Strawberry Cake

Make this for a special Dad and he will be reminded that he is a rich man indeed.

Ingredients for 12 Servings

• 1 (18.25-ounce) Package white cake mix
• 1 (3-ounce) Package strawberry gelatin
• 4 Large eggs
• ½ Cup sugar
• ½ Cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
• ½ Cup milk
• ½ Vegetable oil
• 1/3 Cup all-purpose flour
• Strawberry Buttercream Frosting (see below)
• Garnish with whole and halved strawberries

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat cake mix, strawberry gelatin, eggs, sugar, chopped fresh strawberries, milk, vegetable oil and all-purpose flour at low speed with an electric mixer for 1 minute. Scrape down sides, and beat at medium speed for 2 more minutes, stopping to scrape down sides, as needed. (The Strawberries should be well blended.)
2. Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 23 minutes, or until cakes spring back when pressed lightly with a finger. Let cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely (about 1 hour.)
4. Spread the Strawberry Buttercream Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with whole and halved strawberries. Serve immediately, or chill for up to 1 week.

Note: This recipe was tested at Southern Living using Betty Crocker Supermoist Cake Mix, White. The recipe for the Strawberry Tart shown in the photo is on page 186 of the new book.

To make ahead: Prepare recipe as directed. Chill, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until frosting is set. Cover well with wax paper, and store in refrigerator up to a week.

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
• 1 Cup butter, softened
• (32-ounce) Package powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 Cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
Preparation
1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy (about 20 seconds). Add sugar and strawberries, beating at low speed until creamy. (Add more sugar if frosting is too thin, or add strawberries if too thick.)

What kinda parent are you?

Oh yeah... I'm that kinda Momma, 

just ask my Mother In Law or any of Ashley's 8th grade teachers!

Tomorrow is never promised.

Prayer for Peace

A Healthier Me...

First of all I want to start out by saying...

Therefore I deserve to put as much effort into making myself healthier and happier everyday...

I deserve it because I put just as much effort into making others 

in my life happy and healthy so the exact same effort should be given to me... right? 

Right!

So I'm going to...

However I'm going to hate drinking my water... I refuse to like it!

I will miss my Sundrop...but I will continue on....

Because...

 

I will print this out and read it daily to inspire me to continue toward my goals.

Breast Cancer Awareness

If the face below don't make you want to find a cure for breast cancer nothing will....just look at those eyes!  She's going to be a wonderful mother someday ~ She will be able to make her children do whatever she wants just by giving them THAT look!

Breast Cancer Awareness ~ Don't forget to do your monthly self check!

This was so awesome I had to share it with you.  I truly loved John Lennon's quote the best, because I can relate to it, as it pretty much sums up yesterday.  I wasted a lot of time doing nothing, but it was exactly what I wanted to do.  

HAPPY MONDAY!!

Birthday Cake Martini

1.5 ounces vanilla vodka

1.5 ounces cranberry juice

1/2 ounce champagne

Rim glass with Sprinkles (a little cake frosting helps to make them stick). Combine vodka and cranberry juice in an ice shaker, half-filled with ice cubes.  Shake well. Strain into glass.  Top with Champagne. 

Drop in a cherry.  Enjoy!

I can see this easily becoming a favorite, now if only the hick infested 

bars in Clarksville knew how to make such a beautiful cocktail.

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Dr. Oz’s Tangerine Weight-Orade Recipe

Dr. Oz’s Tangerine Weight-Orade Recipe

I'm not sure if this is actually going to boost my metabolism but it sounds like a nice refreshing drink nonetheless.  I'm going to brew some up today. 


For a powerful metabolism-boosting drink, try Dr. Oz’s Tangerine Weight-Orade.


 It contains: green tea, shown to boost metabolism 12% by drinking just one cup; tangerine, with a chemical composition that increases sensitivity to insulin and stimulates genes that help to burn fat; and mint, a calorie-free flavor enhancer.


Recipe:  In a large pitcher, combine: 8 cups of brewed green tea / 1 tangerine, sliced / A handful of mint leaves / Stir this delicious concoction up at night so all the flavors fuse together.  Drink 1 pitcher daily for maximum metabolism-boosting results.

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Beth Quinn Designs = Love them!

Check out this site.  www.socialgoodies.com   Some of the proceeds go toward charities too!


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Grandpa's Hands

Grandpa’s Hands

Grandpa, some  ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn’t acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat, I wondered if he was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK.

He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for  asking,” he said in a clear strong  voice.

“I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were  OK,” I explained to him.“Have you ever  looked at your hands,” he asked. “I mean really looked at  your hands?”I slowly opened my  hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down.  No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making. 

Grandpa smiled and related this story:

“Stop and think  for a moment about the hands you have, how they have  served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled, and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. 

  

• They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.

• As a  child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer.  

• They  tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.

• They  have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and  bent.

• They  were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn  son.

• Decorated with my wedding band  they showed the world that I was married and loved  someone special.

•  They  trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse  and walked my daughter down the aisle.

• They  trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse  and walked my daughter down the aisle.

• They  have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and  cleansed the rest of my body.

• They  have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and  raw.

• And  to this day, when not much of anything else of me works  real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and  again continue to fold in prayer.

• These  hands are the mark of where I’ve been and the ruggedness  of my life.

• But  more importantly it will be these hands that God will  reach out and take when he leads me home.

And  with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of  Christ.”  

I will never look at my hands the same again.  But I remember God reached out  and took my grandpa’s hands and led him home.  When my hands are hurt or sore I think of Grandpa.  I know he has been  stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.  I, too,want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

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