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25 July 2010

Posts Roundup of Dennys Blogs - 25 July 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion - serious and funny cartoons, recipes, science and health news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.






The Social Poets:


Cartoons: American and World Politics, Tea Party - 24 July 2010

Govt Justice Dept Wastes $100 Million on Partying With Taxpayer Money

Govt Sex Perverts: Pentagon, Govt Spooks Watching Child Porn - News Headlines 23 July 2010

Just How Angry Are Americans At Their Prez and Politicians?

Americans Sour on Economy, Obamas Better Plan to Manage Our Oceans - News Headlines 21 July 2010

Funny Economy Humor - Cheeky Quote Day 21 July 2010

Unemployed About To Get Relief, Brit PM Visit, Fox Lies About Govt Official - News Headlines 20 July 2010


Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 20 July 2010

Funny Video: Wanna Work in the Fields Like the Immigrants?

Funny Video: Colbert Talks Food For Thought - Canwich Setback

Funny Video: Colberts Automatic Weapons For The People


Obama Shouts At Republicans, What We Get Out Of Financial Reform - News Headlines 19 July 2010





Beautiful Illustrated Quotation:


So How Do You Measure Your Spiritual Progress?

How Psychic Are You? Fun Test and Spiritual Gifts






Dennys Funny Quotes:


Hunh?! Are You Crazy?! Cartoons - 24 July 2010

Recession Humor: Termination Letter to Employees

Funny GOP: From The Bush Years - Homeland Security Self-Exam

Funny Video: Economic Fun Fair by Mark Fiore





Dennys Food and Recipes:


Cake Tuesday: Lemon Honey Cake and Lemon Bread

Muffin Monday: Dennys Summer Fresh Muffins






The Healing Waters:


Why Are So Many People Addicted to Pain Meds? Numbers Up 400 Percent

Just How Fast Is Human Evolution?






The Soul Calendar:


BP Oil Spill Cartoons - 24 July 2010






Visual Insights:


Cartoons: American Economy - 24 July 2010



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets
The Social Poets Fav Bloggers
The Soul Calendar
Visual Insights
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations
Poems From A Spiritual Heart
The Healing Waters
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes

20 July 2010

Cake Tuesday: Lemon Honey Cake and Lemon Bread

*** For fellow Lemon Heads: get 2 awesome lemon recipes and armchair travel to a wonderful luxurious bed and breakfast inn located in Asheville, North Carolina.





From Denny: First off is a recipe from a Texas chef for which he is well known - Lemon Honey Cake. He even keeps his own bees and provides the honey! Now that's dedication to local food sources. :)

Check out a recipe for lemon bread from a wonderful bed and breakfast inn located in Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville is a beautiful town, full of friendly relaxed people and they are very proud of their small city. It's where the famed Biltmore House lives and is quite the community's featured attraction. When we used to live in Atlanta, Georgia, we would often drive up to The Biltmore during the Christmas season to hear the Christmas music and enjoy all the Christmas decorations and festivities on the grounds. We were close enough to go and return in one (long) day.

There is plenty more to entice you in Asheville as it's a great place for family vacations. There are pet friendly hotels and bed and breakfast inns like this one where your family can vacation in comfort.

Some of these bed and breakfast inns are quite luxurious, like some of the hotels, with some awesome amenities in this city. Asheville is a town where for the past 100 years the very wealthy from New York City come to summer vacation. There are hiking trails to enjoy, museums and more. The President and his family vacationed here early this summer as there is quite the golf course here.




*** Photo of Lemon Honey Cake from Bolsa Restaurant website


Lemon Honey Cake

From: Graham Dodds, executive chef of Bolsa Restaurant, here's a photo and short interview, go here. (Bolsa is Spanish for bag like in grocery bag.)

Makes: 1 (10-inch) cake

Ingredients:

Spray shortening and extra sugar, as needed to coat a cake pan

2/3 cup bread flour (not the usual all-purpose or cake flour, this is different)
1/2 tbl. baking powder
2/3 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 cup Texas honey (or fresh honey from your area)
2 lemons, zest removed and reserved
1/4 cup whole milk
1 stick butter, melted
Fresh berries, whipped cream and/or chunk of honeycomb for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray and 10-inch cake pan at coat with sugar, tapping out the excess sugar but making sure that the pan is evenly coated.

Sift bread flour, baking powder and 2/3 cup sugar together into a large bowl and set aside.

Place eggs, honey and lemon zest in a mixer and beat to a ribbon stage. (A ribbon stage is reached when a whisk or spoon moved through the mixture leaves a trail behind that is visible for a short while before merging back into the mixture.)

Squeeze lemons and gently fold the lemon juice and then the milk into the egg mixture.

Now, gently combine the flour mixture with the egg mixture, being careful to just incorporate the flour and not over beat the flour. The cake will come out tough if the flour is overworked.

Gently fold in the melted butter.

Pour the finished batter into a prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is light brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Serve with fresh berries and whipped cream or a chunk of honeycomb.





Lemons in blue bowl photo by Jill Clardy @ flickr


Meet Applewood Manor Inn

From the website: 1908 New England Style Inn, nestled on 1.5 acres, 6 blocks from downtown, service focused, relaxed, Pet Friendly Cottage.

Larry and Nancy Merrill are your hosts in this fine, old colonial turn-of-the-century Asheville bed and breakfast. Located in the historic Montford District of Asheville, NC, Applewood Manor Inn sits on its' quiet acre and a half of "country in the city" surrounded by giant oaks, pines, maples and a variety of flora. Yet the manor if just 3 miles from the breathtaking Biltmore Estate, a short 10-minute drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a 25-minute stroll past magnificent old homes to downtown Asheville.

Check in and unwind from your travels with a complimentary beverage in a rocker on one of five porches ... plan your next day's adventures to Smoky Mountain National Park, snow skiing, whitewater rafting, a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway during its glorious autumnal display, a visit to the world famous Biltmore Estate, or one of many local historical attractions of Asheville, "Land of the Sky." Later, Retire to your spacious room decorated with antiques, lace, and fine linen ... curl up to the cozy, working fireplace and get a refreshing night's sleep in a room garnished with fresh flowers.

Awaken to the smell of the Manor's fresh fare: Enjoy a cup of fresh brewed coffee or hot tea by the fireside in the parlor or living room or lounge on one of the Manor's multiple porches while Nancy & Larry prepare your three course breakfast of homemade bread with a side of cream cheese, seasonal fruit with sides of Nancy's "home brew" granola and vanilla yogurt, and varied and equally enticing entrees fit for the Lords and Ladies of the Manor.

After breakfast you may be off for a stroll in the nearby Botanical Gardens, a game of croquet or badminton in the yard, a brisk bike ride around the area or a walk through the historic neighborhood for a peaceful start to your day's activities. Upon your return from your adventures, pause a while by the fireplace in the parlor, or in the library with a calming cup of tea or other refreshments, good conversation or a good book, and look forward to another day of living well under the cordial roof here at Applewood Manor Inn.



Applewood Manor Inn
62 Cumberland Circle
Asheville, North Carolina 28801

Phone: (828) 254-2244
Fax: (828) 254-0899

email: innkeeper@applewoodmanor.com
Nancy & Larry Merrill, Innkeepers



*** Remember to support small business in your area and when you travel. Why stay at a Big Business hotel as you travel when you can stay in a more home like atmosphere of a bed and breakfast inn? The prices are comparable, the people friendlier and your stay will be memorable.





*** Another version of Lemon Bread photo by little blue hen @ flickr



Lemon Bread

From: Applewood Manor Inn

Ingredients:

1/3 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp slat
1/2 cup mild
Grated rind of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup sugar

Directions:

Cream butter (or margarine) & sugar. Add eggs and mix well. Add flour baking powder and salt. Mix and add milk and grated rind.

Bake at 350° in greased loaf pan for 50 minutes for 1 large loaf, or 30 minutes for 2 small loaves.

Mix together the juice of 1 lemon and 1/3 cup sugar. Pour mixture over bread while it is still warm. Can be made ahead and frozen.



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets
The Soul Calendar
Visual Insights
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations
Poems From A Spiritual Heart
The Healing Waters
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes

19 July 2010

Muffin Monday: Dennys Summer Fresh Muffins

*** Here's an easy summer muffin to beat the heat!




Photo by Denny Lyon


From Denny: Every now and then I take a break from writing all day - and bake! How many times have you found yourself all ready to enjoy some "food of love" time only to realize you are out of key ingredients? Not one to run to the grocery store in 106 degree heat index summer weather (see amusing poem), well, I got creative. :)

What I was wanting to bake was a simple sour cream breakfast muffin to go with Earl Grey tea. Of course, there was not enough sour cream - but hey, wait! There in the back of the fridge was a huge honking container of low-fat vanilla yogurt! Perfect. Of course, since it was low-fat then I would have to add back in some fat since this was a muffin.

Knowing how tart yogurt can be I added a bit extra sugar to the recipe. I like things just sweet enough but if you are a sweet person (and I know you are) you might like to use the top end of the sugar advised. Most people prefer things sweeter than I do. I've got way too many adult onset diabetics in my family that I've always taken precautions not to end up like them: miserable. But if this is not an issue for you, then by all means, indulge a little! :)

My husband kept asking me to place some dried pineapple in the muffins. Normally, I like dried cranberries or dried blueberries and they are wonderful. But this package of dried pineapple was just too sweet for me so I hit on the obvious idea to re-hydrate them. The softer pineapple in the muffin is divine and gives a hint of sweetness. You might prefer the dried pineapple, your choice. Fresh pineapple would be even more awesome though you would need to dry it off to get off excess moisture.

I like to clarify my butter, removing the milk solids which cause cholesterol problems. Frankly, I just like the taste of browned milk solids when the clarified butter goes to the dark brown stage. Folks in India call it "ghee." Just strain all the browned bits that mostly fall to the bottom of the pan. You can use this butter now for just about anything: frying your morning eggs, sauting veggies, put some on an uncooked pizza paired with a bit of extra virgin olive oil.

Lots of possibilities and clarified butter lasts longer. You can even freeze it for later. This clarified brown butter tastes divine in sweet baked goods too so I placed some in this recipe. If you don't have the time to clarify your butter, you can use it as is or just use all canola oil. Canola oil is wonderful for baked goods because it has a neutral flavor and is easily paired with a lot.

If you like a strong flavor of nutmeg, which imparts an intense fresh taste, use the full amount called for in the recipe. If you prefer your muffins less intense, a bit plainer, then use only half the amount called for in the recipe. Remember, if you want to bake these and place them in the freezer then it would be wise to use less nutmeg. Nutmeg has the habit of screaming at you if it has a chance to settle in and live a while before dining on the muffins. If you are eating the muffins fresh and within a day or two, even when stored covered in the fridge, then the stronger amount will be fine.

The muffins in these photos baked for the full 25 minutes. These muffins are very soft because of the sour cream and yogurt. I like to use paper or foil muffin cup liners as it helps to keep the muffins moist and not dry out. It also avoids a longer cleaning time on the baking pan. Yes, I'd rather spend my time enjoying the muffins instead of cleaning up after them.


Denny's Summer Fresh Muffins


Makes: 12 large to 15 medium muffins




Photo by Denny Lyon


Ingredients:

2 eggs
6 to 8 T. sugar (if you like sweeter use the 8 T.)
1/2 cup regular sour cream
1 1/2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt
2 T. clarified butter
2 T. canola oil
2 2/3 cups flour, sifted
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup re-hydrated dried pineapple pieces, drained


Directions:

Beat the eggs with a wire whisk until light. Add the sugar, sour cream, yogurt, butter and oil and stir well. Stir in the sifted flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Fill paper muffin cups about 2/3 full, otherwise they spill over into a mess.

Bake at 400 degrees F. for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.




Photo by Denny Lyon


By Denny Lyon
Copyright 18 July 2010
All Rights Reserved


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:
The Social Poets
The Soul Calendar
Visual Insights
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations
Poems From A Spiritual Heart
The Healing Waters
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes

18 July 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 18 July 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion - serious and funny cartoons, recipes, science and health news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.






The Social Poets:


Dark Humor: BP Oil Spill Cartoons - 17 July 2010

America, World Politics, Sports Cartoons - 17 July 2010

Sweltering Summer Heat poem - Libations Friday 9 July 2010

BP Plays Games With Oil Spill, Democrats Face Huge Losses in November

Funny Texting Quotes - Cheeky Quote Day 14 July 2010

Why Obama Is Failing Miserably At Running America

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 12 July 2010

Funny Video: Colbert Mocks Republican Men Hairstyles

Colbert: Rent a White Guy in China For Business Meeting Prestige

Funny Video: Colbert Rips Glenn Beck For His "Wildly Important" Work

Celebrity: Chelsea Clinton Wedding Day Details

Posts Roundup of Dennys Blogs - 11 July 2010




Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:


Kabbalah Quotes: How to Know You Are On The Right Path For You

Madonna Offends Traditional Jewish Kabbalists in Israel




The Healing Waters:


How To Exercise Effectively On A Hot Day: Drink A Slushie

How Bad Is High-Fructose Corn Syrup For Your Health?




The Soul Calendar:


Popular Funny X-ray Pin-Ups Calendar: Stripped to the Bone

Are These Fossils The Earliest Traces Of Complex Life?




Dennys Funny Quotes:


Hunh?! Cartoons - 17 July 2010

Funny GOP: Ridiculous Republicans Dictionary

Funny GOP: The 10 Commandments Republican Style

Funny LOL Work Jokes

Funny GOP: Limbaughs 18 Rules of Right Wing Talk Show Bombast

Funny GOP: Conservatives Prayer to Capitalism God




Dennys Food and Recipes:


How To Make Your Own Pimento Cheese Spread From Southern Living Magazine

Easy Healthy Dessert: Orange Gel n Fresh Fruit

Craving Ice: Is It A Sign of Anemia?

Cake Tuesday: 4 Cakes Celebrating America

Muffin Monday: Chocolate Chip Orange Muffins




Visual Insights:


Cartoons: America and Immigration - 17 July 2010

Funny Comic Betty White Gets Her Own Calendar

Photography and Poetry: Release Your Dreams and Spring into Life



*** Photo by heliosphan @ flickr


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets
The Soul Calendar
Visual Insights
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations
Poems From A Spiritual Heart
The Healing Waters
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes
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