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I am HOOKED on pinterest! You would think that with all my wonderful abilities, I would be stuck on crafts or recipes or beauty (kidding!). But NO. I can't get enough of . . . quotes, signs, and sayings. From inspirational to humor. I repin other people's pins like a mad woman stealing free candy bars. More, more, more! Here are a couple that I stole (read) from other people. The rest are in a treasured collection on my pinterest board. These were off of facebook and I couldn't figure out how to pin them. I know . . . I'll blog them! Doesn't that sound like a crazy woman?



When life gives you
A hundred reasons to cry,
Show life that you have
A thousand reasons to smile.

and . . .

When something goes wrong,
It's more important to decide
Who is going to fix it,
Than who to blame.

August 17, 1979

When Randy and I were planning our wedding reception, one of the fun parts was deciding what kind of cake to serve. We were referred to a few people, but the one we chose stood out because of her Italian Cream flavor. Many years ago, I ran across this recipe from Watkins vanilla. I've made it every year since. . . on our anniversary. It still brings back great memories!

Mrs. Dowells Italian Cream Cake

1/2 c. margarine
1/2 c. vegetable shortening
2 c. sugar
5 eggs
2 c. flour (sifted 2 times)
1 tsp. soda
1 c. buttermilk
1 3 1/2 can coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans)
1 tsp. Watkins vanilla extract
1 tsp. Watkins coconut flavor (though I've never added this)

Separate eggs and beat whites until stiff. Set aside.
Cream margarine, vegetable shortening, and add sugar.
Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Dissolve soda in buttermilk, add alternately with flour.
Beat well.Add coconut, nuts, and Watkins extract.
Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites.
Pour into 3 greased and floured 9" cake pans, using 2 cups batter for each pan.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8 oz. package cream cheese (softened)
1/2 c. margarine
1 1 lb. box powdered sugar
1 tsp. Watkins Almond extract

Combine ingredients and beat well.
Spread between layers and on top of cooled cake.

Happy 32nd Anniversary, Randy! I Love You!

Sweet Memories

Sweet Memories

Potato head parts,
Chicken game pieces,
The rolling pin under the chair.
Dress up clothes bracelets,
Soft tool box toys,
The bands from her pigtailed hair.

Half eaten banana,
Crumbs on the bar,
The small jelly purse of pink.
Dry erase markers,
White board with designs,
The bottle brush tucked by the sink.

Oatmeal for toddlers,
Light and Fit yogurt,
The little black bow tie.
Big bubble wands,
Bib draped high chair,
The “Darburts” and “Gittles” up high.

Car seats we borrowed,
Sewing machines,
Yellow paint, and Mandy’s cello.
Towels with the smudges,
Pete's bib in my whites,
The remedy strawberry Jell-O.

The prelist of fun,
Animal crackers,
Rumpled sheets from climbs out of the sack,
Cheesecake remains,
A big princess ring,
The pacifier you failed to pack.

Please don’t touch a thing!
We’ll savor the time
Returning . . .and let’s make it clear,
It might take a while,
Since the treasures left out
Bring sweet memories that you were here.

With LOVE to Emmie, Peter, Julianne, and Brenden (July 14 – August 7, 2011)
From Grandma Jody and Grandpa Randy