Jun 16th “Best Way for the Chocolate Chip Cookie!”

“Just have to add one more recipe for a better way to make the Chocolate Chip Cookie!”

“You do not need to even use the big mixer… and be sure to chill dough for the one hour… before baking!”

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Jun 16th “Three (3) Ingredient Cookies”

Almost everyone will have these three ingredients available… and if you want or need good cookies in a hurry… follow this video… and in minutes… sit back and enjoy.

Pass on to your friends…see what they think…yummy…yum… YUM!

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Jun 15th “GOOEY BUTTER CAKE”

This delectable Gooey Butter Cake is a rich buttery soft cake made with seven easy ingredients in two easy steps. It is so darn easy that you can have this cake prepped and in the oven in less than ten minutes. It is perfect for a potluck, family reunions, neighborhood shindigs, bridal and baby showers. Earthquake Cake, Kentucky Butter Cake, and this cake are my favorites go-to recipes for potlucks.

This family-friendly Gooey Butter Cake has seven ingredients and takes less than ten minutes to get in the oven. It is so popular at potlucks and family reunions that it is usually the first dessert gone. Bake one up for your family today and let them be the judge.

HOW DO YOU MAKE GOOEY BUTTER CAKE?

You will start by buttering a 9×13 inch baking dish. Then simply combine a yellow butter cake mix, a stick of melted butter and an egg. Once mixed pat that into the prepared baking dish. Now using a stand or hand mixer beat cream cheese until smooth and lump free. Then turn the mixer to low and the eggs one at a time and mix just until incorporated. Next add the vanilla and powdered sugar in several increments blending just until incorporated.

Pour that layer on top of the layer already in the baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven for about 45 minutes. Cool before slicing and if desired sprinkle with powdered sugar

Author: Beth Pierce
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 45
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 16 servings 1x
Category: dessert
Method: bake
Cuisine: American

INGREDIENTS

1 yellow butter cake mix (just the cake mix)
1/2 cup butter melted
3 eggs
8 ounces cream cheese softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar plus more for dusting if desired

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Mix cake mix, melted butter and 1 egg. Pat gently into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Using stand or hand mixer beat cream cheese until smooth and lump free. Turn the mixer to low and 2 eggs one at a time and mix just until incorporated. Mix in vanilla extract. Mix in powdered sugar in several increments blending just until combined. Pour this mixture on top of the layer in the baking dish. Do NOT mix the two layers together. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
If desired sprinkle with powdered sugar when fully cooled.

NOTES

Cool completely before cutting.

FLAVOR VARIATIONS FOR GOOEY BUTTER CAKE

German Chocolate – substitute a German chocolate cake mix for the butter cake mix on the bottom. Fold 3/4 cup toasted chopped pecans and 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes into the top layer.
Strawberry – fold two cups chopped fresh strawberries into the top layer.
Pumpkin – increase eggs to three for top layer, after adding eggs and vanilla on low add 15 ounces pumpkin puree, 1 stick melted butter cooled slightly (1/2 cup) and 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. Then proceed with adding the powdered sugar.
Lemon – substitute a lemon cake mix for the butter cake mix on the bottom. In the top layer omit vanilla extract but add three tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR MAKING GOOEY BUTTER

Grease the baking dish with butter to prevent the crust from sticking and to make it easier to remove this soft gooey cake from the pan.
Soften the cream cheese and bring the eggs to room temperature.
Any yellow butter cake mix will do. It to does not have to be a specific one. My mother always swore by Betty Crocker but I prefer Duncan Hines
Load the cake on the middle rack in the center of the oven
You can not use the toothpick method to test for doneness on this cake since it is a gooey cake. 40-45 minutes does the trick with a nice golden brown crust and a light golden brown color for the center.
For best results on the top layer beat the cream cheese until it is smooth and lump free. Then turn the mixer to low and add the eggs one at a time mixing just until incorporated. Keeping the mixer on low add the vanilla and powdered sugar (in intervals) mixing just until incorporated.

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Jun 14th “NATIONAL FLAG DAY”

NATIONAL FLAG DAY

On June 14th, National Flag Day honors Old Glory and commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777.

The holiday is a day that Americans show respect for the U.S. Flag and what it represents. Representing independence and unity, the Star-Spangled Banner has become a powerful symbol of Americanism and is flown proudly.

While Betsy Ross has been given credit for stitching together the first American flag, there isn’t any sound evidence supporting the story. At the same time, there isn’t any to disprove it, either. Part of the conflict is that there were several designs being considered at the same time, many flag makers and more than one claim to the first. During Ross’s Revolutionary time, several standards were carried bearing red and white stripes and varying symbols where the blue field and stars now reside.

Another who laid claim to the first design was Francis Hopkinson. His request for compensation for his design was denied because others contributed to the design final design.

Since 1777, the design of the flag has been officially modified 26 times. For 47 years, the 48-star flag was in effect. In 1959, the 49-star version became official on July 4. President Eisenhower ordered the 50-star flag on August 21, 1959.

Seventeen-year-old Robert G. Heft of Ohio designed the 50-star American flag. His was one f the more than 1,500 designs that were submitted to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFlagDay

Many people have died protecting our country. On National Flag Day, raise the flag and fly it proudly. Spend time learning more about U.S. flag history, too. Use #NationalFlagDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL FLAG DAY HISTORY

On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation deeming June 14th as Flag Day. President Wilson stated, “It is the anniversary of the day upon which the flag of the United States was adopted by the Congress as the emblem of the Union.” He also wrote, “On that day rededicate ourselves to the nation, ‘one and inseparable’ from which every thought that is not worthy of our fathers’ first vows in independence, liberty, and right shall be excluded and in which we shall stand with united hearts.”

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Jun 13th “Fly our American Flag on June 14th”

and…

The Star-Spangled Banner

Francis Scott Key – 1779-1843

O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming;
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;
‘Tis the star-spangled banner; O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land,
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just.
And this be our motto— “In God is our trust; “
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

………….

Francis Scott Key

1779–1843

Born on August 1, 1779, in Frederick County, Maryland, Francis Scott Key was a lawyer who witnessed the daylong assault of Fort McHenry by British troops during the War of 1812. Key saw the fort hold during the attack and was inspired to write The Star-Spangled Banner, which became the U.S. national anthem. Key went on to serve as a district attorney in Washington, D.C. He died on January 11, 1843.

“Just noticed that Francis Scott Key was born on August 1st and died on January 11th…My husband Lee was born on August 1st and died on January 5th…. my husband, Lee loved music and would sing to me … his voice sounded like “Dean Martin”… and when we would travel… and I was driving… he would play the Harmonica…just now thinking that sometimes… those that are born on certain days… that they may have an influence… just maybe they share some of the same desires of what they may like to do … and also do similar things in their LIFE time … here on Earth!”

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Jun 13th “NATIONAL WEED YOUR GARDEN DAY”

NATIONAL WEED YOUR GARDEN DAY

National Weed Your Garden Day on June 13th each year serves as a reminder to all gardeners to take an extra 5 or 10 minutes while weeding their gardens.

One of the best gardening tips is to stay in control of your garden. Weeds grow fast, very fast. With inattention, they can soon become overwhelming. With daily attention, it is much easier to maintain your garden. Weeding 5 or 10 minutes each day will make the job seem bearable. It might even be enjoyable. This way you will be in control, and the weeds will not!

Excessive and unwanted weeds will crowd out plant roots and steal the nutrients that are needed for the plants to grow nice and healthy.

Helpful tips on reducing weeds in your garden:

Cover the soil along rows and between plants with mulch.
Make sure to keep all weeds away from young plants.
It is okay to plant your plants closely together to leave less room for weed growth.
Have soil weed-free before planting.
Make sure you do not let any of the weeds go to seed.
Keep the edges of your yard mowed low to lessen the invasion of weeds onto your property and into your garden.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalWeedYourGardenDay

Take time to weed your garden in celebration of the day. Other ways to celebrate include:

making a commitment to regular weeding using these easy to use Staff Pick Garden Tools.
weeding after a good rainfall. The rain loosens the soil making it easier to get the weed by the root.
weeding with a friend makes the job go by faster. It’s also more like a celebration!
rewarding yourself with a tall glass of something iced and refreshing.

Use #NationalWeedYourGardenDay to post on social media.