Rainbow

Just had to show you the rainbow.  Isn't it beautiful.  This is standing on my back porch.  We have had a lot of rain and it's really been a downer but when I walked out and saw this....Wow !  The orchard is peach trees.  They just planted them last spring.  Any who, just wanted to share this gift for the eyes. 
     I'm waiting on my french bread to rise.  Yes, I made bread or I should say I'm in the process as it's not done yet, it still has an hour and a half then I divide it in half, roll each one out, roll up and it has to rise for another hour.  Hey, it takes a while but boy is it worth it. Buy 2 we should be having warm bread.  Make a sandwich, toast it, make french toast, what ever you want and it smells sooooo good.  I got the recipe off the internet and I make it every week or so.  Hey I have a great recipe for chocolate cake and I got it here on the kindle.  Let me share.
                   Nana's hole cake
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 teas. salt
4 Table. cocoa
1 teas. baking soda
1 Table. vinegar
1/2 cup oil
1 cup hot water
     Make a hole in center of dry ingredients and add 1t.baking soda and 1T. vinegar  (this will fizz, that's ok)  Then add oil and hot water.  Stir until smooth.  Bake in an 9x9 ungreased (I grease mine) 25 minutes in 350' oven.  Cool and frost .  serves 6 to 8.

Now for the frosting....  Dark Chocolate Ganache

8 oz. 62-65% of dark chocolate chopped
9 oz. heavy cream
1 oz. butter cut in small pieces
     Measure chocolate in metal bowl.   set aside
     Heat cream to scalding, not boiling  (when scalding,cream will form a film on surface)
     Pour scalding cream over chopped chocolate,  let set 20-30 seconds to heat chocolate then mix.
     When Chocolate and cream incorporated, slowly stir in pieces of butter until melted and incorporated.
Pour over cake and enjoy.
     I make this for Jim and I it's just enough and we love it.  Happy Holidays !  Tootles and Doodles

Kindle. What is not to love ?

Thought I would show you a picture of the Smallest Mountain Range, "The Buttes,"  located north of Sacramento.
     Now getting back to our Kindle.  I am just thrilled to death about all the free books they offer.  I swear, I'm like a kid in a candy shop.  I snap up the books like they will disappear if I don't and they will.  Disappear from the free list that is.  There were a couple of books I was debating about getting.  Even though they are free, I have made myself read about them first and decide if I can't live without them.  Well, I waited too long and the next thing I knew here they were on the paid list for 9.99.  What!  I was so mad.  So now I decide right away.  There are a few Authors I really like and I do watch for there new books to show up.  One of the books I want to get  is by Fanny Flagg.  If you haven't read here books, do so.  I think you will love them. Right now I am reading, "Deadly Sanctuary," by Sylvia Nobel.  This is a free book, if you haven't pick it up yet, do so.  I am really enjoying.  Happy Reading !  Tootles and Doodles

Happy Holidays !

That is our Eleanor wishing you Good spirits for the season.  This is just before I made the apple pie and apple butter.  Yum Yum  She is our sassy cat who wakes us up every morning wants her can and believe me will not take no for an answer.  You can hide under the covers all you want she is standing guard and will trample up and down you with her steel paws.  Ha!  We do love her along with her sister Elviria and the rest of our clan.
     Did I mention I will receive the money for Christmas on Dec. 24.  Isn't that a kick.  Of course, this year we are having record rain fall so with slick and wet streets Jim and I will be out and about finding that perfect gift for our Granddaughters.  Yikes !  You have probably already guessed I did not do my shopping early.  Well, I kinda did.  I bought all my animals their presents.  I even have them  under the tree in little decorated boxes I got at the Dollar Store.  Ha.  How fun was that, I mean you know they will like them, especially the dogs.  They love anything with a noise maker and something they can chew up.
     This Season already I have made two batches of party mix, a batch of fudge and I have 8 rolls of cookie dough frozen in the freezer.  I made the cookie dough baked one pan and  rolled the rest in  plastic wrap to put in the freezer.  Jim and I do not need to have more than one sheet of homemade cookies in front of us at one time.  Sadly we will keep eating until they are gone.  So I think I have figured out how not to eat so much on Christmas.....eat it all a week before.  Let me tell you, I am so sick of goodies I do not want to look at another piece of fudge or a bowl of party mix, small or otherwise for a long, long time.  All I want is lemon water, herb tea, water base soup,.....are you getting where I am going.  Just the plain simple food.  It's my fault but I do believe I'm on to something here.  I have overindulged already so now for the rest of Dec. I will eat right.  Hey, I'll let you know, at least I have a week to try and lose the 5 pounds I put on.  Wish me luck.
      I do look forward to spending time with the family.  My Granddaughter is coming up tomorrow to make popcorn balls.  Something my Mom did every year.  She was the best person to be around on the holidays.  She loved making candy, cookies, cakes and of course party mix.  Oh, how I miss her,  What fun we would have getting ready for the celebrations.  So tomorrow in honor of my Mom we will make popcorn balls.  I have a feeling she will be right beside us enjoying every minute.   Tootles and Doodles

Are you Ready for Christmas ?

     Is anyone really ever ready for Christmas ?  Now, I ask you, I don't care how planned out you think you are, there is always something you didn't get done.  Am I right or what ?  I just figure I will do the best I can.  The Adults in our family are fine with no gifts.  Although I do try to get small little gifts.  Maybe some candy, cookies or just something I know they will use.  Now as far as my Granddaughters are concerned,  I think I could buy the Moon.  It's so much fun buying for the kids.  Especially if you get it right.  I tell you, in this day and age, it's hard to even know what they are talking about.  They have mentioned some games for their computer.....Sims 3. Now what in the world is that.  You can't even figure it out by the name.  There is no hint of what's inside or what it is all about.  I'm lost.  Jim and I do try to keep up with all the new things but let's face it, if you don't know what they are talking about, it's a little hard to keep the conversation going.  I just tell them to write a list and let me look at it.  They do and boy, do I have a lot of questions for them.  Sometimes they have to take a few minutes to explain it and even go back and remind me about another conversation we had earlier that ties in.  See what I mean, are you confused yet ?  Hey, I just make sure the candy dish is full, the party mix is out along with fudge and of course  frosted cookies.  I find you can't go wrong with food unless of course one of the Granddaughter's is 15 and watching her weight!  Help  !!  Oh well, let's hear it for Egg Nog with a little something extra inside (if you know what I mean).  Tootles and Doodles