoken yesterday. Well, except that we had a few years to catch up on. OK, like 15 or so. Silly, right? We must have talked for 2 hours and when we hung up, my ear hurt. Cool, huh?

Now, when I talk to this little guy, my face hurts. From smiling.

That's Harry. He's my godson. He's in Dublin and I'm in Stratham. We're an ocean apart. I can't say how happy Skype makes me. If you were skyping with him, wouldn't you be happy too? 

It's his first birthday today.

Happy Birthday Harry Boy! As your cousin Ali would say, love you lots like jelly tots.

And a bday shout out to my other nephew in Dublin, Conor. He celebrated yesterday.

You're the man Conor. I'm sure you did it up right!  Did you make it to class this morning? It's ok, surely Trinity will understand it was the day after your bday.

Freeform Friday

Today is not so pretty.  Weather-wise that is. So I needed a sunny, groovy, pick me up. Ala Jack Johnson no less.

Sunset Meadows

What? You can't see it?

Maybe you need to clean your monitor?

Oh sorry. It's the fog. No sun going down last night. I guess I can't expect a beautiful sunset every night. I can hope for better than this though. Still here today. See why I needed Jack Johnson on a surfboard in the sun?

Lots on the list for the rest of the day. No idea what the weekend holds. Probably wood splitting and stacking. Adding new items to Bates Mercantile Co.  Perhaps cleaning the basement since it's supposed to be raining and because we didn't get to it last weekend. I know, we live on the edge.

Hope your Friday is fantastic and your weekend wonderful. Thanks for being here.

Peace. Out.

A Birthday Dinner and Blog Sharin' Love

I Knew He Was Coming So Baked a Cake

My dad celebrated his birthday on Saturday, and extended the celebration last night when he and Mom came over for a birthday dinner.  He chose pork roast, one of our all time favorite Sunday dinners, and I was happy to oblige.

I probably could have 'styled' the pork roast better, but it sure tasted good. Sides were those yummy pressed potatoes I told you about last week and a biggo salad.

That's me, Mom and Dad, having a quick toast before filling our plates.

Since it was Dad's birtday, I even baked a cake.........from scratch. I can say with confidence that I am a good cook, I think because I can put my twist on things. There is leeway. Baking is much more specific and not generally my forte, but I've baked this Italian Apple Butter Cake before and it did not disappoint last night.

It was a delicious end to the birthday evening, complete with tea light candle for Dad to blow out and make a wish. I'll share the recipe later this week.

Spreading Some Blog Love

There so many wonderful blogs out there, one could get lost. Here's a few that I think you should check out.  I read them and really enjoy them for many different reasons.

Lori is an illustrator and has a wonderful eye. Her blog automatism is a wonderful collection of design finds that tickle her fancy, and mine.  Lori has a wonderful weekly post of links that she shares and I always love exploring them.  While you're there, check out our ad!

Eleni is an architect working on the island of Crete. I just found her blog myparadissi last week and am already smitten. Like Lori, she shares wonderful designs finds. Bates Mercantile Co. may be advertising here soon.......let us know what you think!

Like Lori from automatism and myself, Fiona is also an illustrator. I can always count on her blog Cafe Cartolina to be colorful. That makes me happy. 

I thank Jaime at Crafty, Scrappy, Happy for introducing me to the talented Lucy and her blog Craftberry Bush.  She has the most wonderful projects! Check out today's wheat and wire pumpkin. I'm just in love with the wheat.

If you visit any of these blogging ladies, which I really think you should, mention that I sent you their way.  I know that once you take a look around, you'll be a fan too.

Happy Monday! The sun is shining, the air is crisp and the birds are chirpping. What more can a girl ask for?

I'm working on whittling down my to-do list today, and also need to make some time to move, whether a walk or hitting the yoga mat at the end of the day. I need to work 'movin' back into my daily routine, big time. What are your plans?