Recipe:4th of July Chocolate Fudge Cake

The finished cake! This is so tall and heavy!
Showing the three layers of chocolate goodness...Dayna, your Dad would love this!


~ My dear Husband's birthday is tomorrow...the Fourth of July! This is his very favorite cake, so we make it every year. The recipe is from Taste of Home magazine. I've been making this once a year for Ron's birthday and it is definitely a family favorite! I thought I would share the recipe with you all! I haven't tried it gluten free yet....going to save that for MY birthday in August! (This cake is so rich...you can really only eat slivers and HAVE to have icecream or a big glass of milk with it! LOL ENJOY! ~Sue~

~Fourth of July Chocolate Fudge Cake~

3 cups packed brown sugar 1 cup butter, softened
4 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla
2 2/3 cups flour 3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 tablespoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cup sour cream 1 1/3 cup boiling water

~In a mixing bowl, cream brown sugar and butter. Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each one. Beat on high until light and fluffy. Blend in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in bowl. Add alternately with sour cream in mixer on low until combined. Mix water in on low until combined. Pour into 3 greased and floured 9 inch round cake pans. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Cool in pans on rack for 10 minutes, then turn onto racks and cool completely before frosting.

~Frosting~

1 cup butter softened, 6 squares unsweetened chocolate
6 squares semi-sweet chocolate 10 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cups sour cream

~For frosting, in a medium saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat. Cool several minutes. In mixing bowl,combine sugar, sourcream, vanilla...add chocolate mixture and beat until smooth. Frost cooled cake. Yields 12-16 servings.

Good friends...and farewell!

We had the special opportunity to spend the day with some new friends...who, unfortunately for us, will be leaving for Africa soon! I especially count this visit as a special memory for that reason. I am so very blessed, and frankly, in awe, whenever God sends like-minded friends...with not only lots of similar interests to share, but similar values, goals, and concerns. This is our friends....the Whitlock family!

This is my friend, Dayna and I. We talked for hours and never ran out of something to talk about! Actually....we probably could have talked for hours more if they didn't have to get ready for track! Dayna is one of the only other people I know who loves Kombucha! (don't be surprised if you recieve a package in the mail to make some while you are away!) We share a love and interest in sewing, fabric, quilting, hopechests, FOOD, recipes, FOOD, Nourishing Traditions, homeschooling, FOOD....and of course, our Lord. I am so happy for them that they will be ministering in Mozambique thru the organization Samaritans Purse....but, oh, how I wish they were staying here!!!! I will miss her so much!
This is her lovely, oldest daughter, Caelan (I'm sure I spelled that wrong, sorry!)....She is so sweet, as are all of Dayna's children, and very like minded with my girls...and look at that smile! All of the Whitlock's have HUGE smiles! They are very contagious!

This sweet girls is Morgan...again, sweet, sweet smile! I wish I had thought to take pictures of all of kids together! But....we talked too much! LOL I know Dayna has lots of pictures, so I am hoping to get some of them.

~God bless you, Whitlock family! You all will be in our prayers and thoughts and we can't wait until you are able to come home for a visit. Look for care packages! We love you guys!

~Sue~

Another Graduation Party Picture/Joint Post

We're two/three days late but we FINALLY got this post up! The graduation party was Saturday but Saturday night and Sunday we were just too tired to post. :) This post is going to be a picture filled post as well as a joint post of the most recent graduation party. Sara is going to write a few things and vice versa. :) We had so much fun at this graduation party because lots of our close friends were there! Namely, our 'Maidens' friends. :) We had just seen Michaela and Morgan this past Thursday at commencements and also a week ago today! Loving summer so far, seeing friends so much!! :) Anyway, the graduation party was a lot of fun and I'm glad we took so many pictures to commemorate the day. :) I'm looking forward to mine in two years. :) Here's some recaps about our day Saturday from Sara and I! ~Meghan~

The Conquering Graduate, Courtney!!

L to R: Bella, Morgan, Meghan, Courtney, Hannah, Michaela and Sara

Meghan: We finally rallied the whole gang together for a picture...well, Mum did. :) I absolutely love this picture of all of us 'kindred spirited' friends.

Sara: This picture was fun cause the wall was a wee bit too small for all of us, as I am perched precariously on the edge (yikes)

Sweetest, chubby Alana!

Meghan: She was the prettiest baby there! So cute and adorable-she was passed around by mothers and daughters alike. :)

Sara: I had so much fun making Lanna laugh: all you have to do is wrinkle up your face and coo at her... so sweet

Alana and Bella

Meghan: Alana is Bella's family's foster baby and they are treasuring every single minute with her that they have. We love seeing them at mutual friends' get-togethers. :) Isn't this a sweet picture?

Sara: AH, our good friend Bella... she is just the sweetest and is always so cheerful!

The Mothers L to R: Michaela and Morgan's mom Renee, the 'other' Mrs. W, Mum & Bella's Mom

Meghan: I like this picture too. :) All us daughters are so close as are the mothers. All our visits are NEVER long enough and we say that we need to leave at xyz.....we don't end up leaving until half an hour later after "goodbyes."

Sara: Same as Meghan

The Three Little Maidens L to R: Kenzie (Hannah and Courtney's sister) our Anna Banana and Phia (Bella's sister)

Meghan: I ADORE this picture!!! They're part of the next generation of Maidens. :)

Sara: This picture was a steal because of some camera shy gals (McKenzie!) aren't they so ca-ute!

The Marvelous Morgan!

Meghan: I like to call her 'Morgs' but I thought I should put her first name. This picture is positively beautiful. I LOVE it!!

Sara: One of my bestest friends, Morgs has been with me through everything, good or bad.

Bella

Meghan: I didn't put a 'word' next to her name because her name means 'beautiful!' All these pictures of our friends are so beautiful and their faces shine from the inside, out. :)

Sara: AS I said, she is one of the nicest friends ever to have because of her smiling sunny countenance

The Magnificent Michaela!

Meghan: This is my FAVORITE picture of Michaela!!! I love all pictures of Michaela but Sara captured her natural essence (no, not the green shirt with the leaves) but her overall glow of happiness and joviality.

Sara: AH yes, Michaela... she is so nice and her and I get along famously...

The Four Models of the Day

L to R: Michaela, Bella, Morgan and Meghan

Meghan: I'm getting this picture in a frame one of these days!!! Sara had such creative ideas for all these pictures with the angles and the natural 'props.'

Sara: You may have noticed that I am barely in any pictures (works for me) because I was the photographer!

Another Picture of the Four Amigos (with the 5th behind the camera!)

Meghan: This picture is really neat too. Sara was walking down the steps and I almost shouted (very unladylike, I know) "Hey Sara!! Get a picture of us on the steps!!" :) Sitting at that angle was awkward for me in a long dress and I almost slipped, but the picture turned out adorable!!

Sara: I love this natural prop: a photographer's dream: natural wall/staircase!

Anna Banana and Phia

Meghan: Someday soon these two will be having a dance party at Phia's house (Phia is short for Sophia) In the fall they're both going to be enrolled in Grace Christian Dance Co. and will be in the annual spring show next year. They both LOVE to dance so with Sara and Bella tutoring them in between lessons, they are going to shine!!

Sara: AH, these two remind me of myself and Phia's sister Bella when we were five in our bible study... how sweet!

All Dressed Up!

~Sisters~

Meghan: I'm getting this picture framed too. :) It's so cute of both of us. :) I was kind of tired by this picture but voila! The photographer comes out from behind the camera. :)

Sara: Oh, Megs, I am in alot of pictures (unlike some brown haired blue eyed sister, AHEM) i LOVE THIS PICTURE!

~Wow, I am tired, so goodnight! New Post soon with baked good recipes: normal and GLUTEN FREE! Gutt Nacht dear readers!

The Start of Summer Fun

This week has been busy, but very fun! Since it is thunderstorming right now, I am focusing on the happy sunny parts of the week :)Havin tons of fun at Pleasant Kingdom Playground

Squished Little Man

Swingin Up to the Sky! (I love her face)

Monkey Boy Ronnie

Anna+Ronnie= Best Friends!
"WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
Ty with his little 'lawn mower'
Thats all for now, have to go make dinner: GLUTEN FREE PIZZA! If it turns out well, I'll post about it. If not... I'll still post about it :)

Commencments...and a peek into the future!

God bless our 2009 High School Graduates!

Courtney Wes


Alaina

Tonight, Meghan, Sara and I went to the High School commencement exercises with our friends, the William's. This graduation ceremony was thru the PA Homeschoolers, and it was the first one we've ever attended. Meghan and Sara will be graduating thru this agency in 2011 and 2012...so we wanted to check it out. More importantly....some of our dearest friends were graduating and we wanted to support and celebrate with them!

Oh, how teary eyed I was thru the whole ceremony! First, my friend, Krista's son, Wes gave a wonderful speech! What a great speaker he is...and he gave such glory to God and credit to his mom! Then....other graduates either played a musical instrument, gave a speech, some read poems or sang songs...and then my friend, Ranea's daughter, Alaina gave the last speech.....the girls and I were all choked up...she did a great job as well. Then it was time to have the families of the graduates come up on stage and present the diploma to each graduate. It was touching! Especially imagining us doing this in only 2 more years with Meghan! Time is going so fast!

Afterward lots of hugs and picture taking....the 6 of us headed to Pages Dairy for some delicious icecream....then we headed home.

Meghan, Michaela, Sara and Morgan enjoying their icecream!

Meghan, Sara, Courtney, Michaela and Morgan

Proud mom and daughter, Courtney and her mom, Marla.

Another proud Mom....Alaina, and her mom Ranea .

Meghan, Alaina, and Sara

~It was a great night! I was glad that we went...to support and celebrate with special friends, and to see what it will be like in only 2 years for Meghan and 3 years for Sara...off for some sleep before finishing a special graduation gift...and some special goodies for the party! Goodnight! ~Sue~

Old fashioned popcorn tutorial....

This might seem silly to some people to post a tutorial about making popcorn, but honestly, you wouldn't believe how many people try and make this and say "it just doesn't taste like yours...what am I doing wrong?" So I thought it would make a fun post! Part of living simply and healthy (as well as frugally) was re-thinking snacks. We've always loved popcorn, and used to use an airpopper, but I burned out 3 of them....one batch just wasn't enough for all of us and I always over filled it. Then, like everyone else, we had microwave popcorn....until we got rid of our microwave! I remembered loving the popcorn that my mom always made on the stove when I was growing up, so after we tried it one time, we were hooked! Bags of popcorn are cheap, and store for a long, long time...we always have the ingredients on hand. This is one of the main snacks that I am requested to bring to many gatherings! Here is how I make our popcorn:

I only use WHITE popcorn, not yellow...it is a personal preference, but we all think the white tastes so much better! I heat up olive oil in my pot, then dump in popcorn....I don't measure, so generously coat the bottum of the pot with the oil, then generously dump in the popcorn. Put the lid on! (surprisingly, or maybe not so surprising....sometimes I get to doing something else and forget to put the lid on until it starts popping!)


While all that excitement is going on (the house is starting to smell good!)...I melt a little more than 1 stick of butter and about 1/4 cup of olive oil....if you skimp on the butter and oil...it will not taste as good! And....nothing will stick to it, either....better to eat the healthy REAL butter and olive oil! Don't skimp!

Ok...since I am not paying attention ( I might have shaken it once or twice), this is what happens...so at this point, I take it off the flame, dump 1/2 of it in my big bowl, shake it up and put it back on the burner to finish popping....shaking once or twice if I remember. DON'T BURN IT!

In layers, I drizzle a little butter, shake salt and parmesean cheese (the cheap kind), then drizzle a little more, shake a little more...all in layers until it is all in the bowl and coated! The end....it goes so fast! Sorry I don't measure, but you know....a little bit of this and a little bit of that makes it even better! My kids have made variations of this such as : instead of parmesean cheese, sprinkle on cinnamon and sugar....and add honey to your butter! Also, to the normal recipe, add garlic powder and chili powder for a wonderful, chili/cheese popcorn! And there you have it! Bon Apetit! ~Sue~

Sisters in Christ....

"Sisters, sisters...there were never such devoted sisters!"...so goes the famous song from the movie "White Christmas"! We had the enjoyable priviledge of spending time with some of our favorite people yesterday! I got to visit with MY friend, Renee, and the girls had a long overdue visit with 2 of their closest friends, the oldest 2 William's Sisters!

This is Michaela. She is Meghan's age and one of her very dearest friends. These two giggle and talk up a storm! Truly sisters of the heart!

This is Morgan...she is Sara's age! Such a sweet, sweet spirit this girl has! And...she and Sara are very close as well.

Two groups of sisters....sisters in fact, sisters of the heart and sisters in Christ!

It is so wonderful to have sisters in Christ! Kindred spirits, who are walking the same path, loving each other with His love, supporting and encouraging each other...accepting each other exactly the way God made them....exhorting each other and holding each other accountable sometimes as well...being cheerleaders when needed, and sharing all the experiences thru growing up and growing in Christ! These particular girls have now known each other for over 10 years! Can't believe they are all growing up so fast! I count it a priviledge to spend time with my girls, and also their friends!
After an afternoon snack of popcorn (tutorial coming tomorrow), visiting, a yummy dinner of crockpot buffalo chicken lasagna and salad...a ROUSING game of 'catch phrase', homemade pudding for dessert, it was off for some shopping at Joann Fabrics, then a stop for Frosty's from Wendys and good conversation before taking the William's girls home. Thanks for a great visit, Girls! See you Thursday for commencments! ~Sue~

Father's Day 2009

My husband....my hero! Happy Father's Day, Honey!

Ron loved his presents! The new 'Tony Dungy' book, " Uncommon", and biography of Bruce Springsteen, a stuffed bear, new CD/DVD and a kids woodworking book....for him to do with Ronnie. (can you guess who gave him the bear?!) He was even more touched by the cards and letters that were given to him!
Me and my Dad....(my mom is blond and blue eyed) can you tell who I take after?! We almost lost him a few years ago to bypass surgery...we're very blessed to have him with us and healthy!
My sisters and I take any opportunity that we are all together to take "sister" pictures...and we always try and get one of all of us with my mom or dad....my dad thought this was funny!
My tired crew back home from my sister's house for the day! Doesn't he look like a happy dad?! Here are some quotes about Fathers that I liked and wanted to share. Please, scroll down and read the beautiful tribute that Meghan wrote about her dad! ~Sue~

A father carries pictures where his money used to be. -Author Unknown

There is no more vital calling or vocation for men than fathering. -John Throop

Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him Father! -Lydia M. Child

Children's children are the crown of old men and the glory of children are their fathers. -Proverbs 17:6

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person--he believed in me. -Jim Valvano

One night a father overheard his son pray, "Dear God, make me the kind of man my daddy is."---Later that night, the father prayed, "Dear God, make me the kind of man my son wants me to be. -Anonymous