A Father’s Day Tribe

Photo credit: www.123rf.com

What are your fondest memories about your dad or father figure in your life? My grandfather played a key role in my life. I remember the way he used to leave coins on a chair or table for my brother and me. He did the same for my kids when they were younger. It was his way of giving us spending change.

Every year during my elementary and middle school days, we took an overnight trip to Niagara Falls, Canada. I remember buying souvenirs at the gift shop near the falls, visiting the museums, and watching the falls change colors at night.

During Easter breaks we would visit relatives in Indiana or Kentucky. Needless to say, my grandparents loved to travel.

My grandfather was there when I learned to ride a bike, drive a car (his car) and to drive me to college for move in day. Although my grandfather passed last year, I still say thanks for all the memories.

What memories do you cherish?

Below is a video performance of American Idol contestant Jessica Sanchez singing Dance with My Father click here.

Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads, brother’s uncles and father figures who help to make life special.

Wordless Wednesday – Have you ever made a Red Velvet cake?

Southern Red Velvet cake with crushed pecans (only on half of cake because the kids didn't want nuts)

Today isn’t totally wordless, but it’s less words than usual.

Confession number 101 (I think)…I don’t bake much. I stepped out of the box, out of my comfort zone and anywhere else I could step out of, to bake this cake. And this was my first attempt at baking a cake from scratch.

This Southern Red Velvet cake was a recipe I found at the foodnetwork. It was an easy to follow recipe. If I can do it, anyone can. Photos are below, but check out the website for ingredients and direction.

 

Dry ingredients

 

Wet ingredients

Mixing dry ingredients

 

Mixing dry and wet ingredients together

After baking 30 minutes

 

Finished cake with cream cheese frosting

What winning recipe have you tried lately?

 

The sweet thing about the month of June - National Candy Month

Old school candy
Photo credit: www.catchingfireflies.com

Did you hear what I heard? June is National Candy Month. What will you with this new discovery? Have a little fun with it.

Here are five ways to celebrate the sweetest month of the year:

·         Play the Candy Land game with the kids

·         Read a book that relates to candy in some way – it’s a good time to read again the fairytale Hansel and Gretel. What happened when they nibbled on the old woman’s house made of candy?

·         Watch the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

·         Make your own candy

·         Indulge in your favorite candy at least once this month

What is your favorite old school candy? If I had to narrow it down to a few favorites I would say, Slo Poke, Lemon Heads and Jolly Ranchers. If you are a fan of hard candy, allrecipes has a recipe you might want to try.

 

Ingredients

·         3 ¾ cups white sugar

·         1 ½ cups light corn syrup

·         1 cup water

·         1 Tbsp. Orange or other flavor extract

·         ½ tsp. food coloring (optional)

·         ¼ cup confectioner’s sugar (for dusting)

 

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, stir together the white sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil. Without stirring, heat to 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard, brittle threads.
2. Remove from heat and stir in flavored extract and food coloring, if desired. Pour onto a greased cookie sheet, and dust the top with confectioners' sugar. Let cool, and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

 

You can find this recipe and other candy recipes at www.allrecipes.com/recipe/hard-candy/.

Watch the movie trailer to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, then begin your celebration of National Candy Month.

Have a sweet day!