Author: jachancellor

Daughter of the King, wife to hubby David, Mom to Carmen and Stephen. Lover of the Razorbacks, Gastric Sleeve 5/16/16, Lupus Warrior.
bundt · cake mix · Nutella · Recipes

Nutella Marbled Bundt Cake

jachancellor3 Comments

I had this yellow cake mix, and wanted to make some sort of marbled cake with it.  I love my Mom’s bundt pan. So…

 I used about 1 cup of Nutella, mixed together with an egg.  
Used 3 eggs, 1 stick butter, and 1/3 cup water per the cake mix instructions. 
 I used 1 egg and about 1 cup of nutella, mixed.  
I also added about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the nutella mix.

I added 1 teaspoon of almond extract and about 2/3 cups of mayonnaise, yes mayonnaise! 
My Mom used to use it–swore that it made the cakes moist.  And, I believed her.  I mixed together the cake mix and mayo.  Took about 1/3 of the mix and mixed it with the nutella and egg mixture.  

Sprayed the pan, and coated it with flour.  (I always use too much flour.)  
Pour the yellow mix in.  Drop the pan onto the counter several times to 
make sure that it is even (and to release any air bubbles).  Spoon over the nutella mix.  
Take a knife and slice into the yellow mix (this should make your swirl).  
Add the remaining batter. Drop pan again making sure all bubbles come to the top.
Follow the directions for a bundt pan on the cake mix (38-43 minutes) at 375 degrees
in the middle part of your oven.  Remove when done (use a cake tester).  
Cool on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes.  
Invert onto a plate.  Once cake is completely cooled, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top.
Not really swirled – all of the chocolate mix went to the bottom (or top) it was too heavy.  
I will have to lighten this part up next time (although my family says NO).
It is really moist!  I sound surprised! ha.  It really is though.  
You don’t have wait 3 days for this one to be really moist.
My family raved about it so much, David had seconds.  So much for this being for the entire week.  =)

Enjoy!
lupus · Random Stuff · thoughts

Down Days

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The weekend has become my down time.   Monday through Friday I work outside the home.  One day, hopefully sooner than later, I will be able to work from home.  But for now that is the way life has it.  I have been off of the medicines recommended by my RA doctor for over a year now.  Overall, I believe that I have less issues without the side effects from the medicine than being on so many different prescriptions.  I hate taking pills.

Although there are days that are extremely difficult with joint pain, and fatigue.  Weekends seem to get me more now than ever.  The weather is becoming really nice outside, and with low humidity.  This just makes me sad.  I  need to rest, if I don’t – Monday will not be a good day, or the rest of the week.  I have off Labor Day Monday, but we had activities this weekend.  The family goes and does, and here I sit, resting, with my hips throbbing, and thoroughly exhausted.  I slept until 1030 or until my back couldn’t take it anymore.  You would think that I had plenty of sleep.  Nope, not today.  I have been focusing less lately as well.  It has been a long while that I have felt this bad. 

So another weekend, and I have spent my time either in bed or on the couch.  I am grateful that my determination is better come Mondays but overall, I still don’t feel well.  Days like today I wonder if I should go back on the medicines, but they seem to make the bad days every other day, then allow me to wait until the weekends.

So, the house is quiet, and I think it is time for a nap. 

family · football · husband · kids

SEC Football

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Life seems back to normal around here.  Fall is in the air.  Not really, but it seems that way since football has begun.  My family is divided in teams.  I am an Arkansas Razorback girl.  David is a graduate from LSU, hence he is a fan of the tigers.  Carmen was a little razorback, then LSU (all because we saw a game), and Stephen is a razorback but really doesn’t like football .Talk is cheap when it comes to football,  but in the SEC we talk big.  Whether you bleed in purple and gold, red and white, orange and blue…enjoy the game. Spend time with family and friends.

And Go Hogs!
This was taken in November of 2007.  We, as a divided family, 
attended the Boot Game (Arkansas and LSU).
 A very tiny Stephen proudly wearing piggie…with his Mom.
David and Carmen wearing LSU – hrumpf.
 David NOT happy with the ending score.
ARK 50 to LSU 48 in 7 overtimes!  Long day but a lot of fun!
Hope you are enjoying your football time.
Chicken · chicken pot pie · Recipes

Chicken Pot Pie

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This is my go to version…I have varied it several times.  Use what you have…and it will be wonderful.

I used two Pillsbury (rolled) Pie Crust (top and bottom).  2 cans of chicken, 2 cans of Vege-All (this is a genius can of vegetables – onions, celery, carrots, peas, lima, green beans – and is great in a stew as well), and a can of Cream of Celery.  Also, fresh thyme (use the leaves from 4 twigs), salt and pepper, and 1 cup of sour cream.  Drain the cans of chicken and vege’s.  Mix together the sour cream, and soup.  Add the chicken, and vege’s.  Roll out the dough (if you don’t like the bottom crust -don’t use it), use your favorite pie dish, and place your chicken mixture in it. Cover with dough, and poke holes in it using a fork (4 or 5 should do).  Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or the crust is a nice golden color. 

I served it with a cucumber/tomato/onion salad.

This was mine…and I added extra ground pepper. 
Enjoy!
Oh, my 13 year old decided he didn’t like pot pies, 
until I had him try it…then it was “can I have some?” 
No, was my answer, and David had seconds. ha.
birthdays · family · Random Stuff

Birthdays

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My 44th birthday was on August 22nd.  It was a great day.  I have many blessings. 

I love Brighton.  www.brighton.com

Brighton shoes, purses, baubles.  Especially the baubles.

Stephen and Carmen have gotten me several charms the past couple of years.  My newest one is the carousel.  It spins, really.

So from left to right…Peridot (August’s birthstone), pink gems spacer, J with pink flowers (of course, how did Brighton know?), rainbow spacer (David got that one for me), A with a lady bug (My Mom’s favorite – again, how did Brighton know?), silver and gold spacer, Arkansas Pig (Yep, I am a Razorback), pink tiger eye spacer, and my newest – the carousel. 

Recipes · white beans and sausage

Sausage and Beans

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Another version of White Northern Beans.

 Beans
 Cover in cold water and soak for at least a hour.
 Chop an onion.
 And some celery (excuse my hands).
Conecuh Hickory smoked sausage.
 Yes, jar garlic (two/three teaspoons), and Cavender’s Greek Season (about a tablespoon).
 Chop the sausage into bite size pieces.
 Saute the onions, garlic and celery until translucent.
 Add the sausage and brown (browning brings out the sweetness of the meat).
 Add chicken broth (I used 1 and 1/2 containers).
 Drain the water, and rinse.
Add the beans, and simmer for at least 2 hours.
And I forgot to take the picture of this yummy soup.
Try it.  I hope you like it.
Enjoy!
Recipes · stromboli

Strombolis…

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Well…kind of?

Pizza dough…most grocery stores carry premade dough and have it for you in their frozen section.

Roll it out into a rectangle.  I used Ragu sauce (it was there – and ready) for the bottom sauce layer.  Then
pepperoni, six-Italian cheese, sausage (browned), more cheese, pepperoni.  Keep everything down the center (it helps with the folding).

Begin with the opposite end, folding it over the pile of Italian goodness.
Cut about 2 inch strip (not too deep), and fold over in a braid like manner.  

Keep doing this almost to the end.
Folding and overlapping the other side of dough. 
Press the dough together as you go (it helps keep everything together).

At the end, cut your strips before folding all of them, crisscrossing  each strip.
Fold over the very end cut, and then place the 2nd to last piece over it.  

It’s not perfect, but it is ready for the oven.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown, and oozing.
Yes, most of the cheese came out.  

But it was yummy!
Enjoy!
anniversary · family · husband

Happy Anniversary!

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Marriage.

No words can describe what this man means to me and our family.  David is strong, kind, caring, a true geek, sometimes cranky, handyman, outrageously funny, intelligent, witty, likable, and HE loves me.  He is incredible with his step-children (although, he has never called them that), and a friend to them.  There are moments that they just curl up beside him on the couch, and he just hugs them.  Precious.  He is someone they can go to for help, for advice, and at times, he makes me jealous of the relationship he has with them. 

Both of us are strong people.  I can be difficult, OCD and demanding.  He loves me, and tells me to calm down.  I listen.  I am amazed that it has only been 4 years today that we have been together.  It seems like he has been here forever, and other times not near long enough.

Happy Anniversary my love.  I thank God daily for bringing you into our lives.

birthdays · Breast Cancer · friends

Beth

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My friend Beth.  
This is my favorite photo of her. 
She was so done with me and my camera. 
I had the pleasure of attending the American Cancer Ball with her.
Her hair had grown back, and the dress had a lace up back.
Her birthday is today, August 17.
We used to celebrate our birthdays together.
I miss that.
She would have been 38 today.
Breast cancer affects so many.
Beth was strong, happy, and always smiling.
I miss her.  She touched many of us.
Happy Birthday Beth.
blessings · family · friends · Random Stuff

Friends and Family

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Who do you consider family?

I have lost most of my immediate family over the years, and tend to believe that my friends are my family. I have family in Germany, and love them dearly.  But they are so far away.

One young family, in particular, was difficult to get to know.  God opened a door, and all of us have been so very blessed.  I have spoken of them before…but this morning part of them are traveling North.  North for another adventure in their lives. 

The youngest one…C…wrapped himself around all of our fingers.

He is a joy.  Just over a year old…and we have gotten so much love from him.  Babies love big.  Big love.  You see it in their faces, happy to see you.

This little family has had so much impact on our lives.  Touched each one of us.  Carmen: a big sister.  Stephen: an paper airplane friend.  David:  joy, from all 3 of them with games, talks, and smiles.  Learning more of himself, and the joys that a baby can bring.  Me: family. 

Today is bittersweet.  Knowing that we won’t see them for a long while, hurts our hearts.  Knowing that we will see them soon…and that we have made life-long friendships:  priceless…truly.  God given family.

We love you.