Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

I hope everyone has a fun and Safe Halloween!

Poor Toby

My poor Toby has an ear infection. I noticed this weekend that Toby's ears seemed to be bothering him. He was constantly scratching them, or rubbing them on the carpet. So, I took him to the vet this week, and my poor baby has an ear infection. Cocker Spaniel's are known to have problems with their ears, because of the way their ears hang. The Dr. did say that Toby's weren't as bad as some Cockers that he has seen. He gave me some cleanser to put in his ears twice a day, and an antibiotic to put in his ears once a day. The thing is, Toby hates for anyone to mess with his ears. So, three times a day, I have to wrestle with him until he submits and lets me put the drops in. I think I need a visit from the Dog Whisperer. I have to do the drops for 10 days, and I'm only on day 2. Please say a prayer for me.

Gatlinburg Pictures

This past weekend, Andrew and I went to Gatlinburg, TN. We were only there one night, but we had a great time. Here are some pictures from our trip.

View from the Parkway

At the top of the mountain

Visiting Ober Gatlinburg

View from the Top of the Mountain

Waiting to eat at the Old Mill

At the Old Mill
The big rocking chair!

Fresh Apple Pound Cake with Brown sugar topping

I found this recipe on the Apple Barn Website. It did take a long time to make, but it was so worth it! This might be one of the best cakes that I have ever made. The brown sugar topping is more like a caramel, which is fine with me. Think Pecan Pie - in cake form. So Good!!

Fresh Apple Pound Cake with Brown Sugar topping
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups corn oil
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups pecans, finely chopped
2 cups pared apples, finely chopped
Brown Sugar Topping ingredients:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
2 teaspoons milk
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
Instructions
Sift flour, soda and salt onto a platter or waxed paper. In a large bowl beat oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla at medium speed of electric mixer for 3 or 4 minutes until well blended. Gradually add flour mixture; beat until smooth. Fold in pecans and apples. Pour batter into a greased and floured bunt pan. Bake in a preheated 325 oven about 1 hour 20 minutes, or until cake tests done. Cool on wire rack 20 minutes. Serve warm or cold. Store in foil or tin can for a day or two. Yield: one 10" bunt cake, 22 to 24 servings Brown Sugar topping: Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil over medium heat; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Spoon hot sugar mixture over warm cake.

Cheap Japanese and great conversation

Last night, I met my dear friend Jessica for dinner at Fuji Express. We don't see each other very often, so it was a treat to get to eat dinner with her. Not only was the cheap Japanese food really good, we had great conversation. Having her as a friend is a real blessing to me. Thanks Jessica for being a great friend.

Yesterday was also my nephew Jalen's Birthday. I went by to see him and give him his birthday gift. He loves wrestling action figures, so I gave him some to add to his collection. He is such a sweet boy. I hope you had a wonderful Birthday Jalen! I'm looking forward to your party!

I got to see Leilani too. She is getting so big!

Christmas Cactus in October??

Well, it seems that October is a little confused. Last week - tomatoes, this week - Christmas cactus. They call it a Christmas Cactus for a reason. It blooms in December. I guess mine is a little eager to get the holiday season started. This Cactus is in my office at work. I have one at home that hasn't started yet, and doesn't look like it will bloom anytime soon. It really is beautiful, don't you think.

Tomatoes in October?!?!?!

Believe it or not, I still have tomatoes growing on my plant. It is the middle of October, and my tomato plant is still producing fruit!! It might not be big fruit, but it is still fruit!

Our day in the Country

This past weekend, Andrew and I drove up to Hendersonville, NC. We ate lunch at A Day in the Country, and then made our way to Grandad's Farm. We got some Apples and a pumpkin. We also got a carmel apple, hot apple pie, and a apple cider slush. Instead of coming home the same way we went up there, we decided to go down through Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. The leaves are still pretty green up there, but it was a beautiful day in the mountains. I had my camera with me the whole day, and didn't take one picture until we got to my parents house. This is in front of my dad's "set."

Blogging

I saw this on Jim's Blog and thought it was too funny.

One of those weeks!

It's just been one of those weeks. But my wonderful, loving husband surprised me in the middle of the week with these:

Thank you Andrew for knowing exactly what I needed. I Love You!