Spiced Angel Food Cake

Spiced Angel Food Cake

1 Cup Cake Flour (I never keep cake flour on hand so I take 1 cup of All-Purpose Flour, remove 2 TBSP of Flour and replace with 2 TBSP of Cornstarch and sift well together.)

1 Cup Confectioners' Sugar

1 Tsp ground Cinnamon

1 Tsp ground Ginger

1/4 Tsp ground Allspice

Salt

1 2/3 Cups Egg Whites

1 Tsp Cream of Tartar

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar

1/4 Cup packed Brown Sugar (Dark is best but I've used either)

Preheat oven to 375 F. Sift flour, confectioners' sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and 1/4 tsp salt through mesh sieve into a bowl. I normally sift 3-4 times to make sure everything is well blended together and there are no packed bits together. 

In a large bowl with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and 1/2 tsp salt until soft peaks form, beat in vanilla. Beating t high speed, sprinkle in granulated sugar and brown sugar just a little at a time making sure it is well mixed in until whites stand in stiff peaks when beaters are lifted. This means when you lift them up literally it will 'peak' up where the beater was lifted and stay there. You might have to stop and check a few times just to make sure that your whites are stiff enough. With rubber spatula (or if you like a wire whisk), fold in flour mixture just until it disappears. Do not overmix. Pour batter into ungreased 9 to 10 inch pan.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until cake springs back when lightly touched. Invert cake in pan you might need a bottle or something depending on your pan. Thankfully the center area of mine is quite a bit taller than the rest so I just balance it on that my grandmother always used an old coke bottle for hers. 

Let the cake cook completely and then use something around the edge and most likely the center to loosen the cake. I generally use a butter knife carefully so as to try and not damage the pan too much. Once the you are able to take the outer ring off you will have to do the same thing to the bottom of the cake to loosen it completely from the inner part of the pan. 

There you have it a wonderful addition to any meal. It's great during the holidays or just for a treat. You can put berries on it if you like or eat it how it is.

December Catch-up Post

No matter how many times I say I'm going to get back on this horse and be good about it I really never seem to be.

I have an excuse... it's called it's December and December is CRAZY!

I hope everyone had/is having a happy holiday no matter what you celebrate. (I'm making this very clear because I'm about to go off on the school district they started sending out emails that make them look like bigots. I'm not kidding it was was bad for any non-Christian and that was coming from a public school!... But that's a rant I won't go into right now.)

Let's focus on the positive so we had a great holiday and we are hoping for a great start to the New Year and I hope everyone else starts their New Year off right too!

Here are some pictures hopping around our craziness. 

 Here is Katherine all dressed up for her "Christmas Formal"

 I also took both girls down to get glasses. Brielle had to get replacements it was just time though her prescription didn't change too much I do try and keep up with it.
Katherine got glasses for the first time. She fought me at first so I let her go without and then she mentioned she had to move up in the classroom to see better and she admitted she needed them. It is easier when they aren't fighting you and I'm glad she came to the realization pretty quick on her own.

 Katherine is in the red hat at her band concert!

I apparently don't have pictures loaded up yet of Brielle at her concert but she had one this month too AND I played with my adult class grouped up with the 6th graders! Yes, my stomach was doing flip but I sure as heck did it!

Stitch 'n' Bitch group got together for our first Holiday Party! We went to the next biggest city over in Indiana and had Thai food and then spend the day in the craft store looking at things, being silly and generally just having an awesome time!

I took both the kids to the Science Museum. I had some free passes for us to get in and while we didn't stay long we went because I promised to take them to the star viewing. They have a portable planetarium they blow up and we all go inside and discuss the stars we can see in the winter sky.
The kids always enjoy this particular trip so even though we were having a rough busy day I made sure to fit it in with them.

Finally we had our holiday dinner. I made my Spiced Angel Food Cake and cooked up bread for bowls and this year's potato soup I did some stuff different and it came out very well so I need to perhaps make some notes to myself about it because it was all ate by the second day which is a record! We also had a ham that was very good though we got much too big of a ham and I'm quite tired of ham by now.

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

Busy Monday, December 14

It is actually Tuesday the 15th and I'm at work but not feeling 100%. Things are getting crazy busy. Yesterday I had to drop medical forms off at the middle school because they lost them. Went out to lunch by myself and reorganized my coupons. Went in for my monthly shot. Got groceries and had to pick up Brielle after school because she had to stay over to catch up on some work.
This past weekend Friday Katherine had her first semi formal dance. Saturday, I got both my girls glasses... First set for Katherine and an updated prescription for Brielle. Peter and I went to a friend's birthday party on Saturday and on Sunday we went to a Shakespearean reading of Starwars.
Last night Brielle worked on cookies though Peter and I had to jump in as she was taking too long because the cookie gun wasn't working well because the constancy of her dough was off.
Tonight Katherine has her band concert, tomorrow Brielle has her orchestra concert. Thursday I have my works xmas party. Sunday it is the Stitch 'n' Bitch Christmas party.

Menu
Monday- pork, peas, potatoes.... Turned into rotisserie chicken instead because the pork went bad
Tuesday-Royal Round
Wednesday-3 Ingredient Chicken Tacos
Thursday- Breakfast
Friday-Pizza
Saturday- ? I know I got something I just can't remember what lol
Sunday-Pulled Pork

Busy Monday, December 7

Again not hitting up the traditional layout. I'm trying to get coffee down me and get a hold of the car lot before I make an hour and a half drive down there for them to change out my windshield.

A friend lost his mother last week so last week I was trying to help watch their home while they were dealing with the arrangements for all that. I only met the woman once but heard so many stories from him and his fiance about her so my heart really goes out to them.

I have more orchestra classes this week but I believe this is the last week but there are talks of another School Orchestra Fundraiser to do this again in the new near so you know I will be there.

I have a Christmas Dinner party for work I need to attend later this week so I have to figure out what I will have prepared for the children and hubby since I'm suppose to be there at 5:30. It sounds like a good crockpot night to me since Brielle can handle the pasta.

 On Saturday....

....we went down to the riverfront and walked around and did some shopping at the Holiday Stroll and then stuck around for the town's official lighting of the tree.

On Friday, we drove out and saw The Piano Guys live in concert. We had a very good time there and they put on a very good show. 

Busy Monday, November 30

So not quite the traditional Busy Monday post because I'm not sure I would have the focus to really get through that whole post and I feel so restricted into if I do one part of it I should do all parts of it.

Today's plan is go pay the taxes on Peter's car. My van is GONE we traded it in on Friday and I have a new vehicle so no taxes to pay there though before the first loan is even fully processed I'm trying to refinance because Peter wanted me to put it only in my name and the interest rate I got was horrible I've got a 720 credit score but my income is so low they really raked me over the coals so I'm seeing what I can do.

Also, I need to go grocery shopping and pick up my medications today... oh I also have music class this evening.

Peter is working out of town for the next two months he opted not to get a hotel and will be coming home every night but not for much more than a meal and some sleep.

I have a loose meal plan but I'm having a hard time filling it out. Tonight is the last night for Turkey and then this next week I'm trying to stick with other non bird meats to give us a break.

Last night was Turkey Pot Pie.

I don't make pot pies very often but the kids and I enjoy them when I do.

Peter even said even though he doesn't like pot pies that mine aren't too bad.

(Don't mind the messy stove.)

I did make Lefse for Thanksgiving and normally I have enough to freeze though I'm not so sure about this time.

I made 10 lbs of it like normal and I have a very small stack left. I'm going to try and figure out how to mail some out to my family since I don't think anyone out there makes Lefse any more in the family.


That's about the whole of it. I didn't get pictures of Thanksgiving though my turkey was absolutely gorgeous in my opinion with nice crisp brown skin.... even if it did take an hour and a half longer than I had planned.
Thanksgiving went very well and we didn't have the full 6 guests we were suppose to one didn't even call and another decided they just didn't feel like leaving the house. (Found that out Thanksgiving Day I was a tad irritated needless to say.)
We had a ton of people stop by though but had a good rotation to everyone so our little house while it got crowded it wasn't overly bad at all.

Hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Update

The last several weeks have been very rough on us and we've had some pretty heavy stuff come down which on top of earlier this year it has us stretched thin so the blog has taken a back burner but we are alive.

Sunday my friend wanted to try to do a pin and I had the tools so that's what we did and it gave me a break away from what is reality at this moment.

So here it is our pallet trees.

Busy Monday, October 26

To Do List

• Write this Blog
• Lunch with Peter
• Make a menu
• Grocery Shopping
• Drop off some paperwork for Peter
• Sewing
• Laundry
• Parent Teacher Conferences
• Tonight Music Class for me

Menu

• Monday - chicken tacos ... just decided this because I just realized I had parent teacher conferences tonight plus the music class tonight so my time is going to be crunched
• Tuesday - Chicken, Biscuits & Gravy
• Wednesday - Spaghetti
• Thursday - Chicken Nuggets & French Fries
• Friday - Pizza
• Saturday- Playing it by ear... that's a meal right?
• Sunday - Hamburger Helper
  
  Insert random veggies and salads with meals as I am unsure what I will throw with what quite yet.

This Week's 'To-Do' List

• Tuesday 
• Work
• Kids Eye Exams
• Wednesday
• Work
• Thursday
• Work
• Make Halloween treats for Kids' Party
• Friday
• Work
• Brielle's Orchestra Concert
• Kids' Halloween Party
• Saturday
• Pokemon League
• Halloween!
• Sunday
• Hospital Festival & Orchard

Last Week

So yeah it's been hectic.
Last week I started taking lessons for my Viola again I haven't truly played much since I was a teenager. I take those lessons twice a week now. 

I've been working on Brielle's costume I still have a TON to do before Friday Night so I'm going to keep this short.
Last week I was down sick for nearly a week and lost a lot of work because of it so work has been hectic since I went back. I did try to post a short update to the blog from my phone but my phone errored out I'll have to see what is going on with the app.

This last weekend I threw together a costume for an 80's party Peter and I went to.

Sunday we went to Holiday World, myself and my husband and my youngest daughter Katherine with our friend and her 18 month old. Brielle decided to stay home she had some plans but they fell through but that's life.

A few weeks ago we went and saw Alice Cooper and Motley Crue. That was pretty darn awesome. 

Oh and Katherine had her first Band Concert this month too! So proud of her and she says she's really enjoying playing band. 

At the start of the run I did a night time color 5k run with some friends. We did run it but we had an awesome time. It was pretty cold out though so I was glad I had a hoodie under my shirt.

This was the after party. 

It's been a pretty busy month for me which I guess you can tell since this is the only post I think I've made all month.

Hope everyone is doing well and have a Safe and Happy Halloween!!!!

Busy Monday, September 28

To Do List

• Write this Blog
• Lunch with Peter
• Make a menu with what's in the house
• Clean up around the house

Menu

• Monday - chicken and rice
• Tuesday - Boneless Pork Roast with Garlic
• Wednesday - Spaghetti
• Thursday - chicken bake
• Friday - Pizza
• Saturday- To each their own (I'll be out of town so I'll be eating out)
• Sunday - hamburger helper

This Week's 'To-Do' List

• Tuesday 
• Work
• Wednesday
• Work
• Picture Day - Katherine
• Thursday
• Work
• Katherine School Sock Hop
• Friday
• Take Brielle to school for Field Trip (5:30am)
• Work
• Pick up Brie
• Brie - Sadie Hawkins
• Stop by friend's house to take care of cat (morning & evening)
• Saturday
• Pokemon League
• I will be in Louisville that afternoon-evening for the 5k Color Run
• Sunday
• Open?

Last Week

So got through all the appointments last week, ended working over my normal hours because of how meetings were falling and things for work. Brielle enjoyed her field trip and Sadie Hawkins. I got 2 sets of pillow case fabric cut and was working on the trial run of Brielle's costume trying to get it to work though thus far I'm not very happy with the design and have ran into a lot of hiccups along the way. I'm going to have to just bite the bullet though and start working on the actual costume though Halloween will be here soon! I ordered some new accessories for Katherine's costume thankfully it still fit her from last year.
Pretty much a whirlwind of stuff. We took one of Brielle & Katherine's friends to the 4-H event too so perhaps she will join the girls.
That's about it. Not very exciting. No pictures because I wasn't thinking about anything but surviving this week but I told myself I need to post because otherwise I'll never get back in the habit!

Hope everyone has a great week.

(I wrote this Monday but got pulled away before I could post. Ah life.)

Busy Monday, September 21

To Do List

• Write this Blog
• Lunch with Peter
• Grocery List
• Go get groceries
• Clean up around the house - dishes, laundry, shampoo the hallway, etc. (I could rant on the etc but I'll bite my tongue)
• Drop books off at the Library
• Drop package off at UPS
• Work on Sewing
• Stop by friend's house to take care of cat (evening)

Menu

• Monday - Whatever strikes my fancy at the grocery store? Right now it looks like pork by the sales ad but we had mashed potatoes last night and the night before that we had baked potatoes so I'd like to stay away from potatoes but we'll have to see... isn't that a horrible way to plan LOL
• Tuesday - Royal Round Steak
• Wednesday - Spaghetti
• Thursday - 4-H Tailgate (Burgers)
• Saturday- Quick Fix? 
• Sunday - Eat Out

This Week's 'To-Do' List

• Tuesday 
• Work
• Parent-Teacher Conference for Brie
• Stop by friend's house to take care of cat (morning & evening)
• Wednesday
• Work
• Stop by friend's house to take care of cat (morning & evening)
• Thursday
• Work
• Brie Doc Appt
• Brie Orthodontist Appt
• 4-H Tailgate Party
• Stop by friend's house to take care of cat (morning & evening)
• Friday
• Take Brielle to school for Field Trip (5:30am)
• Work
• Pick up Brie
• Brie - Sadie Hawkins
• Stop by friend's house to take care of cat (morning & evening)
• Saturday
• Stop by friend's house to take care of cat (morning)
• Pokemon League
• Mt:G Pre-Release
• Sunday 
• Stitch N' B*
• Mt:G Pre-Release

Last Week

Yup so I was bad didn't post last week. I really need to get back onto a schedule with posting but I feel so pulled in many different directions and family life always will chump my blog. 

So little bit of catch up. This should be a short post because not a lot to say about last week.

The 12th was our city's airshow so we went down to the riverfront and had a picnic and watched the planes.

My camera died part way through it though.
Katherine found a butterfly (actually a moth I believe) that liked her it landed on her and just stuck there.  

I took my van to the shop last Monday which is one reason I wasn't able to post because I was playing the car shuffle with my husband. My mechanic told me it was not worth fixing the van because there somehow got gunk in my brand new A/C system and I have an oil leak along one of my seals but not a severe one. So instead of sinking more money into my van which is showing her age more and more we are looking for a new-to-us van which is harder than it sounds because if I'm going to go back to having car payments then I want a step up not a step across. 

Monday was also my oldest daughter's 15th birthday. She's getting so old!We had STEM Club on Wednesday and the girls made bouncy balls. 

Saturday Brielle had her birthday party down at the YMCA though I totally forgot picture because it was a swim party so we just all had fun down there. It was actually pretty nice they decorated and provided tableware and took care of the clean up and it wasn't horribly priced.

Labor Day Weekend

Our Labor Day Weekend was spent in St. Louis it was a pretty last minute decision so we didn't get anyone to watch the pets and only stayed one night just loaded the pets up with food and water and it was all good. 

This was about as close as we got to the arch on this particular trip. 

Our goal on this trip was we were going to the Science Center which is a wonderful place and through Drury we got tickets for the Omnimax and for the special exhibit. It was the only thing we really had in mind so early in the morning we set out on our adventure, stopped by the hotel in the morning for our event ticket voucher and then went onto the museum. 

For those curious the St. Louis Science Center is free to enter the only things that cost money are of course food, souvenirs, Omnimax and whatever the special exhibit is.The planetarium is also connected and is free to walk around in if I remember correctly (we didn't go this time) but of course the star shows do cost. 

 Lots of nifty things at the special exhibit. It was Robots and Aliens. It talked about TV aliens and Robots but also about real life things and special organisms we have here on our own planet which makes us believe they could survive in other environments.

 The girls learning about the Mars Rover.

 Mind Ball.

I do have to say I was pretty stoked when I won against Peter!

The girls have been through many of the parts of the science center before but every time they come to understand a little bit more about different events and forces in the world and how we build and create.

If you take the time you can always learn something new or comprehend it a little better by revisiting it. 

On day 2 before we headed back to our home we decided to go to the St. Louis Zoo. Again it is free to enter unless you want to ride the train or items like that but to just walk in and walk around it is free and it is a wonderful zoo!
It was super hot that Sunday so we were happy to leave but we were happy to have gone too and really enjoyed our time there. 

That was our weekend trip.
I hope everyone had a wonderful day on Labor Day!