Do you remember the Anne of Green Gables books and how Anne used to have friends that she called kindred spirits and later referred to them as those who belong to the race of Joseph?
I have had a few friends like that, one of them is my friend Sonya. She and her children come over several times a month and somehow we have the tradition of always making some kind of dessert to enjoy together.
Last week we had these bars that are totally scrumptious!
Cherry Chocolate Bars
2 cups sugar
1¾ cup flour
½ cup cocoa
1 tsp. salt
5 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
In a large mixing bowl measure all ingredients in order given. Mix well. Pour into a greased 9" x 13" pan. Bake at 350ยบ for 30 minutes.
Once it has cooled combine:
1 - 8 oz. Cool Whip
1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese (softened)
Spread over the chocolate bars.
Over the cream cheese layer pour:
1 can cherry pie filling
Refrigerate for a few hours before serving. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
Preparations
There used to be such a sense of satisfaction when the last pumpkins and squash had been harvested and lined up in the basement. Carrots were tucked into a barrel filled with sand to be dug out during the winter months. Cabbage had been pulled out by the roots and was now resting upside down to be enjoyed over the next few months. Bins of potatoes and apples lined a basement wall while bundles of onions hung from the joists. Rows and rows of can shelves were filled to capacity with vegetables and fruits as well as meats.
The coal bin had been filled and the woodhouse had enough wood stacked in it that we could barely open the door to step inside.
Geese were flying south and finally with all the summer labor of preparing for winter we were ready for the frost and snows to come. I used to absolutely love this time of year. Cozy and happy, time to dig through the fabric cupboards and plan the sewing lists. Time to pull out the fun crafts that had been tucked away last spring. Ahh.... pure bliss.
We don't have a garden and all the intense preparations any longer, I miss it. But with out fail, every October I still get struck with extra creativity and lots of plans for winter projects.
The coal bin had been filled and the woodhouse had enough wood stacked in it that we could barely open the door to step inside.
Geese were flying south and finally with all the summer labor of preparing for winter we were ready for the frost and snows to come. I used to absolutely love this time of year. Cozy and happy, time to dig through the fabric cupboards and plan the sewing lists. Time to pull out the fun crafts that had been tucked away last spring. Ahh.... pure bliss.
We don't have a garden and all the intense preparations any longer, I miss it. But with out fail, every October I still get struck with extra creativity and lots of plans for winter projects.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Winner
I enjoyed reading all your comments about your Christmas preparations. but now it's time to choose the winner of Life with Lily. So with out further ado the winner is................
Comment # 16
Michelle said...............................
I have begun just a little. We do the 3 gifts representing the 3 gifts the wise men gave. A lot less shopping needs to be done ; 0)
Congratulations Michelle! Please send me an email with your address and I will get the book sent to you.
Comment # 16
Michelle said...............................
I have begun just a little. We do the 3 gifts representing the 3 gifts the wise men gave. A lot less shopping needs to be done ; 0)
Congratulations Michelle! Please send me an email with your address and I will get the book sent to you.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Wednesday Hodgepodge
1. Elizabeth Lawrence is quoted as saying, 'Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn." So have you done just that? And what did you leave undone in order to do so?
We did take a few afternoons to simply enjoy the beauty of falling/fallen leaves. The children still enjoy making huge piles of leaves and jumping in them, leaf fights, and trying to catch leaves as they fall from the trees.
My housework and what ever else needed to be done could wait until another day.
2. Since we're talking turning...what's one thing you feel you're doing 'every time you turn around'?
Dusting. We live in an old farm house and somehow it seems to get dusty much faster than any where else we have lived.
3. How hard is it for you to 'turn the other cheek?'
Most of the time, not hard. Some instances I might feel like at least saying something in return, but if I bite my tongue until I give my emotions time to cool off a little I can usually let it go.
4. When did you last turn a drawer, your car, a room, or your entire house upside down looking for something? Did you find it?
About two weeks ago our checkbook vanished. We basically tore our house apart looking for it. Furniture was moved, drawers were cleaned out, basically every inch of the house was combed in desperation. No, we didn't find it. But every cloud has a silver lining, and in this case the fall house cleaning was done in record time.
5. 'One good turn deserves another'...were you most recently on the giving or receiving end of that sentiment?
As a family it seems to be an equal give and take.
Otherwise something that comes to mind was when a complete stranger directly ahead of us at the checkout paid for our purchases. I'm guessing that was a once in a lifetime experience for us, but something we hope to do someday for someone else.
6. Red, yellow, and orange are the colors of fall. Also the colors of fruit. If you were permitted only one color of fruit in your diet, which would you choose? This question isn't as easy as it sounds, at least not for me.
Red.
I love strawberries! Choosing red would also allow me to still enjoy apples, grapes, cherries, and pomegranates.
I'd miss pineapples, oranges and mangoes.
Thankfully my diet doesn't require having to choose.
7. The Hunt for Red October, October Sky, Halloween...which 'October' film is your favorite?
I have not seen any of those. Not a fan of anything scary or Halloween related.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
There's still a little time left to enter the giveaway for the first book in my series. Enter here.
We did take a few afternoons to simply enjoy the beauty of falling/fallen leaves. The children still enjoy making huge piles of leaves and jumping in them, leaf fights, and trying to catch leaves as they fall from the trees.
My housework and what ever else needed to be done could wait until another day.
Dusting. We live in an old farm house and somehow it seems to get dusty much faster than any where else we have lived.
3. How hard is it for you to 'turn the other cheek?'
Most of the time, not hard. Some instances I might feel like at least saying something in return, but if I bite my tongue until I give my emotions time to cool off a little I can usually let it go.
4. When did you last turn a drawer, your car, a room, or your entire house upside down looking for something? Did you find it?
About two weeks ago our checkbook vanished. We basically tore our house apart looking for it. Furniture was moved, drawers were cleaned out, basically every inch of the house was combed in desperation. No, we didn't find it. But every cloud has a silver lining, and in this case the fall house cleaning was done in record time.
5. 'One good turn deserves another'...were you most recently on the giving or receiving end of that sentiment?
As a family it seems to be an equal give and take.
Otherwise something that comes to mind was when a complete stranger directly ahead of us at the checkout paid for our purchases. I'm guessing that was a once in a lifetime experience for us, but something we hope to do someday for someone else.
6. Red, yellow, and orange are the colors of fall. Also the colors of fruit. If you were permitted only one color of fruit in your diet, which would you choose? This question isn't as easy as it sounds, at least not for me.
Red.
I love strawberries! Choosing red would also allow me to still enjoy apples, grapes, cherries, and pomegranates.
I'd miss pineapples, oranges and mangoes.
Thankfully my diet doesn't require having to choose.
7. The Hunt for Red October, October Sky, Halloween...which 'October' film is your favorite?
I have not seen any of those. Not a fan of anything scary or Halloween related.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
There's still a little time left to enter the giveaway for the first book in my series. Enter here.
Monday, October 20, 2014
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