Wonderful Rainy Wednesday!!! (Cream Cheese Poundcake)

What a wonderful day..  I got so much done today.. it's crazy,  but if it had been sunny I could have gotten so much more done..  I am so excited about my 3 new rose bushes..  I haven't had roses in over 5 years..  so I need to read up on them again..  I cleaned the downstairs this morning,  cleaned my bedroom,  have done laundry.. folded and put up 2 loads,  still have 2 to go.. took all the crap back to Comcast and did some shopping..   I have also put a whole chicken in the oven to roast with celery, onions, carrots and potatoes..  the house smells yummy..  it is done and now I have a lovely Cream Cheese Pound cake in the oven..  I haven't made a pound cake in a while..  I love them.. I grew up with them.. my mom and all my aunts made the best pound cakes ever..  I miss them.. the crust on them would be an inch thick.. ahh the memories..
I like using my mom's cake pans.. I inherited a few of them..  I am glad I have them.. makes her feel close..  I know that she would be so proud of everything that the girls and I have accomplished together..  that has always been my goal in life,  more so since she passed away,  to make her proud of the person I am,  and how I treat others..  there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about her and miss her..  sometimes I lie awake at night and think about her..  so happy I had her for the time that I did..  she was truly an inspiration to me.. taught me so much about how to be strong and independent..  it was like she knew that I needed those specific lessons..  

My mommy's pan,  all dented and everything,  but I love using it..  makes her feel close..

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

1 1/2 c butter(3 sticks) softened
1 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened
3 c sugar
6 eggs
3 c flour
1/8 tsp salt
1 tbsp vanilla

In a large mixer beat the butter and cream cheese together until well combined..  add sugar and mix well..  add the eggs 1 at a time until well blended..  add the vanilla and salt..  then add the flour 1 c at a time and mix well..  pour into prepared pan(greased and floured) and bake in a 300 degree oven for 1 hour and 40 minutes.. checking after an hour..

Finally Tuesday!!!! (Pasta With Tomato Cream Sauce)

I made it to Tuesday..  it has been a rough 6 days..  being sick, working 6 days straight,  2 of them closes and then 2 opens..  my body hurts,  my feet are screaming at me,  which means it's time for new shoes..  I go through work shoes like crazy..  but I guess that happens when you are on your feet 8 hours a day, constantly moving..  I re-aggravated the stress fracture in my left foot..  yay me.. life is one big adventure..  :)   I am also closer to seeing my Buttercup this weekend,  I miss her sweet face..  Since it has been storming/raining off and on all day I decided to make a pasta dish for dinner..  I have made it a couple times before and it is so simple and delish..   

Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce


1 1/2 lbs of fettuchine, cooked according to pkg directions, reserve 1 c of the pasta water
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans tomato sauce
salt and pepper
1 tbsp sugar
1 c heavy cream
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
fresh basil


In a large saucepan heat the olive oil and butter,  add the onion and cook 2 to 3 minutes,  add the garlic and cook another minute,  add the tomato sauce, salt, pepper and sugar.. stir well and reduce heat to low,  cook for 25 to 30 minutes,  remove from heat and add the heavy cream and stir well,  add the parmesan cheese and stir.. add some of the reserved pasta water to get it to the consistency that you want it..  add the pasta and stir well.. top with the chopped fresh basil and more parmesan cheese..  serve with a green salad and bread.. 

Beautiful Saturday, you are an inspiration!! (Banana Bread)

What an amazing day we have been given.. it is so gorgeous,  right temp,  lots of glorious sunshine..  what more could a person ask for..  I am always in awe of how beautiful each day is..  God has blessed me so much and I want to show Him how thankful I am for those blessings by being humble and willing to share His blessings with others..  Sometimes I take a step of faith and realize that it wasn't from Him,  it was from me wanting something now instead of waiting for his perfect timing for my life.  I continue to grow daily in my walk,  do I stumble?  oh yes,  I will always stumble,  but I always try to do my best..  Dying to self is probably the hardest thing to do in this life... It has been a good morning..  rested, played on pinterest, made banana bread and muffins and it smells yummy and I am getting ready to head out to the front porch with my Kindle and coffee and read for a while before I have to get ready to go to work..

Banana Bread

3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 c applesauce or oil
1 c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves

Mix the first 5 ingredients together,  add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in and mix well..  pour into a greased loaf pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes to an hour..  cool,  remove from pan and enjoy..  can also put in a muffin pan and bake...  just adjust the baking time to about 25 to 30 minutes..  depending on your oven..