German Apple Cake: One of my favorite cakes in the whole world!

The first time I saw this recipe, I said, "This is either going to be the worst cake in the world or the best cake ever."  Fortunately, it is the best ever!   Use any kind of apple, I've tried them all and they all work.

I remember one time I set out to make this cake and forgot the cocoa.  It was still good, but not perfect, so I immediately made another one; that time I forgot the cinnamon.  I was so frustrated, but my perfectionism got the better of me, so I made a third cake!  Third time's a charm.  I had six sons and one daughter still at home, they were really happy I had made so many mistakes!

German Apple Cake

3 eggs

1 c. vegetable oil

2 c. sugar

2 ½ c. flour

2 T. cocoa

2 t. cinnamon

1 t. baking soda

1 T. vanilla

4 c. finely chopped apples (peeled)

1 c. chocolate chips

Beat eggs until foamy.  Add sugar and oil, mix well.  Add dry ingredients.  Add vanilla, apples, and chocolate chips.  Pour batter into greased 9”x13” pan.  Bake 350* for 35-40 min.

This is one of my favorite cakes in the whole world!  I use Hershey’s or Ghirardelli semi-sweet chips.  This cake is moist and, if there’s any left, I store it in the refrigerator.

Enjoy this one.  I painted "Three Green Apples" after I fell in love with German Apple Cake.

Ciao!

A word about high-tech dating

Technology has changed our lives in significant ways, including the way we date.  Modern dating, the way most of us did it, is also a result of technology.  Yes, cars changed dating practices in America.  Suddenly, the dating pool became much larger when one could court someone from a nearby town, rather than relying on walking or riding a horse to meet a potential mate. 

Our high-tech society has caused dating to evolve in a similar fashion.  It has enlarged the dating pool once again.  We no longer have to rely on dating people we meet at work, school, a club, or in our local congregation.  Dating has reached new heights in its geographic scope. Our dating pool has gone beyond local, regional, or even national.  Today’s dating pool is global.  

As a Marriage and Family instructor, I have witnessed this phenomenon.  Each semester I ask my students to raise their hands if they would consider dating someone they met online.  Several years ago, the answer was unanimous.  No.  Within two semesters that changed; a few people raised their hands and said they might consider it.  Eventually, one or two students admitted to having dating someone they met online.  Now, there are several students each semester who not only admit to finding dates online, but some have found their spouses through online dating.

I had two students who took three different classes from me.  The first semester they were dating.  They blushed when the subject of online dating came up, but admitted that was how they met.  They lived in different states and met on a Christian singles dating site.  The next semester I had them, they were engaged.  I had the privilege of attending their wedding and now they are happily married students pursuing life together.

Another student met her husband online.  While she attended school in Missouri, she spent breaks going to Florida in order to become better acquainted with her fiancée and his family.  They both live in Florida now and are happily married.  

After my son returned from Argentina, he became acquainted with a young woman from Chile whom he had met only once or twice while they were both in Argentina.  After becoming facebook friends, and then talking on the phone, then Skyping for a year, my son traveled to Chile.  They are now happily married and I'm thrilled to have her for a daughter-in-law. 

So, this isn’t the first time technology has changed the way we date.  Back in 1939, when my grandparents eloped on a motorcycle (and her father wasn’t very happy about it), the technology of the day enabled them to date and marry.   

Technology changes society.  As always, the cautions are the same now as they were in 1939.  Be careful.  Check out the person you are talking to, listen to that inner voice that has kept you safe so far.  Double date, that way you still have someone to talk to if s/he turns out to be a dud.  Get to know the person and meet in a public place.  Think with logic, not just emotion.  Don’t be afraid to say, “Sorry, this doesn’t feel right.  This doesn’t work for me.” 

 And when the time comes, don’t be afraid to say, “Yes!”

Banana Bread By the Bunches

                                                           Bananas by Lisa Aldridge

I have a husband and eight children who all love banana bread.  One time my husband went to the local grocery store and they had three carts full of ripe bananas for 5 cents per lb.  My husband bought a cart full!  I had to come up with a way to use lots of bananas because my family conspired to not eat the bananas in order to force me to make banana bread.

Visit my other website to see more of my paintings: http://www.aldridgeart.webs.com/page1.html

Banana Bread By the Bunches

3 1/3 c. sugar
1 2/3 c. butter or margarine
10 T. milk
10 eggs
8 3/4 c. flour
10 t. baking powder
5 t. baking soda
5 c. mashed bananas (about 10-15 bananas)
Optional: chocolate chips and/or nuts

Blend the sugar and margarine.  Add the milk and eggs, mix well.  Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda.  Then add the mashed bananas.  Mix thoroughly.  You can add chocolate chips, chopped pecans or walnuts as desired.  Makes about 10 miniature loaves or 5 large loaves.
Pour into greased loaf pans until they are about 2/3 full.  Bake 350 degrees.  If you are using miniature loaf pans bake for about 35 min. If you are using regular-sized loaf pans bake for about 55-60 min.

Enjoy warm or cool, spread with butter or eat all by itself.
Ciao!