Peanut Butter Delight Cake and Home Made Chocolate Syrup

I've wanted to make a bunt cake for a while now, but just hadn't done it yet. Yesterday we found this recipe on allrecipes.com and tried it out. It was scrumptious, even with only half the peanut butter. (I didn't realize we were that low)! It was moist, but could possibly be a little dry with the whole 3/4 c. of peanut butter. Peanut butter seems to have a way of doing that when cooked with. I'm just writing the instructions how I mixed it. If you want their instructions, click here. I've also included a recipe for Homemade Chocolate Syrup if you don't have any in the fridge. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Delight Cake

Cake
3/4 c. Crisco (I just used canola oil)
3/4 c. peanut butter
1 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 1/2 t. vanilla
3 lg. eggs
1 c. buttermilk (I used 1 T. vinegar and milk to measure 1 c.)
2 3/4 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. chocolate syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 10 in. bunt pan well. Cream shortening, peanut butter, and sugars until smooth. Add vanilla, eggs, and butter milk. In seperate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Pour into peanut butter mixture and mix well. Scoop 2 c. of batter into a bowl. Add chocolate syrup and mix well. Pour light peanut butter mixture into bunt pan. Pour chocolate mixture over the top. Do not stir. Place in oven and cook 70-80 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Glaze - If making this again, I would double it.
1 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. chocolate syrup
1 t. vanilla
water as needed
Chopped nuts, optional

Mix all ingredients, except nuts, and pour over cake when removed from oven and pan. Garnish with chopped nuts if desired.

Homemade Chocolate Syrup
Now you will never have to buy chocolate syrup or fudge sauce again - 'cause you can make your own!

1 1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa
2 1/4 c. granulated sugar
1/4 t. salt, optional
1 1/3 c. boiling water
1 1/2 t. vanilla

In a heavy saucepan, combine cocoa, sugar, and salt, if desired. Gradually mix in boiling water. Stir frequently over medium heat until smooth and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in vanilla. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. (I just use an empty chocolate syrup bottle). Use within 10-12 weeks. Makes 2 2/3 cups chocolate syrup.

For Quick Fudge Sauce, use:
1 1/2 c. chocolate syrup, see above
6 T. butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla or other flavoring

In a small saucepan, combine chocolate syrup and butter or margarine. Cook over low heat, stiring constantly, until smooth, thick and shiny. (About 5-7 minutes). Add vanilla or other flavoring. Makes 1 1/2 cups Quick Fudge Sauce.

Household Hints and Tips

Know what's horrible? Do you know the feeling when you're used to wearing something, like a ring or watch, and suddenly find it missing? Do you feel naked without it?! That's how I feel right now! My writing callous is gone! Can you believe that? I had this little piece of dry skin on my right ring finger the other day. It was bothering me; so, I pulled it off! Then to my dismay, I looked at my finger and saw this little, soft, pink patch that I don't remember seeing - ever! I know I've been out of school for almost six years now, and I know I don't write as much as I used to. But this? You guys don't even know how sad this makes me. It was like a proudly worn badge of honor - this little callous on my finger. How many papers I wrote! I was like the essay-writing queen!

Because of my writing reputation, people would ask me to review their papers. Do you know what I would ask them? "Are you sure?" "Yes." Then I would tell them "This paper will come back with more ink on it then you've ever seen your English teacher write." (You should have seen their faces when I said that and then again when they received their papers). Now it's gone! I might have to start writing in my journal more, instead of typing on this blog; 'cause I don't have callouses on my fingertips from typing. Uhhhh....

Anyway, I just returned home from a very fun and informative Provident Living class (Enrichment Night). It was wonderful! Everyone that went shared hints and tips that help make their lives a little easier. Remember, these have all been tried and proven successful! Some sound a little strange; but, supposedly they work. Here are some of my notes. If they don't make sense, just leave me a comment.

Hydrogen Peroxide

• add a little to potted plants to kill gnats
• cleans blood off clothes - just poor it on and wash (don't let it sit too long)
• great as a cleaner (counters, tables, etc...)
  

Spit - blood removal from clothes (if it's your blood, your spit will work best)

Rubbing Alcohol - use for cleaning dingy light switches, window frames, garbage cans, etc...works great!

Window Cleaning - cloth diapers and flour sack dish rags don't leave lint behind

WD40 (Water Displacement Formula 40) - great for removing oil and grease, good for cleaning stainless steal pots, use to loosen rusted screws (make sure you have the exact size screwdriver for maximum torque)!

Naptha Solvent - great for cleaning oils (ie melted crayon in dryer and crayon in clothes).

Gum Removal - peanut butter, egg white, ice.

Food Storage use - everydayfoodstorage.net

Marker and Pen Ink Removal - aerosol hairspray

When cooking rice or meat, cook an extra serving and freeze in the freezer for use later.

Meat Breading - use Bisquick - don't worry about eggs or flour, just dredge the meat in the Bisquick and fry or bake

Foil Baking Bags - throw the meat in with veges and let bake in their own juices - Yummy!

Spray Pam on cheese grater to keep cheese from sticking to it.

Add oil to boiling water for cooking noodles - helps prevent sticking and boil-out

When measuring shortening or butter in a measuring cup, place saran wrap over the top to lift out easily.

Window Cleaner - mix three parts vinegar to one part water

If key wont go in key hole, rub a graphite pencil in it or spray WD40

To clean kitchen grease for tops of kitchen cabinets, spray with Scrubbing Bubbles. Step down, grab rag, and wipe off.

To clean blinds, spray with Scrubbing Bubbles, stand blinds in shower, and spray with shower to rinse.

If you have mice holes, place a ball of steal wool in the hole. The mice wont eat through it because it will kill them.

Place unpasteurized honey on burns and bee stings. (You can also use tobacco for injuries like cuts and burns).

Hang a bag of water with a few pennies in it over your doors and windows to keep flies from coming in your house. The light reflections bother their eyes, so they stay away.

Place a small cup of apple cider vinegar with a drop of dish soap in it to kill fruit flies. The vinegar attracts them, the soap kills them.

To make quick cookies, make dough. Use cookie scoop to form cookies on a baking sheet. Place in freezer. When frozen, stick in freezer safe container. When ready to cook, place on pan and follow baking directions.

When making dinner, fill the sink with hot soapy water. When you finish using a dish or utensil, just place it in the water. They can be washed really quick and put away after dinner.

Lifting Burdens

Lifting Burdens

DONE!!!

O.K., she had surgery and everything is fine. So, now I'm just going to breath for a minute and get back to you soon. Love to you all!

Another Up-date

Mo is currently sitting in Pre-Op waiting to speak to the Dr.. They've determined not to wait until tomorrow to see if the antibiotics will work. Jake's still not totally sure what's going on because he hasn't talked to the Dr. yet; but, I'm sure he will get his chance.

So...until then...we'll just see what happens. Thanks for all the love and support! It really means a lot to all of us!

Medical Up-date

So, I wrote my last post, "Crazy Headaches and Pancakes," a few hours ago; but, oblivious to me was the missed phone call from the Dr. at 11:04 a.m. this morning. (Just 2.5 hrs. after Mercedes CT scan). Wait a minute, this can't be good. We weren't expecting results until Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.. When I called back, the Dr. said Mercedes needed one more CT scan, this time of her neck. She is currently being shown her new room for the night 'cause she's having a sleep over at the hospital. We don't really know what's going on, just that she has an infection...At least that's what Jake thinks the Dr. said. "She really didn't say." So, they are there and I am here because we only have one car. It's hard knowing something is wrong, but not really understanding what it is. And I'm probably in denial 'cause I've already had a good cry, and now my senses just seem a little numb.

But, this much we do know...She will get better.
So, we'll keep you posted.

Enjoy your pancakes!

***Update: Mercedes has an abscess on her Carotid Artery and will be on antibiotics in the hospital for two days. If the abscess is not smaller after the antibiotics, then we'll deal with that then."There are four carotid arteries, with a pair located on each side of the neck. This includes the right- and left-internal carotid arteries, and the right- and left-external carotid arteries. The carotid arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood from the heart to both the head and brain."

Crazy Headaches and Pancakes

Oh, poor Mercedes! Today is the first day she's been normal since last Thursday - and boy are we glad! She developed a persistent headache a week ago and has been miserable. I called the on-call-pediatrician Saturday afternoon; but, I think I must have just interrupted Dr. Gooch because he said "It sounds like the flu, and if you're worried about her, take her to the ER." I can tell you right now, this was not the flu. It didn't look like the flu. It didn't act like the flu. It was not the flu, and I wasn't going to take her to the ER for it. (The more I talk to this Dr., the less I want to talk to him). Tuesday, we made a trip to see Dr. Kwak. He's hoping she's just developed Cluster migraines, but he's running precautionary tests just to be safe. She's had blood work and a CT scan done. Next Tuesday is her follow-up. So we'll see. Hopefully it's just migraines and not a tumor or something like that. But, a migraine is hard enough on an adult. I can't imagine being four and having one that's lasted six days.

We'll let you know what we find out on Tuesday.

Now, on to something more fun than headaches! Stina's favorite breakfast is pancakes! And Mercedes loves them too! (This just in...Mercedes has just handed me a wad of her's and Stina's hair. They've just had a hair cut). So back to breakfast: pancakes - German or griddle, doesn't matter. She loves 'em. So I wanted to share this recipe I just found. You know how you don't have to try some people's recipes before you recommend them; because, you just know they're going to by good. That's how Crystal's are. She's a fabulous cook and you need to check out her link on the left (Everyday Food Storage Recipes under Preparedness Blogs), if you haven't already. I can't wait to try this! I hope you enjoy it too!

By: Crystal Godfrey

Gingerbread Whole Wheat Pancakes

Gingerbread Whole Wheat Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Milk (translation for powdered milk is 3 T. Milk and 1 C. Water)
• 1 Cup Wheat Kernels, whole & uncooked
• 2 Eggs (2 T. powdered eggs 1/4 C. Water)
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1-1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 Tbs. Oil
• 2 Tbs. Honey or Sugar
• 1/4 C. Molasses
• 1/4 t. Cinnamon
• 1/4 t. Ginger
• 1/4 t. Ground Cloves

Method:

Put milk and wheat kernels in blender. Blend on highest speed for 4 or 5 minutes or until batter is smooth. Add eggs, oil, baking powder, salt and honey or sugar to above batter. Blend on low. Blend in molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and ground cloves. Pour out batter into pancakes from the actual blender jar (only one thing to wash!) onto a hot greased or Pam prepared griddle or large frying pan. Cook; flipping pancakes when bubbles pop and create holes. Serve with Hot Homemade Buttermilk Syrup (below) and orange slices to garnish.

Hot Homemade Buttermilk Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup buttermilk or 1/2 Cup milk with 1/2 tsp. vinegar or lemon juice
• 2 Cups Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 2 Tbs. Corn Syrup (not essential but it will help your syrup keep longer without going grainy)
• 2 t. baking soda
• 1 tsp. Vanilla (do not add until after removing from heat)

Method:

Mix ingredients in a pot and boil for 3 minutes, the sauce will turn to the caramel color towards the end of boiling. (Essential Tip: mix in a pot one size larger than you think you will need. The syrup will be frothy in the beginning and it is awful cleaning up a burnt sugary mess on your stove…trust me!)

Stir in vanilla when syrup is finished cooking.

makes enough sauce for 2 recipes of pancakes.

I Have the Most Amazing Husband...

I have the best husband ever! And I'm going write about him here for a minute. While we were at my parent's house a couple weeks ago, Jake was busy! Busy, is an understatement. Very very busy is still an understatement - seriously! We left the house and it was quite the disaster. When you combine: my cleaning ability, the children's playing, and a whirlwind race through every packed box in our entire house and garage to find things for our yard sale, you get an explosion!

When we returned from our trip and walked in the front door, we found the most amazing surprise! Mercedes was going crazy running all over the place and jumping up and down. Can you guess what Jake did? He cleaned! He cleaned the entire house - top to bottom. Not only did he clean everything, he cleaned all the carpets and fogged for spiders too! WOW!!! We were amazed! I'm still amazed...and very grateful!

And then, to top it all off, Jake wrote little notes and hid them all over the place for me to find. It was so sweet! It was like having little valentines all over the place. They were tucked in between the plates and bowls, hiding by the phone, in my dresser drawers, scattered in the bathroom drawers, by the computer, and placed in the children's room. It was so fun to discover their secret spots!

Jake is amazing! I love him!

And...since I'm talking about Jake, I thought I'd add one of his favorite diners - Pizza! He love's eating it! He's tried a lot of recipes, but here's the one that's stuck. It's nummy! And yes, Jake cooks all the time for us. I am SO spoiled!

Jay's Signature Pizza Crust
(allrecipes.com)

2 1/4 t. active dry yeast
1/2 t. brown sugar
1 1/2 c. warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C
1 t. salt
2 T. olive oil
3 1/3 c. all-purpose flour, divided

Directions:

1. In large bowl, dissolve the yeast and brown sugar in the water, and let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Stir the salt and oil into the yeast solution. Mix in 2 1/2 c. of flour.
3. Turn dough out onto a clean, well floured surface, and knead in more flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Place the dough into a well oiled bowl, and cover with a cloth. Let the dough rise until double; this should take about 1 hour. Punch down the dough, and form a tight ball. Allow the dough to relax for a minute before rolling out. Use for your favorite pizza recipe.
4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). If you are baking the dough on a pizza stone, you may place your toppings on the dough, and bake immediately. If you are baking your pizza in a pan, lightly oil the pan, and let the dough *rise 15 or 20 minutes before topping and baking it.
5. Bake pizza in preheated oven, until the cheese and crust are golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.

*We don't let it rise the extra time 'cause it doesn't make a huge difference.

For pizza sauce, Jake just uses a can of tomato sauce and throws in pizza seasoning: oregano, thyme, it might have marjoram but I'm not sure...ENJOY!!!

Motivational Monday

Some of the greatest battles you will face will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul.

Ezra Taft Benson

Wednesday Prep Day is Moving to Tuesday.

Alright, now that my blogs have been merged, it's time to get going on this again. Are you guys all excited? I know I am! I think the easiest thing to do is begin physical preparedness at the beginning instead of the middle where we currently were on my previous site. So, without any further adieu, lets begin...

If you look on the right side of this site, you will see a few lists. Each week we work on gathering items for a 72 hr. kit and short term storage. Each month we work on long term food storage. There is no need to run father than you are able, no need to spend what you do not have. Set a goal and consistently work at it. With persistence and help from our Heavenly Father, you will achieve it.

This week for our 72 hr. kits, we will be gathering something to place everything in. It can be a backpack, bucket, duffel bag, Tupperware bin, whatever you have. You want something sturdy and easy to grab if you have to leave in a hurry. Shoulder straps, or handles, will make carrying easier. Look around your homes and see what you have available. Start thinking outside the box. You will be inspired!

How is your three months of short term storage coming? Do you have a plan? If so, keep pluggin' along. You'll get it. If you don't have a plan, lets make one together. To start, make a menu: seven breakfasts, seven or fourteen dinners. Seven's easier to plan, fourteen gives you more variety. (As we continue our Sample BASIC Menu on the right, you can use it for ideas. More of that to come later...).

1. Write the recipes for each breakfast and dinner down.
2. If you do seven meals, multiply the ingredients by 13 to find out exactly how much of each item you need for three months. If you do fourteen, make it simple and multiply each by seven. When facing hard times, a little extra food never hurt anybody.
   
3. Make a master shopping list.
   
4. Begin shopping always remembering to stick to your budget. Little by little you will cross all the items off. Just be persistent and patient.

I have slowly been working on a menu from Grandma Simmonds book titled Once Upon the Ark. This is a wonderful resource that she has provided for us. Unfortunately, her computer crashed and it was lost. If you would like a copy, I will be working on making this available from the site. You can use this menu to jump start your menu planning.

This month, we are collecting Wheat for our long-term storage. Orson Hyde said, "There is more salvation in wheat than in all the powers of man combined." Liesa Card suggests a food storage program that fits the way we collect long-term storage on this site; although, there are many ways to go about gathering your storage.

Or, another way that makes sense is gathering a one years supply at a time. (When you have one year gathered, just do it again). If you have one year for one person, you will also have a six month supply for two people, a four month supply for three, and so forth. Isn't that COOL?! I thought you might like it! Happy collecting...

Here's an important note:

Never spend what you do not have. If you do, your things will own you, and that's just not the way preparedness, or anything else, should be done. Always be persistent, never running faster than needed; because, as you "Do the best you can, the Lord will provide the rest." (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

Apple Puffed Pancake and Spiced Apple Syrup

Hello, Everybody! I just wanted to share this delightful variation of the traditional German Pancake. This is nummy with or without apples. We don't eat it with syrup, but I did include a syrup idea if you would like to try it. Enjoy!

1/2 c. butter
2 apples, peeled and sliced
1 c. flour
3 T. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
6 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
1 t. vanilla
brown sugar

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place butter in 9x13 pan and place in warming oven to melt. When melted, but before it sizzles, add apple slices and return to oven until butter sizzles. (Don't worry about making your apples look good in the pan. When you pour in the pancake mix, they will get messed up. Just throw 'em in, don't burn yourself, and spread 'em around).

In separate bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add eggs and blend well. Stir in milk and vanilla. When combined, pour over apples in pan. Sprinkle liberally with brown sugar. Bake for 20 min.. When done, top with more brown sugar if desired or *Spiced Apple Syrup. Eat the whole pan and enjoy!

***When I do Spiced Apple Syrup, I put twice as much sugar in a pan as water. (1 c. sugar, 1/2 c. water, for example). Add apple pieces, or dehydrated apple, cinnamon until it looks good, and a little vanilla. Let it boil and voila! There's no science to my syrup. It just tastes good!