A Pretty Rainbow Almond Cake

Photo: alwaysorderdessert - I'm using this image so you can see the raspberry preserves dripping between the layers of cake. Skip to the bottom for an easy-breezy way to make ganache.

When I see this cake the lyrics of "My Fair Lady" come to mind:"I feel pretty, Oh so pretty! ... I feel pretty ... and witty and bright!" Indeed. Moreover, as my long time readers know, I like the addition of nuts in a pastry to add extra oomph! Nuts are a tasty balance to the sweetness of sugar, adding a bit of protein too. 

Almond paste gives a rainbow cake a sweet nutty flavor. Although you can buy almond paste in a tin, homemade is cheaper, so let's begin with a how to recipe. Almond paste and Marzipan are similar. Here's the difference: Marzipan is equal parts almonds and confectionery sugar with a touch of corn syrup, It is often rolled out and used as fondant for cakes or shaped into candy. On the other hand, almond paste is 2 parts almonds to 1 part sugar. Almond paste can be stored in a tightly sealed (cover the top with a plastic wrap and a layer of foil) steel can in the refrigerator for about one month. Freeze it for up to 3 months.

Almond Paste

Ingredients:

Photo: Mandelin

1 1/2 cups almonds
Up to 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (For a dry consistency; eyeball it.)
1 egg white
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

Directions:

Toss the almonds in a food processor, pulse, follow with the rest of the ingredients. Pulse until smooth.

Now let's make our oh so pretty cake!

Rainbow Almond Cake

2 sticks butter at room temperature (1 cup)
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon almond extract
12 ounces almond paste (1 1/2 cups)
3 different - 1/2 teaspoon each of food coloring (red, green, yellow are traditional -- but you can use 3 different colors of your choice).
About 1/2 cup of raspberry preserves to spread in between the cake layers

3 cake pans -- line each with parchment paper if you wish. I usually simply oil and flour the pans. 

Directions:

1) In a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar.

Photo: Amazon

2) Next add the eggs, one at a time, mixing in between.

3) Add the dry ingredients: all purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda.

4) Follow by the wet: buttermilk, lemon juice and almond extract.

5) Finally, add the almond paste. Mix until uniform and smooth.

6) After the batter is made, divide and pour it into 3 separate bowls. Add the 3 different food colorings, one to each bowl of batter.

7) Poor the batter with 3 different colors into 3 separate oiled and floured cake pans (or lined with parchment paper).

8) Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes, or until the centers are done.

9) Now the fun part: Stack the 3 colored layers of cake. Spread the raspberry jam in between each layer.

Chocolate Ganache Topping

Traditionally, a rainbow almond cake is toped with chocolate ganache. I never buy heavy cream and like to keep baking simple, therefore I use what I usually have in my cupboard, canned condensed milk (But if you have neither at home, feel free to buy heavy cream):

Ingredients:

Photo: myrecipes

15 ounce can condensed milk
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1) Heat your milk (or heavy cream if you buy it) in a saucepan on the stove top. Bring to a boil.

2) Turn off the heat and add the chocolate chips. Melt and stir. This should be all you need to do, but if not thick enough, you can turn the heat back on and whisk for a few minutes.

3) Pour over the cake and spread down the sides.

Makes a lovely birthday or anytime cake. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or milk!🎉🎈🎁


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How To Stop Robocalls And Telephone Scams

Photo: Dreamtime

So, it's getting to be too much. I get more robo/scam/telemarketing calls these days than personal calls; and, it's beginning to disrupt my home life. I've stepped out of the shower; paused an activity that needs my full attention; and interrupted food preparation to go answer a robocall. All for nothing!

What I mind the most about all these pesky calls is I've gone from being open, accessible and trusting to someone who feels hounded, a person who is now reluctant to answer the phone in my own home! And I no longer automatically pick up if I don't recognize the number calling. I resent the intrusion! It also makes my life more hurried, or frantic then it needs to be. It's time to fight back!

Silver Stars Communications

Today I called the Federal Trade Commission to ask what is the best way to stop these unwanted, in bad-faith callers from calling me.

1) The FTC said it's best not to answer the calls. Answering tells robocallers they have reached a target, and encourages them to keep calling.

2) Put your phone number on the Do Not Call List (which I did years ago so that businesses I don't do business with can't use me for telemarketing or solicitation purposes).

3) Next file a complaint with the FTC to report callers who ignore the Do Not Call List. Collect the information on your caller ID, such as telephone number, name and/or company, as well as, the date and time of the call, plus other helpful details like the number of times you are contacted per day by the party (i.e., telephone number) you are reporting.

The fastest way to file a complaint is online here (fill in the form). Another way is to call 888-382-1222 (and follow the prompts). The more of us who file complaints, the better the FTC can track and rid us of these nuisance and/or dishonest callers. Once again I'd like to know peace and joyful anticipation when my telephone rings.

Extra tips:

(1) Be careful not to give out any personal information should you happen to answer a robocall: "Is this Mrs. Johnson?" Avoid saying the word "yes," and hang up ASAP. Fraudulent callers record the word "yes" in order to scam people for long distance charges. How they can get away with the fraud is puzzling, but who needs the hassle of untangling a deception? 

(2) Don't answer mystery numbers with digits close to yours. Called neighbor spoofing, scammers acquire local area digits to trick you. 

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Keeping Your Dog Off Your Furniture

Photo of Dude by Rebecca Winters Keegan - Dude began life by having to stay off the bed.

If you're thinking about getting a family dog and wonder if there are products to keep him off your furniture ... yes, they exist. But. My advice is to forget about it! Your dog likes resting on your couch and sleeping in your bed as much as you do. Perhaps, more! If you can't share, forget about having a family pet. 

Save yourself and your animal the stress, the grief and ultimately, the futility of training him to stay off the couch, or sleeping on top of an unoccupied bed. He's too smart for that! He'll just wait until you leave home and jump up on them anyway.

Telling him to stay off the bed is an utter waste of your and your pet's time. Years ago our family dog was not allowed on a brand new couch, but at 7 am, when the alarm clock rang, the next sounds we heard were his feet hitting the living room floor ... that is unless he was sleeping at the foot of our bed. I mean, what are you going to do, lie awake all night? Trust me: After potty training, better to accept the arrangement. Your butt is tired. His butt is tired. At the end of the day, your dog will win this one!

Teach him manners. Give him chew toys and enough exercise, so he isn't bored and naughty in the house. Bath him once a week to get rid of those doggy smells. Brush him if he sheds. Vacuuming helps. Buying the right color and type of furniture helps too. Your big furball is worth it!

Think of it this way, dogs and cats are like family. Treat them as such. They are meant to be indoors and treated like members of the household.

Good training with flexibility, including sharing a couch, is a win-win. Your dog is happy, and you get snuggles, cuddles and love!


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The Gemstone Chrome Diopside

Le Vian designed for Macy's

Ever hear of Chrome diopside? Me either ... until recently. It's a beautiful deep forest green color that rivals an emerald. The color comes from traces of the element chromium. Before a large mineable deposit of the gem was discovered in Siberia in 1988, the supply was far too limited to be brought to market. Chrome diopside forms at the entry of diamond mines. Before the discovery, mainly jewel collectors owned it. Unlike many other stones, such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds, the color of chrome diopside is natural without the standard (and acceptable) industry practice of heat treatment to make the stores transparent. The deep green color, along with its clarity give the stone its value.

Photo: Ebay - Russian Diopside Sterling Silver Necklace

Why would you buy chrome diopside in lieu of emeralds if drawn to the rich green hue? Because they are as beautiful as emeralds and cheaper since the demand is not yet as high. Some jewelers expect the price for chrome diopside to rise as soon as the public becomes more aware of them. One jewelry expert said, "and as soon as they are renamed!"🙂

Photo: Overstock - Miadora Chrome Diopside with diamonds

Chrome diopsides (a 5.5-6.5 on Moh's scale of hardness) will scratch easier than diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds, as they are softer. For that reason, a neckless is a more practical setting for the stones, than pieces that take a beating, such as a ring or bracelet. Like pearls (a 3-4 on Moh's scale), these green sparklers are delicate and need to be treated with care.

Nonetheless, if looking for natural, untreated green gems, now is the time to consider chrome diopsides while they are less expensive than emeralds.

Photo: Wikepedia

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Happy Father's Day Sunday

Photo: Bigstock

Well, here we are ... another Father's Day to remember a man who is dearly missed!

A real family man, I recall his calm, steady presence. He made every situation better by being a part of it. Always had our backs, while giving us the freedom to figure out things for ourselves. He provided plenty of guidance and boundaries, but didn't sweat the small stuff.

Dad's favorite saying was, "Learn from other people's mistakes. Life is too short to make them all yourself."

Photo: Compassion

When I was a teenager still living at home, I passed a widow to see my sedulous Father petering around in the backyard ... fully engaged in figuring out creative ways of whipping into manicured shape the grass; our magnolia tree; and the tomato and green pepper plants he set out. Sometimes he planted cucumber, curled parsley (in a flower pot) and several rows of chives also.

Just a little garden: A small rectangle section of the yard was roped off with cotton string and long poles inserted into the ground to support the growing steams of the vegetables. Dad then cut pieces of aluminum foil, hanging them on the twine. The Sun's reflection on the sheets of foil was his trick in scaring hungry, forager birds away from his tomatoes and green peppers. He claimed it blinded them.🌞 Certainly, my Dad was in his element in our backyard.

My Father occupied a similar role in our family. He was a solid, knowing, protective force, making us feel safe just by being there.

The year he died, my Mom wanted to keep up the backyard,

even setting out some tomato plants in early May. Dad made it look so easy, and although Mom worked hard doing everything she saw him do, she just didn't have the knack. Weeds escaped her; she didn't know how to trim next to a sidewalk; and she produced no tomatoes. One day I entered the backyard on a visit home. I was struck by my Mom's defeated face as she turned around to quietly say, "Grass, I hate it." Her sad tone was a painful reminder to both of us: The gardener was gone forever.😢💙

We would carry on as the living must ... yet in a different form.

In a myriad of ways, my Father was the right man for our family. We miss so many things about him, treasuring our memories and evoking how he was the best Dad ever!

Photo: The Indian Express

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Visit Victoria's Secret's Hidden Museum

Photo: Time Out/Victoria Secret Show

'Tis prime time in New York City for tourists, and I'm beginning to see the out-of-towners walking around sightseeing. Welcome all to the city that never sleeps!

I'll write a few blogs of fun things both natives and guests could miss unless someone tells you about them. 

All the fashionestas should walk up 5th Avenue beginning at about 47th Street to the Upper East Side to look at the display windows, as well as, enter the boutiques of interest, then walk back down Madison Avenue doing the same. Don't rush. Stop for coffee along the way at Ladurée (864 Madison Avenue) or Nespresso (935 Madison Avenue).

Photo: TimeOut 

Victoria's Secret, the flagship store (at 640 5th Avenue) has a secret! There's a lingerie museum hidden inside the shop. It's up on the 3rd floor. On display are the giant wings and sexy attire (including a $3 million bra) worn by the Angels for the yearly Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which is broadcast on television each December. The museum is a retrospective of fashion accompanied by video and music from the runway show and more. Free admission to the public, along with a souvenir runway poster. Unlike most museums, you stand right next to the exhibits. I popped in yesterday, and it's not to be missed. The staff is so lovely too! There's also a big sale occurring in the store on the the 1st and 2nd floors, making a stop an excellent time to pick up some lingerie, sleepwear or fragrances.

Photo: Sari Marissa G.

Victoria's Secret may be one of the more affordable shops on the block. Still a stroll up 5th Avenue and down Madison is a heavenly experience for true fashionistas who come to Manhattan!

Photo: Sari Marissa G. 

For visitors who want more structure, I recommend booking a Window's Wear Tour of 5th Avenue. The guides are knowledgeable, engaging and share insider tips. They will tell you about the Jeanne Toussaint necklace that has "a staring role in the Ocean 8" film and now sits in Cartier's front window. The 2-hour tour costs: $35.


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Summer Skillet Cornbread

Photo: Serious Eats - Vicky Wasik

Food is a serious topic on THE SAVVY SHOPPER because as my Mama says, "We have to eat every day!" Hence, food is a huge part of everyone's budget, not to mention everyone's time and a source of entertainment and staying healthy. We all gotta eat! 

Tonight I made skillet cornbread. It is so moist and delicious, I will share the recipe so that I, too, can return here to make it again over the summer. Eat it with anything you like, soup, chili, fried chicken or pork chops. Southerners snack on cornbread washed down with a glass of buttermilk.

Summer Skillet Cornbread

Ingredients:

1 cup whole corn (can, fresh or frozen)
1 cup corn meal
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 large eggs
Up to 1 cup buttermilk ( I add a little bit more if the batter seems dry.)

2 tablespoons of butter
Butter to coat the pan

Optional: spices
1 teaspoon garlic
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or 2 diced jalapeño peppers).
a sprinkle of parsley

Please note: Sugar does not belong in cornbread. If you're used to it, you may add a teaspoon.

Directions:

1) In a mixing bowl, add the above ingredients in order and incorporate with a fork. (If I don't have company, I reduce the butter in the batter. The other ingredients make the cornbread delicious without butter, and I generously coat the pan with butter for a butter taste.

2) Pour the batter into a well oiled, heated 10-inch skillet. After the pan is hot, I lower the heat, cover the skillet with a lid and let the cornbread cook on low until one side is brown (and the top solidifies from the steam). The cornbread rises in the hot pan. 

3) When the top is no longer runny, take a spatula to flip the cornbread over to brown the 2nd side. Skillet cooking is faster and ideal on a hot day when you don't wish to turn on the oven.

💙Alternatively, you can simply pour the cornbread batter into a baking dish to bake in the oven at 400 degrees F for about 35 - 40  minutes. (Some bakers like to toss butter into the skillet and heat it in the oven for 5 minutes, pull it out and then pour in the batter to bake. This will give the cornbread a lovely brown crust.)💚

After he cornbread is golden brown on both sides, remove from the skillet and slice. Eat hot. Tonight I paired it with smoked Virginia ham, vegetables and a salad.

I bought my cast iron skillet for cornbread and biscuits. 

Feel free to double, triple, or quadruple the recipe to feed a crowd. If so, you probably need to bake it in the oven. More difficult to flip, plus you'd need the MOTHER of HUGE frying pans!


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The Shoe That Grows

A few days ago, we had fun Oooing and Ahhing over some of Diana, Princess of Wales' stunning sapphire jewelry. Now let's look on the flip side of life. But this too is an uplifting blog, for there exists a shoe company making a difference. If looking for a good cause, you can join them. People get inspired to help others in need around Christmas, during Lent, or anytime simply because they can. 

Do you know that 3 billion people live in poverty -- nearly half the world's population? Moreover, 1/3 of a billion people are extremely poor living on less than $1.25 a day. 

However for the millions of children who can't afford shoes, a non-profit has stepped up to help fill the basic need.

Not having shoes is an enormous hurdle. Not only do shoes save children from cuts and infections from wounds, they stop podoconioisis from getting into their bloodstreams through the soles of their feet, leading to serious health problems. Furthermore, many undeveloped countries do not let children attend school barefoot, so these children never learn to read or write.

And children fortunate enough to acquire a pair of shoes outgrow them leaving them to once again go barefoot, or wear shoes that no longer fit.

On a trip to Kenya, a young American man, named Kenton Lee, noticed this plight and decided to do something about it. He returned home with a vision. Although not an inventor or shoemaker, Lee perfected  a shoe that grows 5 sizes with a child and is made of durable materials -- a sturdy leather upper and compost rubber sole -- to last 5 years. The shoe adjusts and expands in 3 areas to fit a foot as it grows.

For $15 we can buy a pair of shoes for a penniless child. How often do we get to change a life significantly for such a small sum? 

If you wish to learn more, here is The Shoe that Grows' website. 

Have you ever thought about what life would be like without shoes? And what your life would be like without the benefit of going to school? Lastly, did you already know that many children in the world cannot afford something as essential as a pair of shoes?


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For The Love Of Sapphires

From the Saudi Arabian set: sapphire and diamond necklace with earrings.

Diana, the Princess of Wales and I share something in common ... our mutual love of blue sapphires. Reportedly, Diana favored the gems because they matched her eyes, whereas, I adore all things blue and sparkly.

Sapphires (like rubies are corundums and the 2nd hardest stones after diamonds (which btw are crystalline forms of pure carbon). Whereas tons of diamonds exist in the world, sapphires are rare (followed by rubies, then emeralds). 

It takes Mother Nature thousands of years to form the precious stones. The intense blue color of the sapphire is caused by the addition of titanium and iron to the mineral corundum. 

A sapphire's color is the single most important characteristic in determining its value. More vital than its clarity, since, unlike diamonds, there are few clean natural sapphires (or rubies) in nature.

While sapphires are mined all over the world, the top quality ones come from (in best to next best order): 1) Kashmir, 2) Burma, 3) Ceylon/Sri Lanka and 4) Elsewhere (like Australia, Madagascar, Thailand and the USA among other places). It comes as no surprise that no new sapphires are mined in the most coveted areas like Kashmir or Ceylon making those sapphires rare, expensive and thus, unaffordable for the average person.

Moreover, sapphires (and other gems) need skillful hands to clean, cut, polish and craft them into fine jewelry. Ok, school's out for the summer!🎶🎵 And now the fun begins ...

Let's take a look at Diana, the Princess of Wales' exquisite sapphire jewelry collection. Alas, a love of blue sapphires is where the similarity of Diana and my lifestyle ends.🙂

Yet amazingly in life, when people can buy their own bling, other people fall all over themselves to give it to them for free! Upon her marriage, Diana received a suite of gorgeous blue sapphires, including a necklace, earrings (see 1st photo) and ring from the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, a man she had never met! The Princess of Wales already had her beautiful 12-carat sapphire and diamond starburst engagement ring, therefore she had the Saudi sapphire ring (of Burmese origin) turned into a comely double-purposed choker and headband (see middle photos). 

Diana's iconic 7 string pearl choker with a big center sapphire was refashioned from another gift. The sapphire at the center of the necklace started life as a brooch, an engagement gift from her mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, who has a few lovely sapphires of her own. 

Diana's sapphire and diamond drop earrings you see paired with her choker and headband (see middle images) were also favorites. 

Next, a sapphire bracelet (in the above photo on the left), as well as, Diana's prior mentioned oval sapphire with diamond earrings are both parts of that impressive Saudi Arabian wedding suite of jewelry.

In the above image, Diana wore the Saudi bracelet with a 2nd one: The bracelet on the right, featuring 8 oval-shaped sapphires and shimmering diamonds, is thought to be a gift from Dodi Al-Fayed.

Not only was The Princess of Wales a fashion icon, but she also had the crème de la crème of sapphires! It is impossible not to be in awe of what Mother Nature with man's artistry can do. So ooh and ahh worthy! Do you have a favorite?

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Another question to ponder: In Diana's day, a royal had to dress the part. Her wow factor brought attention to her charities. Likewise, today we have celebrities (without the expectation or crown) who champion the poor, while looking like they spend a million bucks on their couture gowns, jewelry and images.

Let's pretend it is you: Would you wrestle with having so much wealth knowing how poor over 50% of the world is? How do you reconcile the needs of many with the over-the-top materialism? It's complicated, isn't it?🤔



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