Kids Say The Darndest Things!

If you have had or are having the pleasure of being around small children, you know they are totally uninhibited in what they say and to whom. If there is an obese person around, they are as likely as not to point it out and ask why?! They just don't hold anything back.

I remember one of my little cousins asking my Grandmother, "why have you got so many cracks in your face?" Another time when one of the children was particularly hungry and was asked to say grace...we got "Grace" and not another word!

The little one above was switching down the hall of the hotel when we were at the beach and I told her she was switching her butt. She turned around and looked indignantly at me and said, "I am NO smoochiebutt!"...she's still stuck with that little moniker.

I point all this out to say just one simple thing. Remember those precious times. The time passes so quickly and they grow up so fast. Soon they will have the pressures of the teen years and high school and college. Adulthood arrives all too soon, and we forget the simple joys of living.

Today is a gorgeous Fall day here in Central Georgia. I think Lucille and I will head for the Georgia National Fairgrounds this afternoon, and dine on large, greasy onion rings. We will watch the children ride the rides on the Midway and scream and giggle with delight and remember fondly our own childhoods and that of the children we loved.

Kevin will be there all weekend demonstrating chip carving and power carving in one of the large buildings. Hardwood-designs.net is his web page...he has done, and is still doing some lovely things. I think he is carving Santa's for a friend of ours today.

So, find your "inner child" and take off for the fair and share a funnel cake or onion rings or one of those giant Turkey Legs! Look at the animals and watch the children...enjoy!

It's A Rainy Day In Georgia - Upside Down Apple Cake

We are definitely UNDER the clouds today! I heard the rain begin during the night when it began pounding on the roof of my porch. We need the rain here as we are behind for the year by quite a bit.

It is strange though that we can go forever without rain, and some how EVERY year during the Georgia National Fair we get rain! I hate it for the vendors and the fair goers. So many of the traveling vendors make much of their money for the entire year at these annual fairs, and the rain really hurts their income.

I can't believe some of the rides people actually volunteer and PAY to ride! They look more like torture than fun to me...getting slighshot into the air just doesn't sound like fun. I often wonder why people love to be scared to death on a fair ride, but are afraid of flying in an airplane? Go figure.

Because it is such a gloomy Columbus Day..I have decided to provide you with a lovely, decadent recipe to help you through the day. It is Apple Season, and there are plenty available at decent prices, so let me share this one I just found with you. Eat up.

RECIPE OF THE DAY

UPSIDE DOWN APPLE CAKE

9 servings Bake at 350F for 55 minutes Cool 25 minutes

1/3 cup cold unsalted butter, cut up
6 very small red cooking apples (1 and 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds total)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

(Great with Ice Cream)

1. Heat oven to 350. Place cold butter in a 9x9x2 inch baking pan. Place in 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes or until butter is melted. Meanwhile, halve apples, remove stems. With a melon baller or small spoon, scoop out apple cores. Sprinkle brown sugar over melted butter; stir. Arrange 9 apple halves in butter mixture, cut sides down. Return to oven and bake 10 to 15 minutes or until bubbly.

2. Meanwhile, peel and coarsely shred remaining 3 apple halves; set aside. In a medium bowl combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and spices. Add shredded apple, milk, 1/3 cup softened butter, egg and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Spoon batter gently over apples in pan, spreading evenly (some apple may still be exposed and some butter mixture may come to the surface.)

3. Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Loosen edges and invert onto serving platter. Spoon any topping left in pan over the top of cake. Cool about 20 minutes; serve warm with ice cream. YUMMY

Per serving 315 Calories, 13g fat, 3g protein, 47g carb, 2g fiber, 157mg sodium,56 chol.