I'm here honestly

Well hello everyone! I haven't forgotten blogland, I've just been very busy and in a lot of pain with my hip. My back kinda went out before spring break and then I guess that caused this severe flair up of my hip bone spur. The kids have a play performance this weekend so things have been very busy with that. I'll post pictures after the event. Work has been killer because this is state testing week and my co-worker and I collect and count all the tests to ensure that none are missing. The weather has been unseasonably warm. I believe one day was 98 this week. So no fun with a bum hip out chasing around the school campus finding tests. Enough complaining. Hopefully I'll post more after this weekend. Have a great weekend wherever you are.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

First you need a #10 cast iron skillet. Add 1/4 cup butter and 2/3 cup brown sugar. Allow the butter to melt and the sugar to mix in.

Then add a large can of drained crushed pineapple. Mix into butter/brown sugar mixture and level out the whole mixture.
Then add pineapple slices with maraschino cherries.

This is the part where I cheat. I just use a boxed yellow cake mix done according to the package directions and pour over the pineapple mixture. You could make a yellow cake from scratch and it would be just as good. I don't usually use a boxed cake mix but this is one time I do. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before turning out of pan onto a large plate.

I use a large glass cake plate that I have. I then invert it onto the plate.

Of course be careful because it's very hot. This makes the best pineapple upside down cake.

Enjoy.

Some of you might be familiar with Mary Jane's magazine and farm, but if you're not then head over to her site for some wonderful advice on just about everything. The last issue of the magazine had a fantastic article on cast iron and some recipes I can't wait to try. I would also bet that this pineapple upside down cake would work just fine in a camp dutch oven. If you're not familiar with camp dutch ovens then check out Lodge. They'll get you started. I love my cast iron and I've had several pieces for many, many years.

Have a great day. Hugs, Amanda

A Closet Project

I thought I would catch up with my computer work as I'm down with my back. I had so much planned for this week of spring break. Like finally finishing the kitchen. Thanks a lot sciatica nerve.
As most of you know, we are a homeschooling family. This is our 11th year homeschooling and we're nearing the finishing stretch. The charter school we homeschool through has a senior seminar requirement. It involves picking a topic, writing a research paper (10-15 pages), doing a project, a presentation and a portfolio. Seth chose do his topic on "green" remodeling. He's always been into recycling and a paper he had to write last year sparked his interest in the construction end of it. Most of you also know that we live in an older home. She's celebrating her 69th year this year. Like most older homes she's got her quirks and weak areas. Just like other older homes from the same era she has a linen closet or rather she had one as of Friday morning. Seth chose (with mom's persuasion) to pull out our aging linen closet and replace it with eco-friendly stuff. He had hoped to reuse the wood for the project but most of it proved too thin. We also decided that adjustable shelving would be a better option anyway. He'll reuse the wood in other projects, like some bird houses for the backyard or something. So here's the digital record keeping of the project. Enjoy. The hallway seems much bigger now without the closet. I'm sure once the new door is in and everything it won't feel that way again.
Here it is right before demo.
Seth getting ready to work. I got the hard job of filming. Once we get his video clips edited I'll try to post them on the site. He sounds like a DIY show.
Ms. Kitty always has to inspect the new projects. I'm not sure she's approved it yet.
Now it's empty. Actually the shelves were in great condition but the drawers were just falling apart. I also wanted a place to stow the vacuum cleaner which we should be able to do with the new design.
All the molding stripped off.
The hallway ceiling was dropped when they added the master bed/bath and central ac/heat in the 60s. I guess they didn't want to redo the closet then so they just sealed off the top of the linen closet. We found an old baby food jar filled with old newspaper clippings from 1963. It even mentions Kennedy's death. That's how we figured out the date they probably sealed it off.
Off with the facing frame!!!

Out with the shelves.

It's really just a box.
Off come the sides.
With a little persuasion of course.
3 hours later no more linen closet. Now the rest of the work begins.

Thanks for stopping by. We always like having visitors drop in. Come back soon.

Main Bathroom Update

Many of you might remember way back to the beginning of my blogging posts when I talked about our main bath redo. I thought I would post a somewhat updated picture of the bath. These were taken around Christmas time. We redid the main bath about 3 years ago. Here you go.

Personally this is my favorite shot. I've definitely gone very shabby chic in this bathroom much to the dismay of the two teenagers whose bathroom this is.

Here's a shot with more light.

Just another angle. Yep, that's Seth in the bathtub snapping photos for mom. At least he's a good sport about it.

Another shot with different lighting effects. It's much improved since 3 years ago though there are still things to finish if you must ask. Like the shabby chic shower curtain that I've collected fabric for for 3 years now. I could probably make 6 curtains with all the fabric I have. I also need to refinish the original vanity. I'd like to put molding around the mirror like Rhoda did in her bathroom or find a really cool mirror for in here. I go back and forth. The kids like the big mirror. I'd also like to find a cabinet for over the toilet for all the little stuff that bathrooms hold and there's never enough room for.

Hope you enjoyed the update. So what's in your bathroom?

All for now,

Amanda

Furry Friends

The furry members of our family add so much to our lives. We laugh at them and love them. They all have such personality.

Rascal (our 11 year old Jack Russell Terrier) and Ms. Kitty (our 7 year old Munchkin). They normally do not share a chair, but Rascal wanted a slice of morning sunshine on this cold morning. Ms. Kitty wasn't budging.

Rascal loves to stay in bed on cold winter mornings.

Please don't take my picture. I haven't bathed yet this morning.

Caught cha!! Now we know what you're up to when we're not home.

Ms. Kitty enjoying the morning sunshine. She sleeps like this a lot in the hot summer. I guess it's cooler or something.

How dare you!!
We call this Ms. Kitty's ferret stance. She can hold this position for a while. It's so cute!! Shhh..... we're really not sure she's all cat. (JK)
Miss Cocoa (our 2 year old adopted stray). She is very skittish and I don't usually get a picture of her.
And the newest pet member Rosy the pink-toed tarantula. Seth loves bugs and reptiles. I can handle the bugs, but absolutely not the reptiles. Seth is always joking he's going to go get a reptile and I always ask where his new place is going to be so we can visit.

So how about your furry family members? What do they add to your life?

All for now,

Amanda

5 minute makeover

I just love a 5 minute makeover. It began because I have this cute little frame that needed something new. It still had the little Christmas picture I had put in it. So what to do?
Hmmmm....... Stare at the craft cupboard. Ponder....
I'm sure there is something in here that I could use. Yes, it always looks like this. It might even be a little cleaner today than normal.
Go through the sticker keeper and the scrapbook scraps of paper. Bring out the goodies to the table.
Now I have to make a decision. The opening is small so that should help narrow it done.

I think this one is perfect. A piece of paper.... a little sticker or two or three, put it back in the frame and display. Viola!!!
Here it is; back in its spot. Yup, getting already for spring/summer decor. Gotta love it!
Just another view. This is my shelf with all my cream ware and milk glass. Well, not all of it but a good portion of it. Hmmm.... does that other frame need a pick me up too?
I couldn't resist adding this picture of the kitchen. I was cleaning last week and just loved the way the sunlight was coming through the window. Our kitchen faces southwest so it gets a lot of afternoon, evening light. It's Wednesday and it's my free day so I'm off to craft another project. Have a crafty Wednesday!

Hot Fudge Cake

Those of you who love chocolate are in for a treat! The picture does not do this dessert justice. It's best served hot or warm with ice cream or whip cream. It does not last long at our house. I only thought to take a picture right before the last piece was taken.


Do not double this recipe! Trust me it does not work.

Hot Fudge Cake
1 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons cocoa, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 3/4 cup hot water
whipped cream or ice cream

In a medium bowl combine flour, sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir in the milk, oil and vanilla until smooth. Spread into an ungreased 8 inch x 8 inch pan. Combine brown sugar and remaining cocoa; sprinkle over batter. (At this point I usually put the pan in the oven so I don't have to move it) Pour hot water very carefully and slowly over all: do not stir! Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. Top will be firm. Serve hot or warm with whip cream or ice cream.

The bottom is supposed to come out gooey like pudding. Oh you're going to love this. Take care and have a great weekend!