Tuesday, January 19, 2016

a Peek into my Week . . .


Something from my playlist . . .

Just a little something to get you thinking about Valentines Day . . . I love these old songs . . .


Mother Nature . . . It's white outside!  I love January, I really do!  When I was young I loved to go skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and all those things that I don't do anymore.  But, even though I'm not as young as I once was, there are still many things I love about winter.  I love to watch the snow fall, I love it when the sun shines on the snow, and makes it look like diamonds.  I love the blue and purple tones of the snow and the pink sunsets that just seem to melt into the night.  I love it when I can see my breath when I step outside,  I love it when Jack Frost leaves his artwork on my windows, and I think it's magical when it's foggy and snowy at the same time.  I love wearing sweaters and feeling all toasty under my down comforter.  I guess I could just keep going, but I think you get the gist . . .

On my Mind . . .  I have been thinking lately about my to do list, or lack thereof.  Everywhere I look I can see something that needs my attention, and I really need to quit procrastinating about getting things done.

Today, I had really good intentions, and then my sweet husband had a better idea.  He said, "Let's go for a ride!"  Well, I don't know about any of you, but when I hear those words, I'm putting on my coat and grabbing my camera!  We jumped in the truck and headed for the hills . . . literally!  This is what we saw . . .



These deer were very content to just watch us, they weren't scared or worried that I would do anything but tell them how pretty they were, and take their picture.  They were actually way out in a hay field, so I wasn't that scary.  This is just a few of them,  there were probably about 100 head in this herd.





It was just a beautiful day, and I was so lucky to be able to go out and enjoy the sunshine . . . I feel so much better!  I still need to work on my, to-do list, but there's always tomorrow, this was so much more important than organizing a closet, don't you think?

Comfort from the kitchen . . .  This cake hit the spot over the week-end.  I still was not feeling very good, but the smell of it baking in the oven, just rejuvenated me!



Applesauce Spice Cake

1 stick butter at room tempurature
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup applesauce
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup nuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Prepare an 8 inch pan, by spraying with vegetable oil or butter and flour.  Sift together the dry ingredients and set aside.  With an electric mixer, beat butter until light, add the sugar and beat until fluffy.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beat until each is incorporated into the mixture.  Add the sour cream, vanilla and applesauce and beat until smooth.

Mix in the dry ingredients a little at a time until the batter is smooth and all the flour is incorporated, do not over-mix.  Stir in the raisins and the nuts ( I only used raisins, so I used a whole cup).

Pour batter into prepared pan and place on the middle rack in your oven.  bake for 30-35 min, until a toothpick comes out clean.  Remove the cake and let it cook for at least 15 minutes before enjoying!

Just Sayin' . . .


It's Okay to Say God Bless America

Have a wonderful week!

XXOO

11 comments:

Vee said...

You have shared a beautiful day! And thank you for remembering the camera. Those deer are beautiful. The stag has a wonderful set of antlers.

Brenda said...

Yum, that cake looks delicious! I'm glad you are feeling better. Though winter isn't my favorite season, I do enjoy the beauty. Your pictures are awesome! I especially enjoyed the last one with the road going between the mountains.

Marie Rayner said...

Aww, thanks for the Music Barb, and those lovely deer pictures. I can't wait for Todd to get up so I can show him. He will love them. Not so much the snow. He hates the cold, but I sure enjoyed all of them, cold looking or not! Glad also to read you are feeling better. xoxo

Kerin said...

Great post :)
Love your pictures! What a beautiful sky!
Last night, I looked out the window at around midnight.....just to check to see how much it snowed. Looking right back at me, was a doe. I tapped the window, but she just stood there and looked at me. If I would have opened the window, I could have touched her nose!
I watched as she put her nose down and chomped through the snow and pulled up tufts of sod. I love the deer... just not so much in the yard :)

Have a sweet rest of your week, my friend.

~K.

Shug said...

You are surrounded by complete beauty!! Amazing Beauty!! I enjoyed every single descriptive word about your winter and the snow. (something we rarely get around here) Your cake recipe sounds so yummy....I wish I had one baking right now!! Hubby is on a diet, so I haven't baked anything lately. Hope you enjoy a fantastic day today....and that you all stay warm and healthy...
hugs sweet Barb...
Shug

Marsha said...

As I get older, I thought I didn't like winter so much, but after reading your descriptions of winter and thinking to myself...Yes, yes, yes...I guess I like winter more than I previously thought. Your photos were beautiful. Makes we want to get out and go for a drive....your pictures have that affect on me, you know.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Barb, we have snow on the ground today and it is pretty. Although I have to confess that winter is so not my favorite season. :) Your photos are so beautiful, I'm glad you took your camera! I always enjoy seeing your part of the country. The recipe and cake look delicious, I can almost smell it baking now. I'll have to make one soon. Enjoy your day!

Just Ramblin' said...

How could you not drop everything and go for a ride when there is such beauty all around you! Love the pictures of the deer and your mountain scenes were beautiful. Reminds me so much of where I grew up. Thanks for sharing. Nola

LeAnn said...

I did love the music; so fun! I do love many things about winter and you had a great list of them. We are alike in many ways. I think we have been eternal friends. The photos taken on your ride were awesome. I especially loved the ones of the deer. I am sure Bob would have loved seeing them during hunting season. Thanks for the yummy cake recipe. Wishing for you a blessed week and sending hugs your way~

Deb J. in Utah said...

Glad you are feeling better. Lovely scenery. That recipe sounds great - will save and try! Thanks and have a great weekend!

RoeH said...

That song takes me back to Junior High. Ahhhh...Rick. Wonder what his last name was.

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