We have been informed many times to check your batteries especially those in our smoke alarms. Setting a special time such as the time change from daylight time to standard time helps you to remember the task. The reason I brought this up is I was going to print some pictures the other day and no matter which camera I picked, up the batteries was dead. I should have known that as I had tried to take a picture of our granddaughter playing volleyball only to discover no battery charge left in the camera. Apparently I completely forgot about that and didn’t charge the battery when I got home. Then I tried another camera – same result and also the third camera which needed new batteries also. Needless to say I put the batteries in the charger and while I was at it, also charged my cell phone. I also discovered the batteries are not interchangeable as each brand has its own design. I must remember that if they need replacement to be certain to get the right brand. The cameras should be okay for a while. All this came to be as Judy asked if we had any pictures from the bell ringers concert earlier this summer in Sioux Falls. I don’t carry a camera as much as I used too, but did have one that day which I finally remembered (in the middle of the night). Included were pictures of the three groups of bell ringers that filled most of a large gymnasium floor and a picture with Judy of the nieces and nephews that attended. There were also several of the yellow Mustang she sold to Mark a few years ago and which they had driven to Sioux Falls so she could see it was still being used for special occasions.
Harvest is generally completed for this year and a lot of the ground has already been tilled. I still have a few rose blossoms but didn’t find any new buds this week. The flower pots I took in are still sitting in the garage and even if I didn’t plan to save them for another year it didn’t seem right to just throw them away when they are still blooming.
Tonight (Friday, November 11) will be football and I will have two radios on so I can listen to the games. MCC plays at New Prague and Edgerton/Ellsworth in Rochester. I called my sister Mary in New Prague and she wanted to know if we knew any of the players. Without kids in school you don’t keep track of them quite as easily and probably only know family names. She also said they have a new sports complex at the school which is quite nice. We wish both teams much luck and getting this far is quite an accomplishment.
Rise and Shine Muffins
l cup bran cereal, crushed
2/3 cup skim milk
l cup coarsely grated apple
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup coarsely grated zucchini
1/2 cup coarsely grated carrots
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
l teaspoon salt
l teaspoon maple extract
l egg
2 egg whites
l-3/4 cup whole wheat flour
l tablespoon baking powder
l tablespoon orange peel
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Preheat oven to 375º. Mix bran cereal and milk in large bowl; let stand until softened. Fold in apple, brown sugar, zucchini, carrots, peanut butter and maple extract until mixed. In small bowl beat egg and egg whites; fold into bran mixture. Combine flour, baking powder, orange peel, cinnamon and salt together. Add dry ingredients to bran mixture, being careful not to over mix. Spray muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Fill muffin cups. Place shallow pan of water on bottom rack of oven to prevent muffins from drying. Place muffins on middle rack and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from muffin pan and serve. Makes 12 muffins.
Chocolate Lover’s Dream Cookies
6 tablespoons canola oil
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
l teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
l-1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
l cup white baking chips
l cup white baking chips
l cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
In a large bowl, beat the oil, butter and sugars, until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and baking powder, gradually add to oil mixture and mix well. Stir in chips.
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350º for 12-15 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool for l minute before removing from pans to wire racks. Makes 3-1/2 dozen.
Apple Custard Coffee Cake
2 cups biscuit baking mix
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup milk
l teaspoon vanilla
2 medium tart apples, chopped
l/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 eggs, beaten
l cup cream
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Combine biscuit mix, 1/4 cup sugar, milk, and vanilla. Put into a 9” square pan. Mix together apples, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. spread on top. Combine eggs, cream, and 1/2 cup sugar. Pour over the top. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. bake at 350 º for 45 minutes.
