Today would have been my mom's birthday we were very close. I didn't need a best friend she was my best friend.. I miss her, I wish she could have seen where we moved to after we moved from Chicago.. She would have loved it here just like we do.. I was always her great protector at least I thought I was. She was liked by everyone who had the privilege to meet her a genuinely sweet lady. Who never had an ugly word to say about anyone..
Now!!
I'm going to attempt to write a Blog today, hope I get to finish without running out of time before appointments. I have been up to the usual taking pictures because by now you have figured out that's what I LOVE doing.. I even made a couple of desserts this past week strawberry shortcake and orange brownies they were amazing, we really loved them.. Bill bought a new smoker this past week and we smoked pork shoulders and beef brisket.. I made baked potato salad, macaroni salad, cole slaw and many other great foods this past week besides keeping everything watered because we haven't had any rain for a long time..
We finally got it Saturday night all in a couple of hours, 8 inches to top.. Of course, the two sump pump pipes couldn't handle all that rain they just overflowed because they didn't line up and it just kept running and running .. So I went out there and stuck a screwdriver in to line them up while it was poring out and lightning and that worked... OH, the life in the country.. LOL So you can imagine that we really got the rain no more complaining about that!!
Its been in the 90 plus range lately and again this week coming up hot hot hot.. I have also been washing curtains in all the rooms the living room I took those two the cleaners to be cleaned didn't want to take a chance and wash them I pick them up tomorrow, it only takes a week, what the heck its only two windows why should it take a week! That's besides all my regular every day choirs.. I even trimmed three trees yesterday morning they were saturated from the rain and hanging down so I took the opportunity to trim before we went to church in the morning.. Also before the family came over to celebrate Fathers day with the two Bills.. My Bill and Cindy's Bill.
The kids moved our big TV off the stand it has been on I hated it up there it only took me 10 years to finally get them to do that.. I love it but they don't OH well not surprised LOL..
Have to make the dog treats so I will be back to post some pictures that I took lately I want to get that don't befor it gets to hot even though we have Air its me what can I say..:)
Orange Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure orange extract
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 recipe Orange Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan.
Stir together flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add butter, eggs, orange extract, and orange zest. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and set. Remove from oven, allow to cool and pierce entire cake with a fork. Spread the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting over completely cooled brownies. Cut into squares.
Orange Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- 1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
In a large mixing bowl, whip the butter and cream cheese together with a hand-held electric mixer. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until it is all combined and smooth. Beat in the orange zest and juice. Spread over brownies
Yield: enough frosting for 1 batch of brownies
Prep Time: 10 minutes cooktime.
In a large mixing bowl, whip the butter and cream cheese together with a hand-held electric mixer. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until it is all combined and smooth. Beat in the orange zest and juice. Spread over brownies
Yield: enough frosting for 1 batch of brownies
Prep Time: 10 minutes cooktime.