Skillet Cake

At our house, a sure sign of the arrival of the Fall season is the arrival of the Skillet Cake !
This "cake" is William's favorite, any time of the year. With the abundance of pecans and apples in the recipe, it just feels like Fall ! And with a cup of coffee ----ummmmmm----well, you try it out and you'll see......

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup oil
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 apples, any kind, chopped with peelings on
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Combine all ingredients. Batter will be very thick, just work to incorporate everything. Turn batter out into a greased and floured black iron skillet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Cool. Enjoy!!!

I made this cake Friday night about 10:00 and it was gone in just a few hours. Funny how one little cake can signal that Fall is here !!!

The weather today is supposed to continue to be cloudy and cool. 80 is our high !! It is mid-60s at night.....a real cold snap. Just 2 weeks ago it was a blazing 100+ degrees !! Amazing !!! Do you have any special recipes that you bring out at the start of the Fall season? I'd love to know about them, if you care to share.

Y'all have a very blessed Fall day today !

Gwynie Pie

Yummmmmm - It's soup time!

Look what I found at a garage sale for $1.
Around the same time, I found a wonderful sounding, easy recipe for Tomato-Basil Soup.


Last night, I made the soup for dinner, along with cute little cornbread sticks. We had mozarella cheese and fruit to round it out. Yummmm -- great soup! I will definitely make it again and again.

Recipe as I made it for the two of us. It made approximately 2 quarts and was enough to have last night, for lunches and I will freeze whatever is left. It would be great to thaw out for an easy meal to send for William's lunch later on. Or it would make a good base to begin any other soup -- just add veggies and chicken or ham and you'd have a hearty soup to go with good crusty bread on a cold winter night.

1 family size can cream of tomato soup
2 regular size cans Italian stewed tomatoes (the kind with the seasonings)
1 family size can milk - use empty can as measure

Warm on medium heat, stirring frequently. Milk will scorch in a hurry so be aware. Just keep on stirring til hot.

I garnished with lots of black cracked pepper and freshly grated parmesan.

Delish!!!!!

Give it a whirl ---

Gwynie Pie

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL

Now that Labor Day is over, marking the official start of Fall,
I can begin the fun of decorating for the season.

This wreath is super simple to put together. Here is what you need to
make one for your front door or above a fireplace.

Two grapevine wreaths, one larger than the other
Two garlands of leaves
The little sign is metal, bought at Hobby Lobby
The little garden rake was mine when I was a child

Line up the two wreaths, smaller one on top and secure them together.
I used small jute twine to secure everything on this wreath. When I want
to change out for the next season, I can just snip the twine with scissors
and it's ready to be something different.

The first garland I put around the wreath was just Fall leaves, cheaper
than the top garland. The purpose is to add lots of layers and depth to
the wreath. Then, the next wreath was a lot fuller with leaves and acorns and pinecones. Also a little pricer. However, I will
be using these decorations for years and years. When I find something I love.....I stick with it.

Then I attached the sign and rake. If you are talented with paints and such -- you could definitely paint a cute message on a
piece of board. Cute!

And......that's it ! Hang it up and enjoy !

Happy beginning of Fall, y'all --

Gwynie Pie

WE HAVE A WINNER !!!

The winner of my very first ever blogaversary drawing giveaway is --------
(drumroll ) ---------- LISA V. Yeaaaaaaaaa

Thank you everyone for your wonderful and encouraging and fun comments. AND thank you for reading what I write. I know it's not Pulitzer material :) , it's just lots and lots of fun for me. And I thank you for taking your time to
read.

Soooo, Lisa --- I will see you this week with a personal delivery of your prize.


Love to you all

Have a very blessed day!

Gwynie Pie

How many pickles can Pie pickle if Pie.......

THAT is the question, isn't it??? How many pickled peppers could Pie pickle if Pie were pickling peppers?????
Inspired by other bloggers who have been busy canning and pickling and putting up for the winter, I have had a great desire to do the same. To follow in the footsteps of my foremothers and put up food for the winter months.

Of course, my foremothers always had a honkin' big garden to harvest -- that's where all that food comes from you know. I know this, because I have spent many a sweltering summer day, either picking veggies from the garden ("in the cool of the day" HA -- exactly when, I ask you, is the "cool of the day" in August in Texas???) OR in a steamy kitchen, with NO a/c, dripping with humidity as pots boiled on the stovetop, readying produce for the jars. Pretty much hated it when I was 9 and 12 and 15 yrs. old --- would love to go back there right this very minute, for just a day or two, and pay a little more attention this time. :)

We tried a garden this year after years of disappointment. And boy, did it look pretty. We ate some squash, some Swiss chard and a handful of tomatoes and cucumbers....but it just didn't produce enough to "put up". Summer in Texas is no picnic. Ever! But THIS summer was fit for neither man nor beast nor as it turned out ...our garden. What's a girl with a need to "put up" food for her household to do?????


Take a little trip to my local Wal-mart, that's what! And there I spied the most beautiful dark green jalapenos that were just crying out to be pickled and canned. I haven't canned anything in a very long time. Let me just say that right up front. The methods you will see and hear about here are my very own and my aforementioned foremothers would be skeptical, embarassed, mortified and might even disavow any knowledge of me or my methods.

Here's the breakdown of my pickling success --- jalapenos cost 68 cents a lb. and I bought 4 lbs. = $2.72. I had to buy a dozen new jars for this little project, but they will be used and re-used many, many times again, so that cost doesn't really even factor in. However, the cost was $7 a dozen, making the cost of each jar around 60 cents.

I ended up canning 8 pints, so the total cost is $7.52 (including the jars).
These pickled jalapenos will last us at least all winter, spring, summer and maybe next year I'll do it all again. Purchased in the store, the same amount of jalapenos would cost around $28.00 ---- yielding us a savings of roughly $20.50.

NOW ---- I know you must be thinking ----- WOW this girl has slashed her grocery budget by a whopping $20 bucks --- that's some kinda savings.

Well, it definitely is NOT the same kind of savings as if we say, started growing our own chickens. 'Cause I can tell you, that right there, would yield us a HUGE savings. The first (and last) time I had to chase down a chicken to make a little chicken salad......THAT'S when I become a full out vegetarian. And then, we could mark meat off our shopping list all to gether !!!! :)

Soooooo - no, these little jars of jalapenos will only keep us warm this winter when we put them on our nachos. Not a huge deal. BUT, it was a lot of fun canning my own AND it was very satisfying to my soul AND most importantly, don't they look cute ????

Happy Canning to you all --

Gwynie Pie

100TH POST !!! Yeah !!!!

I just have a few minutes to write a little --I'm going with some girlfriends
at 1 today to see Julie and Julia. Such a fun movie. I saw it yesterday
and am going back today with the girlfriends who couldn't
make it there yesterday. It is definitely one of those "gotta see that over and over"
movies. So sweet. So refreshing.

This post is my 100th here on The Pink Tractor -- a milestone in blogland. A small bloggy step you might say. Soooo, I wanted to give you readers and commenters a little "sussy" (def. surprise, gift, a little something extra). I am having a drawing for the above Fall gifts.

The very small token of my appreciation includes a sweet Fall picture frame, an amber votive holder with a 6 pack of spiced pumpkin scented votives and a pretty Fall pick. You'll just have to trust me that it's all very pretty, since this picture turned out so dark. :)

Soooo - here's what I need from you in order to put your "name in the hat" for the drawing --------------------

COMMENT on this post. It is located at the bottom. Look for where it says "Comments", then just click on it, it will take you to a Comment page. Now, if you try this and it leaves you a little message in red saying something about your comment can not be processed at this time --- just ignore and hit Publish Comment again. It then may ask you to decipher a scrambled up word -------- Yes, I know it's a pain. Just jump through the "hoops" and I am going to try to make this blog more commenter friendly. I only know these weird little quirky things because I jump through hoops almost every time I try to leave comments on other blogs. Keep trying, it will go through eventually.

AND I will enter your name a second time IF you FOLLOW this blog. This is more simple than Commenting actually. Just hit the FOLLOW button there to the right side, over by the pictures. You can easily place your picture and info there so I know who is reading.
IF you already FOLLOW, mention that in the COMMENT and you're name will go in twice.

So for two chances to win -- COMMENT and FOLLOW. Easy peasy.

I am having so much fun writing this blog. I'd write even if no one read this stuff. However, you just don't know how much all your
comments -- whether on the blog or in person when we have visited -- have meant to me. I am so very blessed by calling you all Friends. Thanks for reading!

Oh --- I will put the names in a hat and draw the winner on Monday night. Soooo, that gives you 5 days to get your comment in.

Thank you so much.

Love to you all,

Gwynie Pie

Still tearing around......

Continuing on from the last post................Here is the other cabinet, cleaned out and everything accessible.

Now, all of this stuff laying on the cabinet (minus the pretties, of course) is out of

just one kitchen drawer.

Everything back in it's place, easy to use, easy to find.

Looks good.

THIS is the pile of "left-overs" that are going away.

This entire kitchen project --

the pantry, the kitchen cabinets and

this drawer--

took just a little over an hour -

start to finish.

Here's my method for superfast cleaning,

whether it's cleaning house or

organizing drawers, closets, cabinets.

1. Set a timer. Decide how long it should take you

THEN set the timer for

several minutes less.

Push yourself to see how fast you can clean

that drawer, cabinet or closet.

For me, it's all about beating the clock.

And I AM going to win !!!

2. Keep with you one box for "give-aways",

another box for "this goes somewhere else",

a trash bag for "throw-aways".

3. Don't dawdle! Never pick up one item at a time. Never

take time to "think" about each item -- where you got it,

who gave it to you, or wonder what else you could use it for.

Move, move, move !!!

4. Clean out every single item from the space you are

cleaning.

This give you a clean "canvas" to work with.

5. Be ruthless when you are deciding to keep, pitch or

give away.

I can not stress this one thing enough !!! --

and I quote my daughter, Dana on this --

"If something doesn't bless your life,

out it goes. Let it bless someone else's".

6. Don't bite off more than you can chew !

If you have only 30 minutes to work on

a cleaning project, set your goal for a

30 minute achievement.

Don't set out to clean an entire closet in

30 minutes.

Instead, set out to clean just one shelf in

that closet. Or just one drawer in the

kitchen. Or one shelf in the pantry.

7. When the timer goes off, S T O P !!

and set the timer again for 15 minutes

and go get something refreshing

to drink or have a snack.

When the timer goes off signaling the end

of break time, jump up and get back

in there ---

you are on a quest and

you gotta keep pushing yourself

toward the goal.

8. At the end of the day -- be proud of whatever

you have accomplished. Pat yourself on the back!

You have achieved much !

Just want to leave you with a restful picture from my kitchen

after all that chaos earlier.

I sooooo wish you could smell the aroma

of this Paula Deen candle.

It is "creme brulee" scented and in the store

it did indeed smell just like creme brulee.

When it burns though, it smells like.....

this is really funny, considering it's from

Paula..... frying bacon.

It does!!! bacon with just a hint of maple.

HA!! now THAT'S funny !!!

Gwynie Pie

I'm On A Tear

It started Monday morning! I was thinking about my job -- as a wife and homekeeper.
Next thing ya know, I'm meditating on Proverbs 31.
And from there ----well, let's just say conviction fell upon me
and I got up and started tearing into the one job
I had dreaded and feared
the most ---- going through the two big, bulging boxes
that contain all our bank statements, warrantys, receipts, IRS stuff,
bill stubs, newspaper clippings, etc. etc. etc.
ALL in there together,
in NO order whatsoever.
Now this is the kind of thing that haunts me.
It does. I want to be able to lay my hands on any document
at any time and to be able to tell William where to find, with ease, whatever we're looking for.

It took me ALL day long - from about 9 until 6.
But, we are now organized in our finances.
And ready to really declare war on debt.
We have been pursuing financial freedom for some time now
but I believe getting organized in this area is
taking care "in the small things" and
trusting the LORD for the rest.
I'll show you those pictures later.

Right now ----
the conviction continues !!!

Here is my newly organized pantry.
Yes, we do have a lot of tea bags.
FIFTEEN !!! boxes
Sam's had them $2 less than normal.
We go through a lot of iced tea.
And, in case of a British invasion --
I'm all set.

This cleaning frenzy extended to the kitchen cabinets today. I'll spare you the "befores".
These are the "after" pictures.

I had other pictures that I thought I had posted, but alas ..... they aren't here.

Stay tuned......I'm going to find them..... I am.

And then I'll post ......

the rest of the story.

Gwynie Pie

Lovely Luncheon recipes

ASIAN SLAW

1 bag brocolli slaw OR cabbage slaw
1 cup raw sunflowers
1 cup slivered almonds
2 packages Ramen noodles (Oriental flavor)

Mix above 4 ingredients. Then mix-

3/4 cup veggie oil
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup white or apple cider vinegar - rice wine vinegar is nice too
seasoning packets from the Ramen noodles

I mix it all up together and let it "marry" and get all yummy and delicious.
If you like more crunch in your salad, don't add the noodles until just before
serving.


CHICKEN SALAD

3 large cans chicken - I buy this at Sam's; it's about $11 for 5 cans - a great deal
1 cup pecans - whole, halved or chopped, your choice
1 cup grapes - red, green or both, halved
about 1 1/2 cups good mayonaise - I love Kraft,Hellmann's is good too

And that's it ! Mix well. You may need to add a little more mayo just before
serving.

Soooo easy, sooooo yummy !!

Gwynie Pie

Eat Dessert First

Tuesday, on our anniversary,

William brought me a very fun gift --

He went by Sugar Daddy Desserts

(2411 College Hills Blvd in San Angelo)

and brought home The Round-up !!

This is basically a "sampler" plate

of all the wonderful, creamy, chocolatey

yummy desserts Sugar Daddy offers.

What fun !!This little state of Texas is filled with creamy goodness

and covered in white chocolate.
My very favorite of all his creations
are the ones with chipolte.
WOW!! What surprising flavor...chocolate
combined with heat !
As it should be, I say. These little babies are called Buckshot. One perfect mouthful
that just explodes with flavor --
seriously, these chocolates are meant to be
savored, not chomped !
The big chocolates in the corners --
William's favorites,
they are filled with caramel
and pecans.

Okay !! It's ALL good !
And aren't they just beautiful.
Almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

While at Sugar Daddy's,
William was given these very pretty
roses to bring home for
our special day.

They are made of wood!
Isn't that crazy?
I love that!


And HERE is the Greek pizza I made, from scratch
for our dinner.
It turned out so very good!
I've never made "from scratch"
pizza dough before.
This was really pretty easy, but
truly not exceptional enough
to be worth the effort again.
I'll probably just go with the little
pouches you add water with
and mix and go.

BUT --- the toppings....

THAT was pretty spectacular.

Super simple!

Just a matter of throwing stuff on top:

a jar of pizza sauce

browned ground lamb

2 cups grated mozarella

2 cups baby spinach leaves

1 cup cocktail tomatoes, slice in half

1 can black olives, sliced

1 + cup crumbled feta cheese

1 medium red onion, in rings

a handful fresh basil, torn and thrown on

Bake 30-35 minutes or until crust is to your liking

and the cheeses are all melty.

Soooo good!

Give it a try !

Gwynie Pie

Girlfriend Luncheon

I totally enjoyed preparing a little lunch today for a couple of girlfriends
that I never get to visit with, and their children.
School starts in just a matter of a few days---
therefore, the plate of cool summer flip-flops

AND the plate of cool lemon squares for the girlfriends.
YUMMMM !

The rest of the menu included chicken salad on baby croissants, Asian salad,
veggies, and chips along with apple tea.

The kids played and ran and swam. And we girlfriends just sat and visited...
ahhhh --- lovely !! I had a wonderful time !

Gwynie Pie

37th Anniversary

Today is our 37th wedding anniversary!

For dinner tonight, I made Greek pizza, from scratch,
in honor of the many pizzas (out of a box) that
William and I consumed during our dating years.

It turned out pretty great. I'll post the pictures and recipe
tomorrow.

After dinner, we were looking at our wedding pictures and
I decided I had to post at least a couple of the "less goofy" ones.
These were actually taken by a professional photographer....
Yikes! As I recall -- he might
have been a wee might tipsy.

Well, crummy pictures aside -- we have been so very blessed!
We realize it is only by the grace of God and his mercy that
we can say we are more in love today, with each other AND
with Him, than ever before. We give Him all the glory and
praise for everything He has given.

Gwynie Pie

Snapping out of it !

I stepped out of the dressing room, trying to quickly locate William so he could look and then I could dart back in and take this shirt off and try on the next item. I was only trying it on because he wanted me to. That and I absolutely loved it the minute I saw it hanging there. So, I figured “why not? I’m just trying it on for a couple of seconds.”
When I located him in the store and he saw me, his eyes just lit up and he said, “Baby, you look darlin’”.
Yes, he actually said that word “darlin’”. I know. I know.
Then I smiled lamely and said “ Well, but, you know….I mean, really…I can’t wear this…. I mean, for real now, this shirt doesn’t have any, you know… sleeves. It’s sleeveless. You know I can not show my upper arms in public. Oh but this top is soooo cute. I love it! (big sigh) Wish I could wear a shirt like this, but I can’t. So there. Moving on.” I head back into the dressing room.
He says “Yeah, well…we’re going to get it.”
Sharp intake of breath. “But, but, but….really….don’t you think….I mean, really…..now I do not want to be spending money on something I am never going to wear….really! Can‘t do it.”
“Well, we’re buying it. You can wear it. Or not. But you look really, really cute.”
As I stepped back into the dressing room, I was overwhelmed by an Oh. My. Gosh. Of the greatest magnitude. I was suddenly struck by the realization of all the many, many, many times in the past when I have allowed what I think other people MAY think stop me from doing something I really truly would like to do.
And I suddenly could see very clearly how many years I have wasted trying to please people I don’t even care about OR respect OR will ever see again for that matter. It made me sad. Very sad. And I might have just broken down and cried and eventually William might have had to get that nice saleslady to unlock the dressing room door so he could haul my butt out to the car and take my crying self home.
What happened instead of that very embarrassing scenario was this: I became very aware that I was, at that very exact moment, standing there in that dressing room, being given another chance. A chance to do some of those things I’ve never ever done before because “what would “they” think?”
I also was very convicted and ashamed of the fact that I have often put more importance on others opinions than on the opinion of the one human being I love and trust most on this whole entire earth --- the opinion of my husband.
I was overcome with embarassment because here I am griping about my out-of-shape upper arms and I’ve never once in all my years of fussing, looked at all the fantastic things my arms can do. I cook and clean and decorate, all things I love to do. I comfort and hug and hold babies, also things I totally enjoy. And I’m strong. I carry things and open jars and do hard work when necessary. My arms allow me to do all these things. They’re really pretty great.
I’m not even going to ask you if you do anything so silly as what I’ve just been describing. It just seems to be part of our human affliction as women that we listen to that voice that leads us to dissatisfaction with ourselves, the one that encourages us to compare ourselves to other women, the voice that would love to discourage us enough to convince us to just sit on the sidelines and watch our life go past.
What would happen if we just stopped listening to that voice? Just determine that you will not say or think another negative, derogatory thing about yourself. Then start taking captive every thought and head it off before it ever makes its way to your lips. Don’t say anything about yourself that God would not agree with. Wow! That pretty much takes care of all the yuck stuff !
I’m pretty sure we’d all be so much healthier -- physically, mentally and spiritually. And we would be such a positive role model to our own daughters, granddaughters and younger women who are looking to us to show them how to live well in this world.
Sooooo ----- I’m telling you all of this because something monumental is happening today. I am going out to lunch with some friends today. In a public restaurant. AND I’m wearing my cute new sleeveless top. It’s true! I’m going to go, visit with girlfriends, enjoy a meal, laugh a lot, maybe cry a little, catch up after the long, hot summer and then -- as we say goodbye, I’m going to give them a hug. With my 57 year old, not as tight as they used to be arms. And I’m going to have a spectacular day !
And I hope your day is spectacular as well.
Gwynie Pie
　
　
　

Mmmmm -- Cool

I felt it !!! This morning when I stepped out onto the back porch at 7-something I could feel just the barest hint

of Fall in the air.

Not full-blown, time to get out the Fall decor yet.

But, the air has changed a bit -- there is a slight coolness

that tell's me Summer is drawing to a close.

I'm always sad at the end of Summer -

cause I'm a Summer kind of girl

and I love it so.

But, ahhhh Fall -- delicious smells,

falling leaves, back-to-school,

family holidays, football --

I love Fall too !

And because I am in

such a Fall kind of mood today, I wanted to share

these Fall vignettes to get you in

Fall kind of mood too.

These are from last year -- I won't decorate for Fall

until after Labor Day.

Then it'll be full-tilt decorating

and of course,

I'll take pictures.

I decorated the dining table

first and then when I realized that as pretty as it was and as much as I loved it

there --- there was no room for the really important stuff ---

like FOOD !

Sooooo- I moved it all over to the buffet.

I love all those rich, warm colors.

I especially love the family picture

in the middle of it all 'cause

that is what life is all about --

whatever season it happens to be.

And now -- back to reality.

It's going to be about 100 here today.

That wonderful, cool Fall feeling will be gone

by 9:00.

And I'm planning on spending the last few afternoons

of Summer in the pool, soaking up the sun.

Hope you are having a spectacular Monday!

Gwynie Pie

Framed

As you may remember from past posts, I love picture frames !
Not pictures....just the frames.
There is something so appealing to me about the frame -
some are beautifully ornate and some are very simple --
I just love them !
I've been doing some rearranging of my picture frame collection.
The sage green wall is the Before - in the living room.
The pictures of After is the newly painted dining room wall.
William's mom had the enormous frame, with picture, hanging in her home.
The frame is gorgeous
and has taken a prominent spot on our wall.

Does anyone else share my love of old and
empty frames? Such a quirky collection, huh?

Happy Friday !!

Gwynie Pie

Okay, today by special request, I am sharing pictures of our hall bathroom.
The color of the walls is Oatmeal -- Lowe's cheapest brand. That is what I ask for when
I order a paint color. I find the little color paint chip I like and then ask for the "house brand"
in the cheapest form possible. Saves a TON of $$$ ---plus, I change paint long before
any crazy 5, 10, 15 yr. warranty would ever kick in, ya know what I mean....:)

The shower curtain is actually not a shower curtain at all since there isn't a shower behind that curtain.
Are ya keepin' up? Adding color, texture and interest, it was "born" to be a flat sheet - Ralph Lauren.
And I'm pretty sure I pinched it from my daughter's things a long time ago. I'm toying with the idea
of changing to something else ??? I just haven't settled on the something. I just love this look so much.

A collection of old family handmirrors hang in the corner by the light switch. A little "blast from the past".

And HERE is the crowning touch!
My husband and son Devin put this ripple tin ceiling up , at great risk of life and limb.
Well, maybe that's a little exaggeration. Their lives were never in danger.
Their limbs.....well, maybe..... cutting sheets of tin with a hand held shears
was an experience, for sure. There are easier ways, I'm sure.
Hindsight is great, huh?

The tin came off an old barn at the ranch -- we knocked the dirt off
and up it went.
Then they trimmed it around the ceiling with
pieces of old barn wood.
The ceiling just complements the rest of the room
and
so many people have commented on it
and loved it as well.

That's it !
A tour of my "powder room".

Happy Wednesday everyone !

Gwynie Pie