Frosty Window Panes

These are pictures of the frosty windows in the chicken coop.

I think they are amazing.

And beautiful.


I get to look at them every time I visit the Ladies.

This one looks like a flower.

What do you think they look like?

Brrr! Chilly Chicks

I took a few pictures of the Girls on Tuesday.

"Can I get a little privacy?"

I love this picture for some reason. The purple chick on the right and the hawky on the left.

Fluffy!

Zela checking out the cold snow.

Brrrrr!

"No thanks! It's too cold!"

Look at those fluffed up feathers!

One of the red girls chasing Ray the cat.

Zoom!

Watch out below!

"I'm outta here! Too many chicks for one man(ly cat)!"

Such a pretty girl.

Banana Chocolate Coffee Cake

This is the best banana bread/cake/anything ever!

This is the cake you want to make to sway a jury or win friends and favor.

The Best Ever.

It's heavy on the cake, light on the banana.

Perfect.

~

Banana Chocolate Coffee Cake

Cake: 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I use dark chocolate)

1 large or 2 small ripe bananas (1/2 cup banana puree)

3 large eggs

(I used 2 med tan, 1 med cream, 1 small blue- *hugs* to the chickens!)

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup veg. oil

1 cup buttermilk

2 tsp vanilla extract

~

Glaze: 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

3 Tbs butter

1/4 cup cream

1 Tbs light corn syrup

~

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 10 inch bundt-style pan.

~

Place chocolate chips in a med bowl and melt them in the microwave. Set aside. In another bowl, mash bananas and set aside.

~

Place eggs in a large bowl and beat them on high until they are light and foamy. Gradually add the sugar and beat until the mixture is thick - about 5 mins on high speed.

~

Gradually add the veg. oil to the egg mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Continue to beat for another minute. Stir in buttermilk and vanilla.

~

Fold in the dry ingredients. Pour 1 1/2 cups of the batter into the melted chocolate and gently mix until the chocolate and batter are well blended. Fold in mashed bananas.

~

Pour half white batter into the prepared pan. Pour chocolate batter over this, top with remaining white batter. Swirl 2 batters together.

~

Bake for 60 -70 mins. Until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cake to cool for at least 15 mins before removing from the pan. Glaze when completely cool.

Making glaze: Mix all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Melt. Stir together until the mixture is smooth. Allow to cool to slightly warm. Pour over cake.

White batters and chocolate batter.


Swirling batters together.

Baked and turned out on a pan to cool.

Partially sliced - to allow the chocolate glaze to run down inside and coat each slice.

Glazed.

Look at that!

Mmmm chocolate.

Best ever.... I'm just saying....why aren't you cooking this yet?

Mmmmm, I think I'll have another slice.......

Easiest Cauliflower and Cheese

This is the yummiest way to eat cheesy cauliflower.

It's quick and reheats amazingly.

Easiest Cauliflower and Cheese

2 cups chopped cauliflower

2/4 cups water

2 eggs

1 to 2 cups shredded cheese

2 Tbs milk

Boil/steam cauliflower covered in the 2/4 cups water until tender.

~

In a small bowl whisk the 2 eggs.

~

When the cauliflower is tender, reserve 1/4 cup water from the pan and then drain the cauliflower. Return the cauliflower to the pan.

~

Add the milk to the whisked eggs and then add the 1/4 cup water.

~

Stir to combine and then add to the cooked cauliflower.

~

Stir to combine and add 1 cup cheese. Too soupy? Add a little more cheese. Too dry? Add a little milk

~

Return to the stove and cook for 1-2 mins. Stirring continuously.

~

Eat!

You may want to add a little salt and pepper.

Mmmm, very yummy.

Mexican Brownies

Fail, fail, fail! I do not like these brownies!

They are too soft and fudgey. They have a crisp crust.

Yuck! I like cakey brownies.

Mexican Brownies

6 oz chocolate (squares or chips)

12 Tbs butter (1 1/2 sticks)

5 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp chile powder

2 1/2 cups sugar

1/3 cup light corn syrup

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

~

Melt the chocolate and butter together over low heat. Set aside to cool slightly.

~

Beat the eggs, vanilla, salt, sugar, spices and corn syrup together until light and fluffy.

~

Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch pan.

~

Stir flour into the chocolate and butter mixture. Fold in the chocolate batter into the egg mixture, stir to combine.

~

Spread the batter in the pan. Bake brownies for 35 mins. The top with be crisp, but a toothpick inserted in the center will come out coated with chocolate. Remove from oven and let cool for several hours before cutting into squares.

Top with whipped cream.


Hold onto your pancreas - 'cause these are sweet!

Robin Hood

I love, love, love Robin Hood!

If you don't know, it's a television show on BBC.

It's in its 3rd season. I haven't seen the 3rd season yet! I'm waiting for it to come out on DVD.

I love this show so much, that last year I took beginning archery lessons with a class of 8 and 9 year olds.

Then I discovered that I love, love, love archery!

It's a great sport.

Although, it can be frustratingly difficult.

League archery started tonight.

I practiced this morning and shot about 30 arrows.

Then tonight I did 60.

My arms and back really hurt....

I did get 321 points (out of a possible 600).

Hmmm, I need more practice.

Funny - it's very addictive.

I can't wait to shoot again, even though I'm in pain!

Sweet Mini Cake

I just had to share this cute little mini cake that my Mom baked for me!

Isn't it sweet?!?

It was so delicious!

It's a great way to start 2010

A cute little cake baked with love by my momma

Yum!