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Recipes/Food, Tim, Works for Me Wednesday

Black Forest Cake

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My mother-in-law is a baker extraordinaire. She worked for several years as a caterer’s assistant and is talented and creative. Her cakes are stunning confectionery creations.

I am not that baker.

One of Tim’s favorite desserts is his mom’s Black Forest cake. I’m not particularly fond of cherries myself so it isn’t a recipe I have ever tried. This, however, not being my birthday I decided to make Tim a special treat. I began an extensive search online and ended up at the Taste of Home website. My goodness, pages of delicious recipes, most complete with gorgeous pictures. As a faithful subscriber (I’ve gotten Taste of Home and Simple & Delicious for years and years) I have access to the website’s collection of recipes.

I spent almost as long looking at pictures and recipes as I did in making the actual cake. Of course, looking at the pictures of my creation and the Taste of Home’s original, one might suggest I spend a little more time working and less dreaming.

Here’s the cake I was striving for:

taste of home

Not my actual cake.

Really, how hard could it be to make a ‘little’ chocolate cake?

Here’s a shot of my work in progress:

what happened here?

Yes, the cake slid, slipped and took some sort of a nose dive during the chilling portion. True, I tweaked the recipe along the way, but I didn’t see any warnings about potential cake earthquakes.

Ah, it reminds me once again that I will never be a truly excellent chef. I’m afraid I don’t have patience for the details. I used a cake mix rather than making the cake from scratch. I relied on canned cherry pie filling instead of mixing my own. While I was cutting the cake into layers I had a child help me hold it. Sadly, the knife didn’t cut evenly and we ended up with a nice, jagged tear in the top half. The recipe called for cherry filling only in the bottom layer (look closely at the Taste of Home picture and you’ll see what I mean), but I put the filling on two of the four layers.

I’m just a rebel that way.

I tried to follow the directions for the cream and chocolate fillings; here are the ingredients and assembly instructions:

CREAM FILLING:
6 tablespoons butter (no substitutes), softened
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 to 5 tablespoons half-and-half cream

CHOCOLATE FILLING:
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a mixing bowl, beat cream filling ingredients; cover and refrigerate. In a mixing bowl, beat cream, syrup and vanilla until soft peaks form. Cover and refrigerate.

To assemble, split each cake into two horizontal layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; top with 1/2 cup cream filling. Place 1 cup cream filling in a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a 1/2-in. triangle in one corner of bag. Make a rim of filling 3/4 in. high around outer edge of cake.

Make a second rim 2 in. from edge. Spoon cherry filling between rings. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Spread chocolate filling over second cake layer; place over cherry filling. Spread remaining cream filling over third layer; place over chocolate filling. Top with fourth layer. Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls, cherries and mint. Store in the refrigerator.

It’s okay. My family ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ over the cake. Tim was touched that I would take the time and effort to make one of his birthday favorites. I may never win any culinary awards, but I have a solid fan-base here at home.

one of my biggest fans

If you are a Taste of Home subscriber, I heartily recommend popping over to their website and browsing through their recipes. Yum and double yum.

For other Works for Me Wednesday posts, stop by Rocks in My Dryer.

Kathy

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Recipes/Food

Super Easy Bread Recipe

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I cut this recipe out of the side of a bag of Bob’s Red Mill flour. The ingredient list was unbelievably short and didn’t involve words like:

yeast
kneading
rise 1 hour
knead again

The recipe, entitled Swope Bread, has been patiently waiting for me, pressed into a page of my breakfast notebook. Yesterday, with an abundance of buttermilk in the house (I have two other FAVORITE recipes that call for buttermilk), I decided to try it out.

Sarah helped me with the mixing but didn’t like the smell.

That’s buttermilk for you.

awesome kitchen helpers

David and Sarah take frequent breaks from their work in the kitchen.

The end result was delicious. This one, unlike some of my other baking creations, I actually sampled. In fact, I had a difficult time stopping the sampling process. I might not be able to make this again just because of its dangerous levels of temptation for me.

Try it out and let me know what you think.

Swope Bread

4 cups Bob’s Red Mill Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour
2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Unbleached White Flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp salt

[I used the white and whole wheat flour combo I keep in my flour bin. I also stuck to white, granulated sugar per the recipe, but I think next time I would use Sucanat for a little healthier version.]

1 quart buttermilk
4 tsp baking soda

2 bread pans, greased.

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix first four (dry) ingredients.
3. In a separate bowl, mix baking soda and buttermilk.
4. Stir wet ingredients into dry.
5. Pour into bread pans and smooth tops of loaves.
6. Place in center of oven. Turn oven down to 350 and bake approximately 50 minutes.
7. Turn out and cool on wire rack.

archie digest alert

Sometimes you just have to take a break and read an Archie Digest.

Oh my goodness – easy and delicious!! My family is still wondering where I’ve been hiding this recipe all these years.

Who knows what other treasures are lurking in my little breakfast notebook. :)

Kathy

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Homeschooling, Works for Me Wednesday

WFMW – Vocabulary Help

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It turns out that some of my children are voracious readers and others are, um, not. A deep love for reading and hours spent immersed in literary works, not surprising, results in a rather expansive vocabulary.

It does not, however, guarantee perfect spelling.

But that’s thought for another post, and may be something the children have inherited from their mother. Ah em. As I was saying, it was recently rubbed in my face brought to my attention that there are a few among us who could use some help in expanding our personal vocabulary expression and understanding.

And really, is there anyone who can truly say their comprehension and use of the English language is as vast and complete as they would like?

get working kid!

Standardized test scores can be a sobering reality check when you are the teacher, and have been for the entirety of the children’s education. Every weakness or below average area of study seems a glaring reflection on your ability and diligence as the teacher.

Thankfully every year presents us with a fresh start and, until the children head off to college (or trade school or McDonald’s to flip burgers), we have the opportunity to strengthen and add to the building blocks (however small they may be) of our education.

All of which leads me to our Works for Me Wednesday idea:

WFMW: Wordly Wise 3000 Books

I purchased Wordly Wise 3000 books for Joshua, Rachel and Daniel. I also picked up the answer guides. Just in case my own vocabulary is a little rusty.

It doesn’t hurt to be careful.

danno boy

I found the books at Christianbook.com (CBD) for a good price. Coupled with free shipping (use code 275405 for free shipping with $50 purchase), the books were a reasonable addition to our homeschool library. I also decided to buy Vocabulary Vine in order to begin some work on Greek and Latin roots. We haven’t cracked the cover on that one yet (it only arrived 3 days ago), but I’m sure it will help transform us into great scholars and ensure excellent SAT scores.

If you have any vocabulary curriculum you use or other tips, PLEASE pass them along.

We’ll deal with spelling some other time.

Stop by Rocks in My Dryer for more WFMW ideas.

Kathy

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Marriage, Musings

PowerPoint and Prayer

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I spent the evening talking, praying and brushing up on my PowerPoint 2007 skills.

In just about that order.

Tim wears many hats these days – father, programmer, husband, church elder, NOT a day trader, and lately a small group coach. Along with several other men, he helps train, pray and uphold the Bible study leaders at our church. Earlier this week he asked if I would join him this evening to meet with a couple. It was an opportunity to encourage, support and pray for them as they begin a new year of small group Bible study with several other young families.

It also fell on a Thursday night.

Thursday – my weekly homeschool co-op night of panic where I put away our books from the week and gather the lesson plans and assorted materials for my three co-op classes. As an optimist and procrastinator, I usually underestimate how long preparing for these (very different) classes will take me, and delay the work until the last possible moment.

Yep, optimism and procrastination. It’s a beautiful combination, I must tell you.

As I thought about Tim’s request, a picture came to mind of my parents as they spend time counseling and visiting with beloved members of their church. Many times I have called them during the afternoon or evening and caught them on their way to the hospital to meet a new baby or sit with someone who is dying.

Birth and death, it seems at times, greet them equally as part of a pastor’s family.

“With all of you children grown and raising your own families, I can go with your father on his pastoral calls,” my mom has told me over and over. “It is an incredible gift to join him in ministering this way. Even if I am busy, I try to make sure I always say ‘yes’ when he invites me.”

Even if I am busy.

What a godly example! I am constantly humbled by the work of my parents and in-laws as they work for Kingdom of the Lord.

So, I did my best to plan ahead. I worked on my lesson plans Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I printed and copied papers in advance. I enlisted Joshua and Tim’s help in my PowerPoint presentation.

And I joined my husband in a time of fellowship and prayer with another couple. We laughed, talked, and prayed together. I was even treated to a delicious Americano made right in their welcoming kitchen. God is working and, when I am not too busy, He lets me join in His work.

Tim has begun to pray faithfully for these small group leaders. Each evening he gets down on his knees and lifts up these believers; praying for their marriage, their families, and their impact as Bible study leaders in our church. I am convicted by his example, dedication and passion.

Even if I am busy.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:4-6

Kathy

If you read this, and think of me, I would so appreciate your prayers for our busy Friday. I am fighting a cold of some sort (sore throat) and will be sadly lacking on sleep. I teach three classes during the day, starting at 9 am, and not ending until 2:30 pm.

Thank you!

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Works for Me Wednesday

WFMW – Kitchen Organization

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It would appear that something has happened to me of late. My night time energy has departed, abandoned, left me a sleepy wreck.

Normally, at this time of the evening (9:20 pm) I would be chortling with glee (snickering even), knowing there are HOURS ahead of productive thinking, writing, cleaning. Soon the children (even those pesky older ones who don’t go to bed at 8 pm anymore) would all be upstairs and the house would be quiet. Ahhh.

some of my favorite kids

These kids don’t look one bit sleepy!

Now I find myself looking at the clock and wondering how soon I can sneak off and climb under the covers. Occasionally I’m even upstairs in bed before the children. Gasp.

This is making a serious dent in my blogging time. Not to mention my waste-time-online-watching-movie-previews-for-over-an-hour. Okay, hard to weep over that particular loss.

I blame the combination of early rising and homeschooling. In order to get through our rigorous school schedule, we simply have to get up early in the morning. It’s either that or continue schooling after dinner. Getting up early is not something I do well, or gracefully.

It’s pretty ugly, actually. The only way I am able to drag myself out of bed at 6:30 am is if I get a good, solid (ie at least 8 hours) night’s sleep. I don’t understand this as I have spent months surviving (fairly cheerfully) on 4 to 6 hours of sleep. The key, I suppose is the morning hour. There is something so pleasant about waking up between 8 and 9 am. Even if I’ve gone to bed at 2 or even 3 am, it feels like sleeping in when you get up after 8.

sarah pie!

Sarah agrees with me, she LOVES to sleep in late. No early morning girl here.

What does this have to do with Works for Me Wednesday? Sadly, everything. These days, by the time evening arrives, I have no further creative energy remaining in which to blog. I’m drained and mentally ‘empty.’ This week’s theme is Kitchen Organization. I have five children, a husband and a kitchen. Surely I have numerous helpful tips to share. I can sense them, hovering near the surface, eager to be posted.

Alas, I’m afraid I’ve already written about my best hints, and all the new ones are waiting for the Old Kathy to return. The Late Night, Doesn’t Ever Get Enough Sleep but Blogs Like Crazy, Kathy.

going to the park with a friend is wonderful

Thankfully my friends love me whether I’m a night owl or a morning slug.

Oh, here’s one thing. I love the new rice cooker my mother gave me for my birthday. It’s wonderful to add water and rice, turn on the power and let the rice cook itself happily. One less thing to fret about, or just plain manage during the dinner hour.

Since I am loath to leave you tipless, here are some links to other Great Duckabush Kitchen Posts:

Life Skills – chores for kids
Muffins
Favorite Foreman Grill
Homemade rolls
Breakfast Baking
Master Grocery Lists

Kathy
Oh, one quick question, do you morning people blog or write during the early morning hours? I know people who study their Bibles and even exercise (shudder) early in the day, just wondering if anyone writes then. I LOVE to journal and blog late at night, don’t quite have the mental acuity to do so in the morning.

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