Strawberry Cake...for Father's Day!

Notice something different?...a pink cake...and it's for Father's Day!...just can't stop having 'Lucy' moments, since I agreed to guest post for my friend Ping, and Veronica. It just seemed to have rubbed off on me. Now, I'm enlisted in the 'Lucy Club'

Why a 'pink' cake for Father's Day?...wouldn't it be more appropriate to make a cake with perhaps 'blueberries' that would signify that it's for  a male?...actually, not really Having a strawberry cake is OK, but why go overboard for the pink frosting?...well, I have an explanation for that, as well!

Linking to:
Hearth and Soul Blog Hop @ Swathi's Zesty South Indian Kitchen

OK, I must admit that I got a little carried away with the cake. I had 2 containers of beautiful ripe strawberries, and I just had to do something with them, so I decided to make a cake (last minute)...like a few hours before we were going to eat lunch.

The cake was an absolute success to celebrate Father's Day for my son, and my ex-hubby! They never even notice that it was all PINK, but my little granddaughter sure did. Pink is her favorite color, so it was a double celebration!

Strawberry Cake
my doctored up creation

1 box of strawberry or yellow cake mix
1- 3oz. box of strawberry JELL-O
1/2 cup canola, or vegetable oil
1 cup of plain water
4 eggs
1 1/4 cups mashed strawberries
1 Tbsp sugar

It's a lot easier than you think. Just one box of strawberry cake mix, or yellow cake mix,

For the strawberries: cut the berries in 1/3 pieces, place them in a medium bowl, and add the 1 Tbsp sugar...mash with mashed potato masher, and let it sit for about 20 minutes. It will be juicy and slightly chunky.

In a large mixing bowl, add the cake mix, 1/2 of the 3-oz. JELL-O the eggs, oil, water. Beat on slow speed with electric mixer, until combined, then on high speed for about 3 minute, till creamy, and fluffy.

After mixing the ingredients, pour in the mashed strawberries.

 Gently fold in the mashed strawberries.

Pour into a sprayed and floured 9 inch spring form pan, or 2- 9 inch round pans. (my pan I used only has the bottom removable.
For spring-form pan, bake at 350 degrees F. for 45-50 minutes, for the 2 round 9 inch pans, about 30-35 minutes.

Let it cool on a wire rack, and frost with strawberry cream cheese frosting:

1- 8 oz. pkg Philadelphia cream cheese, at room temp.
1 stick=4 oz, (113.4 g,) unsalted butter, at room temp.
3 cups powder (icing) sugar
1 teaspoon of the strawberry JELL-O
1 teaspoon plain water

With an electric mixer, mix all ingredients together, till combined, and beat until light, and fluffy, on high speed. Spread it on the cake, when cake is cool, and decorate with additional strawberries if you like. Let the cake set in the fridge for about 2hrs before serving! It is yumm, and delish...and no-one will suspect that it's a "doctored-up" cake...let it be YOUR SECRET! 


I finally received the special addition of the Bon Appetit for the Giveaway, and will announce the winner for my next post!

So, for my continuing photos....just wanted to share some S. Florida photos. The mango tree has already been trimmed down...it is at least 50yrs old.

The glorious mango tree...mangoes getting nice, and ripe!

He loves bougainvilleas!

New York Style Cheesecake...and Guest Post!

I am honored to be guest posting for my dear friend... Veronica, of Quay Po Cooks food blog...which is a very diverse kind of a blog that you would want to see. It always starts with Veronica's stories from friends she has met, or of a fabulous restaurant and talented chef review, or her lessons with the famous chef's, making delicious cakes. She always speaks highly of everyone, has an abundance love for her family. A very lovely, and talented person. The "Lucy" version, is a little hard for me to get, because I don't think she messes things up, or get into trouble with her sweet Western husband...that would have to say..."Lucy, dju got some splaining to do!"...on the contrary, he puts Veronica on the "pedestal"...even when she gets her Lucy "moments"



At any rate, I honestly think she has a darn good sense, and always has everything in their proper order. I met Veronica, shortly after I started my blog, a few months later... and has kept in touch, since than. She always mentions how much I helped her with advice, which I appreciate so much but honestly, we all need advice, and occasional help from friends. That's what friends are for...( a line from a song, which I can't remember right now)

Thank you Veronica, for giving me the opportunity, to guest post...while you are vacationing in beautiful California, USA!

For the actual full recipe: link to my previous post when I posted it on my blog:
click on the title: New York Style Cheesecake

...and of course, check out my guest post at Veronica's Blog!

...there's more to come re: this post! ...right now, I'm having a "Lucy moment"...ask me why?

I want to share a 'Lucy' moment with you, since we're on the subject! You see this adorable 'thank you' card, (from Veronica) and the pretty Nyonya dress?  (I think that's what is called)...'a blend of Malay and Chinese influence' which is also in foods, or it could also be Peranakan. Big words?...I did my homework!

Anyway, make a long story short...when I accepted Veronica's invitation to guest post; later, she announced to me that she's sending me a gift and needs my address...OK,  I said, 'but you don't have to send me anything'...but of course, she insisted. 'I'm sending you a nyonya dress'...I'm thinking, 'ha...what?'...what's a 'nyonya?'...or even a dress?...why does she want to send me a dress...she doesn't even know my size, and what would I be doing with a traditional 'nyonya' dress...where would I wear it?...at that point I didn't even ask her, but in the next e-mail she told me, she is sending me a small gift which is a fridge magnet of a traditional DRESS!

OK, so who's the Lucy here...when I was about to tell her...(oh, I love this line from Lucy show)...from Ricki!
"Lucy, dju got some splainin to do!"...yes Lucy/Veronica, why didn't you tell me in the first place...letting me think you're sending me (maybe a promotional dress)...from one of your favorite sponsors, and I can keep it for 30 days FREE?...then after that I will have to purchase an additional dress for the next 6 months?...phewww! what a relief!
None of the above, and I can get to keep the pretty dress, adorned on my refrigerator...so Thank you Veronica, once again. If I get to meet you in person one day soon, I will take you up on your offer, for the real DRESS. (ha, ha, just kidding!
Big hugs, to you...I accept you 'just the way you are' xoxo

Wild Mushroom Risotto...and Pinterest

Since I've been hooked on Pinterest, I've been neglecting my own posts, and photos to upload to blog about and making excuses to feature other bloggers' foods...and why not? I have been so impressed with all the various wonderful things I find on Pinterest among them my foodie friends' pins, and as soon as I visit someone's food blog these days, I immediately want to pin their amazing creations....is that good, or bad...or just a little crazy?!

linking to: 
Full Plate Thursday, @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherines Korner

We all have are different style of foods...different presentations...different photo technique; some bloggers just want to make photos small, and concentrate on the actual recipe, some bloggers want sheer elegance and make sure to set up fancy props, flowers, concentrate on the dish that is being served in...some blogger get a real in your face close up (guilty)...and why is that? I even ask myself. Well, the answer is clearly, that we want you to see how perfect it turned out, how it tastes, just by you reading the recipe and imagining, picturing, lingering on the aroma and the amazing flavors.

Summer Strawberry Cake....a Guest Post

We are so happy and honored to guest post for our friend Lizzy, from That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!! 

It’s a joy to be here guest posting with my daughter Lora, from Cake Duchess.
We have known Lizzy for nearly two years and she has always been such a great friend to the both of us. She is always ready to help in any way possible. Lizzy really needs no introductions since she has so many followers and friends who frequent her amazing and delicious baking blog. I’ve often mentioned about her having little elves that help her in the kitchen baking in her little baking factory. Thank you, Lizzy, for asking Lora and I to team up for a guest post. You are a sweet friend. 

#Breakfastlove

Curried Potatoes and Egg Scramble

I have not been photographing my foods in the last couple weeks...and if I actually did, I was not pleased with it. As you can see, this delicious Curried Egg Scramble is from at least a year and a half ago, and it was taken with my old camera, which has been replaced with a much better one, soon after this! I'm still hooked on Pinterest as you may all know, finding more, and more gorgeous things, and amazing foods to re-pin! I'm on the breakfast "mode" at this moment...although, I only had my favorite caffee latte and ate an entire grapefruit, but I'm seriously craving some good, hearty and healthy breakfast. My curried potatoes would do well with the scrambled eggs, but I don't have any eggs in the house. (I left it at my daughters when we went shopping together a few days ago)
...NO EGGS!...that is so not acceptable! Click on the link, for the recipe!

One thing for sure...I have to have my Caffe Latte, and not just any coffee with milk, or cream, this is the authentic important Italian coffee, made in an authentic espresso maker...actually, an electric one, and a very unusual one, at that. Just look at the yummy foam, and the cinnamon sprinkling. You have to have fat-free milk in able to make a fabulous foam like that, and of course the steam feature on the coffee maker...and a little practice indeed!

You guessed it; it's another Thrift Find...the unique, electric espresso coffee maker, and the Starbucks mug! It' even got the Starbucks name engraved in it! Coffee maker is made in Italy, of course...$9.99, and the mug was $.99 of course, from my local Goodwill store!

I did not just get this coffee pot, and mug...it's been about two months ago! I happen to stumble upon it, and wondered why it hasn't been snapped up, since I went to Goodwill in the late afternoon, and by then all the great items are taken. Every morning, they bring out at least 3 or 4 bins of amazing donated stuff...and at least 90% of those items are nearly new, or some of it brand new, donated by companies.

Even the furniture is donated by furniture companies, when they are no longer in style...amazing...absolutely amazing. The 5 star hotel, the Breakers has been donating extremely expensive furniture, such as armoirs, desks, chairs, from the hotel, for a ridiculously low price, a fraction of what they actually cost

I will tell you why this coffee pot was probably donated...#1 because the people did not want to bother with using it...#2, because they had a nasty "messy" accident with it, like I did! #2 is the right answer. The part, where you put the coffee grains in, and close it, must be closed tightly...you have to twist it to the right, just like I have it in the photo, otherwise when the coffee is brewing, and filling the cup, it will splatter...and I mean splatter all over you counter, your wall...even up to the ceiling....yes it will, and it did! I was devastated when it happened. Took me an hour to clean the mess up. Now, I'm very careful with it.

Just wanted to share this photo of the amazing sky at sunset...I happen to go outside on my balcony to look across the street, and gazed at God's nature beauty, of beauties....the Glazing Sky!...Wow, oh, wow...these red streaks were all the way across into the horizon....a perfect Pinterest share photo...of Palm Beach sky!

Isn't this stunning?...usually when the sky is like that, they say it's going to be windy the next day, but that wasn't the case, at all!
Have a wonderful Tuesday, or Wednesday, by some places, as in Malaysia, and India where some of you dear friends reside!

Sun Dried Tomatoes in Herbed Olive Oil

It's been nearly a year and a half since I made this wonderful Sun Dried Tomatoes in Herbed Olive Oil, and since I wanted to pin this to Pinterest to my "pickles and jam" board, which needed more home canned goods, I thought it would be a good idea to post it again.
For the recipe; click on to the original source: Sun Dried Tomatoes in Herbed Olive Oil
I have to admit, I did make a very nice dinner a week ago, which consisted of a light salad from my dear friend Angie, @ Angie's Recipes

photo, courtesy from Angie's Recipes

I actually made this salad, along with bake haddock with a gratin topping, and shared it with a friend of mine. She wanted us to celebrate Prince's life...which I thought was a little odd...but, why not? I took photos of the salad, which was really very nice, but I'm my worst "self critic" and deleted the photos! The only thing that was different; is the sweet potatoes were served on the side, and the baby spinach I purchased also was mixed with baby arugula, which was just perfect. Thank you Angie, for your amazing recipe, as for all the others, especially the most beautiful breads that Angie bakes.

Yesterday, my daughter Lora and I went to Costco to get a few items...you cannot go to Costco, for less than $100. even if you shoot for $50. minimum which some people can...but it's almost impossible! She stocked up on cookies, juices, and popcorn for the kids' parties at the end of the year parties, and I requested a box of their superb croissants which is so, so, good! You can have them for breakfast, fill them with whatever you like. For lunch, I sliced some cold rotisserie chicken breast which I purchased at my local Publix supermarket, and topped it with coleslaw that I fixed from a already shredded cabbage in a bag, and mixed my honey mustard dressing!....so, so, yummy...(not photo of that, either)

I will be sharing some of my "thrift finds" with you, from yesterday! Since Goodwill is so close to my daughter's neighborhood in West Palm Beach, every time I go to Lora's house I have to stop at Goodwill to see what they have. Apparently, Mikasa, and Studio Nova are connected, which I did not know until now. What really is nice, that companies like that, and others donate discontinued items to Goodwill which happens to be BRAND NEW...and it was my lucky day!

I just love, love this modern serving bowl with the platter...brand new, from Studio Nova!

  Just love the cheerful colorful polka dots, and the shape of the platter, and the bowl!

must have been my lucky day! $7.97 for the set!

I found this Tupperware set...don't even know if its a set, but these smaller pieces were inside of this "classic" Tupperware from the 70's, or 80's...brand new, as you can see. They don't make this high quality any longer.

Love the beautiful brick color, and the sturdy material. You just cannot find this any more...brand new...brand new!

I kid you not..this was the actual price of this most amazing Tupperware, that for some reason was brand new!

I love this crystal vase, bowl, or container...another brand new product!

Just look...from Pier 1 Imports...check out the price! I will be using this for my sea glass, collected from my beach, or place a nice large candle, or even for a vase...so many uses!

A beautiful stainless steel mixing bowl...just the right size, I need! Love this little bowl!

 

 Price of this bowl....$1.91...price is not shown up from from glare!

A crystal bud vase...there was no price on this vase...I asked how much, and I was told that it has to be $2.99...only, because its crystal, and because it has some beautiful design...which does not show up on the photo!

My most favorite...of favorites...Baby's Breath! Cost?....$3.99, and it will last you for a week, changing the water for a nice fresh one, each day, adding a little bit of whit vinegar each time to the water, along with ice cubes!

My favorite, of favorites...Baby's Breath!...love, love, Baby's Breath, just by itself!

My Food Cravings...and a New Week!

The Big Red Bold Burger

It's been exactly one week, since yesterday that I had to part from my sweet kitty, Prince...things have not been the same. I have been just in a state of "disbelief" that I actually made that decision to have his life ended, feeling guilty...yet relieved!

I am so thankful, and grateful to all of you who have commented, comforted, and shared your heartfelt stories about your beloved pets that you have lost, as well. It is such a sad feeling, an emptiness in your heart, in your home, that you feel for a long time to come...yet, knowing that this is the "cycle of life" that our pets, just like us have to endure. Just as we will be called to pass through those golden gates to heaven...our pets are also called to their final resting homes...this is an assurance that I know, and that we will all be together, someday!

Some of you have noticed that I've been pinning a lot on PINTEREST, working on my board, to add more. I love PINTEREST; did not think that I would get so hooked on it! I do have a board on it, called; Food Cravings, and this amazing burger called...The Big Red Bold Burger from amazing sandwiches, is one of my cravings!

Oven Fried Onion Rings

You can't just have a burger without fries and onion rings...so at least go for the healthier version...Oven Fried Onion Rings, courtesy of Pinterest  I will have to google the recipe for this, as well!

Sweet Potato Fries Baked

If you're going to have fries, might as well choose a healthier version, which is the Sweet Potato Fries, Baked, courtesy of natural noshing...yumm

Honey Almond Ice Cream

Honey Almond Ice cream, courtesy of a sweet simple life and Caramel Espresso Bars?...a match made in heaven!

Finally, I would want to have a piece of the amazing Caramel Espresso Bars from my good friend Lizzy @that skinny chick can bake....now, we are getting closer to home, where you can actually find her recipe!


As you can see, this is not your Weight Watchers foods, or desserts, I have given that up a few months ago since my Prince has become so ill...although, I still know the points that I'm allowed; I also have the little WW calculator to figure the points...actually, did figure out how many points are in an all beef Hebrew National hot dog...4 points; and in a hot dog bun...3 points. Well, that's what I had yesterday...2 hot dogs, and a side of deli coleslaw. I declined my invite for the cookout at my daughter's...stayed at home all day...went downstairs, to check out the ocean, and went for a walk on the beach, and later went swimming in the pool...and read one of my old Bon Appetit cooking magazines from 1999!...So, all in all, it wasn't such a bad day.
Hope you all had a very nice Memorial Day weekend!

...Don't go away, yet... I have some awesome, and important thing to share with you!

Yesterday turned out to be a gorgeous, sunny, (partly cloudy) and breezy day, the high of 86 degrees F. in South Florida! (Palm Beach) I decided to take a little walk...hardly any people on the private beach...(snowbirds gone back north)...no vacationers, at least not around here!

As you can see, there's only one person up ahead in the distance, and this is at 1:00pm in the afternoon; not if like they have all gone to lunch!...just a quiet, and empty beach is what I needed to gather my thoughts and recite some prayers quietly to myself and the universe! 

As I'm watching the gentle waves...of course, not going into the water, in fear of "undercurrents" ...just the other day, they had to pull a few people from the ocean because they were stuck in the undercurrents, and that is very, dangerous where it could pull you under in a "snap of a moment" and ...be gone...washed away in the currents! (it happened in another part of the state)

Finally, as I was walking...I stumbled upon one flip-flop...not just an ordinary flip-flop, but what looks like an expensive brand...a mens' flip-flop that has been washed ashore. With all the time on my hands, I began to wonder? Where did this come from...is it local?...always just one flip-flop!...What happens to all these washed ashore items, as in plastic bottles, containers, and tons, and tons, of debris washed ashore. I know, in our area it get cleaned up...but what about, all the rest?...so; later I decide to google about flip-flops being washed ashore...and this is what I found!

This is an exhibition site of a fabulous art of several discarded debris...such as flip-flops, plastic, to design ART out of it!
Now isn't this so awesome, wonderful?
For more information, check out this website...absolutely, amazing!
Washed Ashore plastics, sea life and art Global Tour 

Popovers...and Good Bye!

No...I'm not saying Good Bye...although, I wanted to take a break, which I did for a week, and then again, just recently, with all the stress and making my final decision to have my precious, and loyal companion, Prince, my beautiful Maine Coon kitty. On Monday, May 21st, we had to part and say our last "Good Byes." I will tell you more about it at the end of my post. After all, this is a blog about food, and thrift, and I should concentrate on these, but it's very, very, difficult to do so while my heart is weighing so heavy with grief!

Since this Monday, I don't know how I functioned...well, not so good! I'm glad I had my guest post ready for Ping by last Sunday evening, and another 2 guest posts for the month of June for Lizzy, and Veronica. You know how it is with some people? When they are stressed and under pressure, they shop, and shop!

I also do that...did that in the past, spending money needlessly for some things that I didn't need. The only difference for the last 10 years, I have learned how to budget, save money, and shop wisely.

Thrift shopping is such a fun thing to do, especially when you find useful, expensive, sometimes practically all new items, for fraction of the cost that you would pay full cost. Just take a look at this cool popover separated cups...very heavy duty, and non-stick...it really was brand new, but I only paid $2.99 for it at my local Goodwill. I think you can even make mini cakes, or muffins in them...very, practical, and useful! I also found a great Bread Book, a soft covered 1983 HPBooks that has amazing yeasted breads and rolls, just don't know how the Popover recipe ended up in this book. It certainly does not have any yeast, and it oh, so easy to make.I love the breads, rolls, and biscuit recipes in this book. The cost?...$1.49 for a beautiful book with photos, instructions and great bread recipes! I also order amazing books from Amazon.com...just love, love all the things they have on Amazon!

Popovers
adapted; from HPBooks Breads

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 cup milk, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Generously butter (I used cooking spray) 8 (5-to 6-ounces) custard cups, or 10 muffin cups, or 6 popover cups. Place custard cups on a heavy baking sheet. Place muffin cups, popover cups or baking sheet on center rack of oven.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. (230C) Combine all ingredients in a BLENDER. (seriously, a blender.) You can use a food processor or small bowl of electric mixer. Blend until batter is smooth, scraping sides of container, if necessary. Remove hot baking cups from oven; spoon in batter until 2/3 full. Immediately return filled cups to oven. Bake 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F. (175 C) Bake 20-25 minutes longer or until browned.

Run a knife around edge of baking cups to loosen popovers.

Note: After batter is prepared, it can be stored at room temp.. for 2 to 3 hrs. before baking. Keep oven door closed during the first 30 minutes of baking.  A draft will collapse popovers. Popovers have a moist interior. It's important that you have the milk and eggs at room temperature, and the popover, or muffin pans preheated.

My beloved kitty, Prince has ended his life on Monday afternoon, on May 21, 2012...after a long illness that he has endured for the last 2 years. He was my constant companion for the last 15 of his almost 20 years. My daughter is the one who originally had him for the first 5 years, after finding him at her apartment, during her early college days.
Prince has been  a loyal companion to all of us...a very sweet, intelligent kitty. He has literally wasted away at the end, and I insisted that I will not have him put down as long as he is able to eat, and be able to walk. A sudden change came over the last weekend...on Monday, he refused to eat, and his poor legs gave out after a few steps. I knew right there that I have to quickly make the choice. I was able to comfort him, and say my last Good Bye...as did my daughter, and grandchildren, when I brought Prince over to Dr. Eric, as instructed. He will surely be missed by all of us. I did all I could to keep him comfortable, and prolong his days...but there's a higher power, who decides the end is here!

IS THERE A PET HEAVEN?
While there is no decisive answer to the question, “Is there a pet heaven?” a few things are clear indeed. First, pets bring tremendous joy to their owners, and can teach them a great deal about compassion, kindness, and mercy. Second, many pets live their whole lives in the service of their owners, trying to please them, make them happy, and cheer them up when they need it. Third, if there is a heaven, then there is a God, and they are His creatures. All of these things give tremendous plausibility to the idea that.... yes, there is a pet heaven, waiting for all of the good animals, after they die!

Photo of my beloved Prince...at the young age of 5, when he came to live with me...nearly 15 years ago! May you rest in peace...you will always be in our hearts!