Girl Scout patches found while cleaning today. Yes I spent the night with the Girl Scout troop And I slept in a sleeping bag in the floor!
Throwback Thursday
Tag: family
Guess the Pumpkin’s Weight
Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium on Saturday afternoon.
If you want to know how much the pumpkin weighs, watch the 8 second video.
I think it will weigh more than you think. Hard to judge size in this photo.
Cutting Bread on Pennsylvania
My grandson Jack made this cutting board and I posted it before but I’m so proud of his handiwork and craftsmanship I’m posting again.
Now that loaf of sourdough was not a pretty one but it tasted good. I think the dough was too wet.
Oct 11, 2015 Zagreb Croatia
Happy 22nd Birthday Anna
Anna is the first grandchild!
How I became a grandmother.
So proud of how hard she works and all oh her swimming and academic accomplishments.
She is beautiful inside and out. She’s just the best person you could ever know.
Honoring Uncle Alan Hendricks
Our father’s younger brother, Alan Ray Hendricks.
My sister photographed the memorial brick she had installed to honor Uncle Alan. She visited The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Thanks for ordering the brick and for sending me the photo, Mary.
Commemorative Bricks
“With a brick at The National WWII Museum, you have a unique opportunity to create a lasting tribute to loved ones who served their country.”
Wordless Wednesday in NYC
From my sister Mary in West Village NYC
9/11/2025 Evening Guest Blog
From my sister in New York City, sent 7:53 Thursday evening.
Maura Spots a Great Pumpkin Truck at Sheetz
There she was getting gas at Sheetz and look what pulled up. A load of pumpkins! .
Wishing You a Happy Day
Happy Birthday to my sister Mary.
The archives 2010
HAPPY DAY CAKE RECIPE
For Birthdays it was the 1-2-3-4 Cake recipe or the Happy Day Cake recipe on the back of the Swan’s Down Cake Flour box, frosted with Penuche icing. My mother would put the saucepan into a sink of cold water and then beat it by hand once it cooled. I can hear the ring of the metal loop at the end of the pan’s handle. And as I remember it she added a dash of vanilla extract. My dad would pour milk over a slice and eat it with a spoon. Cake and frosting recipes below photo.
Happy Birthday Mary. This vintage cake pan was a gift from her to me.
2½ cups sifted (Swan’s Down) cake flour
1½ cups sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening, (I use butter) at room temperature
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
Sift flour with sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir shortening to soften. Add flour mixture, ¾ cup of the milk and vanilla. Mix until all flour is dampened, then beat two minutes at medium speed. Add eggs and remaining ¼ cup milk. Beat one minute longer. Pour into two 9-inch layer pans that have been lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans; remove from pans and cool thoroughly on racks.
This cake also may be baked in three 8-inch layer pans for 25 to 35 minutes, or in a 13- by 9-inch pan for 30 to 35 minutes. Batter may be spooned into 36 medium paper baking cups in muffin pans, filling half full. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
Penuche Frosting Butter is Key
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar, more or less
- hot water, optional
PREPARATION:
In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Add the brown sugar. Bring to a boil and lower heat to medium low and continue to boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cool to lukewarm. Gradually add sifted confectioners’ sugar. Beat until thick enough to spread. If too thick, add a little hot water. Frosts top and sides of a 2-layer cake or a 13×9-inch cake.