Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Oh Maybelline! (and other tidbits)


I never thought it would happen.  Not before the snow arrived, nor afterwards.  Okay, so I named my dryer - Maybelline.  Don't you?

She's back to work!  Yay!  No more fighting weather and birds.  I, of course, will use the clothesline all winter when I can, but it is most comforting to know I have a way to dry large items now.  Phew!


Just in case you want to know, my washing machine is named "Willy." 


Update on Winter Rain Barrel Care:

An update on preparing our rain barrels for winter.  Well, Hubby said drain them 1/2 way, but the more I researched, the better we are to drain them completely.  I also flipped them all upside down, so they can't retain water throughout winter.  I did not bring them in, as warm and dry temperatures are bad for them.  I could take them to the barn, where they would stay cold, but what's the point, if I can simply flip them over, right? 

So...that's my take on winter rain barrel care.  I'll let you know if my decision was worthy next spring.


Update on new recipes:

I don't have a photo, because they devoured the peanut butter cake.  Do you remember book I checked out of the library, Pioneer Lady's Country Christmas?  I wrote down the recipe and made it.  Delicious!  It's wonderful without the frosting too.  

Martin's Peanut Butter Cake
(from Pioneer Lady's Country Christmas, by Jane Watson Hopping)


3 cups of sifted all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used my homemade vanilla)
1 cup milk (I used organic)
2 eggs (I used our farm fresh eggs)
2 cups, packed, light brown sugar
1 cup peanut butter (crunchy perferred), at room temperature (I had creamy on hand, so I used that)
1/2 cup butter, margarine, softened at room temperature (I used organic real butter)
Simple Powdered Sugar Glaze (page 24 in the book) or Fudge Frosting (page 61 in the book), optional

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Grease a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan; set aside.

Into a medium-size bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.  Add the vanilla to the milk; stir in the eggs and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, peanut butter, and butter, beating until light.  Stir in the flavored milk alternately with the flour mixture, beating after each addition.  Turn int the prepared pan.  Bake until golden brown and firm to the touch.  About 45 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cake cook in the pan set on a wire rack.  Serve frosted or unfrosted with piping hot coffee.

Note:  This cake is thick and rich.  Although the recipe calls for a "13 x 9 x 2" pan, I think I will make this in a large sheet pan next time (adjusting the baking time).  It's a very dense cake if you make it in the pan is calls for.  I think I'd make it in a 13 x 18 x 1 inch pan maybe?  If you find yourself using a lot of peanut butter this time of year (for baking goodies), use some to try this recipe.  Next time I will add frosting to it.  For Hubby's birthday, I may even sprinkle some chopped peanut butter/chocolate candies on top too.



5 comments:

Willow said...

Ha I cherish a good breeze and line drys when it's possible , but love my dryer too when needed !

Sam I Am...... said...

I love pb so I copied this one for sure. I thought you meant Pioneer Woman who has her own blog and now her own show on the Food Network but Pioneer Lady is someone else.
That looks like a brand new dryer....it broke down? That's not right but glad it's working again for you.
Did you get snow? We did, over a foot and cold...9 degrees this morning....is this the new South?
TTYL! I baked today and now I'm off to climb in bed and read and do some handwork...not at the same time of course. LOL!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Willy and Maybelline...oh! I laughed so hard at this! You're so funny...and yes, I did want to know. (how'd you know I'd ask?) ;)

as to the rain barrel. This is all good information, with our mild winters (more than severe winters...which it looks like we're having right now) this rain barrel care isn't something I'd give a second thought. But ...like is said, RIGHT NOW...good information.
thanks!
Pat

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

I honestly don't know how or why I came up with those names. It's like our vehicles too. Most of them have names, ha ha! One day the names just popped out of my mouth. Ha ha! So I kept them.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

As for Maybelline...she's lookin' good because she's only 5 years old. She's still got a fire burn mark on her side, from the propane leak/lightening fire thing from this year, but she's working grand now. Yay!