It's Here!

Just Desserts- A Sideboard of Sweet Temptations



My new issue, the very first new issue of Victoria Magazine arrived today!

Rowan hasn't had any Apnea episodes so far, and Ewan will see about reflux medicine this Wednesday.

Hope your magazines arrive soon- its WONDERFUL!

Apple Bundt Cake

First, if you visit my blog and don't see your blog listed on the left side of this page under "blogs to visit" will you respond in this post and tell me to add you? I definitely mean to add everyone who has visited so I can return the favor, but sometimes I forget!

A friend shared this cake with me Friday and its sooooo good! Its the best apple cake I have ever had. Here is the recipe.




Apple Bundt Cake
Bon Appétit December 1999
Amanda Denton, Barre, VT

"Whether it's served warm or cool, my mother's apple cake is the best I’ve ever tasted," says Amanda Denton of Barre, Vermont. "It's moist on the inside and has a beautifully browned crust. This recipe ranks right up there with love and support as the great things my mother gave me."

Servings: Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Ingredients:

4 medium Golden Delicious apples (about 1 1/2pounds), peeled, cut into 1/3-inch pieces
5 tablespoons plus 2 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Mix apple pieces, 5 tablespoons sugar and ground cinnamon in medium bowl. Combine 2 1/2 cups sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, orange juice, orange peel and vanilla extract in large bowl; whisk to blend. Stir flour, baking powder and salt into egg mixture. Spoon 1 1/2 cups batter into prepared Bundt pan. Top with half of apple mixture. Cover with 1 1/2 cups batter. Top with remaining apples, then batter.

Bake cake until top is brown and tester inserted near center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 1 hour 30 minutes (*note my friend said in her oven this cake is always done in 60 minutes). Cool cake in pan on rack 15 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen. Turn cake out onto rack. Cool at least 45 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Autumn decorating and first smiles!

This weekend I decorated our front porch for Autumn! I used fall leaf silk garland, pumpkins, yellow mums, and amber lights. It's so pretty in the evenings. In some ways I like autumn decor even better than Christmas. I use the amber lights on my Christmas tree, too.



Here is a closeup- this wreath stays up all year, I just tuck seasonally colored silk stems in it to match the holiday.



I received gifts from a "bloggy baby shower" yesterday! Genevieve, Debra from Bunnies Bungalow, and Laurie from Charming Designs sent me presents.



Debra sent me the sweetest cd's of storytimes and lullabys for the babies, along with some spa themed slippers for my feet.

Laurie sent me two of her birdies- a soft buttercup yellow, and that lovely shade of pink she creates!

Genevieve sent me two sleepers for the little twins to wear at 3 months, and her lovely daughters sent Lucas and Matilda two Gund "Dustys"... Genevieve didn't know it, ut this barking puppy is Matilda's favorite lovie. :-) Although hers is quite... ahem... CRUNCHY. *laughs* We managed to wrestle crunchy Dusty away and give her a new puppy while crunchy was washed.

"Dusty" is her puppys name because she can't say puppy. She says "Duddy". She also says that "Duddy" says "Meow". Hee, hee.

I appreciate my blogy friends so much for thinking of me, and celebrating with me. Thank you sooo much!

Manuela from the Feathered Nest also thought of me this past week- she sent me a stack of brand new magazines to enjoy during my quiet times- albeit rare time indeed, its all the more welcomed with a cuppa tea and a good magazine.




This may be the best picture I have taken of Lucas and Matilda. They were in the jogging stroller and we went for a nice walk last weekend while Duane stayed with the little twins. This is a lovely season for walking.



Here are Ewan and Rowan swinging away!



And a rare moment- I captured one of Rowan's first smiles. He smiles quite contently now when his tummy is full. Isn't that sweet?

Silly pictures of Ewan and Rowan

Ewan just can't take a good picture:




Duane calls this one "alien probe":



This is the only silly one we have of Rowan. He is fairly photogenic!

baby pictures!

I managed to post these pictures earlier today, and am editing to add comments about them!

The first picture is of Ewan. He is a very difficult baby to get a good picture of! He still has a skinny little face where he is so tall, he hasn't filled in yet. I remember Lucas and Matilda didn't look like "babies" until they were closer to 8-10 weeks old. Anyhow, in most of Ewans pictures he looks startled. Heh. He is a cutie, but Duane says "Ewan" the way Jerry Seinfeld used to say "Newman". Ewan is a cranky little fella and always the worst during Duanes shift (which coincides with the "colic hours" of 6-midnight).



Rowan is a happy little guy. Well, we *think* he is. All he does is eat and sleep. He doesn't get angry, he doesn't have any colic, he is an EASY baby. Easier than all the others have been. He is a good baby to have as a twin, because he is so laid back. He doesn't even spit up! We will have to see if this laid back newborn continues this way. He gets very angry though if he has to wait on his bottle!



OK, so, the little twins turned 5 weeks old on Friday, and I decided it was time to get out the infant swings. They are having longer periods of wake time, and, its good for them to be exposed to all the sights and sounds of daytime. Thus far these little twins have slept so well at bedtime- they only wake to eat. And, I think its because of how bright and noisey our home is during the day!

Well, we get the swings set up, and Lucas and Matilda wanted in them. Mind you, they haven't been in their swings for the last 5-6 months!!! They both had the best time. Fortunately they are right at the weight limit, so it was safe, too. You can see at first they looked sweet, then they started having fun. The last picture of Tilly wiht her legs in the air cracks me up!







As far as how I am doing... getting rest since the babies do sleep between feedings, but, still worn out. I am hoping Ewan and Rowan follow Lucas and Matilda and sleep through the 4 a.m. feeding early. Lucas and Matilda gave it up at 10 weeks, which is awesome for a preemie.

We have the siding and windows up for our family room remodel! YIPPEE! A play room! I am going to have a huge clear space when we move the playyard out into the family room (it will now be for the little twins) and have no idea what to do with the area in my living room once its free of baby toys. I would LOVE to have a loveseat on the wall there, but, we need a sofa for the play room first... I am not sure... when its atcually clear, I will post a picture and get advice.

P.S., I feel like I am going brain dead. I think its all the poopie diapers (550 a month). So, I bought some used paperbacks off of ebay- Donald Bain's Murder She Wrote books (one of my favorite "comfort food" t.v. shows). I am excited about the first two "Trick or Treachery" and "A Little Yuletide Murder". The holiday theme should make them a fun read, and these two are set in "Cabot Cove".

"Dabies"

I haven't had time to update, but wanted to share...

Ewan and Rowan have gained well- better than Lucas and Matilda did- and I have lost well. Lucas and Matilda are enjoying the new "toys" we brought home, and Tilly calls her brothers "Dabies". I will try and post pictures this weekend!

Longing for Autumn

Yesterday I was driving to the grocery store when it occurred to me that very soon, in my native rural West Virginia, the trees would begin showcasing their jewel like tones in celebration of autumn. The air would be crisp, and it would be the perfect time for hiking along the mountain trails I have known for so many years, and enjoying the crunch of maple and oak leaves beneath my feet. I enjoy these walks alone the best, allowing time for introspection and daydreams. Its my way to renew myself, and visit with memories. M favorite is a hike on the ridge near my grandparents farm- approaching the ridge ever so slowly, letting the breeze rush up the side of the mountain and greet me like an old friend. From here I can see all the hills and valleys of the small town where my parents, grandmothers, sister, aunts, and cousins reside. Taking the sentimental journey along the path of autumn, the time when vegetation begins to change and pass away, remembering those who have also passed away- like my beloved grandfather who enjoyed the stillness of gardening as much as I. I have resolved many problems along this hike, and found respite from daily stresses with a quick morning jaunt here. I have never lived so far from the ridge that I couldn't drive there and park my car at my grandparents for a thirty minute walk in the a.m. before work, or in the p.m. before dinner with my parents. My dog, Mr. Smith, knows this ridge as well as I, and would stop at the top of the hill while I walked down and looped the big acorn tree. He would roll over on his back and "Swim" in the leaves until I turn and make my way back up the ridge after gathering a pocket full of acorns for homemade potpourri. Mr. Smith has been walking here for 13 years- as long as he has been alive. We both would stop and enjoy the coolness of the air, then head back toward my grandfathers to pick grapes off the vine. Dogs can't eat grapes- but I sure could.

My mother told me yesterday that this is the first year in 50 that my grandmother wouldn't be making grape jelly. At 87, she says she is too tire to make any.

And I now live 7 hours away from the ridge that has beckoned me for long walks and quiet reflection since I was a teenager.

So, yesterday was a somewhat sad day, and I felt homesick. Who would of thought a trip to Starbucks could change my attitude?

I stopped there to get a light venti decaf caramel frap, and instead left with their autumn pumpkin pie frap. I drank half on the way home, and froze the other half until this morning. And then, when all the babies were sleeping, and my husband is sleeping, I thawed out my frap and have been reading autumn articles at Southern Living online. I have been looking at pumpkin recipes and debating when to make my first gingerbread. I did twenty minutes of yoga. And while I am not outdoors walking along my favorite ridge with my favorite dog, I do feel that even an hour while babies nap is an opportunity to enjoy introspection. It is these stolen moments that will sustain me when everyones crying and quiet can't be found. And of course, I can visit the ridge again and again in my mind, shutting my eyes and imagining all the scents and sounds I know so well beckoning me from right here in my living room.

So, this isn't a baby post. This is a post just about myself, written when I had some moments to myself. And here are some lovely autumn images to accompany it.