Yummy Recipe

I got this recipe in my e-mail today,I love gingerbread and pumpkin so hey I can't go wrong with this one!I'm making it this weekend.
It came from this book (which I LOVE!)


Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake
3 c. sugar
1 c. oil
4 eggs
2/3 c. water
15-oz. can pumpkin
2 t. ground ginger
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. allspice
1 t. nutmeg
1 t. ground cloves
3-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1-1/2 t. salt
Garnish: 8-oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Beat together sugar, oil and eggs. Add water; mix well. Beat in pumpkin and spices; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir into pumpkin mixture just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour into a greased 13"x9" baking pan; bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, until a toothpick tests clean. Cool slightly. Serve warm or cold, garnished with whipped topping. Serves 12

I'm back!

Wow,it's been several days since I posted! This past weekend has been amazing,I'm still absorbing it and trying to wrap my brain around it all and I'll post about it when I do.
Happy Fall y'all,yesterday was the official 1st day of Autumn!!!I have 6 pumpkins so far out of my garden,I can't believe they actually came up but they did!
I got a few ears of corn but other than that nothing else.I'm still learning,maybe next year it will do better.
I made this incredible cake yesterday from http://cherryhillcottage.typepad.com/cherryhill_cottage/2007/09/a-daisy-of-a-ch.html
(I can't get the little linky thingy to work for some reason)
if you like chocolate this is the cake for you!!! YUMMO!!!!

I'm off to spend my day cleaning,it usually takes me all day to get the house in order after all the kids and hubby have been home all weekend,me being in a constant dream state since Friday night hasn't helped either!lolMore to come on that later............

Lighten up

Well,my last post was a bit heavy so I thought I'd post something a little cheerier.
I've been guilty of "blog neglect" the last several days so I've got alot of random stuff swirling around in my head.
It was an absolutely gorgeous weekend,very autumn like and even a bit chilly in the mornings.I've noticed alot of the older trees around our yard are starting to turn and some are already losing leaves.
We did the soccer game on Sat and I watched a movie that I had been wanting to see,it was long but I didn't get bored with it at all.I liked it alot and would watch it again. It was light and charming,very romantic.I've never been a huge fan of Jude Law but he was just adorable in this.

Sunday I took my 2 oldest girlies to a huge outdoor mall close to us.We walked and ate lunch at "The Cheesecake Factory"(one of my all time fave restaraunts,thanks JP for introducing me!)It was a nice afternoon.
This is a bit of a hoot,one of the kids made a comment on Sat about popcorn and asked how we made it in the "old days".I explained to them that you put the kernels in the big pot with oil and etc etc Well,they just thought that was nutty so I bought a jar of good ol Orville kernels and got out the pot.(they all stared at the jar too,like what the heck are those?)I'm telling you they were fascinated by the whole process.When it started poopping really loud and fast one of the boys yells "the pan will explode!" Oh gosh I had to laugh.
Once it was done,I salted and buttered it just like my dad used to do and handed it over to them.(it brought back alot of memories for me actually,I can't recall the last time I made it like this)
They grabbed up big handfulls and all kind of looked at each other for a minute,my oldest daughter says"this tastes weird".They all nodded in agreement and conitinued stuffing it in their mouths.
They just can't believe that we survived,even thrived before the microwave!

Regret

Seems simple enough doesn't it?




September 18, 2007
The Weight Of The Past
Regret
Holding onto regret is like dragging the weight of the past with us everywhere we go. It drains our energy, leaving less available for life in the present because we are constantly feeding an old issue. This attachment can cause illness the same way watering a dead plant creates decay. We know that something new and beautiful can grow in its place if we only prepare the soil and plant the right seeds. We also know that we create our lives from our thoughts, so dwelling on the past may actually recreate a situation in our lives where we are forced to make the choice again and again. We can choose to move on right now by applying what we have learned to the present and perhaps even sharing with others, transforming the energy into something that is constructive and creative for ourselves and others.

Forgiveness is the soothing balm that can heal regret. In meditation, we can imagine discussing the issue with the self of our past and offering our forgiveness for the choice. In return, we can ask for our selves’ forgiveness for keeping them locked in that space of judgment for so long. We may also want to ask forgiveness from anyone else who may have been affected and perhaps offer our forgiveness. By replaying the event in our minds, we can choose a new ending using all that we now know. Imagine that you have actually gone back into the past and made this change, and then say goodbye to it. Release your former self with a hug and bring the forgiveness and love back with you to the present. Since we are usually our harshest critics, it is amazing how powerfully healing it can be to offer ourselves love.

Keeping our minds and our energy fully in the present allows us to fuel our physical and emotional healing and well-being today. This action frees our energy to create the dreams we dream for the future. By taking responsibility and action in the present, we can release our hold on the past.

TAKEN FROM~~~http://www.dailyom.com/

Comfort

I've been feeling a bit better today,more together than I have been in at least a week or so.It's really warm today again but there is definitely a "fall" feeling in the air.It was even a tad chilly this morning.
Thought I'd write about a few things that I'm grateful for today and some favorite autumn images.
1)My family~couldn't make it without them
2)My friends~(same)
3)hot coffee on a fall morning
4)my quilts
5)autumn
I have many more but this is what's been in my mind alot today.Sometimes we all need some comfort in our lives,whether it's a hug from your child,a warm thought from a loved one,a cozy quilt at night,or just a cup of hot coffee.Every little bit helps to encourage and to warm the soul.

A moment to remember

"I cried that day,I cried today and I will cry tears forever to reach the heavens"~unknown

Anniversary poem for September 11th.
Read before the United States Senate
by Senator John Kerry on September 4, 2002.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The Eleventh Of September
Written by Roger J. Robicheau ©2002
The Poetic Plumber www.thepoeticplumber.com

We mourn their loss this day this year
Those now with God, no danger near

So many loved ones left do stand
Confronting loss throughout our land

My heart goes out to those who do
No one can fathom what they view

I firmly pray for peace of mind
Dear God please help each one to find

And to our soldiers now at war
God guide above, at sea, on shore

They are the best, I have no doubt
Our country’s pride, complete, devout

The finest force you’ll ever see
All freedom grown through liberty

One final thought comes clear to me
For what must live in infamy

Absolutely - We’ll Remember
The Eleventh - Of September

©2002 Roger J. Robicheau

Still here

I had a pretty rough weekend,alot going on and too much swirling in my head.Soemtimes I get into a real funk and it takes a bit of doing to get out of it,but I'm here.
Just thought I'd share some pics I've taken in the last few days.the 1st ones are the kids playing around in the Halloween costumes,a few from the festival,and some of my 2 youngest girlies playing miss divas. The last ones are my youngest daughter giving my youngest a RIDE on the bar stool!He got a huge kick out of it,I've never heard him laugh so hard.
It was such a nice day today,finally feeling like fall.