Saturday, July 28, 2007

Creative


Dutch Apple Cake - part of the weekly Photo Hunters
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I found this in my grandmother’s recipe box after she died. I don’t ever recall her having made it. My grandfather said it was a recipe from the neighbor – something like Mrs. Hufnagel – and that anything that came from the neighbor was DELICIOUS. So I made it for him and every time he swore it was the best Dutch Apple Cake he’d ever eaten.


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Dutch Apple Cake

2 ½ cups sifted flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 medium cooking apples (I use Granny Smith)

1 ½ cups sugar
2 ½ tablespoons flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Sift flour, baking powder and sugar together. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly; add vanilla to egg, blend with flour mixture. Press evenly into bottom and sides of 15x10 pan. Arrange peeled slice apples in overlapping layers to cover dough. Combine remaining ingredients. Sprinkle over apples. Bake in moderate oven – 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is golden brown. Cut into squares. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream or ice cream. MAKES 18 SERVINGS.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

The Size of A Golf Ball

I read somewhere that you're supposed to fertilize a tomato plant at various stages - careful not to overdo it! One of these stages is "when the first tomatoes are the size of golf balls". Yes, every day I'm out there checking. And today was the day!



Apparently, the two are connected in ways I didn't imagine



thanks to Aparna for the video!

Monday, July 16, 2007

After...

It occurred to me today that I'd posted some "before" photos but no "after" ones. A few things didn't do too well so you won't see them again. However, with the help of a little Miracle-Gro (why does it feel so wrong?), I have some lovely flowers on my deck.


My sister asked for a larger view of the urban oasis - to the far right is a box with Nemesia and Mexican Evening Primrose which both aren't really flowering right now. Behind me are the herbs and Clematis.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

It's a Tomato!

Wow! I can't believe it! After a horribly failed attempt last year, we may actually see tomatoes this year. There are lots of flowers on the plant just waiting for their turn to become full-fledged fruits. And now we have one little guy who has busted out. I couldn't be more proud!