When it comes to the HOLIDAYS starting – I am guessing that if you are like me – there is always someone very special to you – and NOW they are no longer here on EARTH – but, they are always on my mind!
Lee was in real pain following a couple of surgeries he had to have – and while still recuperating in the Hospital before Christmas – they decided that Lee, would be able to go home for Christmas and that maybe he would be better. That was not the case at all. They just wanted to clear out the rooms at the Hospital – and in Lee’s case, to be at home, while I was at work during the day – was so wrong – his situation required care around the clock – but – for me being so much younger back then – how was I to know what they were doing?
This is a prize PHOTO, that I have of my husband, Lee Aldrich, Sr. and the story is found elsewhere – and everyone thought that Lee was terrific – not just me!
So, this morning, when I was talking to my son, Lee Jr., and just before ending the telephone conversation – Lee said, I’ve always got you on my mind!” Just that fast , my reply was, “That is a song, isn’t it?” “Yes, it is by – “Willie Nelson” – he always sang it best!” So there was nothing else that I could think of – but to find that music and our good friend “Willie” singing it – so I have it attached – just so everyone can sing it to those – that at this time of the year – – “Loved ONES” that are gone – – but are still remembered everyday – especially when the Holidays start – There is no way to forget your “LOVED ONES!”
And for those – that still think – that “Elvis” is “KING” – we can listen to his version – and – fall in LOVE all over again!
“LOVE and Blessings” to all our extra special “LOVED ONES” we will – – never ever – – forget you! D.V.
Additional confectioners’ sugar or crushed vanilla wafers.
Directions
Mix together wafer crumbs, pecans, confectioners’ sugar and cocoa. Combine rum, honey and water; stir into crumb mixture. Shape into 1-in. balls. Roll in additional confectioners’ sugar or wafer crumbs. Store in an airtight container.
powdered sugar or confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar, for coating
DIRECTIONS
Crush the Vanilla Wafers using a food processor or if you don’t have one, put the wafers in a sealed plastic bag and use a rolling pin (or wine bottle) to crush finely, no chunks or lumps.
Crush the nuts using the same process as for wafers.
Place in a large bowl, add the honey and rum.
Form into small balls and roll in powdered sugar.
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Another choice of ingredient amounts.
1 box vanilla wafers, crushed; 3 Tbsp. cocoa; 1 1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts, 4 1/2 Tbsp. corn syrup, 1/3 cup rum, and 1 cup confectioners sugar (plus more for rolling balls). (It states that finely chopped coconut may also be added.) Current recipe says it makes 50-60 balls.
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Another list of ingredients – to show that the “Chef” can add to the mix a little more or less – just so you can make a nice ball, that will hold together, and taste wonderful, when the guest try them!
This moist old-fashioned apple cake made with fresh chopped apples, cinnamon, and chopped nuts. It’s a treat you’ll make every fall, whether you pick your own apples or buy them at the market.
Put the mixer away! This cake is best mixed the old-fashioned way–with a wooden spoon. Thanks to Carol for sharing this recipe.
Ingredients
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour (13 1/2 ounces)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
3 cups chopped apples
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts
Steps to Make It
Heat the oven to 350 F.
Grease and flour a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan.
.In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; blend well. Add the remaining ingredients all at once and mix with a wooden spoon until blended.
Spread the batter in the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the cake tests done. A toothpick inserted into the center of the apple cake should come out clean.
Tips
Use a neutral flavor vegetable oil, such as canola, corn oil, or safflower.
Some kinds of apples are better for baking than others. For a cake, the apples don’t have to be firm as in a pie or crisp. Choose fairly sweet apples, like Gala, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Braeburn, Pippin or MacIntosh.
To bring out the nutty flavor of the walnuts, toast them lightly in a dry skillet until lightly browned and aromatic.
Serve this cake slightly warm with a scoop of ice cream or dust it with sifted powdered sugar
Variations
Make the cake with chopped fresh pears instead of apples.
Omit the chopped walnuts or use chopped pecans instead.
Replace half of the granulated sugar with firmly packed light or dark brown sugar.
“Let me be the first to wish you, Happy Thanksgiving!”
“Is this Turkey ‘large’ enough?” Al Aldrich brings “HOME” the biggest Turkey for the family celebration!
The stores are very busy – right NOW – everyone is trying to get the best and biggest “TURKEY” – and so many do not really know what they are looking for – as this “Thanksgiving DATE” is celebrated only once a year.
People that have never been in charge of all of the necessary preparations – walk around in the stores like “Zombies” – just have no idea what to look for – what to buy – no idea how many are coming to their house for the big meal – and, I’ll bet that they even forgot to find out, about what some guests can eat and or can not eat – and what some may like – and would be willing to bring to the “DINNER” table – a favorite and extra special dish – and or maybe a NEW Dessert!
Everyone is expecting the biggest of “Turkeys” on the table and most would like “Pumpkin Pie” and of course the “Cranberry” in a sauce or relish or some of the newer ways to be prepared – but a for sure must, “Mashed potatoes and “GOOD” gravy” – as no matter what else there is – everyone has always remember from their earliest of days on this Earth – they were offered “Mashed Potatoes and Gravy” and it is the ‘memories’ – that make this a most necessary part of any terrific meal!
“Everyone likes to see that “TURKEY” all nicely baked and on that special “Turkey Platter” just sitting on the Dining room table – so that in seeing and smelling – the juices are all ready to put a nice fork-full into the month – and just start to remember all of those “good-old-days” when the FAMILY first prepared this best of all meals – to be enjoyed by FAMILY and FRIENDS – – and just being able to go back for seconds and thirds – as the more you receive – – the more there is to remember – forever!
Just have to start this “Holiday WEEKEND” with something very good to see – and start remembering – exactly what I need to do – get that pad and pencil working on the list of guests – who likes what the most – – and just start getting all of the pots and pans – and the whole ‘nine yards of stuff’ – out and ready – just have to do this up right – as we all LOVE Memories, with lots of nice “Thank Yous” – – with a little voice saying – – “Let’s all do this up the same way – next year!”
“We wish all of our Family and Friends – near and far, a very blessed and joyful time in this year’s celebration with more memories to make this a FUN and Happy Thanksgiving time!
“Thanks be to the All Mighty Yahweh – the one and only that gives us the best of Family and Friends – to be able to celebrate with and then end the celebrating giving THANKS – for all of our many BLESSINGS!” D.V.
“STOP the ACTION – HOW can we make something – when Eleanor does not have her apron???” “ON?”
“Do you think that we made anything – this day that we are – all – dressed in our best – and without a big squabble – we all decided on some special spot to stand – and look like we – were going to do something – exciting and important?”
Take a look at the photo – the two tables are set for eight (8) to sit down and drink a glass of milk. Well – what about the other two in our class of ten girls – two (2) of us will get to stand – or just be the “servers” – as we are all ‘used to serving’ – we have been doing that – for years – so what is – NEW?
After, this photo was taken – we did not have anything special to do – so a few of us did stay there in this kitchen – that was in the basement part of the new “GYM” – and no sense to go back to the “HOME” part of the Orphanage – as there was nothing special for us to be doing – now that we were done with the “PHOTO” set-up – and as you can see some of the “PROPS” were still there – to make this photo really look like we were actually learning to cook?
So, one of the girls poured some of that milk in a bowl and someone else cracked a couple of those nice eggs into the milk and started stirring. Well, without even a half of an idea, of what we could have made – some sugar was added and then a little of the different spices – and we are asking – “WHAT can we do with this?”
Well, there I am with a “COOK-BOOK” in hand – “did I even think to really check out the cook-book – what could we make, just for FUN – using the ingredients – and if necessary – send someone to the bakery for a few more things to actually make something?”
I only thought about this a couple of weeks ago, (only some sixty years – too late) – when, I was making some “FRENCH TOAST” – “All that – we needed then, was some of the “HOME-MADE” bread from the BAKERY – and then, we could have had something really good to eat – that is the few of us girls – that were just hanging out?”
“This is what I call, “A Day Late and a dollar short” – if you get my drift?”
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