Apple Bundt Cake

This is an easy apple cake recipe with a nice moist result.

The most time consuming part of this recipe will be preparing the apples.

Apple Bundt Cake

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups sugar
    2 eggs
    1/2 cup oil
    2 cups flour
    1 Tbsp. cinnamon
    2 teaspoons baking soda
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    4 cups diced apples (approx. 4 apples)
    1 cup chopped walnuts
    1 teaspoon vanilla

Method:

  1. Beat eggs and sugar well.
  2. Stir in next 5 ingredients and mix.
  3. Add next 3 ingredients and mix well.
  4. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
  6. Let cool in pan 10 minutes before removing onto serving plate.
  7. When the cake has cooled completely dust it with powdered sugar.

I used Pam baking spray with flour for my pan and the cake came out nicely.

When the cake has cooled completely dust it with powdered sugar.

Past the Limit

As the dear Grandma Wilma would say, “What a revolting development”!

I seem to be way over the limit on the images on my blog.

Working on some solutions.

Pink Dogwoods are always a treat to see and it will appease me for a while as I fix my excess photo problem!

Have a good weekend.

Truth for Today #98

Thursday April 25th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Psalm 98:1-2

Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

From Vera:

”Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭30‬:‭8‬-‭9‬

From Leonard:

Job 34:2-3

“Just as the mouth tastes good food, the ear tests the words it hears. So let us discern for ourselves what is right, let us learn together what is good.”

 

 

Planning with the Hodgepodge

The photo above is of me on an old bridge in Scotland in 1973 or 1974. It is too bad that I do not know where in Scotland this was taken. This was during one of the summers we toured with our Christian ‘Rock’ Music Group.

Thanks to Jo From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. When did you last have cancelled plans? Were you happy about that or disappointed? 

Nothing recently that I can think of. Our 2020 trip to England was the big trip where our airfare and housing was purchased and we had to cancel because of Covid. We were disappointed and were happier about the cancelled plans when we got totally reimbursed for all we had put out in advance.

2. On a scale of 1-10 how much of a planner are you? 

1= I go where the wind takes me  
10=I’ve got a power point on it, no matter what it is
I can let the wind take me on small whim day trips. When we look out the window at a beautiful day and have nothing on our calendar, we are free to pick a direction to drive to and just drive stopping when we feel like it.
~
For other trips where either airfare is involved or we drive several days to a destination via car, I’m a obsessed planner! There have been so many things we missed because we just didn’t know it was there. On trips to the United Kingdom there will always be things we miss because of time and energy but I want to know as much as I can to pick and choose what we should not miss.
~
For the day to day stuff, I use a calendar and list of things I need to accomplish in any given week and I love to cross things off on that list.

3. Do you have a menu plan for the week? If so tell us one or two things that are on it. If not, what’s your plan for not having a plan lol? 

Shocking that a Home Economics major has never had a menu plan! I plan a meal as to what is in the fridge and cupboard or head to the store to buy what I need to make an inspired meal or head to somewhere to do a take-out meal. I might have planned better when our kids were little but that was over 30 years ago!

4. The Hodgepodge lands on National Bucket List Day. Do you have a bucket list?

Kind of…

Is it written down or just in your head?

Mostly in my head…

What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don’t have a list, what is one thing you’d add to a list if you did? Yes I’m going to make you think about it. 

Spending some time in the north east part of the U.S. and crossing into Canada going as far as Prince Edward Island.

At present I’m in the detailed gathering of information stage as to where to go and what to see in Scotland. Lord willing, we will be traveling with Josh and Laura to Scotland in September. Once we nail down our dates and flights the real planning can begin with bookings, etc.  Part of my gathering of information is reading a book about John Knox.

5. Rain buckets, a drop in the bucket, couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, sweat buckets, cry buckets…which ‘bucket’ idiom applies to your life in some way currently? 

Currently, a drop in the bucket seems appropriate as we are entering weeding season and my efforts are always just a drop of what could be done!

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

A couple photos from 2004 when we were in Scotland with our daughter Katie.

We were also in Scotland in 2006. Both of these times were before we had digital cameras.

Happy Hodgepodge to all of you!

Hurrah for Ice Cream

On Sunday these two enjoyed a scoop of ice cream in an ice cream cone after our dinner.

Such a simple good dessert.

What is your favorite brand and flavor? We are partial to Häagen-Dazs. One of our favorite flavors is Vanilla Swiss Almond. We only buy it when it goes on a good sale.

The grands above are enjoying Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

Peace

It is unusual for us to see a dove at our birdbath. This one looks quite fluffy and stayed around long enough for some photos on Saturday.

On Sunday I was reading a devotional by John MacArthur called Drawing Near and on this day the title of the devotion was The Cushion of Peace.

I’ll share part of what I read and found so encouraging.

…”Christians can experience a cushion of peace in their souls regardless of their troubled surroundings. That’s because they belong to God, who is the source of peace; serve Christ, who is the Prince of Peace; and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who is the agent of peace. Galatians 5:22 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, [and] peace.” When you become a Christian, God grants you the gift of peace…

God is not only the source of perfect peace, but also its purest example…

God wants everyone to know that kind of peace. He created the world with peace and sent His Son to offer peace. Someday Christ will return to establish His kingdom and reign in peace for eternity…”

My prayer for you is that you have this cushion of peace.

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

The Cross of My Redeemer ~ Hymn

The Cross of My Redeemer

On Calvary’s distant mountain
The cross of faith I see,
Where once the Lord of glo­ry
Was cru­ci­fied for me.

Refrain

The cross of my Re­deem­er,
O may I still defend,
And through the grace He giveth
Be faithful to the end.

As on that cross extended,
He suffered, bled and died,
To sinful thoughts and pleasures
May I be cru­ci­fied.

Refrain

He bore that cross with patience;
Through sorrow dark and sin,
He bids me now, be­liev­ing,
Take up my cross for Him.

Refrain

Had I no foes to conquer
No cross on earth to bear,
A victor’s crown of triumph,
I could not hope to wear.

Refrain

Words: Fanny Crosby, (1820-1915)

Butterflied Leg of Lamb Roast

My parents were born in the area of Southern Russia between the Black and Caspian Seas and then with their families escaped into Persia which is now Iran. Lamb was part of their regular diet. This is a wonderful way to cook lamb. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

You can ask your butcher to bone and butterfly your leg of lamb. If there is a lot of fat you can trim some of the fat.
Ingredients:

  • 1 leg of lamb (4-6 pounds) boned and butterflied.
  • 4 red potatoes
  • 1 large onion
  • Olive Oil

Seasoning Mixture:

  • 1-1/2 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
  • 2-Tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup Dijon Style mustard
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  1. In food processor add the salt, rosemary, garlic, and process as fine as possible.
  2. Add the mustard, balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice and process for a minute longer.
  3. Place lamb on baking rack fat side up and spread the processed mixture over the fat side of the lamb.
  4. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
  5. In the meantime wash and cut 4 red potatoes (or any potatoes you desire) in half lengthwise.
  6. Quarter the large onion.
  7. Place the potatoes and the onion in the baking dish, sprinkle with Olive oil and toss the onions and potatoes so they are coated nicely.
  8. Place the rack with the lamb over the vegetables.
  9. This method of roasting will give the vegetables nice seasoning from the drippings off the roast.
  10. Roast the lamb at 450 degrees for 20 minutes.
  11. Turn the lamb over carefully and roast an additional 20 minutes.
  12. Let the roast stand for 15 minutes and then slice on the grain and serve.
  13. Serves 4 to 6.

If you use a 6 pound leg of lamb add more potatoes to serve more people.

Dance Recital

On Saturday after JJ’s birthday party some time was spent on braiding and curling Addy’s hair for her dance recital. Addy, her mommy and Auntie Lolo left early and we followed later. We waited with anticipation to see Addy come on stage.

The lighting was difficult but I was able to get some photos to show some of the dance moves.

 

 

 

 

 

In this shot you can see the braids and curls that held well throughout the performance. Hats off to Auntie Lolo and her mommy.

She really danced her heart out and it was great to see her confidence on stage. I wish I could have gotten the video to load onto my computer but it just didn’t work for me.

 

 

Baba and Gramps thought you did a wonderful job. You worked hard at your practices and it showed on stage! Well done, Addy!

Home to have a good rest before her next performance on Sunday afternoon.

We found out after the show that there were a few of the young performers who had challenges to overcome and they did it brilliantly. There was one young dancer who was completely deaf. Another amazing young man with a cochlear implant from the same family who was one of the stars of the show. Another performer came to the Haran Dancers without being able to jump or hop. All of these challenges were overcome with practice and patience. We are pleased that our granddaughter can learn and perform in this wonderful school of Irish Dancers with gifted teachers.

Truth for Today #97

Thursday April 18th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Colossians 4:2-6

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

From Maristella:

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8.

From Dianna:

Psalm 16:11 ”You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

From Vera:

”Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭143‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Susan:

“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.” Jeremiah 15:16