Archive by Author

Memories of New Years Past

29 Dec

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

I wrote this blog in 2013, but it still fits today, so I would like to reblog it here in 2024.

I guess I am just like most people when it comes to New Years – “I AM going to lose those _____ pounds this year!”  “I AM going to get the house in order!”  “I AM going to scan all those pictures and get them in an album!”  etc., etc., etc.

So, resolutions not-with-standing, what are my memories of New Years past?  I guess my favorite memory is of growing up in my church in Albuquerque.

Photo credit First Baptist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico-Original building

For many years, on New Year’s Eve, the church would have a program that started about 6:00 p.m. with a dinner.  Now, this was a fairly large church, and we had a paid staff who made the meals every Wednesday evening, before the regular activities began.  And those ladies made the BEST dinner rolls!!!  Nothing I’ve ever been able to duplicate!

Anyway, dinner started at 6:00 p.m.  After that, I remember either a movie shown on a large screen in the sanctuary, or games.  Perhaps there were games for the smaller children – I just don’t remember.  But then there was a time of “remembrance” or sharing.  Just being thankful for the year that was passing away, and looking forward to the new one approaching.

But the best thing about the entire evening, was that, after the sharing time, we would – literally – ring the outer edges of the sanctuary, holding hands to make a funny-shaped circle, and pray in the New Year.  We could hear the fireworks going off, and people yelling outside the church building.  But inside, we were asking God to bless the New Year, and us in it, and our part of it.  It was an extremely wonderful time.

And then I remember some New Year’s Eve’s in our small church in Virginia.

Credit-Judy Wills: Seaford Baptist Church, Seaford, Virginia

We would gather for a time of sharing and remembrance, then share the Lord’s Supper together, and then pray in the New Year.  The pastor would try to do the Lord’s Supper differently some times, to make it more meaningful for us.  I remember a time when he had a loaf of bread, and we pinched off our own little piece.  I also remember a time when there was a community cup for each family to share the “wine” (grape juice in the Baptist church!).  

But in all the memories I have, it always culminated with prayer for the New Year.  And I can’t think of a better way to start any New Year, than asking God’s blessings upon it.

May YOUR New Year be blessed beyond measure.

            Credit ChurchArt.com

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Christmas Memories

22 Dec

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

I wrote this back in 2013, but it fits today as well, so I am reblogging it here.

Christmas memories……..so many……all good.  I remember, as a child, waking up to Christmas morning and rushing into the living room to see what Santa had brought.  And then to opening all the presents from Mom, Dad, Granny and Aunt Jessie.  I suppose my brother had gotten me something as well, but I just don=t remember that. 

Bill and me – 1953

Bill and me around the Christmas tree – 1951

I remember Daddy sitting us down and reading the Christmas story from the Bible.  He and Mom always made sure that we knew the true meaning of Christmas – why we celebrated the season and all the gifts that came with it.  And why we gave gifts to each other and to those who didn=t have all we had.

Daddy – 1954

Bill and me – 1954

I remember one Christmas that we were traveling to San Antonio from Albuquerque to spend the holiday with Granny and Aunt Jessie – this was before they moved to Albuquerque.  We had a car wreck along the way and Aunt Jessie came to pick us up and take us to her home.  We still had Christmas!  We didn=t have a workable car any more, and Bill had a broken arm……….but we still had Christmas!

Bill and me – San Antonio – 1950

I remember the last Christmas my Daddy was on this earth.  He’d had a very unfortunate accident in the hospital and was really banged up.  Fred and I flew in from California, and Bill and DiVoran, with their two children, flew in from Florida, to celebrate that time together.  I remember the children tearing into their presents under the tree that morning, and DiVoran stepping out of the way to urge Bill to get in the best position to get some good pictures of that.

Renie and Billy – Albuquerque, New Mexico – 1966

And there was Daddy, with that black eye, just enjoying his grandchildren and children around him.  It was a time to treasure.


All the gang – Daddy’s last Christmas – Albuquerque, New Mexico – 1966

I remember traveling from the Florida Panhandle to Titusville to have Christmas with my brother and his family, and then across the peninsula to Clearwater to have another celebration with Fred’s parents.  Being with family at this time of celebration is so very precious, and we cherish each memory.

And now I remember a recent time with the family in Titusville and the significant others that have joined the extended family.  I wouldn=t trade it for anything – no amount of non-Christian beliefs and just the time for partying is nearly as satisfying and delicious as being with family, in the Spirit of God’s blessings.

Nope………Christmas Memories are just too precious.

Credit ChurchArt.com

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Let’s Eat!-Desserts-Cakes

15 Dec

SUNDAY MEMORIES

DO-OVER

Photo Credit Google Search and allrecipes.com

Let me apologize for this posting.  Back on October 20, 2024, I wrote about my favorite pound cake.  At the time, I said I didn’t remember where I got the recipe.  Turns out (after I found the recipe in my recipe file) that I was given it by my now “famous” Mabel in Wiesbaden, West Germany.  I therefore would like to pass it along to my readers.  This really is the very best, most moist, sweet, delicious pound cake I’ve ever eaten.  For those who don’t like icing – this is the perfect cake.  It can be eaten plain – yummmmmm – or with a glaze, or fruit topping.  All is good.  So, here’s the recipe, and I hope it will give some enjoyment.

MABEL’S POUND CAKE

Cream:   

    ½ pound butter with

     2½ cups granulated sugar

    (After mixing well, turn mixer to “whip” and whip until “white”)

Add:             

 4 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition

  1 cup buttermilk – mix well with ½ tsp soda**

  3 cups sifted cake flour***

¼ tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla 

1 Tbsp warm water

DIRECTIONS:

Cream the butter and sugar well; add eggs, continuing to beat well.  Add the buttermilk and soda mixture alternately with the salt and flour.  Last, add the vanilla and warm water.

Pour into tube pan (Angel food pan – Bundt pan) and bake one (1) hour and 15 minutes at 325̊.

Serve either with or without icing.

ICING:

½   8-oz. can of crushed pineapple

¼ stick butter (2 Tbsp)

¼ cup granulated sugar

Juice of 1 lemon (fresh-squeezed if you want – I use thawed Minute Maid frozen

 lemon juice)

1   3-oz package cream cheese (or half of an 8-oz. package)

1 box confectioner’s sugar

Cook pineapple, butter and granulated sugar until “dry”; COOL!!

Combine lemon juice and cream cheese

Blend in confectioner’s sugar.

Add pineapple mixture

Mix well

Spread on cake

ENJOY!!

This cake doesn’t really “work” unless you beat/whip the butter and sugar mixture until it looks “white.”  The difference in color and texture is noticeable.

**I don’t usually have buttermilk on hand, so I make my own:

1 cup milk, mix in one (1) Tbsp lemon juice or vinegar, stir and let sit.

***If you don’t have cake flour: 

 sift regular flour – measure out three (3) level cups, then take out 3½level Tbsp).  That is equal to cake flour.

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Let’s Eat-Desserts

8 Dec

Cookies-Part 2

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills 

There are a couple of cookies that I have made in the past – the very distant past – but my family thought were quite good, so I would like to share them here.

One is called Eskimo Cookies, that my beloved sister-in-law, DiVoran got from a good friend of hers, Jenny.   I have taken these to cookie-exchanges before, and they seem to be a hit.  The good thing about them, is that they are a no-cook cookie.  How can that be, you ask?  Well, here it is:

ESKIMO COOKIES

Ingredients:

¾ cup butter, softened

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbsp water

3 Tbsp cocoa powder

2 cups uncooked oatmeal

Directions:

Let the butter stand in a bowl until soft.  

Cream with a wooden spoon and add the sugar.  Cream well

Stir in the vanilla, water and cocoa powder.

Add oatmeal, and mix well.

Shape into small balls and roll in powdered sugar..

Keep in the refrigerator.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In 1971, when we were moving from Loring AFB, Maine to San Antonio, Texas, we stopped in a neat place called Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.  It is a ways from Boston, but not far from the Connecticut state line.  It is very like Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, but we hadn’t seen Colonial Williamsburg by that time, so this was a unique experience for us.

While there, we purchased some of their home-made cookies.  We enjoyed them so much, that I purchased a small booklet of cookie recipes.

I must admit that I only tried one of the cookie recipes, but we enjoyed them, all the same.  They are called “Quakers.”  Here’s the recipe:

QUAKERS

As you can see, I made a notation for myself – the 2 cups of brown sugar equals one (1) 16-oz. box.  I usually pack the sugar down into the measuring cup.  And I admit that I have never tried to make any other cookie from this cookbook – even the Hobnails on the next page…although they sound intriguing. 

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Let’s Eat-Desserts

1 Dec

Cookies Part 1

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Another cookie I thoroughly enjoy making – and especially eating!! – is what I call Pecan Puffs.  I’ve heard some people call them Italian Wedding Cookies, and other names, but I’ve always called them Pecan Puffs.  My Aunt Jessie gave me the recipe, and I make them every year.  I’ve tasted some that other people make, and I really like mine the best (of course)!

PECAN PUFFS

Photo credit Google Search and Dinner then Dessert

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. butter (4 sticks)

½ cup granulated sugar

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

2-3 cups ground/chopped pecans

4 cups cake flour

DIRECTIONS:

Set the butter out in a large mixing bowl to warm (covered with plastic wrap).  When soft, add and cream the sugar into the butter.  Add the vanilla extract.  Add the pecans and flour alternately, mixing well.

Bake on greased baking sheet at 300o for 45 minutes.  Or place parchment paper on the cookie sheet, and cookies on top of that (that’s my favorite way to do it!).

Let  the cookies cool, then roll in powdered sugar (pour some powdered sugar into a ZIP-lock bag, place a handful of cookies in the bag and shake it well to coat the cookies). 

Keep in a tightly covered container (Tupperware/Rubbermaid).

Yield:  about 9 or 10 dozen cookies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yet another cookie that I am thinking of making this Christmas, is what I call Chocolate Buttersweets.  I got this recipe from the now-famous Mabel and her daughter, Judy in Wiesbaden, West Germany, 1968.  They are actually some of my favorite cookies, but I haven’t made them in quite a while.  I’ve decided it might be a nice addition to the ones I usually make at Christmas time.

Roll the dough into small balls, about the size of large marbles (1” or slightly larger).

CHOCOLATE BUTTERSWEETS

Photo credit Google search and lovefoodies.com

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

2-2½ cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:

Cream butter.  Add sugar, salt and vanilla; cream well.

Gradually add flour.

Shape by teaspoons into balls.  Place on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.  Press hole in center of each (thumb print)

Bake at 350̊ for 12-15 minutes, or until light brown.

Cool….fill….frost.

FILLING:

Soften 3-oz cream cheese.

Blend in 1 cup confectioner’s sugar (sifted – no lumps), 2 Tbsp flour, 1 tsp vanilla and cream well.

Stir in ½ cup chopped nuts and ½ cup flaked coconut.

Fill the hole in each cookie with filling.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

Melt ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels and 2 Tbsp butter with 2 Tbsp water over low heat, stirring occasionally. 

Add ½ cup confectioner’s sugar and beat smooth.

Frost cookies.

This makes about 36 cookies.  Double the cookie recipe – because the filling and frosting recipe makes more than what you need for one batch of cookies. ~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Let’s Eat!-Desserts-Between Cake and Pie-Part 4

24 Nov

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Another one of these desserts that I used to make quite often I called Chocolate Chip Bars.  I got the recipe from a friend living in the same stairwell we lived in, while in Wiesbaden, West Germany in the 1960’s. If I remember correctly, the same Mabel that gave me the recipe for the “Mabel’s Chocolate Sheet Cake” is the same Mabel that gave me this recipe.  Our girls loved to eat it (as did Fred and I), and consequently,  I made it so often I could do it without the recipe in front of me.  I’m sure the girls enjoyed it because I gave each of them one of the mixer beaters to lick after I was finished with them.  It takes a little bit of work to make, but the results are wonderful!!  Crust, chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and egg whites beaten with brown sugar…yummmm!

Please notice that I said the recipe was from Judy Younger.  Judy is the daughter of the now-famous “Mabel”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now, on to another type of “between cake and pie” are….cookies!   And I have some favorites that I make and love to eat!

Back on January 10, 2016, I wrote a post about “Go Run” concerning eating all the Christmas goodies I make.  It was a story of the German Springerle cookies that I make.  I have made them every year since we lived in Wiesbaden, West Germany, 1967-1970.  Fred’s Mother gave me the start to make them, as she did so every Christmas.  Then she gave me a cookbook from the Military Officer’s Wives that had the best recipe in it.  It also has several different recipes for Springerle in it, but this one works the best.  They are a bit of work to make, but the outcome is amazing and wonderful.  Please refer back to that posting to see the entire story.

Because they are so time-consuming to make, I had decided that last Christmas (2023) would be the last time I made them.  I sent some to our granddaughter, who shared them with her in-laws – who happen to be of German descent!  They LOVED the Springerle cookies!!  So either I will continue to make them, or show our granddaughter how to make them.   What a neat serendipity!

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Let’s Eat!-Desserts-Between Cake and Pie-Part 3

17 Nov

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills 

One of my favorite desserts to make is what I call Lemon Squares.  Others may have a different name for the same dessert, but that’s what I’ve always called them.  I got the recipe from another Air Force wife while we were living on Tyndall AFB, Florida, back in the 1970’s, and have used it quite often since then.  It’s an easy thing to make, and it is a great dessert to take to dinners or other functions.  Since I’ve had my Cuisinart food processor, it is quite easy to make it in one “pan” so-to-speak.  I make the crust in the food processor, and while it is baking, I make the filling in the same processor bowl.  I do not take the time to squeeze the fresh lemons – I use the thawed frozen lemon juice by Minute Maid.  Works just as well.  I knew one lady who, when making this for a large church group, would just throw the entire lemon in the food processor – peel, seeds and all.  I found that method to taste quite bitter.  What I wanted was sweet-tart.  Of course, I like mine the best.

LEMON SQUARES

CRUST:

1 cup butter (2 sticks, firm)

½ cup packed down powdered sugar

⅛ tsp salt

2 cups all purpose flour

Blend together with a pastry blender until like very coarse meal. (See NOTE: below)

Spray a 9” X 13” glass pan with PAM.  Press above mixture firmly into the glass pan, trying to make it as even as possible.

Bake in a 325º oven for 15-20 minutes, until lightly brown.

FILLING:

Mix together while crust is baking:

            4 eggs

            2 cups granulated sugar

            Heaping ⅓ cup all purpose flour

            ½ cup lemon juice  (juice of one lemon)

Pour filling over the baked crust.  Bake crust and filling together at 325º for 15-20 minutes.  “Jiggle” the pan – if the filling seems more-or-less firm, not juicy, then it is done.  DO NOT OVERCOOK!  The filling will crack.

Remove from oven and sift powdered sugar over the top.  Cool before cutting.

NOTE:  This is really easy if you have a food processor.  

            For the crust:  place the flour, powdered sugar, and salt in the bowl and blend briefly.  Cut the butter into “pat” size and dump in the bowl on top of the flour mixture.  Blend with the metal blade until it begins to stick together – dough like.  Press the mixture into the greased pan and bake.

            While it is baking, in the same processor bowl (no, you don’t have to clean it before you do this step), blend the eggs briefly.  Add the sugar and flour and blend until well mixed.  While the processor is running, pour the lemon juice into the bowl until it is mixed.  Run the processor a time or two during the time the crust is baking.  Then continue as above for baking the filling and crust together.

Photo by Judy Wills

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Between Cake and Pie-Part 1

3 Nov

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

There are several good desserts that I like to make – and eat! – that are neither a cake nor a pie.  I don’t have a specific name for those types of desserts – just that my family and I and those who partake of them – enjoy.  Here are a few:

Apple Dumpling.

Credit Pixabay

Now, don’t get wonky about this – these are not your average apple dumplings.    Granted the crust is the usual pie crust – homemade is best.  And the apples used are whatever is a favorite – but “tart” apples are best.  The cinnamon and sugar is standard stuff.  But most people use a sweetened cream sauce of some type to top the dumpling off with.  But not these dumplings!!  No Sir!  My Mother had a warm sweetened lemon sauce that was poured over these dumplings that made the dumpling absolutely magnificent!!  Here is the recipe – try it yourself sometime!!

APPLE DUMPLINGS RECIPE

Place half a tart apple in a square of pie crust, about 6″ square.  Over the apple, put  one (1) tablespoon sugar, a hefty dash of cinnamon, and a pat of real butter.

Fold the edges of the pie crust together, and press, so that the juice will not run out while baking.  Mother (Agnes Lites) used to press it with a fork after pressing it together.

Brush the dumpling with melted butter.

Bake in a moderate oven (350º) about 30 minutes.

Serve with lemon sauce.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LEMON SAUCE

1 egg beaten

1 cup sugar

1 lemon rind – grated

Juice of 1 lemon

½ cup of water

Mix ingredients together, and cook over low heat, until it boils hard.  It is necessary to stir well at all times while cooking to avoid scorching!  Serve warm over Apple Dumpling.

Mmmmmmmm – delicious!!

From Agnes A. Lites [my mother]

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Let’s Eat!-Desserts-Cakes-Part 3

27 Oct

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Willa

Before I leave the Let’s Eat Cake – there is one more I would like to mention:  Apple cake from Georgia.  I found this recipe from Paula Dean on the Food Network and have made it several times, and we enjoy it.  

You can also find this recipe on Paula Deen’s website.

APPLE CAKE FROM GEORGIA

Grandgirl’s Fresh Apple Cake From Georgia

Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

On the Food Network

Cake:

Butter, for greasing pan (I used spray Pam)

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1½ cups unsweetened apple sauce

¼ cup orange juice**

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 peeled and finely chopped apple

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

Sauce:

½ cup butter (1 stick)

1 cup sugar

½ cup buttermilk

½ teaspoon baking soda

Preheat the oven to 325º F.  Generously grease the pan.

For the cake:  in a large bowl, combine the sugar, eggs, apple sauce, **orange juice, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and vanilla extract, and mix well.  Fold apples, coconut, and pecans into the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a tester comes out clean, about 1½ hours.

Shortly before the cake is done, make the sauce:   Melt the butter in a large saucepan, stir in the sugar, buttermilk, and baking soda, and bring to a good rolling boil, stirring constantly.  Boil for 1 minute.  Pour the sauce over the hot cake in the pan as soon as you remove it from the oven.  Let stand 1 hour, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.

Judy’s notes:  

1.  I am not fond of coconut, so I did not use it when I made this cake..

2.  I did use real butter for the sauce

3.  I don’t keep buttermilk on hand, so I make my own:  ½ cup milk, and mix in ½ 

tablespoon either lemon juice or vinegar to sour.  Let stand at least five (5) 

minutes.

4.  After the “buttermilk” has been made, mix in the baking soda before you add it to the 

saucepan.

5.  Make quite a few cuts in the cake before you pour the sauce over it, so it will seep 

down into the cake better.

6.  I tested my cake at 1 hour 20 minutes, and it was done.   I suggest you test it at 1 

hour 10 minutes, and again at 1 hour 20 minutes, if it isn’t done.  My oven seems

to bake hot, so it didn’t need that extra 10 minutes to be done.

 7. ** I don’t use orange juice, so I use lemon juice with two packets of Stevia mixed in.

 8.  DO NOT USE LOOSE GRANULATED STEVIA as a substitute for the sugar in

      this recipe.  I tried it once, and it did NOT rise!  Use regular granulated sugar.

 9.  I find it easier to mix in the spices and nuts BEFORE you add the flour – while the 

      batter is a little “juicy”.  You might try adding the apples early, as well.         

10.  I use a one-piece Angel Food pan for this.  If you use one that has a “lift-out” center,           the glaze will run out of the pan.  The one-piece keeps it in the cake.  This could be                                                              made in a Bundt pan, if desired.

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Let’s Eat!-Desserts-Cakes-Part 2

20 Oct

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Photo Credit Google Search and NYT cooking

I don’t remember just where I got the recipe for my favorite pound cake, but I made it often when we lived in Wiesbaden, West Germany, and the years following.  It was a bit time-consuming, as the “batter” needed to be whipped with an electric mixer (at that time I only had a hand mixer), until it turned “white.”  That’s a little difficult to describe, but the batter actually takes on a “white” look after being beaten for a while.  The cake doesn’t work well unless it gets to that point.  And the color change IS noticeable.  The other ingredients are added, then baked in an Angle Food pan, or possibly a Bundt pan, if you desired.  I liked the look of the Angle Food pan.  After cooling, the icing is made and applied.  It consists of softened cream cheese and crushed pineapple, as well as powdered sugar mixed together.  It became one of my favorite cakes to make and eat.  The cake itself was wonderful, but with the icing…yummmm.

I made that cake one evening when the Deacons from our church in Wiesbaden had come to our house for a meeting.  The cake went fast, many asking for seconds, in spite of how rich it was.  One gentleman came up to me and told me that he didn’t like pineapple…but this was the best cake he had ever eaten and would I give his wife the recipe??!!  

Since this was one of my favorite things to make, when we moved to Florida, I made it for one of our family gatherings.  Not one single comment – good or bad – from anyone there!  And so, I’ve not made it since.  No need to make something no one liked.

One of my favorite cakes to make, and an easy one, is what lot of people call Texas Sheet Cake.  I got the recipe from a friend, named Mabel, so I just called it “Mabel’s Chocolate Sheet Cake.”  The cake mixture is actually made in the 15″ x 10″ lipped pan.  Mix it all together, then bake.  While cooking, make the chocolate icing, with powdered sugar and pecans.  Put the icing on the cake when it comes out of the oven, then let it cool together.  I learned the hard way that it is tastier when it is completely cooled.  For some reason, it just doesn’t taste as good when it is warm.  Weird!  But this is a GREAT cake.

When Kraft developed its Miracle Whip salad dressing, they presented a cake recipe to help market the salad dressing.  Sounds strange, but it made the BEST chocolate cake ever – nice and chocolatey and moist – probably the most moist chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten.  It became my brother’s favorite cake.  There was also an icing along with the cake recipe that took a bit of work.  But it was well worth it.

Mother used to make the cake fairly often, especially when Bill (my brother) was home, but made it less frequently after he left home.  I believe I have made it once or twice, but not very often.  As I said, it is a bit of work, and I tend to be lazy!

When we were first married and Fred was studying at the Seminary (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas), we were poor students.  But somewhere I found this recipe for Lemon Jell-o Cake, and I remember making it often.  However, I haven’t made it in many years, but I remember the taste of it, and how much we enjoyed it.

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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