Cake Mix Doctor #1

How many of you have heard of the cake doctor book? I've had a copy for quite awhile and have made some delicious cakes! The main idea is that you start with a store bought cake mix, but add in all these yummy ingredients to make it special. I've made the Amaretto, Gooey cake bars, and the Chocolate Pistachio, but this book has hundreds of cake ideas so I thought I'd try most of them. There are a few that are very similar, such as one using vanilla vs. another using almond flavoring.

Devil's Food Buttermilk Cake

I bake quite a bit and had never used buttermilk before!  It smells just terrible, like soured milk, but once it is baked, it was quite tasty.  The cake is really moist and I decided not to use any icing, because who needs those extra calories when the cakes themselves taste so good?

Happy Father's Day!!

We spent yesterday up in the mountains. My father in law has all kinds of fun old tractors. He has these old farm implements sitting about too. I'm not sure what they were used for, but they sure add atmosphere.




There is a certain mystique to farming. What a wonderful way to be close to the land! I can't imagine the hard work it also entails.

I really enjoy reading Amish fiction that takes place in small farming communities. One of my favorite Amish fiction authors is Beverly Lewis. Their lives are tied wholly to God. There is such a peace and hope when they put their lives into His hands. The Amish are so creative. They are industrious, creating so many useful items for their day to day lives...clothes, bedding, canning, etc.

Would it hurt to want to be more like the Amish? To lead simpler lives without all the distractions we must deal with day to day. Sounds pretty good to me. Instead I still lead a busy crazy life but try to fill my days with a bit of creativity also. Creating something makes me feel like I have a purpose. There are so many creative things to try. I enjoy seeing and reading about other people's projects as well!

In the beginning

In the beginning God created... - Genesis 1:1

And with the beginning of creation our innate wish to create also began...