Apple Pecan Layer Cake

2-1/2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1-1/2 cup applesauce
3/4 cup applesauce
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven 350, grease and flour 2 - 9 inch round pans.
In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add applesauce, oil and eggs. Blend at low speed until moistened then beat 2 minutes on high speed. Stir in pecans. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, place on coolimg rack, cool completely.

Frosting
1/2 cup butter ( not margarin)
4-1/2 cup powdered sugar
6-8 tbsp apple juice

In heavy sauce pan on medium heat, brown butter util slightly golden, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, cool completely.
In large bowl, combine butter, powdered sugar, and 4 tbsp apple juice. Blend at low speed until moistened, continue beating until well blended' adding additional juice until spreads consistently. Fill and frost cake. Garnish as desired.

Peeling Potatoes Quickly

I prefer using fresh fruits and vegetables when preparing meals for my family - that includes potatoes. But peeling the potatoes seems to be more of a chore because of time and the discomfort in my hands. When I saw this video I just had to pass it on to you. I will use this method for mashed potatoes, Potato Salad and
Potato Soup.

A Cherished Gift

August 5, 1988

Do you still have and use one of your wedding gifts? Or has it been so long that you barely remember? Today is our 24th wedding anniversary and it honestly feels like we got married only a few weeks ago.
But we have two wonderful children and are on our third cat. Yesterday Katie worked at a car wash to raise money for tennis uniforms. We sent the red bucket, bottle of detergent, sponges and three towels. When I picked her up I was most concerned with recovering the old peach towel from the set Aunt Midge gave us for a wedding gift. Remember when peach was the trend for home decor? Even our wedding theme was peach.
My younger sister, Cathy, gave us this large blue roaster as a wedding gift and every time I use it I think of her. She's been gone for almost five years now and I miss her terribly. I like using this oval pan to boil spaghetti. It's very practical, just like Cathy. To me, this roaster represents the strength and durability of our marriage. It's dependable, just like Richard. It's well constructed, just like this home we built 19 years ago.  In fact, today were are taping the woodwork and preparing to paint the family room before the new furniture arrives this week. I think I will thaw a package of homemade sauce and make spaghetti for dinner, sprinkled with love, of course!

Recipe For A Happy Marriage Poem by Annie Valle

4 cups of Love
2 cups of Loyalty
Dash of Faith
3 cups of Kindness
4 cups of Understanding
1 cup of Friendship
5 spoonfuls of Hope
1 barrel of Laughter
Pinch of Forgiveness (no substitutions)
Dash of Thoughtfulness (not optional)

Richard & Christie 2012

Take love and loyalty and mix thoroughly with faith.
Blend in kindness and understanding, add friendship and hope.
Sprinkle abundantly with laughter. Garnish with forgiveness and thoughtfulness.
Bake with sunshine.
Serve daily with generous helpings.