~It's Tuesday!~

Outside my window...  It's rainy.  It rained off and on yesterday and has been raining most of today.  I don't mind the rain.  It sure does keep the grass green and healthy. 

This is what I saw outside my window on Saturday.  We have a few dead trees in the back yard.  During one of the last big winds this spring, we lost the top of a tree.  When it fell, it fell onto another tree.  Fearing for the children of the new tenant, my husband thought he'd chop the tree down and make the back yard a bit safer.  He was going to use the winch on the TOY-ota to help pull the tree over, but that required pulling the TOY-ota out of the garage, too much work.  He used the new MONSTER truck's winch instead.  Even for such a big truck, it seemed small in this backyard!



(if you click on the image, it will blow it up larger so you may be able to see the winch cable hooked to the tree and monster truck!)





I am thinking...I am thinking only 15 more days!!  We're so excited! 

I am thankful...I am thankful for the provision of the Lord, over and above, anything I could  want or need!

In the kitchen...An inspired cooking day today.  Tomato Soup with grilled cheese sandwiches, a great dinner on a rainy day!

I do have a menu for the next week or so.

Chef salads, baked potatoes
Lasagna, garlic bread, salad
Macaroni and cheese with hot dogs, cooked carrots, pear salads
Cheese baked chicken, onion roasted potato, green beans and tomatoes, sour cream coffeecake
Taco's
Velveeta shells, grilled chicken breasts,garlic broccoli
Afredo stuffed shells, grilled chicken, garlic bread, salad
Beef Stew with crackers
Aldi's barbecue riblets, garlic mashed potato, wilted spinach, garlic snow peas

Chili Dogs, peanut butter chocolate chip bars
Pork Steaks, baked potatoes, green salad
picnic sandwiches, cookies, chips
Memorial Day-pizza or Chinese buffet

I am wearing...I am wearing a fantastic sunburn from our Mother's Day fishing adventure.





I am creating... I made a watch as a thank you present for #2 son's piano teacher.  We will present her with it on Monday.  Monday is our last lesson until September when we resume with a new teacher!


I am reading/watching...We're still watching Due South and loving it!

I read a juvenile fiction book by John Grisham yesterday.  It was called Theodore Boone- The Abduction

I am praying...Praying always for the desires of my heart.  Praying for my mother's recovery from her fall and healing of her knee.  Praying for travel mercies for us.  Praying for God to have our special house saved and ready for us in San Diego.  Praying for my health.

From the learning rooms...Multiplication, Division, Sentences, spelling

Around the house... Around the house, my ever shifting piles.  We've patched nail holes, done some touch up painting, I've taken a load to the thrift store,  completed yard work, I need to dust off pictures, finish cleaning in the two bedrooms, wipe out cupboards, clean carpets.

One of my favorite things...Dreaming about a new house and furnishing it!




A few plans for the rest of the week:  Cleaning, patching,  Bachelor David on Friday or Saturday, a Wal Mart trip, grocery store trip

What I've been doing...  Mother's Day Fishing in the canoe with my guys.  We caught, and released 19 fish total.  Crappie, Sun Fish, and Bass.



Thirsty butterflies at the lake's edge.





That's #2 son's fish!


That's his too!


mamma's fishie!



That's my bass he is holding . . .really!

Something to share... A recipe by request from @donnaledford  I made this cake for her son's birthday.  It's a nice alternative from German Chocolate Cake. . .he (my manly man) loves the topping best!

Oatmeal Cake

1 c. quick oats
1 1/4 c. hot water
1/2 c. shortening or butter
1 c. white sugar**
1 c. brown sugar**
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon

In small bowl, pur hot water over oatmeal, let stand.  In medium bowl, cream together shortening and sugars.  add beaten eggs and vanilla.  Sift in flour, soda, salt and cinnamon.  Add Oatmeal.  Stir to combine.  Pour batter into a greased and floured 9x13 pan.  Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

ICING:  Boil for 1 minute, one stick of butter, 1 T. milk, one c. brown sugar.  Then add 1 c. flaked coconut and 1/2 c. chopped walnuts.  Pour over baked HOT cake and then brown topping in broiler.  (I've even doubled this frosting recipe.  I've also used chopped mixed nuts.  We prefer pecans around here too!)

**  (I'm going to try to cut the sugar amounts next time.  It seemed too sweet this time.)
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I saw the following recipe on food network yesterday.  I love most anything from Paula Deen.  I also love Almond Joy candy bars!

Volcano Cake

Ingredients

Cream mixture:

• 8 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1 stick butter, room temperature
• 2 cups 4X or 10X sugar

Cake:

• 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup pecans
• 1 (18.25-ounce) box German chocolate cake mix, prepare by following directions on box
• 10 bite-sized almond and chocolate covered candy (ALMOND JOY"S) or candy of choice

Glaze:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

For the cream mixture:

Beat ingredients together with an electric mixer. Set aside until ready to use.

Cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch cake pan.

Line bottom of greased pan with coconut flakes. Sprinkle pecans on top of coconut. Set aside.

Follow directions on back of box to prepare cake. Beat for approximately 2 minutes, using an electric mixer. Fold in bite-sized candy. Pour into cake pan. Evenly space dollops of cream mixture on top of the cake. When the cake cooks, the cream will sink down to the bottom. This will be your "volcano" of flavor. Place in oven for 40 to 45 minutes. While cake is still hot spread the glaze evenly over the cake.

For the glaze:

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in cocoa powder and add milk until you get a thin consistency. If glaze is too thick, add more milk. While bringing the butter and milk mixture to a boil, whisk in confectioners' sugar and almond extract. Glaze should be thin. Remove from the heat and allow to cool before using.

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Have a great week friends!