My Scottish Fold

Here is my kitty, a Scottish Fold.  She was bred for a barn cat in Scotland to find and catch critters.  She has ears that are "folded back" almost flat to her head and people that first see her ask what is wrong with her ears! 

She is a great hunter and gets along with my chickens, sometimes pretending to stalk them just to drive them crazy.  They are bigger than she is!  She loves to hunt gophers and mice, leaving little presents at the back door.  She is quite rare. 

I would like to hear from any of you who might have one of these cats. 

Bake this Apple Bread for Fall

I really like the fall season because the crisp  air and the color of the trees.  The apples and pumpkins are screaming to be picked for making our kitchens smell delicious.  I found my old "standby recipe" for glazed apple bread which is always nice to have one in the freezer, just incase an old friend drops in for a visit.

This is good with coffee or tea--morning or evening. 

                                                                          Glazed Apple Bread

1/ 2 cup of canola oil

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 large egg

2 cups unbleached flour

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup raisins

2 large apples, finely chopped

1/2 cup walnuts chopped

Glaze;

1/2 cup powdered sugar,1 tablespoon water, 2 tablespoons melted butter. 

Combine oil, sugar, and vanilla.  Cream until light and fluffy  Add eggs and beat well.  Sift together flour,cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.  Add milk, raisins,apples, nuts, and dry ingredients to mixture and stir only until well dampened.  Bake in a 9x3 loaf pan at 350 for 60 minutes.  Cool, remove from pan.  Combine glaze ingredients, mix well, and pour over loaf.  Let glaze set before wrapping loaf tightly.

Make one for right now and save one for company in your freezer. 

Happy fall baking!

Borrow a Thumb Tack?

      Hi everyone!


Since this blog is called "Thumb Tacks"  I started to think about all the uses of thumb tacks.  I use them for everything.  In the kitchen I use them to hang pretty dish towels, calenders,  and pumpkin swags for over the windows.  I have even used them to hold bunches of mint leaves and basil leaves when I am drying them.  I like the old fashioned ones that have a flat head.  I believe they hold much better than the push pin kind.

Some people use them for hanging delicate beaded necklaces and odd pieces of jewelry.  Out in the chicken pen I use them to tack up the plastic feed bags in the winter to keep out the snow and cold.  They work great.

I would like to know what you use them for.  Maybe we could all learn something if you care to share your thoughts on this.  I am always looking for new ways to make life a little easier.

Hope your day is filled with precious ideas and suggestions.

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