On A Cooking Spree

I have this habit when it comes to cooking.   If I don't have exactly everything the recipe calls for, I just 'make do.'    Which might at times, tend to drive Ken crazy.  His favorite solution is "I'll run to the store for you right now and pick it up".   I never want him to go just for one silly little item.   I always answer, "no, I can use what I have here."     Consequently, my cooking does not  always turn out like I hoped.

So I decided to make this wonderful Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Frosting that was on Sommer's Blog.   And I decided that this time I would follow the recipe completely. The only alteration was I did not add the nuts on top.   And when I went to frost my 3-layer masterpiece.....there was so much frosting left that I had to use  gobs on top and finished up by covering the sides as well.    I'll have to show you what it was suppose to look like.

You would never know it was the same recipe would you!

A Spicy Perspective.Com



And then the weather turned chilly which made me know it was time for that wonderful Chili Recipe so this time I allowed Ken to go shop for every single thing the recipe called for.   Yummmmm.  I love the sausage in the chili.




Sommer's Chili

 


Milk 'n Crackers with a bowl of Chili



That cake was soooo big that I had to pack it up for the freezer.  But for sure, Ken and I are enjoying a slice every so often, waiting for an opportunity to share it with friends. 



Alive and Well at Seventy Three

I had a very nice Birthday on Saturday, October 8, 2011.  I actually started celebrating with Ken on Friday evening by going to the Stone CreekRestaurant  for a wonderful steak dinner and cheese cake.   Then Ken and I went to a movie, THE HELP.

I told Ken I was going for a Pedicure Saturday morning to celebrate, so he gave me the cash to pay for it.  Saturday was the first day in weeks that I did not have pain in my back, hip and leg.....that might have been the best birthday gift ever.  I also went shopping for new jeans and a jacket. 

Hailey's Mega Meal

And at the last minute, we decided to meet at CiCi's Pizza after Saturday evening Church for pizza together with the Tulsa families.  Take a look at the plates of the children the first go around.  Of course they all went back for more.But these is demonstration of their first sweep across the buffet line. 

Lily, the Mac and Cheese Queen

Rosie, starting out as the Healthy One

Devin, moderation at first.

Elijah, starts with a little bowl of Soup

I love my rosemary plant.  Hope I keep it healthy.    Lily brought her new hat she had gotten from the Tulsa State Fair on Friday.

After we had eaten, the kids started playing with Papa's head.  I think he kind of liked it. 

Remember Sydney's famous saying: "hair pose to be on head."

In the end, they decided his head might get cold so he should try Lily's new hat.