3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 pound salmonberries (raspberries work, as well, if you're not in the NW US)
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream
Heat oven to 350-F. In a 2-quart saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter and brown sugar over medium-low heat, stirring to combine. Pour into a 9x2-inch round cake pan (I used a 9 3/4 x 3 3/4-inch bundt pan). Tilt the pan to spread the brown sugar mixture evenly. Arrange salmonberries in pan; 1 layer only. Set aside.
Melt remaining 1/2 cup butter. In a medium bowl, combine butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. With a mixer, beat at high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing just until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for 15 seconds. Add sour cream and mix until combined.
Pour batter over the top of fruit in the cake pan. Smooth gently. Bake cake until lightly brown and center of the cake is clean when a cake tester is inserted, about 1 hour. Cool on wire rack exactly 5 minutes. Place a cake stand or serving plate onto the cake pan and turn the cake upside-down onto the cake stand. Carefully life the cake pan straight up and away. Let cool 10 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature. Enjoy!
*Salmonberries are raspberry-like but light orange when ripe. Traditionally they were called salmonberries by Alaska natives because they look like salmon eggs. Raspberries would work in this recipe.
**Recipe is from "A Taste of Kodiak" and "Best of the Best from Alaska Cookbook"
***My cake is in the oven as I write this.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Crazy Chocolate Cake. Easy. Vegan.
Crazy Chocolate Cake
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
5 heaping tablespoons cocoa
3/4 cup sunflower oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups cold water
Mix all ingredients together. Bake in a greased and floured 9x13-inch pan (or 2 round cake pans) at 350 degrees F/180 degrees C for 35-40 minutes.
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
5 heaping tablespoons cocoa
3/4 cup sunflower oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups cold water
Mix all ingredients together. Bake in a greased and floured 9x13-inch pan (or 2 round cake pans) at 350 degrees F/180 degrees C for 35-40 minutes.
24 Old Wives' Tales Predicting Baby Gender
A great young mom that I know, Kathryn Washington, compiled this list of old wives' tales when she was pregnant. She had 17 predictors for girl, 4 for boy, and 3 inconclusive. And she had a boy.
Old Wives Tale #1: Heart Rate
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl. If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy. Prediction outcome:
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl. If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy. Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #2: Shape of Belly
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy.
Prediction outcome:
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #3: Ring Test
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.
Prediction outcome:
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #4: Acne
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones. Prediction outcome:
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones. Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #5: Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.
Prediction outcome:
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #6: Skin under Left Eye
The eye test is when a “V” or “branches” appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye. If you see a “V” or “branches” in the white part, you’re having a girl.
Prediction outcome:
The eye test is when a “V” or “branches” appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye. If you see a “V” or “branches” in the white part, you’re having a girl.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #7: Time of Conception
The person that is most aggressive in bed at the time of conception is the opposite of what the baby will be.
Prediction outcome:
The person that is most aggressive in bed at the time of conception is the opposite of what the baby will be.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #8: Legs
If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy. If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl.
Prediction outcome:
If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy. If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #9: Moodiness and a Little Pecker
If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you. Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy because there’s a little penis inside you.
Prediction outcome:
If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you. Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy because there’s a little penis inside you.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #10: Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.
Prediction outcome:
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #11: Mom’s Beauty
Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy. It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty. If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, a little boy it is.
Prediction outcome:
Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy. It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty. If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, a little boy it is.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #12: Dream of Sex of Baby
If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having. (I've had dreams of it being a boy, even before I got pregnant and also twins! Haha) Prediction outcome: GIRL
If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having. (I've had dreams of it being a boy, even before I got pregnant and also twins! Haha) Prediction outcome: GIRL
Old Wives Tale #13: Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.
Prediction outcome:
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #14: Side You Most Rest On
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl.
Prediction outcome:
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #15: Dad’s Weight Gain
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl. If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy.
Prediction outcome:
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl. If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #16: Breast Test
If a pregnant woman’s left breast is larger than the right breast, she’s having a girl. If the right breast is larger, it’s a boy. Prediction outcome:
If a pregnant woman’s left breast is larger than the right breast, she’s having a girl. If the right breast is larger, it’s a boy. Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #17: What Do You Think?
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.
Prediction outcome:
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #18: Morning Sickness
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl.
Prediction outcome: GIRL
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl.
Prediction outcome: GIRL
Old Wives Tale #19: Areolae
If your areolae (the part around your nips) have darkened, it’s a boy. If they haven't, its a girl.
Prediction outcome:
If your areolae (the part around your nips) have darkened, it’s a boy. If they haven't, its a girl.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #20: Protein
When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy. (Love dairy but really didn't want any meat) Prediction outcome:
When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy. (Love dairy but really didn't want any meat) Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #21: Feet
Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant? If so, you just might be having a boy. If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl.
Prediction outcome:
Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant? If so, you just might be having a boy. If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #22: Headaches
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.
Prediction outcome:
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #23: Baby Names
It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby.
Prediction outcome:
It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby.
Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #24: Urine
What color is your pee? If it is bright yellow, you will have a little boy. If your urine is a dull yellow, plan on a girl. Prediction outcome:
What color is your pee? If it is bright yellow, you will have a little boy. If your urine is a dull yellow, plan on a girl. Prediction outcome:
TOTAL GIRL:
TOTAL BOY:
TOTAL INCONCLUSIVE:
TOTAL BOY:
TOTAL INCONCLUSIVE:
Sunday, July 12, 2015
It's Been Awhile
Hey, readers!
It's been quite a long time since I've written anything. I never was a stickler for journals or diaries, and since this is similar...yeah...
Well, we no longer live in Germany. We arrived on May 23, 2015 in Alaska, to our permanent state (hopefully). We have chickens, a baby, and a great change of scenery. It is so beautiful here. Our daughter is the light of my life, and she is so silly. Right now, as I write this, she is running around nekkid, playing with her belly button while lunch is on the stove. The chickens just finished some cottage cheese and grapes, and are now moving on to the watermelon. Ginger shared some blueberries with her naked puppy. Camilla is probably sleeping in a closet somewhere.
Life is decent. ;)
It's been quite a long time since I've written anything. I never was a stickler for journals or diaries, and since this is similar...yeah...
Life is decent. ;)
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