Zumba Halloween Costume Party

We had fun at the Zumba Halloween party.  Justine asked Brittany, her friend and Aaliyah, my great-niece to come with us.  I didn't get a picture of Aaliyah in her costume.  Justine won a trophy for the scariest costume - a zombie.    

I was proud of myself - as I was able to "do" the whole 1 1/2 hrs. of Zumba.  I was even more surprised when I got there and saw 2 of my friends, Sue and Sue.  My girls said "Mom, now you have some friends to dance with."  I did.  I didn't know that they did Zumba.  It was fun!  

For a funny story.  I went to Goodwill to look for a costume.  I found this huge heart - how cute, since you do Zumba to be heart healthy.  I saw it had some writing on it - I, Heart, You.  I just assumed it said something like "I love you."  Thankfully, when I showed it to Justine, she told me to read it...it actually said "I have a Heart on for You" - aaaaahhh how embarrassing.  So, Justine, helped me find this bumble bee one.  Thank goodness.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Low Fat Apple Fritter Cake

I own a lot of old cookbooks.  I love to look at recipes and see how I can lighten them up or recreate them somehow.  I found this old recipe for an apple cake.  I studied it and came up with my own recipe I am calling Low Fat Apple Fritter Cake.  It is really good.  I wanted to get a picture of a piece of cake - however, it was gone too fast.  I shared some with my friend Kathy and took the rest to bible study.  I had many compliments, so I decided to share the recipe with you guys.

Low Fat Apple Fritter Cake

Dry:  2 1/2 C flour
          2 t baking powder
          2 t baking soda
          1/4 t salt
          1 1/2 C sugar
Stir together in keep in separate bowl

Wet:  2/3 C applesauce
          2/3 C low fat or no fat yogurt
           2 t vanilla
           3 eggs
Wisk all of this together in a bowl

Set this to the side and work on the apples.  We have had an abundant apple year.  I used some from our trees, we don't spray our trees, so they aren't the prettiest.  

Then cut up the apples.  I used this peeler without the slicer to peel them.  I then cored them and cut the sections in half.  

6 C apple chunks
1 T cinnamon 
1/2 C brown sugar
Stir together till apples are coated with spice

Pour 1/2 of batter in a 9 x 13 pan (spray the pan), dump in the apples and pour the other 1/2 over the top.  I did sprinkle some brown sugar on the top of the cake before baking.  Bake 350 for 55-60 minutes.

       
I was thinking that you could use this same batter mix with rhubarb, blueberries, cherries, peaches or pears as well.  I plan to keep this one as a "go to".  I hope you try it out.   Enjoy.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Grand Repeats Holiday Open House

It is that time, to think about the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I love this time of year.  For me, it all about God and family.  Thankful for His blessings and His coming to earth for our salvation.  

I have been on a roller coaster of sales; getting ready for sales and setting up sales.  I will have items for the open house - however, as the season progresses, I will bring in more.  I will keep adding my hand made art and repurposed items - for your gift giving needs.  More posts to follow.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Easy Crock Pot Pea & Bean Soup

This is something anyone can make.  It is one of those "fix it and forget it" meals.  Very inexpensive!

I started out with some veggies from my garden - carrots, potato and onion.  

I always have on hand this antique jar filled with different types of dry peas and beans:  lentils, red and white beans, yellow and green peas, black eye peas, etc. - watch for sales on these items.  You can get a whole bag for $1 or less.  I just buy several and mix them in my jar.  This will last months and cost you pennies per serving.

Those are pork hocks - from a pig I knew - home raised.

Dice up, add some garlic and put all of this in the crock pot.  Put in 1 - 5 ratio of bean/pea to water (1 cup beans to 5 cups water).  Salt and pepper.  You can add whatever herb or spices you like.  Al likes things more plain.  You could even use chicken or vegetable stock for the water.  

Cook on low/medium all day - that's it.  I was gone today, so I wasn't home to check the water level - you need to check on that - just add enough liquid to your liking.  

Super easy, fall apart tender and really good!  Enjoy

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Our Farrier's View Points - Lesson 1

A farrier is the person who trims hooves.  Our farrier is a "colorful" person.   Jim, loves to talk and share funny stories and jokes.  Some of which I'm sure others find offensive!!

Yesterday, he told me something he said to one of his other clients.  Keep in mind, Jim served as career military, is a veteran, serving our country in Iraq, conservative and opinionated.  He actually makes me think about stuff after he leaves.  Most of his humor goes over my head...I "get" it after he leaves, or I ask Al what it means.   I know, I'm not too bright sometimes.  

So, yesterday he tells me this story: "at my last client's place, I was watching a barn cat nursing her kittens.  I say to the customer, who is a 'liberal', your mama cat is a republican.  She says, Jim why would you say such a thing....(I proceed to explain to her why our welfare system is broke, using her cat as my example)...well, your mama cat will nurse and take care of those kittens, wean them and teach them how to hunt and take care of themselves...she won't let them keep sucking on her forever.  That is why she is a republican."  

I asked him is she was mad - "yes, she was - but, she didn't know what to say..."  Sometimes, I don't know what to say either, so I know how the other customer was feeling.  

However, over the past 6 years of his coming here, he has really left me thinking about stuff.  Some of which I will share in posts labeled "our farrier's view points." 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Motivation Monday - Reasons to Exercise

If you know me, this is my opinion of exercise:

My "hate" of exercise probably goes back to my being the last picked and chubbiest one in gym.  I have had such hurt feelings when it comes to anything athletic that I don't even try.  In fact, exercise is like a 4 letter word - in my vocabulary.

I just don't enjoy it.  I know everyone who has a work out routine says:  "I love it - I feel so good when I am done."  Ya, ya, ya...I've never experienced that.  I "work out" - lift bales of hay, buckets of feed, pieces of furniture up flights of steps .... but, these are not increasing my heart rate or burning off lots of calories. 

I have lost 40 pounds this past year - 35 of that on Weight Watchers.  I've done that without doing "any" real exercise.  I have lost slow and steady - this was my plan.  I know that I have been on an up 1 down 1 pound game - maintaining what I have lost for a few weeks.   I realize now is the time I need to get moving.

My daughter, Justine, has been doing Zumba for over a year.  She loves it.  I thought I would give it a try.  I was worried I would be the oldest and biggest one there - I wasn't.  It was hard for me to keep up with the instructor - but, I did what I could do.  Others were at different levels as well - but, we all were moving.  I actually had fun and liked it!  

I know that I need to exercise in order to continue losing.  I probably won't ever have a "love affair" with exercise.  I just need to find something I "like" and keep doing it.  

Motivational reasons to exercise:  spending time with my daughters at Zumba, doing something for "me", burning off more so I can eat more (food is a motivator for me), losing now so I can move later, tightening up "saggy" skin left from weight loss, losing more weight .... you get the picture.  

Just start - just get up and do something, anything is better than sitting.  You will feel better about yourself, when you take care of yourself.  I will use my favorite quote here as well..."only you are in control of your ..... " what you do...including exercise - no one can do it for you.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

P.S.  If you live near here, Friday night is a Zumba costume party at Northland Lutheran High School in Kronenwetter.  This is a fund raiser for Bethany Day Care (where Justine worked).  I plan to go...now for a costume....

Popplewood 4-H Project Night - Potato Soup

On Saturday, at the Ringle Harvest Day, our club had a food booth.  We had some left over items, so as not to waste them, we got together last night for a "Potato Soup Supper."  We cleaned, peeled, chopped all the veggies for the potato soup.  When it was cooking, we made up cheesy biscuits.   We ate, then divided up the leftovers - I know what we are having tonight for supper.   Here are some pictures of the kids working and having fun!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.