Showing posts with label sunset. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunset. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Cooking, Baking, Eating - Delights of a Lifetime - February 26, 2014

I have to admit, in recent years, my time in the kitchen has certainly waned.  I have
always loved to cook, though I didn't really begin in earnest until I was out of nursing
school.  Living in New Orleans as a young RN, I delighted in Creole concoctions,
practicing on my classmates and began acquiring what was to become a collection
of nearly five hundred cookbooks from all over the world.  Bananas Foster became
a signature dessert and one most requested by my three sons.  Perhaps this is 
what instilled the desire to become firefighters in Alex and Jeremy though I never
set our homestead ablaze.

Of course, I also enjoyed dining in restaurants as I traveled and added their 
cookbooks to my collection.  Notebooks of recipes clipped from the pages of 
Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Southern Living, Sunset, the Wednesday food newspaper
section, and the treasured recipes of friends were added to my files. 

In my mid-twenties, while living in Tampa, Florida, I took a Wilton cake decorating
course and, weekly, brought home my creations.  That grew a little tiresome when
people started requesting cake "donations" and didn't even provide the ingredients.
I had to learn to say no but learn I did.

For about six months, after moving to the San Francisco area, I even started a
catering business.  Following my back surgery, it just became too much physically.

Once I became a forensic nurse, with call for two different agencies, my time in the
kitchen became less in less.  As one of my colleagues said, "You can make toast
but you can't bake a cake."  Waiting for the dreaded beeper to go off interfered with
a lot of activities.

Once my job ended in budget cuts nearly five years ago, I got rid of nearly all my
cookbooks and other belongs.  Home now from India for a few months and helping
take care of my sweet granddaughter while Laura is going through the fire academy
( she is a paramedic ), I am enjoying cooking dinner many nights.  Most of my 
recipes are in storage but some I find on the computer.

Tonight, for dessert, I'm making a Pillsbury cookoff favorite of my sons, one I've
made for over twenty-five years.  I always loved the bake-off recipes, quick and easy,
from only a few ingredients.  

This for Chocolate Cherry Bars was created by Francis I Jerzak, of Porter, MN
for the Bake-Off® Contest 25, 1974.  



·         prep time 15 min
·         total time 2 hr 0 min
·         ingredients  8
·         servings  48

 

Ingredients

Cake Bars


1     (18.25-oz.) pkg. Pillsbury® Moist Supreme® Devil's Food Cake Mix
1     (21-oz.) can cherry pie filling
1     teaspoon almond extract
3     eggs, beaten

Frosting


1   cup sugar
1/3   cup milk
5      tablespoons margarine or butter
1     (6-oz.) pkg. (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips

Steps

·         1    Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 15x10x1-inch baking pan or 13x9-inch pan. In large bowl, combine all cake bar ingredients; stir until well blended. Pour into greased and floured pan.
·         2     Bake at 350°F. until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. For 15x10x1-inch pan, bake 20 to 30 minutes; for 13x9-inch pan, bake 25 to 35 minutes.
·         3     In small saucepan, combine sugar, milk and margarine. Bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips until smooth. Pour and spread over warm bars. Cool 1 1/4 hours or until completely cooled. Cut into bars.

 

Nutritional information                Serving Size: 1 Bar    Calories  110      Calories from Fat    35


Total Fat      4g       Saturated Fat     1g              Cholesterol      15mg      Sodium     105mg

Total  Carbohydrate    18g      Dietary Fiber    1g         Sugars  14g        Protein    1g
% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A   0%        Vitamin C    0%      Calcium     0%      Iron    4%
Exchanges:
1/2 Starch; 1/2 Fruit; 1 Fat;
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
 http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/chocolate-cherry-bars/15d6f3ce-21b3-43fb-8cb0-
b33fb4177d3e

Thank you, Francis and Pillsbury!!!

Friday, December 20, 2013

Skywatch Friday - Sacramento Sunset - December 17, 2013


I decided to drive around last evening to look at some of the Christmas displays.
Nothing however, rivaled, that put on by nature.  It was so spectacular, I had to
pull off the road and get out, camera in hand, to snap a few pictures.  Wish I had
been near the ocean!












I stayed, watching this incredible display, till darkness settled.


I am participating in 





Add your sky photo and join in the fun.





Friday, August 30, 2013

Orange You Glad It's Friday, #53 - Pacifica, California Sunset


On September 3rd, I'll be in India three months - with three more months to go.
So far, I haven't seen a sunset to rival this one back home in Pacifica, 
California.  Of course, we're finishing up a very rainy monsoon season so,
with the cloudy skies, I haven't seen many sunsets at all!



I am participating in 


for the first time.

Add your orange photo to join in the fun.




Thursday, December 06, 2012

Skywatch Friday - Pacifica, California Sunset - December 6, 2012



I must admit, the one thing I did miss during my five months in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
was seeing the wonderful Pacific Ocean sunsets.  After living only 3 - 5 miles from the
ocean for the last 35 years, it is hard to adjust to being so far from the sea, no matter how
much I love the country of my heart.  I am spending as much time taking in my ocean 
views to sustain me when I won't have them again.

I am participating in Skywatch Friday - add your 
photo and join in the fun.



Thursday, September 06, 2012

The Skies of Jaipur at Dusk - Friday, September 7, 2012












Awash in pastel pinks,
On a canvas of lovely blue,
Jaipur is covered with beauty,
As night comes creeping through.


There is a hint of rain,
Behind the setting sun,
But, now, we watch in awe,
God's artistry has begun.

What an end to a lovely day,
I find such delight in this beautiful display.


I am participating in




AND









Sunday, April 29, 2012

Scenic Sunday - Sunset in New Delhi, India - April 29, 2012

Our day in New Delhi ended with a auto rickshaw ride around the government
buildings as the sun was setting.  It was lovely as it was Sunday and there was
minimal traffic and we had enjoyed a wonderful brunch at the Imperial Hotel.






I am participating in Scenic Sunday - check out the site
to see other lovely photographs from around the world.



Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Watery Wednesday #162 - A Pacifica Scene - November 16, 2011

I was out with two San Diego friends yesterday in my neighborhood and was
delighted with this lovely sunset.










I am getting a late start to Watery Wednesday #162 -
check out the site and join in the fun.




Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Watery Wednesay #160 - Another Sunset at Ocean Beach, San Francisco - November 1, 2011

Eighteen more days until my Korean Airlines flight arrives in Mumbai and
I'll have five months of new sunrises and sunsets.  This sunset was taken
at San Francisco's Ocean Beach, one of my favorite drives and the route I,
most often, try to take to my Daly City home.




I am participating in Watery Wednesday - check out the
site and add your wet picture to join in the fun!!!






Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday, October 14, 2011

Trichick's Photohunt: Public - Saturday, October 15, 2011

This is a new photo meme for me.  Trichick assign's a theme each week for
you to supply an appropriate photo shot.  You can find info about this meme
at:  http://tnchicks.wordpress.com/original-photohunt/.  Today's topic is:
public.  Here's the photo I chose.




This lovely shot was taken at sunset from balcony of the Cliff House in San
Francisco as we waited at our seats for the lovely young bride to join her
waiting groom and my son, Jeremy, the best man and the whole entourage
of wedding attendants and excited guests.  It certainly was a public place
as the Cliff House is one of the city's most famous restaurants and, wth
this view, you can see why.  I loved the setting, especially, for the
beautiful sunset, with the moon peeking through.  What a way to begin
one's married life.

I am participating in Trichick's PhotoHunt - check out the site and join
in the fun!







Monday, October 03, 2011

Mellow Yellow Monday #141 - Ocean Beach Sunset - October 3, 2011

Friends got married at San Francisco's Cliff House on October 1st with
nature dazzling all of us with this magnificent sunset display.  May
Nicole and Kevin have a lifetime of such brilliant sunrises and sunsets
and all the joy that is possible as they share their lives on this earth!

My son, Jeremy, was privileged to be their best man.




I am participating in Mellow Yellow #141 -
check out the site and join in the fun!





Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sundays in My City - Special Days - September 26, 2010


Sundays in My City - Special Days - September 26, 2010


It's always fun to have friends visit.  It gives me the opportunity to play hostess in my
adopted city of San Francisco.  The weather was spectacular and I got some great
photographs everywhere we went.  My friend, Sherry Arndt, and her cousin, Nancy,
were here, then I went on board the Radiance of the Seas, a nice vantage point for
pictures of the city.

The Radiance of the Seas is one of my favorite Royal Caribbean ships.  I've had the
pleasure of sailing on her six times in the past.  She holds about 2500 passengers and
is the perfect vessel for Alaska waters, with glass everywhere, including the elevators. 
Most of the bars have ocean views, which I love.  When I went on board ( she was
docked at Pier 39 ), most of the passengers were off the ship ).  Hotel director, John
Denton and his wife Marisa, came down to greet me and we went for coffee in the
Windjammer Cafe before I was left to wander the ship on my own, saying hello to crew
that I knew and taking photographs.  I had dinner on board in the evening, then spent
some time with my cellar master friends before dropping them off at Matrix, one of the
popular clubs in San Francisco to party with other crew members.  It isn't often that a
ship overnights, giving the crew an opportunity to get out and have a little fun.


This is the atrium area of the Radiance of the Seas.  You can see  two elevator
shafts on either side of the large glass area.  There are also elevators across from
this that look right out on the ocean.


This is the pool deck on the ship, normally full on such a beautiful day but most folks
are off the ship in San Francisco.


The pool bartender is having an easy day so far!


The casino is always closed when the ship is in port so the casino staff have a
nice long break in San Francisco!


Entrance to the Schooner Bar, one of my favorite drinking places on any
Royal Caribbean ship


Seating area for the Schooner Bar with nice ocean views


The heated solarium with its lovely indoor pool - nice on those cooler Alaska days.


Another solarium view



Seating in the Windjammer Restaurant, buffet style, on Deck 11,
for those who prefer casual dining


Windjammer entrance


The ship's atrium, as photographed from the Lobby Bar


With dear friend, Lucy Tejano, bartender at the Lobby Bar


Indian cellar master, Sachin Lopes, with his American "mother"


Radiance of the Seas, Hotel Director, John Denton, and his lovely wife,
Marisa Merken, ready for his birthday celebration

View of Alcatraz from the deck of the Radiance of the Seas


The Golden Gate from the pool deck of the Radiance of the Seas


Great San Francisco view from the ship


Boats docked at Pier 39 marina



The Golden Gate Bridge at sunset


I am participating in Unknown Mami's Sundays in My City - join us!!!