Chocolate Upside Down Cake

 

When I saw this recipe for Chocolate Upside Down Cake

at Love Bakes Good Cakes

I knew I wanted to try it.

 

 

I loved the fact that this cake didn't call for special ingredients

and it is pretty quick and simple to make.

 

For the recipe and instructions click

[here]

 

It smells delicious even before you get it into the oven.

 

And once it is done you have a moist, delectable cake.

 

Perfect with a cup of tea. 

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Jasper National Park

 

Jasper National Park is ruggedly beautiful!

The Athabasca River was behind our campsite.

 

As were many walking trails through the trees

and along the river bank.

 

Bear warning signs are everywhere

but we didn't see one, which is a relief.

 

 

While driving to Miette Hot Springs

we saw some Big Horn Sheep.

 

I would say of the National Parks we visited,

Waterton National Park,

Banff National Park, and

Jasper National Park

that Jasper National Park was my favorite.

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Italian Buttered Pasta

This is such a simple side dish to make

and always a family favorite.

Ingredients

6-oz. pasta

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning - or to taste

In a large pot with salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente.  Drain.

Melt the butter.  Drizzle over pasta.  Add Italian Seasoning.

Mix together thoroughly.

Serve!

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Around Our Sunday Table

 

When the kids were young I always tried to make Sunday's special.

This included Sunday dinner with the "good dishes".

Sometimes it included guests and other times it was just our family.

It was a time to sit, relax, enjoy the good food, the good company, and good conversation.

 

 

Now that the kids are grown the Sunday dinner table can range from

just myself, as hubby works shifts, to just the two of us,

or, sometimes three when our son joins us. 

 

 

Of course, I think the best times are when we are all gathered together

once again around the family table,

catching up on news and enjoying one another's company.

 

But I am learning to embrace those times when our table is smaller and quieter.

When it is just hubby and myself it is an enjoyable time

of quiet conversation, often of things we are looking forward to doing.

 

When I am on my own I am often tempted to just load up a plate,

grab a book or watch some TV.

However, I am learning to set a pretty table

and take the time to enjoy the beauty

and reflect on the many things I have to be thankful for.

 

One of the things I am thankful for this week is Skype!

Not only do I get to hear my daughter's voice but I also get to see her face.

What a great conversation we had this week!

 

I am thankful for my wonderful husband.

He noticed how exhausted I have been the past few weeks

and has pitched in and done those few extra things

without me even having to ask.

 

I am also thankful that we are beginning to connect with extended family.

So often we get busy with our lives that we forget it is important to stay in touch.

This week we celebrated my nephew's 18th birthday.

It was great to see the cousins gathered together, creating friendships

and planning future get-togethers.

So many things to be thankful for as we gather around our Sunday table.

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Saturday, October 26, 2013

Outside my window... It is still dark.

I am thinking... Of the fun things I get to do this week.

I am thankful for... Great talks with my daughter.

From the kitchen...
~Sunday: Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Buns, Broccoli, Corn, Tossed Salad, Chocolate Upside Down Cake
~Monday: Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken, Carrots, Asian Salad, No Melt Sundae Pie
~Tuesday: Cheesy Tomato Skillet, Baked Zucchini, Tossed Salad, Rocky Road Cake
~Wednesday: Cheesy Meatloaf, Baked Veggies, Tossed Salad, Chocolate Upside Down Cake
~Thursday: Beef on a Bun, Peas, Cauliflower, Salad, No Melt Sundae Pie
~Friday:  Simple Chicken Bake, Turnip, Beans, Tossed Salad, Rocky Road Cake
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg

~Rocky Road Cake~

 

I am wearing...

I am creating... Photo albums for my son and daughter for Christmas.

I am reading... Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman by Elizabeth George

I am praying for... Family members

Pondering these words... Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.  ~Rachel Carson~
  
I am still hoping... To finish some projects.

I am hearing... The dishwasher & the massage chair

Around the house... Things are getting collected for my daughter's monthly care package

One of my favorite things... Sending parcels

A few plans for the rest of the week...
~Monday:  Horticultural Society Meeting
~Tuesday: Day Date w/Hubby
~Wednesday: Housecleaning Day
~Thursday: Errands & Grocery Shopping
~Friday: Work Outside - weather permitting
~Saturday: Parent's Anniversary

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

 



~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...
Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Frugal Friday! How I Saved This Week!

Prices seem to go up every year for just the basics.

Unfortunately, our income often doesn't match the pace

of the increase for costs of goods.

"A penny saved is a penny earned"

is something I heard very often while growing up.

So, here are a few of the ways I saved some of our pennies this week,

which in turn allows us to live comfortably on less.

 

 

I hung some laundry on the line instead of running the drier.

However, I need to be completely honest here,

the drier broke which made me hang the laundry on the line!

But, it also made me realize that I should be doing this

whenever I can while the weather still permits!

 

 

I took the bottles that had little bits left on the bottom

and added them to the new bottle. 

It always surprises me how those little bits add up!

 

 

By making a grocery list, shopping the sales

and using coupons

I was able to save $23.62 on groceries this week.

 

How did you save money this week?

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



 

Coconut Cashew Crunchers

 

When I saw this recipe for Coconut Cashew Crunchers

at Life Made Delicious

I knew I had to give them a try.

 

 

Click [here] to see the recipe I used.

 

The ingredients are fairly simple.

 

And they make a nice sized cookie.

 

At first I wondered if the batch would be big enough

to have some extras to include in my daughter's parcel.

 

 

I didn't need to worry.

Not only did it make plenty

they turned out delicious!

I will definitely be making these again.

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!