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We have had some really hot and humid days as I referred to last week. You know the kind, where you facially sweat that it’s embarrassing. My dogs were even not appreciating the weather for a couple days there. No bueno! Or more correctly, no esta bien. (I like no bueno better even though it is not correct!) Today is much less humid and pleasant.
It has been a busy week around the homestead. Meetings, breakfasts, work, baking (Yes, I said baking in this weather and I know I have lost it.), errands. You know the drill. I want to share some of the things that I have done this week with you.
HANDY TIP
I saw on the front of one of my magazines I was reading watermelon cut into little fingers. Of course, I needed to try it and the great news is that I don’t think I will ever cut watermelon the traditional way again.
First, I cut the watermelon lengthwise all the way through. Next, I cut slices off of each half about 1 and 1/2 inch thick. Out of those slices I cut finger food size sticks. Either end of each slice was all rind and I tossed those. They are easy to serve in a bowl as in the first picture and easy to pick up and eat without a lot of mess. Loved it!!!
Continuing with the summer eating theme, I have a handy way to make s’mores that I learned from a friend of mine many years ago. It is cheaper, easier and I think less messy.
What you need to make the “new wave” s’mores are chocolate covered graham cookies and marshmallows. You roast the marshmallow as you usually do. Instead of using a piece of a chocolate bar and graham crackers you use the chocolate covered grahams instead! Brilliant and just as tasty as the original!
RECIPE
A friend who has been my friend for 55+ years is having a birthday soon. Since she lives out of town, we celebrated yesterday when she was home for a visit. I was making the cake for her and decided to go “old school” and make an mayonnaise cake.
For anyone who hasn’t ever tasted one they are super moist and rich and have a slightly different taste than a normal chocolate cake. I think this is due to the teaspoon of cinnamon that the recipe calls for.
Immediately, when I think of mayonnaise cake, I think of peanut butter frosting. (Think Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup here!) As my brother, Doug, says, “There’s nothing wrong with chocolate and peanut butter!”
I was looking around for a recipe. I have only ever made one from scratch before and couldn’t remember the proportions. While looking I found a recipe for mayonnaise cake using a chocolate cake mix. Hey, great idea! You know I had to try it.
Mayonnaise Cake
1 chocolate cake mix
1 cup of mayonnaise (don’t use low-fat or the olive oil type)
1 cup water
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together until the cake mix is incorporated. Don’t over beat. There will be lumps. Poor batter into a sheet pan or two round layers that have been sprayed with non-stick spray and lined with parchment paper (you could use waxed paper instead if need be). Bake for 30 minutes. I checked mine early around 25 minutes and decided it was done. Each oven is different so watch yours carefully the first time you try this recipe. Place on wire rack for cooling.
Peanut Butter Frosting
1 cup butter
3/4 cup peanut butter
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
3 or 4 Tablespoons of milk
Allow the butter to soften. When it is soft combine peanut butter and butter using a mixer. Slowly add the 3 cups of confectioner’s sugar to the butters. The mixture will be thick. Slowly add the milk 1 Tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency for icing the cake is achieved.
* We used to call confectioner’s sugar powdered sugar or 10X sugar. The 10X refers to the times that the sugar is processed to achieve the fine powdery consistency. The terms used for this sugar seem to be associated with the region where you live. Powdered sugar is used in the Northwest U.S. whereas in the Southern U.S. the term confectioner’s sugar is used. I’m in the Northeast U.S. and I have used all of them. I find it very interesting.
MAKING MONEY AT HOME
(I’m always looking for a way!)
I have been trying several survey sites to make a little side money. One of the ones I have been doing is Harris Poll. They are a legit company and have been around for years. You take surveys and accumulate points that you then exchange for things like Amazon gift cards. It is a slow process with them since you only get maybe 5 or 6 surveys a month but I am fine with it. I also do other sites and have gotten my first products to test for one of them. I am placing a link to an article about such sites with the top survey sites listed. Check them out.
https://www.surveyssay.com/
WARNING!!!!
If they ask you for money to sign up run away quickly. This is illegal to do and a BIG red flag that somethings is not right. Do some research before you sign up for any site.
Have a wonderful week everyone! I hope you found something that interested you. Please leave a comment and let me know about any life hacks you have.
This wreath was my last-minute decor for the 4th. I had the raffia and the little star at home. At a household sale a few years ago I had bought the 48 star flag, which was the design of the flag when I was born. All I needed to buy was the grapevine wreath. That I picked up at Joann Fabrics. I saved 20% on that purchase because I signed up for their email notices. It was very cheap and I am always on the lookout for that money-saving angle!
Almost in the oven.
Out of the oven! You may notice this is only 1/2 a loaf. I forgot to take the picture when I took the meatloaf out of the oven so this is the half that remained after dinner. Whoops!