Autumn Apple Cake

Are you a baker?

Autumn is my favorite time of year to bake. 

I love to go apple, pear and pumpkin picking so I can bake breads, cakes, crisps and pies.

Today I'd like to share a recipe I found for Autumn Apple Cake.

Autumn Apple Cake

-1 1/4 cups canola oil

-2 cups sugar (I may experiment and cut down the sugar the next time I make this)

-3 cups flour

-3 eggs

-1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

-1/2 teaspoon salt

-2 teaspoons vanilla extract

-3 1/2 cups sliced apples

-1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans or both

 Grease and flour your bunt pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl mix oil and sugar. Add eggs to mixture and stir. Mix in dry ingredients, then add vanilla extract. Gently stir apples and nuts into batter.

Spoon batter into bunt pan and bake for approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check with knife, if it comes clean-it's done. Cool on cooling rack. When completely cool sprinkle with powder sugar or frost. I left the cake plain.

A piece of apple cake and a cup of tea, a perfect treat.

Enjoy!

What do you like to bake?

-Lynn


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Miz Helen's Country Cottage For Full  Plate Thursday

Paper Christmas Tree Tutorial

Yes-it's not even Halloween and I'm posting Christmas trees!

Well, as I said in an earlier post-I'm trying to get a jump on the holidays.

A while back I posted some pretty paper trees, which you can view here:

Tissue Trees and Paper Trees.

Today I thought I'd show you how to make a simple, twisted tissue paper tree.

Start with a paper cone any size you'd like. I use 100 lb. Bristol, but use any sturdy paper or bendable cardboard. Make a paper cone and tape to secure-I use a lot of tape.

Once you've made your cone, cut long strips of your favorite color tissue paper. Today I chose blue because it's my favorite color and I think my Christmas colors this year are going to be blue and white.

Begin a twist and tape the beginning to the cone starting at the bottom. Continue loosely or tightly twisting while wrapping around the cone. At the end of the twist tape to the cone or I have done this with hot glue. Your choice. Make sure the ends are hidden.

Then my favorite part-add some glitter.

Today, I chose sliver.

With a paint brush add glue to sections and sprinkle on glitter.

I brush along a twist and add glitter a little at a time.

Voila!

A sparkling Christmas tree.

This one is very simple. 

I like to make all different colors, sizes and shapes-tall and skinny, short and stout.

Then I arrange them on my dining room table or mantel during the holidays.

Experiment with different papers, glitters, etc.

 It's your own creation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.

And, I'd love to see what you've created.

Happy creating!

-Lynn

Joining:
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Flowers From Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill Garden

Good Morning!

Thought I'd share some beautiful flowers with you from Val-Kill.

We are very fortunate to live in an area so rich with history, the Hudson Valley. Before my daughter left for school we decided to visit Eleanor Roosevelt's cottage, something we hadn't done before. Sometimes we overlook what's right in our own backyard. As I've said before, we love going to gardens and taking photos.

Take a peek.

Hope you enjoyed the garden tour.

Have a great rest of the weekend and a great week ahead!

-Lynn

Getting A Jump On Holiday Creations!

I know! I know! It's only September!

And, it's 93 degrees today.

Truth is, I was cleaning out my art closet and ran across this little basket that happens to have a few ornaments in it. I started to think, when should I start posting holiday items on Etsy?

(I actually posted a few already-too soon?!)

Last year I don't think I posted anything, time got away from me and the next thing you know the holidays were here!

This basket is more of a reminder that I should be working on my creations now.

I did plan to make my ornaments in September, and now September is here.

So, I guess it's time to get to work.

 These are ornaments I'm making for my own tree this year. I was thinking about a blue and white theme-something very simple. Usually I decorate with pinecones and things found in nature. This year I'd like to do something different.

 I love using these small glass balls and various materials. The light blue ornaments are decorated with tissue and glitter. The white one is glitter alone. I think I'll make more of these and also use little white lights on the tree. 

So sorry to post about the holidays already! I promise I'll hold off posting about Christmas until Halloween and Thanksgiving have past. 

When do you start creating for the holidays?

Guess I'm tired of stressing and doing things under pressure. I told myself this year would be different. Isn't it better to start early and enjoy the process? Isn't that what it's all about?

Would love to hear from you!

Have a great day :)

-Lynn 

I'm Sharing with:
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs. Olson

Sketching

Good Morning!

It's been a loooooooong time since I've posted,

 in fact it's been more than a year.

It's been a busy year, but I hope that I can get back into the swing of blogging again-

I do miss it.

I guess the best way to do that is to just jump back in,

so here's a peek at some sketches. Something else I haven't done in a long time.

I decided to pull out my art supplies and jump into that too.

My daughter and I spent the day at the county fair. We love taking photos of the farm animals.

What better way to practice than from a few favorite photos.

I loved to draw as a child, so every once in a while I get the pens and pencils out.

Unfortunately, I haven't learned to slow down when I paint or draw or anything else.

Something to work on....but at least it's a start.

This calf was so sweet, I had to take her picture.

I love cows.

I also love chickens. Well, I love animals.

Here's my attempt at the pretty chicken I saw at the fair.

Pen, pencil and marker.

Thanks for stopping in and taking a look!

Hope all is well with everyone.

I'm glad to be back and look forward to catching up.

Have a great day!

-Lynn


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A Visit To The Vanderbilt Gardens

Good morning!

One of my favorite places to take photos is the Vanderbilt garden.

It's beautiful and close to home-perfect.

I wanted to share some of the photos I took this weekend.

I was surprised to see so much in bloom! 

Hope you enjoyed the visit.

I'll be going back again soon to see what's new in the garden.

Maybe I'll take a sketch pad with me the next time.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-Lynn



Today I'm Joining:
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Happy Easter

Hope you're enjoying your day!

-Lynn

Grilled Cheese-Jarlsberg, Mozzarella, Arugula, Tomato

Is it time for lunch yet?

Yesterday I was craving a grilled cheese sandwich, 

so I checked the fridge and saw I had just what I needed-

jarlsberg, mozzarella, arugula and tomato-perfect.

I can't remember the last time I had a grilled cheese sandwich,

this was sooo good.

What's your favorite grilled cheese combination?

Hmmmm, after looking at these photos,

I'm suddenly craving another grilled cheese.

Maybe I'll add a few slices of avocado today!

(Did you notice the bite out of the sandwich?)

Hope you're having a great day.

-Lynn 

Pretty Johnny Jump Ups

Every year I look forward to buying the first flowers of the season-

Johnny Jump Ups.

The local nursery had a pretty display out front so I had to stop.

I bought a few containers for the planters on my front porch, 

but now I'm thinking I should have bought more to brighten up the deck.

Well, I can always run back during the week.

Have you started planting in your area?

These are the only flowers I can plant right now-

still too cold for everything else.

We still have patches of snow!

Although I do see the daffodils peeking out around my tree :)

Hope you're having a great week!

-Lynn

Good Morning!

Good Morning!

It's been raining here for days and isn't expected to stop

until Tuesday. Well, I guess we need it for the flowers to bloom.

Thought this curious little friend would brighten your day rain or shine:)

I know that face makes me smile :)

Hope you're enjoying your weekend.

-Lynn



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