The War Was Over Big Government, Not Slavery

     Speaking of the Civil War, which coincidentally was not over slavery, as the winning yanks would have you think, but was in fact over the federal government trying to take away the states supreme right to govern itself and the feds were starting to tax like crazy.  Back then all of the wealth was in the southern states…each state was like it's own country and were some of the wealthiest little countries on the planet back then, all from agriculture, like sugar cane.  The feds didn't want all of it's bank roll to leave the union and so they started a war.  Plain and simple.  That is why the european nations were on our side and was the only reason the president signed the bill abolishing slavery was to keep the europeans from coming over and helping the south.  Do some research, you'll see it's true.  But for now, check out this beautiful southern cake!
 We made a General Robert E. Lee Cake recently.  I could not find my other 9" round cake pan and so we had to do square layers. But it is still a pretty cake and turned out really well.  It is one of the types of cakes where you have to separate the eggs and do them separately in the batter.  It also has no butter in it.  So the layers are light and a little spongy, like sponge cake.
    You have a lemon jelly/pudding in between the layers.  My daughter was keen  and did a great job with the stirring while this was in the double boiler.
     Then you have an orange lemon butter icing that has coconut in it and on it.  I only use coconut that is natural with out the chemicals in it.  I buy it frozen in little bags…works great and won't kill you either…lol.
     If anyone wants the recipe I will post it. I got it from an older southern cake book.  It takes a dozen eggs to make this cake…no salt, and no baking soda, either.  Loved the experience of making this, especially with my daughter!  A real blessing from God to be able to do that!
     And no, I am not a food photographer.  Don't want to be one either.

Blessings God Provided

I wanted to blog about some of the material blessings God has given us.  Today He gave me some good deals on bakeware.  

This was only $6.88.  It had been 23 dollars originally.   

I can use it to make small loaves to give to people.  

This was only 11 dollars.  It was originally 37 dollars.

I like that the large pan is deeper than the standard glass dishes I normally bake in.

         He also gave me a good deal on extra ramekins.  I got four for $1.18 each, instead of $3.99 each.  Yay!  I am going to use those for flan, pudding, pot pies, you name it.
      I am a little unsure about the mini loaves pan because it says oven safe to 375 when I usually bake bread at 425.  I am not sure about that.  I may return or regift it.  Can I just bake the bread at a lower temp?  How do you do the Fahrenheit symbol on the computer?  Questions, questions....

    Here is a blessing that we got last year.  It is our new used dining room set.  6 chairs, a table, with two leaves.  It was only $60 dollars!   It even came with the chair cushions which were brand new. Praise God!
    We have also gotten two deep freezers, at different times, each for 75 dollars. One was an upright that needed a little cleaning and a little touch up paint.  And one was commercial chest freezer. Great deals that God provides when you trust on Him!