German Fruit Kuchen Can Use Peaches, Plums or Apples

Apple Kuchen

Recipe from the Franklin Square Historical Society Cookbook - actual recipe from Dorothy Itak.

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening (I have used all butter or half butter- half margarine and either work well)

1 egg, beaten

1/2 + cup milk

fruit -Apples - peeled, cored and sliced, plums pitted and sliced, peaches - peeled, pitted & sliced. 

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

apple jelly melted (optional)

1- Sprinkle fruit with 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, set aside

2- Place flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/2 cup sugar into a large bowl.

3- Cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly. 

In use either a pastry blender or the Kitchen Aid mixer

4- Stir in egg and milk until mixture is moist. (I usually need more milk, a few drops at a time.  You need to achieve a batter that will spread in the pan).

5- Spread evenly in a greased (spray is OK ) 9x9x2 inch baking pan.

6- Arrange fruit on top usually in neat rows

7- Bake at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes

 8. If desired - brush on the melted apple jelly to give the whole cake a finished glossy look.

 9- I serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 

10 - ENJOY!!! 

Character Sightings at Colorado State Fair 2011

Matt Meister (one our best weather man) with a baby water buffalo.  Our booth is behind them!

Matt Meister in a Walk on Water - Euro Bobble / Bubble. He did the weather broadcast from in there.

Wendy and a Wendy's Frosty giving out coupons!

The Pirate show was right behind us next to the Euro Bubbles.

Capt. Jack Sparrow and boy was this guy good.  He even had the walk down right when he was strolling the fairgrounds 

Capt. Hook! It was nearly 100 most days and that costume is velvet!!

Applebee's Bee

Smokey the Bear

Bio Fuel Ear of Corn

 

 

And finally the procession of buses and vans bringing the in the buyers for the livestock auction.  Too bad they are bussed in and out and they never have a chance to walk the fairgrounds!!

As We Remember 9-11 / 10 Years Later

Today is Aug. 23, 2011 just after the earthquake on the east coast.  One newscaster said there were alot of upset folks thinking back to 9-11 and not knowing exactly what was happening.  How true that is.  

Many of us may be functioning and saying it is put behind us, but the fears from the moments and days immediately following that tragedy are not far below the surface for us..

We were living in Franklin Square and guess about 20 miles or so from ground zero.  When we went out of the house there was the smoke to the west.  Within an hour or two we heard sirens of emeregency vehicles on the main road 1 block from our house. The sirens were constant for hours so we went to go see what was happening.  They were emergency vehicles coming in from eastern Long Island (more than 60 miles away) to be staged at Belmont race track. Fire trucks, fire chief cars, ambulances and rescue equipment

(Belmont is just over the border from Queens, NY and since all fire and rescue vehicles from Queens and Brooklyn were in the city, the other equipment was going to be held in reserve if needed.)

As days went by we heard stories of survivors.  One such story was while I was having my nails done by a lady who told me her husband worked on the top floor.  He pushed himself into the elevator before the building collapsed.  When he got to the bottom, the doors of the building were being closed not to let anyone onto the subway - and yet again he forced his way out and had to pull the doors of the subway car open to get onto the last train out of that station.  

Everyone on his floor was lost and he was suffering with "why was I spared"?  So not only did the families of those who were killed suffer so are the survivors and their families.   
7 members of our church - St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church were lost.  The actual church only holds 400 so speakers were set up int the school auditorium and many speakers outside on the street.  The street in front of the church was packed with people in all sorts of uniforms fire - police- military and regular folks, like us, just there to pay our respects.  

2 firetrucks with their high ladders extended formed a point from which a huge American flag flew.  When the casket was carried from the church it was placed on the back of the fire truck for it's trip to the cemetery.  We were told that traffic stopped all along the way as the truck passed.  

After everyone came out of the church, the NYC Police helicopters flew over with the missing man formation.  There were 2 trumpeters  echoing each other, playing taps.

We were at all 7 funerals and Mayor Guilanni and the police chief was at each and every one.  Even now writing this it brings back tears to my eyes!!!

So to get back to today and the feeling those folks must of had being in those high rises, and never experiencing an earthquake and still being 'shell shocked" so to speak!


One thing to keep in mind too is that Manhattan is an island.  The only way off of it is by train /subway, tunnel or bridge.  I don't know about you but none of those options are very inviting to me in these type emergency situations.  


One last thing I need to share too - Some folks went into an dollar store in our small town and the owners/staff/family were all cheering  - celebrating while they were watching the replay.  I don't mean to judge all dollar store owners, but
just sayin' that one group was happy!!


As we get closer to the 10th anniversary of the day that impacted our lives we need to remember a few things - one the fear of the unknown and what would happen next - if anything. Our kids think we are over exaggerating being cautious / aware, but on the other hand - why not?  What does it hurt to be prepared? 

And lets also remember those few days/ weeks afterward and how we were all united as one people suffering for all the lives lost, the damage to families and our nation. No matter what event we went to - everyone stood and sang God Bless America with pride and conviction.  And of all that has been said and will be said that is a very profound memory to come away with.

White Fence Farm, Denver ( Littleton) CO

Built on 80 acres, this used to be a farm and cattle ranch and opened in 1973.  The restaurant can accommodate up to 600 folks. 

They do not take reservations but have a unique system to notify guests when the table is ready.  This allows everyone to wander the grounds and enjoy the duck pond, petting zoo, a corral where the animals can be fed, the gazebo to sit and relax, the gift shops, and a carriage ride.

They are famous for their fried chick so alot fo the decor is chickens and roosters!

One room is called the Back Porch and there is live entertainment for everyone to enjoy while waiting for their table.  There is also a beverage bar and candy counter.

Once seated and our meal was ordered, our very friendly waiter Sean, brought us the appetizers - pickled beets, cottage cheese, corn fritters, cole slaw and kidney bean salad.

Most food is served family style.  Each person who orders chicken gets a whole 1/2 chicken.  Absolutely fabulous.

We went with friends and his birthday and mine are on the same day so we got ribbons that said it was our birthday. It was fun to see how may Leo's were there celebrating and we could wish each other a Happy Birthday.

 After dinner we went on a short carriage ride around the property. 

This truck is parked but we are told they did deliver, back in the day. 


Fun restaurant, beautiful, clean property, and family owned who make all the guests feel like they are visiting their home.

El Paso County Fair, CO July 2011

The El Paso County Fair is held the last week of July in Calhan, CO - about 35 miles east of Colorado Springs.  We had two spaces and were lucky to have fantastic neighbors. 

In one booth we write names on rice, put the rice into a glass vial and make a necklace or key chain. The other side was "Cool Downz" Scarfs, our pretty long scarves that are on eBay, "No Headache" sun visors and shoelaces.

It is just like the old fashioned fairs of my childhood with some updates. Mostly about the 4-H and the kids animals - showing, be judged and finally selling at the livestock auction on the last Sat. 

Even the girls rode the mechanical bull.

Sparky visited for a few hours!

Euro Bubbles now called Walk on Water Bubbles!

Draft horses pulled up to 7500 pounds

Looking down the main 'street'.  We are the last booth on the left end.

Our 2 booths with the curly fries booth next to us.

There was so much more to this fair but we were not able to leave to get photos.  It is a fun time for families, kids and everyone else. 

PS Added 8/22/11 - We are very appreciative for the note the fair sent us thanking us for our participation.  It is the1st time in our 14 years of doing state and county fairs we have gotten a note with a hand written side note.  It really means alot. Thank you Janice and Sherry.

"No Headache Sun Visors"

"No Headache Sun Visors" use a spiral lace to secure it to the head.  No clamps to put pressure on the skull.  

Perfect for RV'ers, travelers and everyone else because they store absolutely flat and weigh next to nothing.

Most are washable on the top rack of the dishwasher (just remove before the dry cycle!)

Some photos show the lace which is color co-ordinated to the fabric.They are made with two holes on each side so the lace can be rethreaded to the back so it doesn't stick out.  But I like to leave one just in the one hole so if it gets windy, I can pull it alittle snugger!  

Our eBay visor listings

Here is a small sampling of the many visors we have listed.

Colorado Wildflowers Early July 2011

Colorado State flower - Columbine

I took these photos when we were near Estes Park and Allenspark, CO and at the Wild Basin entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park .  

Sandbagged creek running through Estes Park

We had a real wet winter so the creeks were running high and the flowers were all starting to bloom.  Very colorful. 

Looks like Wild Honeysuckle

Purple Fringe

Wild Geranium

Wild Rose

 

Columbine