Poor man cake

Growing up in Western Colorado, sometimes it was hard to have a cake turn out "just right" this cake came out each and every time.  I know it sounds strange to use vinegar in a cake but I swear, you don't taste it at all.. This is a heavy cake and stands up well to any frosting and decorating.

 

One memory I have is, One night between my birthday and my Grandfather's birthday, He and his wife showed up at our house. (he had an appointment at the VA that day) and when he heard I had a cake in the oven when and jumped in the middle of the kitchen floor in hopes of making my cake fall.  Only about a 1/3rd of it fell, Just enough for him to enjoy.  We enjoyed it with some Vanilla Ice Cream.  And I remember the gift they brought me. A Kodak Camera that took 127 film. I had that camera until we lost our home to a fire in 1996. 

 

 

Poor man cake
1/2 C Lard
2 C Sugar
2 1/2 C Flour
1/2 c Cocoa
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Vanilla
1 C Hot Water
1 Tbls Vinegar
Cream Sugar and lard. Sift together flour, Cocoa and Baking Soda combine vinegar, water and vanilla.
Add each in parts to the creamed sugar mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes.
From my childhood. Love this cake, it is a heavy cake. We never gav mom a chance to ice it, but any icing will work on it...

 

Billie C.

Macaroni and Bacon Casserole

Macaroni and Bacon Casserole
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

 

1 (8 oz) pkg Elbow Macarioni
1 lb Bacon
1/2 Cup Chopped Onion
1/3 Cup Green Peppers, chopped
3/4 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
1 Can Consensed Tomato Soup
1 Cup Milk
2 Tablespoons packed Dry Bread Crumbs
1/4 teaspoon Dried Thyme

 

Cook mararoni as package directs, drain. Turn into a lightly greased casserole dish.
Cut bacon slices crosswise into 1/2 inch pieces. Saute unil almost crisp. Drain off all but 2 Tablespoons drippings and grease. Add onion and green pepper to bacon in skillet, saute until tiender, about 5 minutes
With a slotted spoon, life bacon and vegetables onto noodles. Add 1/2 cup cheese. Toss together to combine well.
Combine soup and milk. Pour over macaroni mixture, mix well.
Combine bread crumbs, thyme and rest of cheese. Sprinkle over top of casserole.
Bake at 375F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly and brown.

 

Billie C.

For Today ... Nov 1st.

 

For Today ... Nov 1st.

 

Hello ... Wow, this year is almost over with. only 60 days left.
We didn't get any Trick or Treaters last night, but I expected it to be like that since there are no kids in the campground. We didn't even see any kids dressed up when we went to Sonic's for their 50 cent corndogs.  We were out around 5pm and I guess it's just still too early around here. And we didn't go near any houses either.  We did pass a couple of signs for Trunk or Treat. A great alternative to going door to door.
I noticed last night, that not only did Jay take down his blow up stuff, he didn't have his orange lights lite up either.  I don't know if he took them down or just didn't turn them on.
Today I bring back in the rat and cat, but I'll leave on the door my scarecrow wreath. I'll put away the small basket and scarcrow head though, since they are in the way a little bit. I want to see if I can find something "turkey" to put in the windows this year.
While Jerry saw the first half of Survivor, I watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown". I just never feel likes it's Halloween without seeing Charlie Brown.  Same for the Christmas Charlie Brown. It's just not Christmas without seeing it at least once. I was surprised that they waited so long to have the Charlie Brown Halloween special on.  I wonder how many kids got to watch it last night.
Outside my door ... (9am)  It's sunny. I just looked outside and the grass in the shade has frost on it. I "heard" it crackling under the dogs' feet when I took them out at 7.  I had to wear a jacket to keep comfortable.  We turn the clocks back this Saturday night, but I don't think it's going to be sunny at 7am even after that.
(7 pm) The sun is setting and there is just enough light to see some of the colors with.  I think Jay is not home. And Jerry said he didn't think Jay was home either. There were a couple of fellows working on his barn today. they put in a couple of copula's and a weather vane.  All in all, the day was very nice. i was outside this afternoon without a jacket.
I painted my figernails for Halloween. Orange with a bit of green on the tips.  Now I'll have to strip that off and re-paint them. Not sure what color I'll go with this time. I had painted them purple for the dance last Saturday. I loved it but think I need a different color for a few days.
The Dogs ... Well, Rocky and Macon are asleep on my bed. They don't like it when it's cold outside.  I have been taking Barney out in the afternoons to play ball for a little bit.

 

The Cats ... Two are asleep on Jerry's bed. Not sure where the third cat is.  Tupelo was late to "dinner" last night and the other two ate her can of food. She didn't show up until 2 hours later. I have dry food out so she had something to eat. Just not what she wanted, I'm sure. (7 pm) Jerry fed the cats after he got the cat food out of the van. We had an extra cat show up. Then, two people walking up the hill thought one of our cats was their cat.  Once they got closer they could tell it wasn't their cat. They did ask that, if we see it and can catch it, would we please remove it's collar since it's got a bell on it. We assured them that the bell on their cat wil not hurt it's hunting abilities much. And with so many people putting cat food out, it's not going to go hungry. They said that Strips has been visiting them almost every evening.

 

From the kitchen... Salad (of course) Chicken, baked in the oven along with a couple of potatoes. We had peanutbutter wafer bars for dessert. 

 

I am wearing... Grey Sweatpants and a light blue top.

 

I am reading... Lost Then Found, By Christina Freeburn. It's one of the books I won from Desert Breeze Author's weekend. I've only just started it.

 

I picked up a free books from Kindle called Christmas Grand Plan.  by Kristie Swaicki.  I don't know how your suppose to print it out but it's the pages you can print off the internet for Christmas planning.

Billie C.

" Home Churned" Chocolate Chip Cookies

" Home Churned" Chocolate Chip Cookies

from the back of a box of "Home Churned" Margarine (store brand)

2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
3/4 cup margarine (stick, melted and cooled)
1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 cup Semi Sweet chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350F.
Combine Flour and Baking Soda, set aside.
in a large bowl, combine margarine and brown sugar. Mix well. Stir in egg and vanilla extract until well blended. Add flour mixture and stir until combined. Stir in chocolate Chips.
Drop by Tablespoon onto an un-greased cookie sheet. Leave 2 1/2 inches between each cookie for 8 to 11 minutes or until edges harden and center is set.

 

Billie C.