HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE CAKE

 

 

 

·         2 cups sugar

·         1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

·         3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa

·         2 teaspoons baking soda

·         1 teaspoon baking powder

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         2 eggs

·         1 cup buttermilk or sour milk*

·         1 cup strong black coffee OR 2 teaspoons powdered instant coffee plus 1 cup boiling water

·         1/2 cup vegetable oil

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1.      Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan.Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in large bowl.

2.      Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes (batter will be thin).Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.

3.      Bake 30 to 35 minutes for round pans, 35 to 40 minutes for rectangular pan or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

4.      Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

5.      Frost as desired.

Notes:

·         To sour milk: Use 1 tablespoon white vinegar plus milk to equal 1 cup.

·         http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/

FASHION PATTERNS

 “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou

WORDS OF WISDOM

 “Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.”

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” 

“Tough times never last, but tough people do.”

 “Soon, when all is well, you’re going to look back on this period of your life and be so glad that you never gave up.” 

https://everydaypower.com

 

FATHER CHRISTMAS SLEEPING SURROUNDED BY LITTLE FURRY FRIENDS. - CHRISTMAS HUMOUR

 Three men die in a car accident on Christmas Eve. They all find themselves at the Pearly Gates waiting to enter heaven. On entering they must present something relating to or associated with Christmas. The first man searches his pocket, and finds some mistletoe, so he is allowed in. The second man presents a cracker, so he is also allowed in. The third man pulls out a pair of stockings. Confused at this last gesture, St Peter asks, 'How do these represent Christmas?' Answer: 'They're Carol's.'

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Q: What’s a good Christmas tip?
A: Never catch snowflakes with your tongue until all the birds have gone south for the winter.

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Q: A snowman loses weight in what way?
A: He waits for the weather to get warmer!

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Q: What a big candle says to a small candle on a Christmas Eve?
A: I am going out for dinner tonight.

AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL NATURE AND ARCHITECTURE.

 This, at least 2000 years old olive tree, is called "The Thinking Tree" by the locals. It is located in Puglia, in the South of Italy.

The Bosco Verticale / Vertical Forest high-rise complex in Milan, Italy. The plant life, which is said to equal 3 hectares of forests (20,000 sq m), not only moderates the temperature in summer and winter but also converts as much as 30 tonnes of CO2 each year. On top of that, it filters out dust particles, protects the residents from noise pollution and creates a microhabitat for insects and birds.

Medieval House

St.Paul de Vence / France

Stone House in Celorico de Basto, Northern Portugal. It is called Casa do Penedo (House of the Rock) because it was built from four large boulders that serve as the foundation, walls and ceiling of the house. Constructed in 1972.

Dress made from book spines by textile artist Sylvie Facon.

https://www.facebook.com/historyandarcheology

“Time spent with a cat is never wasted.” ― Colette

 “If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.”

― Mark Twain

“What greater gift than the love of a cat.”
― Charles Dickens

“Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat.”
― Mark Twain

“I have lived with several Zen masters -- all of them cats.”
― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTIONS

Christmas gift suggestions: 

To your enemy, forgiveness. 
To an opponent, tolerance. 
To a friend, your heart. 
To a customer, service. 
To all, charity. 
To every child, a good example. 
To yourself, respect. 

Oren Arnold

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.
Norman W. Brooks

(this is one of our favorite short Xmas poems it contains wisdom in its verses)

At Christmas A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;
He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season's here;
Then he's thinking more of others than he's thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.
Edgar Guest

May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.

Ada V. Hendricks