NIXA JOURNAL: Promises Made, Promises Kept (almost)

I've cleaned up the promises I made on prior blog posts, so here goes:

Remember the cake spice I mentioned that Linda gave me? I told you I'd report after I tried it. She also figured out to make it and gave me the recipe, which I'll share.

First I tried it on Snickerdoodles, but found that I preferred the original sugar and cinnamon topping.

Then I made a cake from a yellow cake mix according to the directions on the box, but added one tablespoon of the cake spice. I frosted it with coffee frosting from a can, which is no longer available, and we declared it wonderful. If you use Betty Crocker cake mix, reduce the spice, as Betty has reduced the amount of cake mix.

I then tried it with a chocolate cake mix, and it was edible, but not wonderful.

Here's how you make Linda's Cake Spice:

LINDA'S CAKE SPICE

Equal parts:

Allspice

Cinnamon

Ground Cloves

Ground Ginger

Nutmeg

Mix together and store in an airtight container in a dry place.

My local thrift store had a Christmas sale; 75% off everything in the holiday room. This included the set of dishes I bought for $5. I promised you photos, so here they are. Made in Japan (better than made in China.)

Six place settings

And serving pieces

And a bonus, as they came in a nice plastic crate

When Rita and I went to Huey Magoo's in Ozark, I posted the photos, but forgot to take one of my food.

We went again last Saturday, and it was totally different. We got there just as they opened; no customers. They had plenty of time to clean up. There were crumbs on the seats, the salt and pepper shakers were almost empty, the ketchup pump spluttered because the tank was nearly empty, the drinks and condiments station was a disgrace. Everything was greasy and dirty, and the insides of the trash "hole" probably hadn't been cleaned for weeks.

My chicken and fries were lukewarm, and the chicken coating was very dry. Either they cooked the chicken very early and let it sit, or it was left over from the day before. I will not go back.

However, the location on Battlefield in Springfield just opened recently and it's probably really good for now. The Republic location is under construction and will probably be good when it opens. The Nixa location will be last, and I'll give it a try. I think they're so busy expanding, they don't have time to manage what's completed.

Way back in December I told you that I'd found a recipe for rice pudding made with raw rice. I thought this would be a real time saver, but it turned out to be more trouble in the end. I probably won't make it again.

RICE PUDDING FROM RAW RICE

4-1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup raw rice
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Cinnamon or nutmeg

Butter an 11” x 7” baking dish.

Mix milk, rice, sugar, and salt in a large saucepan.

Heat oven to 325°.

Over medium heat, bring milk mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.

Pour into baking dish.

Cover and bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

Add vanilla and raisins.

Recover and bake an additional 15 minutes.

Sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg.

I promised Linda photos of my home.

The Entry

Entry taken from dining room.

Turn right and it's the dining room.

Living room taken from dining room side (the black lump by the right window is Pepper). Family room is on the other side of the fireplace.

Doors lead to kitchen, breakfast area, laundry, powder room and my bedroom and bath.

Door leads to hall, guestroom, guest bath, office.

Another view taken from kitchen doorway.

Writing desk where I planned to update my journal every night, overlooking the canals of Venice. Lasted about ten days. The window is a mural I bought at a wallpaper store.

Greeting cards I bought at a gift store along the Rhine. I bought cheap frames and had the mats cut at Michaels.

The huge picture on the wall by the dining room. I bought it at a thrift store for $13 and I can see it when sitting on the couch in my family room. I love it.

My only Thomas Kinkade. It's called "The Blessings of Autumn." I had to have it, and eagerly awaited the blessings of X season. I thought it would be the same house in the new season. Nope. The next one was spring and it's a large stone house with a courtyard. Summer is a watermill. No more Blessing pictures.

In the hallway I have one of my cousin's early paintings. She was going to throw it away, but I love it.

One of her later paintings.

A 3-D picture from my kids. Excuse the glare. The photo doesn't show the 3-D effect obtained by cutting pieces and layering them.

And a painting I picked up for $5 at the Shanghai airport on my way home. It's on paper, so I rolled it and managed to get it home safely somehow.