Camping--A Tie that Binds and a Recipe!

 Apple Cake---Recipe to follow!!  YUM!!  Thanks Sheri B!!

 The boys found the antler in the "woods"

 I grew up going camping with my family and some friends and their families!  It was quite memorable!  I 've been in a thunderstorm in a tin shack, I've been hit on the head by a tent pole as I lay in my sleeping bag, and I've had french toast for breakfast--all while camping!  That was part of my history...but now, I am married to a man that believes that camping builds character, family bonds, and much more! 
We decided to camp out on the "bottom" land---that we have named ours...simply because it was the only family land not claimed---aka---no one wanted the swamp land.  Here again, I am married to a dreamer, one who is an engineer and can see past those type of issues!  So, it's not really ours "officially," but we call it that.  Just like I call my brother in law's smoker(the one that he doesn't know where it is) MINE!  hehe!  It's not, but, boy, did it ever make the best turkey I've ever had---and if he ever finds it, maybe he would let me cook a turkey in it!! 

So, here are the pictures from our "camping " trip about 1 mile away from "home."  I made a yummy Apple cake and John and the kids did all the real work!  Thankfully, we didn't know about the mountain lion on our property because this MAMA BEAR would have kept all the cubs and Papa home!!


Nana's Apple Cake

1. Beat until foamy: 2 Eggs
1/2 Cup  oil
2 tsp. vanilla

2. Sift together: 2 Cups White Sugar--I used more like 1.5 c...and natural brown sugar.
2 Cups Flour
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. Salt
1 Cup. broken pecan pieces

3. Add 4 lg. cooking apples (chopped) into flour mixture.

4. Pour liquids into dry ingredients and mix well by hand.

5. Smooth w/hands in 14 x 10 1/2 pan.

6. Bake at 350 degree for 45 minutes.


Cream Cheese Icing ~ Beat until smooth:

Two 8oz. cream cheese, softened
4 Tb. softened margarine
4 Tb. Vanilla
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar