Rainy Days in Georgia!

It has been raining all over the Southeast for the last few days...I hate it for the people who have had the last week booked at the beach.  Although, I find it quite beautiful, those who come there for the sun haven't had much of it this week!  

It has been raining here in Georgia too.  As much as we need the rain, by the time it gets to 48 hours straight of the wet stuff, I am ready to see the SUN again!  So, what do you do on a rainy day in Georgia?  Well today, Ashlyn and I have decided to make jewelry.  She loves to make earrings and has gotten very good at it.  That's her, displaying two of her latest creations!  I believe in encouraging the creative and artistic side of children, which so often gets lost in our technological/computer games world!  Liv is at home with Mommy doing LEGO's which allow creativity too.

Buddy the dog is just looking for a place to hide...he HATES rain.  He actually trembles all over when it starts and goes and hides in the bathroom a lot of the time.  He is ready for the rain to go away.

I cook on rainy days.  Today I am replenishing the "diet" soup I keep on hand.  It keeps me from eating the wrong things and is handy to have around for those "munchy" times.  It is so simple to make from what you have in your pantry that there is no excuse not to have it around all the time.  Here is a simple recipe you can follow to make your own.

1 Can diced tomatoes

1 quart of Chicken Stock

1 Large Onion

4-5 large stalks Celery

1 Medium Sized bag frozen mixed Vegetables

1 or two sliced carrots

1 quart of water

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Now, if you love cabbage (and I do!) you can chop and add 1/2 of a medium sized cabbage to this.  You can also add okra if you are a gumbo fan.  Sometimes I just put in all the left over vegetables I have in the fridge too.  Stay away from the starchy ones as much as possible to avoid the extra carbs.  I don't use potatoes for example.  Limited amounts of beans are great.  In fact, I often add kidney beans or black beans.  If you want to turn this into a "Taco" soup, just add a package of Taco Seasoning Mix and 1 Package of Ranch Dressing Mix and an extra can of beans!  It's great!!!

All of this is so low in calories that you can actually eat it at will and not worry about whether or not it will end up on your hips!

So, if you are looking for something to do on this rainy day...Make Soup! and warm up.

Just an FYI for my local readers....I have found a great Pizza place which is locally owned and operated by a young family.  The pizza is fresh, the flavors are fantastic and I believe in supporting locals and getting away from the chain operated restaurants as much as possible.  DiGiorgio's is exactly the kind of place I love.  Their Chicken Pesto Pizza is to die for and I have heard the White Pizza is too.  They have lots of choices of toppings and sizes from 12" to 16".  They also serve Caesar and Greek Salads, as wll as Calzones, Meatball Subs and Hot wings.  Prices are reasonable, and the food is great.

DiGiorgio's is located in the Zebulon Road Kroger shopping center just a couple doors down from the Theater.  Hours are Sun-Tues 11 am - 9 pm

Wed-Sat 11 am - 10 pm.

478-474-0000

www.DiGiorgiosPizza.com

They also do take out and delivery!

Give them a try, you won't be sorry you did!

God Bless - Peace, Love and Joy!

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.