Caramel Apple Spice Cake

I seldom cook. I think I blog more. Now no funny comments. I have gotten away from my blog lately. I don't know what is wrong with me. I have been crafting and creating. 
Tonight I sit here and want to share a cake recipe with you. I have a wonderful boyfriend who was born on Halloween. Yes it does speak volumes about his personality and let me say I knew it 7 years ago when I fell in love with him. You can assure yourself, that I do adore him as I had an incidence this summer which tested our love. Today I still live with him and I love him even more. 
I made this cake for him because he loves cooked apples. I purchased a Pillsbury apple caramel cake mix from JoAnn Fabrics. I also picked up two caramel frosting tubs. I had no real plans but I that it would become something wonderful. Next stop was a grocery store. There I grabbed 4 apples. I had just spent a month taking care of my Mother and she had a neat gadget for cutting up apples. I bought one of those too. It cores and slices the apple all at once. I cut up all 4 apples and layered them on the bottom of the oval french cookware bowl. Since my brown sugar seemed to be missing, I used a lot of cinnamon sugar and some nutmeg over the top of the apples. 
I searched Pinterest how to make a cake mix taste like home made. Of course there was a method. You add an egg and use milk instead of water. Too easy right? I thought so too. I also saw a recipe that added a can of frosting into the mix to make a glaze. Your wheels are rolling too right? I used all of these methods and added a box of vanilla pudding plus 1/2 c extra almond milk. So 1 1/2 cup almond milk. Sounds yummy right?  So 4 eggs, 1 box of pudding, 1 1/2 c of almond milk and a can of caramel frosting added to the cake mix. I cooked it of an hour because after 45 mins, it was still jigglie in the middle. After it cooled, I put the second can of frosting on top of the cake.
Now I will warn you this cake is dense and moist with more sweetness than the law allows. It was wonderful when still a bit warm and just as good when cooled completely.There is no photo before it was cut, no one thought of photos. 

Yes it is over half gone. This is a testament to how fabulous it was!!! Try this recipe. It is wonderful!!

My New Mexican Cornbread

I have used my mother's cornbread recipe for many years. A standard in my home. My kids loved it and my husband begged for it. Tonight I am changing it up a bit for my boyfriend Ed. I thought I would change it up a bit and share it with you.

I got out my under used iron skillet coated with enamel.  I combined 1 lb ground sirloin, 1 package of Johnsonville pork chorizo and lightly browned them as they combined. I added about 1/4 c of frozen chopped onion and peppers, stirring well.
This smelled up my kitchen beautifully!!! I was excited. I have never been drawn to chorizo. I didn't really know what it taste like.
In a mixing bowl, I combined 2 cornbread mixes. One was regular and one was Mexican style. In that mix, I added 2 cans of whole kernel corn that had poblano chilies and peppers in it. What a find!!! I mixed in 3/4 of a bag of shredded Mexican blend cheese. I followed the instructions for the cornbread. This mixture was then poured into pan over the top of the hot meat mixture. The rest of the cheese was spread over the top.
The pan went into a 450 degree oven for 20 mins. It was brown on top when done but it was cooked for 5 more mins. We could eat from the edges but not in the middle. Live and learn!!!!!! After we got our plates fixed, it went back in the oven for 10 more mins.

Let me describe the taste. It was mildly spicy with a rich savory flavor.
I topped my plate with shredded cheese and sour cream with chives.

Yummy. 

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

I worry about the outside kitties. It has been below freezing most of the day. My daughter sent me a great idea to help them survive.

This is a nighttime photo with a flashlight but I am impressed with my attempt to help the babies. This cost me about $5.00 per box. I think it is pretty indestructible and safe.

Materials:

Cheap Styrofoam cooler  WalMart has them for less than $3.00.

Dust Tape I purchased a small roll for around $2.50

Pet Bedding I used about half of a bag for these 2 beds and so the cost was about $1.50

The most important thing is the holes of the boxes face the south. During the day, The sun is very bright in this part of the yard. 

I may never attract the 2 little kitties that hang around my yard, but they have this as an option. I named one of them Lucy. I am working on a name for the tuxie. I think they are both girls. Either way, I feel like a good person for helping keep the babies from freezing.

Many blessing to you and yours!!