Lemon Coffee Cake

This recipe is one of Jacob's favorite cakes and is nice for company dropping in around the holidays.  There is a surprise burst of lemon in the middle!

1 1/4 c sugar, divided
3/4 c vegetable or olive oil
4 eggs
2 c flour
1 t baking powder
1 can lemon pie filling/pudding.  (Pudding in the box is not good in this recipe.)
1 1/2 t cinnamon

1.  Mix sugar and oil well.  Add eggs and beat until light.
2.  Add flour and baking powder.  Mix well.
3.  Spread half the batter in the bottom of a greased 8 x 8 baking dish.  (A 13 x 9 dish makes the cake too crunchy.)
4.  Spread lemon pie filling over the batter.  Top with remaining batter. 
5.  Mix cinnamon and remaining suger together.  Sprinkle over the top. 
6.  Bake 350 for 30 mins. or until toothpick comes out clean.

Jingle Smells

(As sung to the tune of Jingle Bells.)

Jingle bells, possum smells,
Wafting in the air.
Think I'll go and have a roll.
Then beg to come inside.
Coyotes howl.
I will growl.
Mom will let me in.
Got what I wanted. Whoops. What?  A BATH!
You took away my grin.

~Spud

Fuel for the Woodstove

     If you look carefully, you'll see I'm not the only one who likes to show his best side!  As long as I can back my rear quarters up to the woodstove, I'm a happy puppy!

~Spud

Toy in the Air

      I don't care whose birthday this is!  If I get hold of that "toy", it's mine!

More Pet Tips

Click on the Tips Tab to check out more pet tips.

Gone for the Winter

     The Jenny Wrens left for the winter after raising several clutches of babies.  Mom loves to listen to them talk to one another.  Me, I love to try to capture them in the air and have been known to catch a sparrow or two in flight.  I do have to agree that the wrens help to reduce the mosquito population around here though.

God's Gift to Mom

    Mom and I found this weird vine in the woods on one of our walks.  It had been a long time since she had been able to make it through the woods, so she had never seen this before.  She thought the marvel of nature was so interesting.  She just had to take a picture of it.  While going through her pictures, it dawned on her that it resembles the breast cancer ribbon.  Mom believes that God speaks through the Bible, music, and nature to name a few.  It's like God is saying to her, I know what you've been through and I am here for you now.   
~Spud

Two Old Men

The Ham

    

     There is only one ham in this household.  Can you guess who it is?  I mean really, Sacha, why do you have to be such a camera diva?  Can't you pretend to be a little elusive!  Take a lesson from me.  Don't cater to the humans.  Even if it means they sometimes just get butt shots!

Christmas Gift Ideas for Children

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:7

1.  Pack a shoe box for a child....Samaritan's Purse is a Franklin Graham ministry that delivers shoe boxes with toys, candy, and toiletry items to children in disaster/ needy places.  Filling a shoe box can be a fun way to include your child in giving to others.  You can find out more by going to samaritanspurse.com.   It is not too late!

 

2.  Buy a gift for a child of incarcerated parents.....Angel Tree is the largest ministry that reaches out to children of parents who are in prison.  Because of a matching grant, you can provide gifts for 2 children for just $11.44.  Website.....angeltree.org.

~Spud with Mom's help