Fresh Apple Cake

FRESH APPLE CAKE

In the late 19th century apples came to Aptos, California. After so many of the trees were cut and sent to help rebuild San Francisco after the infamous fires of 1906, the large trees were replaced with apple trees. The industry was Aptos' strength during the 20th century and is still a corner-stone of our beautiful landscape as you drive through Aptos hills.

In celebration, here's a wonderful Fresh Apple Cake Recipe:

Mix together:

2 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. nutmeg

Whisk together and Add:

3 large eggs

1 c. melted butter

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

2 t. vanilla extract

Stir in:

3 c. chopped apples

1/2 c. raisins, chopped

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Grease and flour a bundt cake pan. Bake cake for an hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes before removing cake from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. Dust cake with powdered sugar. Keep wrapped in plastic to keep for a few days.

So, who is walking on turf and who is walking on grass?

When Pelosi came out with the "Turfgrass" statement I was so insulted.

Now, there may be some guys out there on a mission, but overall the "House", and it's members, should respect the fact that the whole country is NOT backing them on the democrats unclear, scatter-brained rendition of a health care bill for reformation.

Does anyone understand it? Really understand and know what's in it? NO!

The democrats are planning a multi-million dollar media campaign to help convince the American people that their plan is a good one. Hmmm.

Note to Democrats: Someone HAS to read the bill before they spend millions - especially when our country is in debt to the tunes of Trillions... (how many pennies makes a trillion anyway?)

My mom lives in Chico. She and a couple of friends went to listen to her Congressman Wally Herger, speak on the health care bill. What she got was a lesson on how the democrats plan to convince Americans that this is a good idea....

"We went to hear Wally Herger speak on the new health care bill. Most of the audience agreed with him, but there were a few rabblerousers in the crowd, and walking around outside bearing signs. He even got a standing ovation. When some one was asking a question that was way out in left field or totally backing Obama's bill, Wally just told them it is a free country and you are entitled to your opinion. Then the local newspaper came out with a picture of Herger on the front page with a big caption "Wally Herger Lies".

So... who is walking on turf and who is walking on grass?

1 Thessalonians 5:23

May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

As I was reading from my "thought for the day" book entitled "Breaking Free day by day", by Beth Moore I came across a piece of text that gave me an epiphany. Look at what Beth says as to this verse:

What a relief to know that we'll never battle anything out of God's jurisdiction. He can just as easily defeat His opposition on Mt. Carmel as He can on Mt. Zion. It's all his turf.

The same is true in regard to our own battlegrounds. God created us to be whole creatures made of three different components: body, soul and spirit. So as long as we see God as Lord of our spirits alone, we will continue to live in areas of defeat.

God is as surely the Lord of our souls and bodies as He is of our spirits.

My thought from this was, "how do you 'sanctify' then your complete self?"... I guess one day at a time. What a way to start the morning!

Julie and Julia - adorable!

" Being tall is an advantage, especially in business. People will always remember you. And if you're in a crowd, you'll always have some clean air to breathe." - Julia Child

Who could neglect their blog the day after seeing "Julie and Julia"? It was thoughtful, funny, and most of all inspirational.

What inspired me the most was Julia Child's attitude in contrast to Julie's. Julie, is a disenchanted young lady who wanted at one time to be a writer. Having failed at her one attempt, she has spent close to 10 years working at one meaningless job after another, and never finding satisfaction with anything. She is easily defeated by her own negative attitude. Julia Child on the other hand would never admit defeat.

Julia faced each challenge with a flair of competition, not just with others, but with herself. When negative things happened to her she simply found it to be her next challenge, never a defeat. Her positive spirit smoothed the rough edges of her experiences and added joy to her blessings.

However, when Julie refuses to let the real Julia Child's opinion overshadow her hard work, Julie finds the "Julia" within her, and inspires us as well.

It just goes to show, life cannot get bring us down if our attitude is up...

Now, how do you make "Boeuf-Bourguignon"? Oh, here we go, and "Bon Appetit!"

http://www.recipezaar.com/Boeuf-Bourguignon-a-La-Julia-Child-148007

"The Mercy Seller", by Vantrease

Vantrease builds a well-woven storyline in "The Mercy Seller". She handles the intrigue and conflict that arose during the birth years of the Reformation with compassion and insight. She has not written a "Christian" book, but she has allowed her characters to be who they are - Catholic, Christian, deists, etc., and I loved it.

It was a "can't put down" book - a rare find. She tangles a Catholic priest, diligent toward his duties of selling indulgences to those in need of forgiveness, with a beautiful scribe intent on sharing the word of God to others in their own language. Their beliefs are shaken, their confidences disturbed, but what separates them eventually binds them with an undeniable passion.