Baking Is In The Atmosphere, I Can Sense It.

I am going to try the 2nd Dolly Parton cake mix via Duncan Hines. I trust it will turn out fine like the homestyle coconut cake of hers did. This is a banana cake. This recipe appears to take more of an effort to make if following the recipe instructions than the coconut cake did. I am up for the challenge. In this recipe you are making an instant banana flavor pudding as the filling. The recipe calls for sliced bananas and crushed vanilla wafer type of cookies in between the layers. I am not a particular fan of that type of cookie so I will not be doing that portion of the recipe. With the cost of groceries ever increasing I just could not see spending what a box of vanilla wafer cookies costs to only use a few of them for the recipe then throw them away. I was pleased that the cake mix was on sale yesterday @ Kroger's for 1.25 a box. I also picked up a can of her buttercream frosting in which I will improve upon again. Make some of my homemade buttercream frosting and blend the 2 of them together. What is interesting about this recipe is that you whip heavy whipping cream (I already have some of that in the refrigerator, thank God because the cost of that item can get expensive) and then blend it with the frosting to make the frosting for this particular cake. I trust this cake mix will turn out fabulous as the coconut cake mix did. I think odd thoughts at times. I wonder when I get married again what if my spouse doesn't like me baking sweet things. Does that mean my baking will no longer be a ministry unto others? I create when I bake. I just have to trust God that the man He already has planned for my life will let me be free to be me, baking and all.

Isn't the packaging adorable?

I enjoy the early morning time sitting on the grass in my chair reading the book I am reading at the time. I find it so very peaceful, and I face the sun while reading. I grab a cup of decaf coffee and read. I made a mixture of Fresh Markets Peppermint Cream along with Raphael's brand of Chocolate Peppermint decaf and it is minty, just like I like it.

I have also been enjoying reading poolside as the pool opens up first thing in the morning. Sometimes there are a few people at the pool and then there are times I am the only one at the pool. It is peaceful out there too before the rest of the community wakes up and the families go to the pool to enjoy themselves for the rest of the day and into the evening too. I finished reading the Sheryl Brady book the other day. Oddly enough, this is rare for me to do but I am led to read again a book I already read before. A book by James W. Goll, "Tell Your Heart To Sing Again." Maybe I need to either tell my heart to sing a new song or refresh the song within me. You know that reading a book for the first time may be a different experience then reading it a 2nd time. What if you were on target in your life while reading it the first time and as you read it the second time you look back with questions of why did this  happen or not happen.  If you find yourself slipping into that mind set, jump out of it because you are the same person God created you to be in both instances. He formed you in your mother's womb and He not only knows you but He also knew you too. The enemy is out to try and debunk the work you have done for the kingdom of God and will continue to do for the kingdom of God.

I am trying to figure out how to lessen the amount of Japanese beetles trying to devour a beautiful crepe myrtle tree not far from my patio. I have been using Neem Oil spray on my eggplant and hibiscus plant leaves. This is organic and it is fine for use on vegetables, fruits etc. plants growing in your garden. Then I researched this method and it seemed to work but is not as easy as it appears to be in the instructions given. A quart of water and a squirt or 2 of dishwashing detergent, like Dawn brand. Then you are supposed to shake the beetles into the solution and this suffocates them. Apparently the scent of them in the bucket emits a scent that is suppose to deter the other beetles away. I tried it and it worked but ... Did you ever try to shake a branch of a tree and then the beetles all fly away and seem to be gathered at the higher portions of the tree? A bit challenging to get them into the bucket. I will try one more thing, purchase a beetle bag and place it near the tree. Crepe myrtle trees have the most beautiful blooms and so far it appears that the beetles ate away at any blooms trying to bloom. I am not a quitter and I will try to find a way to possibly see blooms on this tree.

This season I discovered that the hummingbirds actually try to get nectar from my lavender bloom flowers and the purple flowers that bloom from the Hosta plant. Nature does fascinate me. That is my update on this glorious Sunday. Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. May your day be blessed to overflowing with blessings upon you today.