PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

   My Mother is asking for me to bake her a pineapple upside down cake.  I don't eat pineapple, so I have never baked a pineapple upside down cake....why would I?  But, when my Mother asks for anything, it is my duty as her FAVORITE daughter to move heaven and earth to get it done for her.  Isn't that how it should be?  So, the recipe (from a box) follows:

1/2 C butter, melted

1     C firmly packed brown sugar

1 (20 oz) can pineapple slices, well drained--reserve liquid

10   maraschino cherries

1 pkg Pillsbury Moist Supreme Pineapple Flavored Premium Cake Mix

1     C reserved pineapple juice and enough water to equal 1 cup (may add cherry juice if there is not enough pineapple juice)

1/3 C vegetable oil

3     large eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Prepare pan:  line bottom with parchment paper, melt butter and pour in bottom of pan.  Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter.  Arrange pineapple slices over brown sugar, place cherries in center of each pineapple slice and any place you feel they should be (between slices, etc.)

Pan size/baking times:  13" X 9"/34 - 38 min.;

                                       two 8" round/34 - 38 min.;

                                       two 9" round/29 - 33 min.;

Combine cake mix, juice, oil and eggs in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed until moistened.  Beat 2 minutes at medium speed.  Spread evenly over fruit layer.

Bake at the allotted times for your pans or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Immediately invert cake(s) onto serving plate(s).  Serve warm.  Makes 16 servings.

You are also invited to visit with Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.

SO, THE WEATHER TURNED COOLER

SO, THE WEATHER TURNED COOLER

   So, the weather turned a little cooler.  I found a recipe in a recent WalMart circular for an interesting drink:

Frankenstein's Creamy Caramel Hot Chocolate

1 cup (8 oz) hot cocoa

1/4 C International Delight Hershey's Chocolate Caramel Gourmet

       Coffee Creamer

1 T caramel sauce

Combine cocoa and chocolate caramel creamer in a mug and stir to blend.  Drizzle with caramel sauce and enjoy

Serves 1

Doesn't that sound good?  Look out Starbucks!

   If that isn't enough, let's cook some chili:



3 lb ground chuck or chili meat

1 medium onion, diced

38 oz can of Ranch Style Beans

42 oz Pace Picante sauce

3 T chili powder

Brown the meat with the onions.  Drain.  In 5 qt Dutch oven, add the meat, onions, picante sauce and beans.  Cook over medium heat about 20 minutes.  Mix in chili powder until well blended.  Enjoy over hot dogs, corn chips, rice, crackers, or a number of different foods.

You are welcomed to share a favorite cool weather recipe with Oma in the comments section.

You are also invited to visit with Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com, and http://tbcspeaks.blogspot.com.



BROOKSHIRE BROTHERS GROCERY STORE/MRS SPRINGER

BROOKSHIRE BROTHERS GROCERY STORE/MRS SPRINGER

   It has been a really long day.  I had to work Saturday this week, a six day week.  A good time was had by all yesterday at the cemetery:  we observed All Soul's Day with the Priest giving Mass and blessing individual graves.  Then, we had a committal service with a mariachi band and releasing of the doves.  It was nice: a wonderful tribute to a life lived, one who touched many.

   So, today was just a long day.  And it was busy at work.  So, after work, I went back to Brookshire Brother's to, once again, try to redeem the rain check I have had for a while.  They ran a special for choice cut sirloin for $2.99/lb.  I have made four trips to purchased these steaks, today was the fifth trip.  I just wanted to get the steaks and go home and kick my feet up.

   The meat department was open this time.  So, I got a shopping cart and headed back to it.  The butcher was there.  Well, maybe this time.....   But he had no whole sirloins that he could sell me.  The truck wouldn't be back until Monday.  There were small packages of the steaks in the show case, so I asked if I could just buy a couple of them at the adjusted price until they could accommodate the rain check.  The butcher, Alan,  called over a manager.  Alan asked if I was the woman who had been trying to get these steaks for a period of time.  Yes, that's me.  Obviously I was the talk of the store. 

   The manager was tall and young.  He was such a man.  He was strutting his stuff, looking down on this old woman and stating in no uncertain terms that the rules were the rules.  He could not sell the smaller packages at that price.  And what?  You can't even locate the rain check?  Well, no.  It must be in the truck.  I have been working on this for a while.  Again, no.  He would not sell the smaller packages for the reduced price.

   I was tired.  I left the shopping cart at the meat market and thanked Alan.  Then, on my way out, I stopped by the customer service window to leave my card with my blog address on it and advised that I would be posting about the trouble I have been having trying to purchased the steaks.  The lady behind that counter wasn't a  big as a minute.  She was older and exuded calm and authority.  She stated that she would sell the smaller packages to me and help make things right.

   Well, that knocked my socks off!  I just thought I would give them all a big laugh that I was having so much trouble.  She turned things around and asked Alan to help me.  He not only allowed me a couple of the smaller packages, but would put one of the whole ones back for me and hold it until I could get back to buy it.

   Customer service brings your customers back with their friends.  Thank you, Mrs Springer.  When I paid for my items, the staff all agreed that Mrs Springer walked tall among them.  She has earned their respect.

What are your experiences?  You are welcomed to leave a comment.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.