A German Chocolate Cake, Just for Me!

      It's time for a German Chocolate Cake! I haven't made one in several years, so I got the ingredients together, (thanks Mom!) and whipped one up. It is delicious! But just don't look at it! I sprayed the pans, instead of using grease and flour. Big mistake! I will not trust that again! The cake stuck so bad, it just crumbled! Glad I wasn't making it for someone else! Randy said it was the best tasting one I ever made!
At least it tastes good! My birthday is tomorrow so that's the reason for the cake. We've bought them from bakeries, but they just don't taste the same as homemade. I think it's the cooked icing. It's like a custard! I could eat it alone!

      I have been searching online for organic dried beans. I found a source, but they were expensive. We went to Publix, a grocery chain in the South. They carry lots of organic food and low and behold, they sell bulk organic food! Like beans, nuts, granola, etc., things I thought I could only find at Whole Foods! Publix is about thirty miles from here, but that's closer than Whole Foods! We are supposed to get a Publix in this area next year. I can hardly wait! I don't buy all organic food, but I am buying more than I did. I like to use organic beans to can. I put up twenty jars of organic black beans this week! We love a jar of black beans! We use them in soup, refried in burritoes, taco meat, etc. My next session will either be red beans or navy beans. Hopefully next week. I go by the directions on pickyourown.org. Canning beans is one of the easiest things to do if you prepare ahead of time! I enjoy the whole process!

       Winterlynn and Riley are here today and are being good! Riley is walking all over the place! I won't get to see Yasmine and Lulu until the twentieth. I miss them when they aren't here! They are getting excited about Christmas, telling me what they want. The innocence of children is so precious!

       I received the Baker's Seed catalog this week and I'm so excited! I can hardly wait to sow seeds and watch them germinate! I have so many seeds that I don't know if I'll order anything, but just looking at the pictures inspire me! Are you getting exited about gardening?

      The weather here has been a bit colder this week with highs in the fifties and lows in the twenties. I can still walk outside in the fifties, but below that, if the wind is blowing, forget it! I don't like walking on the treadmill, but I have to some times. Better than nothing! Christmas is almost upon us. Are you ready? I almost am! Enjoy the season and stay warm! Blessings from Bama!

I've got pancake mix going to the left for the next morning's breakfast, spaghetti and home ground pork for Italian sausage, on the right.

Yummy Italian sausage spaghetti sauce!

Dough made without the bread machine. I did use the Kitchen Aid though. The bread tasted rather blah. I like the bread machine recipe better!

Black beans soaking overnight for the next days canning session.

Canning session in progress.

Filling jars.

I needed an extra eye to boil water, so I got out the Max Burton. It worked, just took forever to come to a boil! I finally put a lid on it to speed things up. The Max Burton is better for smaller pots. I only use it when I have to.

A lot of time is spent waiting on the gauge to reach 10 lbs. of pressure.

I cook chicken on the grill every week for Skylar's lunch. He takes a grilled chicken salad with homemade Parmesan peppercorn dressing, a homemade cookie or brownie, and Kool-Aid! Is he spoiled or what?

Some of the homemade choc. chip cookies.

Don't forget to add vinegar to the canner when adding the water. It will prevent this white film.

The closest we've come to snow in a couple of years! Just a light frost!

Riley running around with big sister's cup!

Big sister is getting so 'grownie' looking!

It may look ridiculous, but it sure tastes good!

Helping Aunt 'FeFe' in the kitchen!

Our Trip to Whole Foods!

      We went to Whole Foods in Birmingham this past weekend and man, was it busy! I should have known by how full the parking lot was, that the store would be elbow to elbow! The prices have really gone up since we were there last! I went ahead and bought organic Swiss chard, kale, beets, and strawberries. I have cooked the chard and been very pleased, but the strawberries were sour! I hate sour strawberries! I guess they'll go in my smoothies so I won't taste it. My smoothies always taste sweet, even when I use less sweet ingredients! 

      Even though Trader Joe's is a much smaller market, I find their prices to be somewhat less than Whole Foods. I was surprised, since Trader Joe's is in a much larger city. I guess Whole Foods has the monopoly in Alabama since they are the only one with no competition. Still, I'm glad we have Whole Foods, and I hope one day we'll have a Trader Joe's! I also wished we had an Azure Standard pick up in this state, especially close to me! Maybe one day! At least I've found out about a somewhat local food co-op that goes to the bulk food store I visited when we went to the Amish country. It would take about four hours to drive there, but I only have to travel about an hour to pick up from the co-op. Can you tell I'm trying to feed my family better?

      I am reading a book by Tamar Adler: An Everlasting Meal Cooking with Economy and Grace. At first I was disappointed that it wasn't a regular cookbook and didn't read much of it. I decided to try it again, and I am so glad! It has changed my perspective of cooking! She explains about cooking in a way I never thought about, with simplicity; and using what you have, not wasting anything! She even uses the stems, leaves and core of cauliflower, and stems of the Swiss chard, beets, turnips, etc., in a pesto! I haven't tried that recipe, but I bet it's delicious!  I found another recipe, http://www.jrorganicsfarm.com/beet-greens/dont-throw-out-the-beet-greens/ that cooks the beet greens pretty much the way I did the Swiss chard. I like greens, even though the Swiss chard was a little strong. The next day after I sauteed the Swiss chard, I turned it into a gratin! Thanks to the above mentioned book! It wasn't a recipe I followed, just a method, I guess you'd say. I am about to roast the beets and some sweet potatoes, and I will cook the beet greens tomorrow. Would you eat Swiss chard or beet greens?

      With all of these vegetables, I hardly eat meat! Last night I did make a meat dish using local ground pork that I made into Italian sausage. I then cooked it and added a jar of home-canned tomatoes and Italian seasonings, that I had pureed in the Vita-Mix. I cooked some Ziti noodles, and mixed everything together in a casserole dish, sprinkled mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top and baked for about twenty-five minutes in the oven. It turned out delicious! It will taste even better tonight, plus we'll have some home-made bread to go with it. I also made some more of the delicious cinnamon-raisin bread. I like it toasted. This is what I do. I love cooking and being in the kitchen! I love shopping for healthier foods! I also love keeping my great-nieces! They were here this past weekend, too. I will let you know more about my cooking escapades soon! Blessings from Bama!

I don't know what they were watching, but they sure were into it!

The last of the Vidalia onions that I caramelized in the crock-pot.

I actually like brown rice!

Whole Foods, Birmingham, is a very large market!

Sauteing the Swiss chard.

I also cooked some Fava beans. They have a very unique flavor.

Rising dough.

Sauteed chard on brown rice, delicious! The Swiss chard had some of the caramelized onions mixed in with it.

My new favorite book!

The dough is just about ready!

Swiss chard and brown rice with bechamel sauce.

Baked Ziti.

Gratin idea from the book.

Another book I love!

We've had a busy and exciting week!

      We are celebrating our twentieth anniversary! It was actually yesterday, the fourteenth. Time has passed by so quickly! It's amazing how much we've 'matured' in these past twenty years! My mindset has changed dramatically, especially in the past three or so years. I'm glad because I know that God has done this for me. He has put desires in me and also fulfilled some of my desires. I like it when that happens! God is so good, all the time!
      I've been taking Skylar to 'work' every morning and picking him up every evening, and while I was out, I visited family I haven't seen in awhile. I get home in time to prepare dinner or some other task, so I haven't had a chance to blog. I enjoy blogging and I appreciate those who have 'hooked' up with me. At least I know two people are reading, most of the time. 
      This past weekend we went to Birmingham to Whole Foods and to Carraba's. We rode with our parents since the truck seat wasn't quite finished. We all had a great time! The next day, the truck seat was finished, so hubby wanted to try it out by traveling at least an hour so we would know if we could stand our future trip to the beach. The ride up there was pleasant. We rode to Trenton, GA and I was once again reminded of the recent disasters we experienced. A tornado ripped through that small town, destroying everything in its path! It was not a large tornado, but nevertheless, very destructive! You can see the path where it went up the mountain! We drove on up the mountain to Canyon's, our other favorite restaurant. There was no damage in that area. 
      My husband surprised me with a swing I mentioned I'd like to have, and it is now my favorite place to be outside when I need to take a break. Of course I have photos!

Winterlynn eating her snack in front of her chair.

Trying to get our photo.

More blackberries but still not enough!

Hubby and I got each other the same card!

My family going into Carraba's.

I love the shrubs growing on top.

That's about the most smile son will give!

My Mom and Dad.

Front view of Carraba's.

Whole Foods. The lights went off while we were shopping!

Destruction in Trenton, GA.

More damage.

Sorry the photo isn't clear. Shadow shows where tornado went.

Damaged funeral home.

Other side of funeral home.

Next to funeral home.

Canyon's Grill.

Me and hubby.

Cherokee cabin site.

The Cherodee Indians were held here before leaving for Oklahoma.

Me and hubby on our new swing.

Spinach and cheese-stuffed shells.

With sauce.

Side-view with full moon.

Hubby tilling in moon-light.

Still tilling.

I love the front-view of our house at night.