Rum cake, need I say anything more

My Aunt Sandy makes the best Rum cake!!! She not only makes it but she must make about 100 of them around the holiday and gives them to her co-workers, neighbors, her husband co-workers, and family & friends. (if you know my Aunt Sandy then around the holidays, your very lucky to know this lady!)

Rum cake recipe:

1 cup of pecans (chopped)
1 box of yellow cake mix
(I prefer Duncan Hines)
1 box of vanilla instant pudding mix (3.4 ounce)
4 eggs
1/2 C of oil
1/2 C of water
1/2 C of Rum (I usually use golden but dark rum will work)
Glaze:
1/2 C butter
1/4 C water
1 C sugar
1/2 C Rum (this is the part of the recipe that I start to act like Paula Deen "1/2 C of Rum, or maybe a teeny but more, maybe a little bit more" ha! But not too much or it will be too strong tasting.


1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees, spray bundt pan with cooking oil, sprinkle bottom of pan with chopped nuts
2. Mix cake mix, eggs, water & 1/2 c rum, 1/2 oil & pudding mix well pour into cake pan and bake for 1 hour (top should be golden & inserted toothpick should come out clean!!
*** immediately once taken out from oven, poke cake still in bundt pan with the handle of a wooden spoon leaving holes in cake (note poke holes deep but not all the way to the bottom!!!)
3. I mix all of the glaze ingredients in a sauce pan (usually when there is 10 minutes left for the cake to bake based on the timer) & heat over medium heat bringing glaze to a boil, let boil 5 minutes then remove from stove.
4. Drizzle glaze over cake top filling holes and pouring down the sides of the cake using a butter knife to seperate cake from sides of pan. Let sit approx 15 minutes before inverting. (be careful when inverting cake there maybe some run off)

My Aunt Sandy is a Fun talkative person. Sandy never meets a stranger, and has maintained several close, special life long friendship that I admire! My Aunt Sandy and myself have been constantly compared to each other while I was growing up. I think my personality and my ability to get into trouble was only rivaled by her. Ha!

However, me and my Aunt Sandy are very opposite on a lot of things. Our opinions are probably as opposite as the Republican and Democrat party is opposite. With that said....however I have come to appreciate the seasoning & influence that My Aunt Sandy has had on my life!

My Aunt Sandy having had such strong opinions, have made me really take a look at what I believe and why. All very important things to know!!

Also even though my Aunt has strong, strong opinions and would love the opportunity to banter with you about them. The banter is for enjoyment sake, not out of meaness. Us talkers understand this. Us talkers take pride in our ability to out talk, or talk our opponent under the table until the wave the flag of surrender. Ha!

My Aunt has a strong, strong, family love that must have come from her mother my Grandma Cavitt, who I shared with you the other day always loved consistently. Because that is how Sandy is, she may not always agree with you, she might not even like you at times, but if she's your family member she is loyal and she is showing up to be part of your life in the small and big ways.

I have heard it said that actions speak louder than words. Then my Aunt Sandy's action scream love! You see my Aunt Sandy lives 4 hours out of state but this does not stop her for helping pull the family together for holidays, coming into town for happy celebrations, and even sad one such as funeral. Sandy will be there standing strong giving her strength to others.

I think My Aunt Sandy must be to my life like a egg is in baking, you might not always taste an egg in a chocolate cake, or coconut cream pie, but without the eggs ability to bind and keep all the ingredients together you wouldn't get to enjoy that piece of chocolate cake or pie very much!

Who is the binding ingredient to your family? Do you share in that responsibility of helping pull your family together? If you live far apart do you make an effort to keep in contact with your family members? I would love to hear what you do!
-Amy

Grandma's are moms with lots of Frosting!

Isn't that the truth, Grandma's are Mom's with lots of frosting!! They love you & get to be fun & send you Ali g your way. They don't have to discipline you, they just get to love on you & make you feel special. As granddaughters we get to learn from them, their experiences, their knowledge, their beliefs, and some yummy recipes!!!


My grandma Cavitt made the Best Chocolate Pie!!!

The Cavitt Family Chocolate Pie:
2 C sugar
4 T Cocoa powder
8 T flour
Dash of salt
3 C Milk
3 egg yolks- beaten*
1/2 stick of margarine/butter (melted)
1 t vanilla extract

Combine all dry ingredients in a large sauce pan. Gradually add in liquid ingredients while stirring with a whisk. Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly!! Cook until thick!!!

(note: I save the egg whites to make the meringue for the pie)

Pour pie filling into a pie shell that has been cooked until golden. I have made crust from scratch as well as I have used store bought crust. Hey, don't throw anything at me, it can save a girl some time!! I make 3 of these every Thanksgiving!

Grandma Cavitt flavored my life by consistently loving her sisters no matter what. If they were mad, if they were happy, if they were leaving her out. I never heard her say anything bad about them. Amazing! (Also I remember that my Grandma Cavitt always had cookies in her cookie jar. Even if they were store bought. As a child I loved getting permission to get a cookie or two out of this fantastic jar!)



My Grandma Mullings makes the best gumdrop cookies! It would not be Christmas, without me getting to snack on these cookies. She's the only one I know who ever makes this type of cookie-Yum!!

Gumdrop Cookie Recipe:

1 1/2 C of gumdrops (not spice drops! & no black licorice gum drops!!)
1 C Butter,softened
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 t vanilla extract
2 3/4 C flour
1 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
3/4 t salt
2 C quick cooking oats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cut gumdrops up (or fruit slices up that are large gum drops if you can't find them)
Set aside,
In large bowl cream butter & sugars together, then add eggs one at a time until completely mixed.
Add flour, baking soda, baking powder & salt gradually beating mixture as you go. After all the dry ingredients have been incorporated add the quick cooking oats & gum drops by hand stirring it all together.

Scoop 1 inch balls onto cookie sheet bake for 10 minutes.

Let cool on pan for 2 mins before removing from pan.

My grandma Mullings showed me how to pray. I have spent so many nights at her house while growing up. It was my favorite place to "go to"! If I happen to get up after being put to bed, I would find my Grandma down on her knees with her bible open before her praying. Wow, what an impression on my little mind & heart!!!



Here I am "cooking" at my Grandma Mullings house, while she really cooked. She would let me stir a bowl of marshmallows & chocolate chips. Then I would get to eat them. Good times!!

can't imagine my life would be as sweet as it has been without my Grandmothers seasoning my life so sweetly!!

Amy

This chicken is a fruit

I love this chicken salad recipe! It is a show stopper, turns out great and makes enough to serve +16 people. It's my favorite to serve at showers.

Chicken Fruit Salad

16 ounce box of small shell pasta
6 Cups of cubed/shredded cooked chicken (approx. 6 breast)
3 C of sliced celery
3 C of grapes, halved (red grapes are the prettiest in this salad-make sure they are seedless)
2 - 15 ounce cans of Mandarin Oranges, drained
2/3 C cashew pieces
1 1/2 C Mayo
1/4 C finely chopped white onion
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 C whipping cream, whipped **added right before serving

1. Cook pasta, rinse with cold water, drain.
2. In a very large bowl, combine cooked past & all remaining ingredients---Except whipping cream. Refrigerate until serving
3. Just before serving, fold in whipping cream.


This salad is refreshing with both grapes & mandarin oranges in it. It reminds me a lot like my friendship with Cathy who gave me this recipe!




Cathy and me became friends in a small group for newlywed couples at our church. In my friendship with Cathy I recognized a kindred spirit. Cathy had been raised in a household with all brothers, she was the only girl. Cathy is very close to her parents, and is a wonderful cook!! I counted 5 recipes from her that I count as in my "Tried & True Favorite" category.

God blessed me in having a friend with a common background and values to travel the road of being a new wife, a first time mom, trying to figure out what we needed to actually go into the diaper bag, fix our hair, get dressed & arrive as close to time as possible for church each week. A friend that was learning the ropes at the same time that I was, could only be described as refreshing to my soul!


Amy

Riot inducing Mississippi Mud Brownies

I know you have probably heard of Mississippi Mud Cake, but girl you haven't tasted anything as warm chocolatey, to die for if you haven't had my Aunt Daretta's Mississippi Mud Brownies! (I could go on for days about this recipe!)
Mississippi Mud Brownies
Brownie recipe –
1 ½ c granulated sugar
1/2 c butter or margarine, melted
6T cocoa
2 T butter or margarine, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/3 c flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
½ c pecans or walnuts (optional)
7 oz jar marshmallow cream
Combine top 4 ingredients, add egg. Beat well. Stir together 2/3 c flour, baking powder and ¼ tsp salt. Add to chocolate mixture alternately with a mixture of the milk and vanilla, mixing after each addition. Fold in ½ c pecans, if desired. Pour mixture into a
9 x 13 metal cake pan.
Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes, until done.
When you take the pan out of the oven, IMMEDIATELY put a jar of marshmallow cream over the brownies, spreading it with a knife over the brownies. It will melt, then cool.
Brownies should be completely cool before pouring frosting on top of them.
Frosting
1 stick margarine or butter
1/3 c cocoa
1/3 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 lb powered sugar
Melt together in a saucepan margarine, cocoa, milk & vanilla. Stir in powdered sugar and blend well. Pour mixture on top of marshmallow cream. Cut into squares.
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Warning this recipe is rioting inducing if you have not made enough to share!!
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My Aunt is so special, I was trying to think how to explain how much she has flavored my life.

How do you describe someone who is such a generous, giving person. I decided she must be compared to sugar! For not only has she given material items to me, she has given her time, her attention, & sprinkled my life with little things that make life pleasurable!

My Aunt taught me about "good" chocolate, not just the Hershey brand chocolate, kept me in bubble bath through out my teen years, surprised me with little gifts of lip gloss, lotion & fun socks. My aunt would take me out for Fun days, just because! My brothers and myself always looked forward to seeing my Aunt.

However my Aunt was not only generous to my brothers & me. I saw how as a teen herself, she gave of herself, through time, and financially to younger girls from the local baptist shelter. She would act as a "Big Sister" capacity with some of the same girls for years! Pouring herself into their lives. Even after she had married and had a child of her own; she continued to give hope and love to others by opening up her home to provide a shelter for Foster children who needed a safe place to live while their parents took classes on how to be a better parent.

My Aunt is the Proverbs 31 woman, as described in verse 20 "she welcomes the poor and helps the needy"
Romans 12:8, talks about those who have the gift of giving. That describes her beautifully! I have known some who have been able to give financially but not many who give financially, AND of themselves: giving their time, attention, and love quietly, not boastfully or showy. Just showing up continual in the people's lives she is blessing. Giving to those who could never begin to pay her back.

What an impact she has had on my life. Not only have I been blessed to be on the receiving end of her giving. My Aunt taught me how to give to others, with no thought of what I would receive back, giving to show Christ's love to others because he loves us.

I hope you have had someone in your life who was "Sugar"!

Are you being the "Sugar" in anyone else's life right now?

If not look around, you just might be surprised to see whose life God would like you to "sweeten"!

-Amy

You talk about taking a punch!

The recipe for today comes from a group of ladies, that met every Monday morning during the school year for Bible Study way back when I was carrying a carrier/car seat around. Needless to say as a group of young moms who were sleep deprived this iced coffee punch was a hit! We had this at our brunch at the end of each study.

Iced Coffee Punch:
1 quart of cooled strongly brewed coffee
1 C whipping cream
1 quart vanilla ice cream
1 quart chocolate ice cream

Mix cooled coffee with whipping cream pour over the ice cream in a punch bowl. Gently stir until ice cream slightly melts.

This coffee punch is so good & delivers the caffeine punch! However, if you wanted to serve it in the evening decaf would work as well!

This group of ladies touched my heart as I started my journey along the motherhood path. I would come tired, very happy to talk to someone who could speak in complete sentences, smelling faintly of spit up, running 5 minutes late, but was so very glad to be there!

This group of ladies were so precious to me, we studied the word of God, learned how to apply the scriptures to our daily life and lifted each other up in prayer. They add a Big flavor to that season of my life! My favorite bible verse about trusting God came from the time I studied scripture with this group of ladies. So I will close with that verse today.

Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. (Psalm 20:7 NASB)


-Amy

These 2 sisters can cook!

These two sister's I got to know right at the beginning of my motherhood phase of life. Who knew then that God was going to bless my life with three daughters!! I was raised with all brothers, and my Mom was 7 inches shorter than me. (needless to say we could only share clothes for about 6 weeks of my life!). I was fascinated (I mean Fascinated! Make me laugh & cry at the same time) with their stories of growing up, how they fussed at times, and how alike & how different they were from each other. Believe it or not there are 3 sister's in their family, the other one, just did not attend our church. (however, Robin impacted my life as well because i "borrowed" her girl's name, and turned it around thus naming my baby girl "Grace Caroline".). They also could relate with my stories because they had a baby brother as well.

Now these two sisters are wonderful cooks & wonderful hostess!

Here is a picture of Kerry on the left side,me in the middle & another sweet friend on our right. (this was taken at a Christmas cookie exchange party, where we wear our PJ's, eat, play silly games & exchange cookies)




Kerry is known for her amazing frozen Slushes that she serves guest during the hot summer months. (bourbon Slushes, frozen sangria etc..)
My favorite is her Frozen Sangria!!
Kerry's Frozen Sangria recipe:
1/2 C of sugar
8 ounce can of crushed pineapple
2 1/2 C of dry Red wine
1 1/2 C of Orange juice
1/2 C of Lemon juice
Mix in blender then freeze.
Dip frozen concoction Into glasses, top with Pinot Grigio or Ginger Ale.
Yummy!
(for large groups such as a 24 people, she quadruples the recipe)

Kerry is a motivator! Kerry has taught me: the value of consistent exercise. Kerry runs. I've been her friend while she has trained and worked hard to run in everything from a 5K to a Marathon! Kerry has now taken her motivating attitude and self discipline to the next level and now teaches exercise classes at the local Y. Kerry is always encouraging to others who want to start exercising or is feeling frustrated with the whole process. However she never hits you over the head with it, she is always graceful about her pursuit of being healthy & fit!! (by the way she also knows & can recall the lyrics to about any song she has Ever heard-so unfair!)
Here is a photo of the two of the two sister's that I am sharing about today. Kerry is on the left, Wendy is on the right. Aren't they lovely!




Wendy is the other sister I was telling you about. Wendy is a positive,Sanguine in personality, never meets a stranger, girly girl, who is always the encourager!
Wendy makes the best Artichoke Dip!! (warning you might be tempted to push everyone else away from this dish & eat it all by yourself!)

Wendy's Artichoke Dip:
1 can of artichoke hearts (drained & chopped)
1 C Mayo
1 C grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 C or more of shredded Parmesan cheese (real finely shredded bought in a tub already shredded)
8 ounce of softened cream cheese
1/2 C of sour cream
2 Garlic cloves-crushed
2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dill weed
1/2 tsp Worchestire sauce
2 tsp shredded Parmesan cheese
Chop artichoke hearts, combine mayo, cheese, sour team, add garlic,fill weed,Worchestire sauce, spread in 8x8 or 9x9 square pan (that had been well sprayed). Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 mins. After taking dip out from the oven sprinkle with the remaining 2 tsp of shredded Parmesan cheese.
Serve with bagel chips.

Wendy taught me the value of encouraging words! Wendy also modeled the gift of being friendly and kind to others as she touched the life of those around her. (Also she taught me what the word toile was & what Mercury glass is)

I did not know that I was going to become a mother of three girls! However God knew and he was preparing my heart for this, by hearing these two sisters stories of childhood. I am so thankful that they shared their stories with me! I am filled with hope, that even on days that my girls don't like each other very much, that these teen years will pass and they will love each other dearly and be close friends!

Hope you enjoy the recipes from today!

Remember you are rubbing off on those around you!
What are you leaving in the lives the people your path crosses with today?
Amy

My mom makes the best...

I've actually hosted a party with the exact theme before for a Mom's Night Out. It was a lot of fun & a great way to get to know each other better. But let me not get off subject.
My Mom makes the best Chocolate Frosting and Chocolate Pie!

Her frosting will ruin you for store bought kind!! So warning "serve this at your own risk!!!" Cuz, honey once your family has had a taste of this frosting they will grumble & whine every time you try to serve frosting from a tub!!!!


My Momma's Chocolate Frosting:
1/2 stick of margarine
3 T Cocoa powder, heaping Tablespoons!!!
1lb of powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 C milk* (warning read directions before adding!)

Melt margarine in microwave, set aside. Place powdered sugar in medium mixing bowl. Stir in cocoa, add melted margarine, vanilla, & *****1/2 the milk.

Beat with mixer, if needed add more milk SLOWLY till you get the right consistency. Frost cooled cake.

Now you will remember that I did boast that my momma also made the very best you have ever had Choclate pie but I am going to save that recipe for when I cover another lady. (Since my momma did learn this recipe from my father's side of the family-)




This is my favorite picture of me & my mom. It was taken on one of our "girl's day out". It holds such a special memory for me!

My momma taught me so much! Ha!, besides All of the basics, potty training, no hitting, sit with your knees together, sit up don't slouch, ladies don't spit, please don't chew with your mouth open, don't wear white after Labor day, and no white shoes until Easter, etc... (are you getting the idea that I was a handful, it's because I was! I was 5'7 by 6th grade! My momma had a challenge of turning me into a lady, for that alone I am thankful.).

However, my mom taught me some other "life" lessons along the way: the importance of attending church, the value of having girlfriends in your life, and you never outgrow creating! You should do what you love be it: art, writing, dancing, music. You should enjoy life as your passing through it! And like my momma always said to me in times of crisis, taken from one of my favorite movies from my teen years (Gone with the Wind) "well Scarlet, tomorrow is another day!". Meaning this too will pass & even if it "felt" like my world was ending (oh the dramatic life of teenage girls!) life would go on! (wether I wanted it to or not) another very important lesson!

I am very thankful for my mom!

What did your momma make that you loved?

What can you boast about, "My momma makes the best________!".
I would love to know!

Hope your beating the heat wherever you are! (it's supposed to be at least 100 degrees here today in Oklahoma)
Amy