Everyone, I went to the book signing and had another successful day. I don't know how many they had but when I left they only had 1 copy left. There were at least 15 - 18 on the table when I started. So I call that a good day. Went to Wally World to pick up groceries, came home and Lillian, I have your $175,000 cake in the oven. Can't wait to taste it. I did use the butter pecan mix and added some coconut. When it comes out of the oven I'm going to take a break and hopefully go to bed early. The coffee group will be here bright and early in the morning.

Lillian, when I come down I want to go to your church. It sounds like such a nice one. Almost forgot, most of my customers were men. Richard will like that.

Gonna go check on the cake.

Love & Hugs and God Bless Everyone especially all of those nice people who bought my book today.

Martha,

We tiled both shower walls and floor and then the bathroom floor. It was a job but looked so different and so good. We have painted so many places over the years and are really good, very neat painters. Bill just fixed one of the toilets today; it had started to "wobble" and he re-anchored it to the floor. Now the other one is doing the same thing. That will be for another day as he is out cutting grass right now. That guy is always busy, never minds doing things outside or doing his woodworking in the garage. I honestly don't know how he stands the heat and humidity. I can be out in late fall and all winter, but not now.

It's amazing what a bit of paint or a little carpeting can do for a house/room. We are still looking for a fairly large area rug for the living room. There is beautiful tile in there and, while it is so easy to keep clean and is much better for allergies, it seems cold to me. I always say it looks like a doctor's waiting room. We'll find just what we want someday. Meanwhile, we do have a very nice piece of carpeting in there in front of the large coffee table. It helps to soften the room.

This evening, I'll make Forgotten cookies for church tomorrow. You mix them up, put them in the oven and turn the oven off. In the morning, take them from the oven and they are ready and are so good. Tomorrow morning,
I'll make a caramel breakfast cake for church, too, and it will be fresh.

Edited by author 09-06-2008 11:11 AM
Good Morning,

Again, going through old recipe files and finding long-lost treasures. I'm sending two of them to you today.

"During WWII, Stouffer's restaurants began serving Plantation Cake. It was so popular that, after Stoffer's closed, many fans of the dessert mourned it loss.

Now, Plantation Cake is served at the Emmeline and Hessie resaurants, St. Simon's Island, GA. This recipe is from the restaurant's cookbook".
(This was a short article and recipe from a newspaper clipping from long ago; it is yellowed and no name or date of paper.

PLANTATION CAKE

1 cup butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar, NOT packed down
1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup water
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2/3 cup molasses
Lemon sauce, recipe follows
Whipped cream cheese, recipe follows.

In large bowl cream butter, sugar and salt. Add the flour and stir until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a small bowl stir together the water, baking soda and molasses.
Place 2 cups of the crumb mixture in a buttered and floured 9x9" square cake pan; press evnly over bottom of pan. Evenly pour 3/4 cup of the molasses mixture over the crumb layer. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crumb mixture over molasses mixture. Evenly pour molasses mixture over crumb mixture. Top with remaining crumb mixture.
Bake at 350º until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes. Cool partly on wire rack. Serve warm (or reheat) with the lemon sauce and whipped cream cheese.

LEMON SAUCE:
In a 1 qt saucepan, stir together 1 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp. cornstarch and 1/4 tsp. salt. Gradually stir in, until smooth, 1 1/2 cups water, then 2 lightly beaten egg yolks. Stirring constantly over medium heat, cook until thickened, clear and boiling. Off heat, stir in until blended, 3 Tbsp. lemon juice and 1 Tbsp. butter; stir in 1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind. Makes about 2 cups.

WHIPPED CREAM CHEESE:
Beat together until smooth, two 3-ounce packages cream cheese, 1/4 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. granulated sugar; gradually beat in 2 1/2 Tbsp. light cream and continue to beat until as fluffy as whipped cream.


CHERRY-NUT BREAD
Source: Great Western Sugar Co. (from unknown date, but address has no zip code, only "Denver, 17, Colo"

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 cup GW Extra Fine granulated sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. allspice
1 cup finely cut nutmeats
1 egg
1 1/4 cups milk
2 Tbsp. melted shortening
2 Tbsp. sliced maraschino cherries.

Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, allspice; drop in nutmeats. Stir them enough to just coat with flour. Beat egg; add milk and melted shortening. Stir into dry ingredients quickly. Mix in well-drained, sliced maraschino cherries. Spread in a well-greased, floured loaf pan (9lx4x3")and bake in a moderate oven(350º) 60 minutes or until done.
Yield: 1 loaf.

This is so pretty at holiday time, but is a nice loaf for anytime.

Take care and God bless.

Lillian,
Toilet still working find. No leaks. I've never done tile before. I've thought about it but both of my daughters have it in their downstairs bathroom and kitchen and it's so cold in the winter. I did put the other kind of tile in my kitchen and bath downstairs and it looks like marble tile. That was a job. My back killed me for about a month. But I got over it and about 6 months later I took the carpet up in both bedrooms and put some in there. When I went to Home Depot they told me it couldn't be done because I had press board floors under the carpet. I told them to watch me! I bought about 10 tubes of liquid nail and put my tile down and believe me it's not coming up. Ever! But I like it. I use area rugs and it looks really good and it's so much easier to clean. If I could find a way to do it on the landing and stairs I would but I don't know how to make those bends in the stairs. At least not Yet. Then some of my neighbors painted their patio floors with patio paint. I watched the floors for about a week and they started to peel. I went to Home Depot and bought outdoor carpet and put that down on mine. Looks great. They spent about $100 to paint theirs and I spent $80 to carpet mine. All I have to do is sweep up any leaves and vacuum when needed. (I have an old vacuum that I use out there). Mine has lasted 3 years so far and theirs have all had to be repainted. I love doing things like that.

Got to go check on my cracker bars. I'll talk to you later.
Love & Hugs big Sister

Martha,

Girl, you never cease to amaze me! What will you do next? Bill and I retiled a bathroom where we lived about 26 years ago. We tiled the shower, put drywall up, with the help of a young friend, tiled the floor and painted the walls. It made a world of difference in there! We had never tiled before, but we learned how to do it. Boy, it was so neat looking where we smoothed the grout between the tiles. We did it by drawing a pencil eraser down between the tiles and wiping off the excess.

That cake is a great one and so flexable in what you want it to taste like in the end. It is great as a take-along on a picnic or to a pot-luck meal. Like you, I like the coconut added to it.

Your toilet man will love that cake. It is sinfully rich and ever so tasty and moist.

You'd better hang on to that toilet man as a best friend! He really is! Isn't it nice to find someone who will help you for no reason at all and not expecting any favors in return?

As I said before, we are all wishing you the best for tomorrow.

Take care and God bless.

Hi Everyone.
You could guess for the next week and never guess what I just finished doing. I put a new toilet in my upstairs bathroom. And so far, it's not leaking. I told one of our suppliers the other day that I wanted to re-do my upstairs bathroom and was thinking about replacing the toilet. Today I got a call from one of the men in our plumbing dept telling me he had something for me and to meet him at my car. It was a brand new top of the line toilet worth almost $400 and it was free. I've got to make that man something really good and take it to him. I had planned on just going to Home Depot and buying the cheapest one they had but this was better. Anyway, I came home, got out my tools and put that baby in. It only took me about an hour to do everything and I only had 1 piece left over and I still can't figure out where that little thing goes. But it doesn't leak and it flushes ok so it must not be too important.

I hope everyone had a great day. I've got to get back upstairs and take a shower and get some of this stuff washed off of me and then find something for dinner. I had planned on making my snacks for tomorrow's signing when I first got home but didn't so I'll get up early and do them in the morning.

Lillian, I'm going to make that last cake you sent me. I think you called it $175,000 cake. I'll have it for the Sunday morning coffee group. And if it turns out good that might be what I make for the toilet man. Everyone have a good night.

Love & Hugs and God Bless Everyone, especially my toilet man

Martha,

Take cover! Hanna is headed your way. I know that you aren't on the coast, but the storm is wide and you will most likely get a lot of wind and rain. I think the news gal said that it would hit NC on Monday, but I may be wrong. I was in the kitchen and hurried to see the weather cast but got there after it had started. We are watching Ike now and it looks like a strong storm.

We'll all be thinking of you tomorrow with your latest signing. I hope that you sell every book that the store has! I know that there will not be a crumb left of your sample snack...I think it's cracker bars, right? Have you tried any stores around Wilson? How far is that from you. I know there is a mall nearby, but I think it's in another town.

I had my hair cut this afternoon, blood work done this morning and we went shopping. We have to finish up the shopping tomorrow because I just got too tired. My hip is giving out quicker than the feet now. However, I feel like I am 10 years younger and have so much more energy since I don't have the boot and shoe on. Ah! Freedom! I do feel as though I have had a huge weight removed from my legs.

Let us know how well you do tomorrow and how many books you sold.

Take care and God bless.

Hi Everyone,
Hope everyone is doing great. I've been working to get ready for Saturday's signing. I hope it goes at least half as good as the last one. When the ones scheduled are finished I'll have exhausted all of the close book stores. Now it's time to start expanding. I'm going to see what I can find in about a 50 mile radius and try to fill up the last 4 unscheduled weekends left in this year. Around the 1st of the year I'll start working toward the Atlanta area. That's where I have to really make the trip worthwhile. It's a 4 hr. drive from here but my son lives about 50 miles outside Atlanta so I can stay with him. Gonna go get some housework done before bedtime. I wish everyone could see my front storm door right now. Momma squirrel is at the door looking in. She's scratching on the glass to get my attention. Guess I better feed her.
Love & Hugs and God Bless Everyone especially all of those people that will come by Saturday and buy my book

Hi Everyone,
 
Here are a few nice recipes for sauces, syrups and dressings. Hope you enjoy them.

All are clipped from: Home Cooking Magazine, September 1988

CONEY ISLAND SAUCE
 
1/3 lb. ground beef
1 (11 1/4 oz) cn tomato paste
1 Tbsp. yellow mustard
1/4 cup cold water
    Brown beef, but do not drain. Add remaining igredients and stir to blend. Heat well. This is enough for 8 hot dogs.
************************************************************* **********

PANCAKE SYRUP

2 cups sugar
3 1/3 cups Grandma's molasses
3 cups water
2 Tbsp. cornstarch

Combine all ingredients in saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for about 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
************************************************************ *************

TANGY LOUIS DRESSING

2 cups mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups chili sauce
1/3 cup minced celery
1/3 cup minced sour pickles
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 trsp. prepared horseradish

   Combine all ingredients, stirring well; chill. Store covered, in refrigerator. Serve over seafood, ham, or salad greens.
NOTE: This recipe may successfully for smaller quantity.
************************************************************* ***************

CHEEZE WHIZ

1 lb. Cheddar Cheese
2 cups evaporated milk (NOT condensed sweetened milk)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
2 beaten eggs

    Cut cheese in small pieces and melt in top of double boiler. When melted, add evaporated milk, salt, and mustard. Remove from heat and slowly stir in eggs. Return to double boiler and stir; cook until eggs thicken slightly. Remove from heat. Pour into dish to cool slowly. Stir, as it cools, to prevent a crust from forming. Put into jars, cover and store in refrigerator. (I used plastic wrap put directly on the top as you do with pudding to prevent crust).

Lillian, the ideas for the demo sound great. I hope I'll hear from the lady soon. I don't know where they hold their meetings but if it's in one of the homes it won't be a problem. Have to start getting ready for work. I'll post you tonight.
Love & Hugs

Martha,

I just posted a nice long letter to you on here and it disappeared! I hope that I can remember all that I had written.

First, your baskets are a nice calling card. Who doesn't like to win a prize and we have enjoyed the baskets that we have received at times at Christmas. Your basket will tempt the winner to host a coffee klatch and bake something from your book. That sounds nice and cozy, doesn't it?

When we know the date that you will be here, I'll call the papers and ask them if they would like to do a story, if it is ok with the managers of the stores. I don't see where they would mind since it will also give publicity to their stores.

The book club meeting is an excellent chance for you, too. The members can buy your book and then they, in turn, will tell others and it can just snowball. As for a demo; you can take a small microwave or toaster oven to use or do a demo where you don't have to bake or cook anything. One of those can be garnishing such as tomato roses, radish roses, celery fans, orange roses, or using chocolate for grating, making chocolate curls or chocolate leaves. All fun and so nice to make your foods look so pretty.

I'll start thinking of things to fix without cooking or some for microwave. We are going to have so much fun when you come down.

Richard left today for IN and will return on the 9th. He will have the laser surgery on one leg on the 11th and the second leg done on the 23rd, I think. I hope that it helps him as he has had a long hard time with this problem. He'll be with family in IN and in guaranteed a fun time.

Take care and God bless.

Lillian, I do make baskets for each book signing. It's an attention getter. And the cracker bars don't hurt either. I fill the basket with 2 nice coffee cups. I find them at the pottery near me. I include a coffee container, also from the pottery and any king of kitchen items I can find at a VERY reasonable price. They end up costing me around $15.00 each but I feel it's worth it. Tomorrow I have to hit the grocery store to pick up a couple of things, come back and fill my basket. Then Friday after work I'll make my bars and go over my bag one more time. As for you contacting the paper, etc. when I come down YOU BET YOU CAN! There was a woman at the VFW that is a member of a some book club and wants me to come to one of their meetings and present my book. If it works out I'll try to come up with some kind of demonstration for making something simple and good. Is Richard on his way yet? I hope he has a good time but I'm sure he will. Gonna go play with the pennies and get my stuff ready for tomorrow. Hope everyone has a good night.
Love & Hugs and God Bless Everyone especially the family of Linda who passed away.

Thanks to those who notified me of Linda's passing. I appreciate your thughtfulness very much.

My condolences to the family of Linda G., MI, who passed away on Monday morning. She was a lovely lady, very brave with all of her health problems and such a giving person.

My prayers are for her family and friends and may they find comfort in knowing that she is now at peace with no pain.

Martha,

I know the feeling of trying to outrun a storm and of being caught in one...or more. We have outrun and been caught in snowstorms, sandstorms, outer bands of hurricanes and just good old thunderstorms with rain so hard that you can't see the road. Oh, yes, add dense fog to the above driving hazards. Uncomfortable is just not the right word for being in any of them.

Yes, the little bride in the poem could use your cookbook. Isn't it so "now" to have someone search for an ingredient called "scratch"? I saw some young women on TV who thought that home cooking and making a meal consisted of opening a box of mac and cheese or having a hot dog and chips. One even thought that she prepered a homecooked meal because she picked up a meal from KFC and she served it!

Are you making a basket for each signing? I hope that someone is taking some pictures of your signings, hopefully someone from the local press. That and having an interview with a local reporter will do a lot for your sales. Often, when a new business opens up, the paper will print an article about it and give details of what they handle. In your case, they could tell about you, what prompted you to write a book, tell about your love of cooking and the happy attitude that you take into each dish that you make. Our daughter always told her children that the food that they were eating, and enjoying, was so good because she added the most important ingredient...LOVE>

April seems so far away. I think that your agent is wise to wait until the date is closer. You will probably be able to get local coverage in our paper when you are signing. I'll send information on the local papers and the TV stations in an e-mail when I get the info together. I don't know if you even want that, but it will get your book out there for more people to read about and want.

I have to get back to work. I'm doing some cleaning and am behind in my schedule. I had to take a break and sit down for a few minutes.

Take care and God bless.