Sunpatiens and Strawberry Bread in September...

 O.k. friends....I have a new favorite flower!  It has only been around a few years but it is just about the easiest flower I've ever grown and I. LOVE. IT!

Meet Electric Orange Sunpatiens....

It is mid-September and my window  boxes still look like this...I have to admit, I'm impressed with myself - just kidding...I'm really impressed with this flower.  These window boxes don't look a bit tired from the summer heat and stress of long hot days.

Things that you need to know in selecting this easy plant for your garden next year...
1) They don't like to be fertilized a lot - I've only fertilized them three times since the end of April!
2) They do like a lot of water - especially when it is really hot!
3) They love the sun and/or shade...
4) Well...that is about it! They are practically maintenance free!

I mean....How Easy is That????

No deadheading needed...they just bloom like crazy people...crazy..blooming... flowers!

 

Of course you learn by doing and I did make a mistake when I fixed my window boxes this year.  I had this flag that was my color inspiration...it was orange and pink.  So I decided to pair pink ivy geraniums with my sunpatiens...big mistake.  Why? you ask.  Well geraniums LOVE fertilizer and not much water...right the opposite of the sunpatiens.  I knew better. Oh well, I won't do that again.

And honestly...the sunpatiens get so large...there really is no need for other flowers because they pretty much outgrow all the competition! 

And the orange is so pretty, I think I'm going to leave them through fall - I don't have the heart to pull them up yet!

Window Boxes for Spring 2016 - I'm not sure the color - but they will definitely be filled with SUNPATIENS!

Now for the Strawberry Bread recipe I promised I'd share with you.  This is my mother-n-law's specialty so we are going to call it:

Sara's Strawberry Bread

2 c. or 2 pkg. frozen strawberries, thawed (Oh do try and use fresh berries, it makes all the difference)

4 eggs, beaten

1 1/4 c. oil

1 1/4 c. chopped pecans (optional)

3 c. Self Rising Flour (sifted)

       (or you may use 3 c. AP flour, 1 tsp. soda, 1 tsp. salt)

3 tsp. cinnamon

2 c. sugar

Sift flour and mix in other dry ingredients, then make a well in center...

 Mix wet ingredients in bowl.

Add wet ingredients to flour mixture and stir to dampen (do not over mix)

Lastly add delicious strawberries which have been cut up.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour.  Makes two loaves (one large, one small)

Extremely easy - incredibly delicious!  You are going to love this!

 The countdown to the fall season is on.  It is only going to be 70 degrees here in KY this weekend!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend wherever you are!

Cathy

Behold the Apple Peeler...

For the last two years my Dad has gifted me with beautiful apples from a nearby orchard...

 

 

...yummy Johnathan apples...

 

 

...two bags full waiting to be peeled (honestly - I've always dreaded that part - I mean... like I get serious hand cramps after a while - you know what I'm talking about?

 

 

So I'm having this discussion at work about not liking to peel apples - and my friend, Nick says "Debbie and I have an apple peeler, let me bring it to you and you can try it out."  Sounded like a great idea to me and the next day - SHE arrived on my desk!

 

Is SHE ever the trick...well let me tell you!

 

 

This thing peels....

 

 

....slices....

 

 

...and cores in about 3 seconds flat!

 

 

My son thought it was the coolest thing ever!

 

 

I couldn't hardly get him to quit - he said, "Momma, you gotta get one of these - and I want my own too....and we need to get Nana and Papaw one and Meme and Mamaw Ruby and...."  well, you get the picture.

 

 

We had these beautiful lil' apples all stacked up...

 

 

...just cut once down the middle...

 

 

...into the freezer bags they went...

 

 

...22 bags later - they are tucked neatly in the freezer.

 

 

As for all the peelings, well they went to the cows and they were loving that!

 

 

 

I can't tell you how much time this lil' gadget saved me.  I know apple peelers have been around for years but I had never personally used one - well, I'm sold.  Mrs. Evelyn ordered us some at work and I'll be the first in line to purchase one.  Thanks so much Nick and Debbie for sharing with me.

 

 

Now it's time for some fried apples...MMMMMMmmmmmmm good.

 

 

Shaun's Favorite Cake...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!  Hope everybody is doing well.  I've been into projects - just not posting 'bout them - not for sure why.  I'll do better - promise.

But today - I thought I'd share with you the recipe for my hubby's favorite cake.  Now, it is not complicated or difficult to make (if it were - I wouldn't be making it ;-)

It is a simple chocolate cake with homemade icing - a recipe that my sweet grandmother gave me - one she simply calls "Easy Chocolate Cake".

I took step-by-step pictures but somehow they were all stacked on top of each other - so the written/typed version will have to do.

Easy Chocolate Cake

CAKE
Bring to a boil
-1 stick of butter
-1 cup of water
-1/2 cup oil
-3 tablespoons of cocoa

...while waiting mix...

-2 cups SIFTED flour
-2 cups sugar together

...then add
-2 eggs
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/2 c. buttermilk
-1 teaspoon soda

... stir and pour first 4 ingredients over the mixture
...mix together well and place in greased pan
...Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes for a regular cake pan - approx. 50 min. for bundt pan

ICING

Bring to a boil...
1 stick butter
6 tablespoons of milk
4 tablespoons of cocoa

then add...
1 pound of powdered sugar (sifted)

...stir well

...Pour over warm cake

Now, I will have to say - that it doesn't really make a "pretty" cake - because the icing runs everywhere but oh my goodness - it sure is

............MMMMMMMMMM YUMMY!................

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ranch Potato Bake...MMMMMM...

O.k. - it's not like we aren't gonna be eating A LOT in the next couple of days...but... I tried this new recipe - easy and simple - and thought maybe some of you would like to try it over the Thanksgiving holiday. I think it kind of tastes like a loaded baked potato - yummy. It would be great served with a meal or maybe while everybody is hanging out watching the ball game.

But before I get started, I wanted to wish you all a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. May you enjoy your families and may we all remember how very blessed we are. I am ever so grateful for the blessings in my life - my family, my friends, my job, my health - and yes, for my wonderful blogging buddies - so have a beautiful Thanksgiving.

Here we go...

Scrub 8-10 red potatoes - slice and boil in saucepan until tender...

In a bowl, mix sour cream, ranch dressing, parsley flakes, shredded cheese and real bacon bits...

When potatoes are done, place them in the mixture a few at a time, toss gently to coat - arrange potatoes in a greased 9X13 inch baking dish. Top with remaining cheese (3/4 c.), crushed cornflakes and melted butter (combined).

Bake covered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, uncover and bake for 15-20 minutes or until browned.

Ingredients -

8-10 medium red potatoes

1 cup sour cream

1 cup ranch salad dressing

2 tablespoons parsley flakes

1 3/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1/4 cup real bacon bits

2 cups slightly crushed cornflakes

1/4 cup butter, melted

Everybody Enjoy!!! and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Cathy

MMMMMM...Scalloped Peppers

Usually towards the end of summer - there is just an abundance of peppers in the garden - and this year is no exception. We stuff them, freeze them, put them on salads and well - make scalloped peppers. This is my mother-n-laws recipe - super simple and oh - so - good. Enjoy!

Any kind of peppers will do - I've used bell, banana, a couple of jalapenos and one I'm not even sure of the name.

Quarter them, clean out the centers and bring to a boil for about 10 minutes...

Drain...

Place in a large casserole dish - cover with cheese - lots o' cheese ( I use Velveeta) - crackers or day old bread - top with butter - and fill with milk until you can see it on top.

Bake approx. an hour and a half at 350 until there is a pretty golden color on top and nice and bubbly.

Scalloped Peppers - they are sooooooo good!

Everybody have a great Tuesday.

Cathy

Not much craftin' - simply canning...

...my favorite veggie - half runner green beans...



...yummy blackberry jam...



...and freezing DEEEEEELISHious Bodacious sweet corn - mmm-mmm



There is no way I could have gotten all my garden stuff done without the wonderful help of my in-laws and my mom and dad. It simply just would not have happened - so THANK YOU my family for pitching in - yet again. I love you all!

Anybody else in the garden? What have you been working on?

Everybody have a great day!
Cathy