Erie, PA

Can you stay for coffee and Grape Nut Bread?

Do You Remember Grape Nut Bread?

I am sure the original Grape Nut Bread recipe was printed on a box of Grape Nuts cereal to sell more boxes of Grape Nuts. My recipe was hand written by Betty Yonkers, my mother-in-law, and doesn't have a lot of detail for step by step preparation. Grape Nut Bread is definitely a Yonkers tradition, but I didn't attempt to make it until Betty was no longer able to make it. Now each batch reminds us of her. (I tried to find a digital picture of her to include here, but couldn't find one.)

Grape Nut Bread

1 cup Grape Nuts

1 cup sour milk (add one tsp vinegar to milk; let sit for one minute)

Soak Grape Nuts in sour milk for one hour

While you wait mix all dry ingredients in large bowl
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder

After one hour add the following to the Grape Nut mixture
1/4 cup hot water: add 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp baking soda
2 beaten eggs

Gradually add the dry ingredients. It is hard to mix, but the final taste is worth it.

Grease & flour two loaf pans or three smaller ones. Bake @350 for approx one hour depending on size of loaf pan. Use toothpick to test done-ness.

When the loaves have cooled I cut and put four slices in each freezer bag. Tasty treat on a cool fall morning. Thanks Betty!

Study Tips to Prepare for Real Estate Exam

• Review class material one hour per day--don't cram. Let it sink in a little each day a.k.a. The Drip Theory

• Read, Read, Read--the more you read, the deeper your understanding of the material

• Take practice tests--preferably computerized tests

• Find a study partner--explain new concepts to each other

• Make Flash Cards Remember flash cards?

Join me to study for Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam:

• Nov. 14, 2009
  
• Howard Hanna Real Estate
  
• 4248 W. 12th Street Erie, PA 16505
  
• 9:00 - 4:00
• Free - Free - Free
• Call: 412-967-9000

Your Real Estate Career Begins Now

Pennsylvania Continuing Education Rules Change:

• Licensees who received license between Dec. 1, 2007 and Nov. 30, 2009 must take 14 hours Continuing Education Classes on required topics (Seven hours of mandatory topics and seven hours on residential or commercial topics)
  
• If licensed before Dec. 1, 2007 Licensees may take any elective CE course
• No CE required if licensed after Dec. 1, 2009
  

Does the thought of sitting in one more class cause you stress?

Bore you to distraction?

ZZZZZZZ Put you to sleep?

CE Classes offered in Erie, PA

• November 17 and 19
• 8:30-4:30
• 2170 W. 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505
  
• Fulfills PA Real Estate Commission requirements for newly licensed agents
  

Join me in my next CE class. I promise I won't put you to sleep >>>>>>>>> unless I feed you first.

Mother Celebrates 87 Wise Years

Family members gathered recently to celebrate Mother's 87th birthday. You may remember several posts from Mother's Recipe Box including her famous elderberry pie. Since Dave & I have an elderberry bush near our property we make the pie or supply the berries.

At 87 Mother would prefer family gatherings to lots of gifts, so I bought a card, flowers and wine. No family gathering is complete without pie and ice cream. I made the elderberry and my sister, Carol, made fresh apple pie. Irene, bought the French Vanilla ice cream. Prior to dinner we enjoyed Hot Crab Dip. (Recipe by Barbara Raley) George, my brother-in-law, reminded me to bring Alaska pictures and mementos.

Wow! We could have talked all night.

Mother's Recipe Collection

My sisters & I combed through Mother's Recipe Collection and agreed to make duplicate copies of our favorites. Guess we will have to make a fourth copy for our brother, Bob, who could not attend Mother's birthday party this year.

Morning Inspiration

Most of us dread the coming of winter when the trees have lost their leaves, but now I can see the most awesome sunrises from my kitchen window.

Bird & squirrel feeders

Morning In Review

Short walk to mailbox holds another surprise. What a view across the road. Coffee & bagel while I read the paper and I will be ready to face the day. Later I plan to walk to Lake Erie, approx one mile, but nothing can compare . . . I will take my camera, just in case.

Enjoy the day!