ANOTHER GREAT PICTURE FROM THE OLYMPICS

This is a great picture from Beijing.  "Fireworks explode over the National Stadium (The Bird Nest) during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics Sunday, August 24."

MANDARIN CAKE

INGREDIENTS:  1 box yellow cake mix, 3/4 cup orange juice, 2 cans (11 oz.) mandarin oranges chopped and drained.  Prepare cake mix according to directions on box, but add 3/4 cup of orange juice in place of 3/4 cup of liquid.  Stir in chopped oranges.  Bake in 9x13 greased and floured pan for 35-40 minutes or until done when tested.  Bake in two 9" round prepared pans for 20-30 minutes.  

FROSTING:  1 large box instant vanilla pudding mix, 1 (12 oz.) Cool Whip, and 1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple undrained.  Mix pudding and Cool Whip together.  Add undrained pineapple to the mixture and frost cooled cake.  May toast coconut and sprinkle on frosting.  Refrigerate.  

I found this in the August 2008 issue of Rural Electric Nebraska Magazine.  The recipe is by Marilyn Hytrek, Stuart, Nebraska.  I baked this cake and it is yummy.  

NAUGHTON NC VACATION

Boy, Justin is growing up.  Here are a few pictures from Amber.  

AMAZING CHINA PHOTO

I saw this amazing photo among some Olympic pictures.  

THE WILHELM CREW SAYS HI!

I hope these pictures turn out OK here.  Jess sent us some new pictures of her boys.

NORTH CAROLINA MOON FLOWERS

Marge sent some pictures of her backyard moon flowers.  They are beautiful and thought they deserved to be posted.  Can you beat these babies with your own pictures of moon flowers?

BAILEY'S CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE

This is good stuff.

  

CRUST:  1 cup graham cracker crumbs.  1/4 cup packed brown sugar.  1/4 cup melted butter.  

CHEESECAKE:  4 pkgs (8 oz) cream cheese, softened.  1-1/2 cups sugar.   4 eggs.  3/4 cup Baileys (Carolina brand works and is cheaper).  1-1/2 tsp vanilla.  1 cup semisweet chocolate chips.  

PREHEAT oven to 325.  Use a 10" spring-form pan.  CRUST:  mix crumbs, brown sugar and butter.  Pat in pan.  Bake 5-8 minutes.  CAKE:  In large bowl, beat cream cheese 'til smooth, then gradually add in sugar.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.  Blend in Baileys and vanilla.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chips on crust.  Gently pour in cream cheese batter.  Sprinkle remaining chips over batter.  Bake 1 hour.  Turn off oven and let stand in the oven, door slightly ajar for an hour.  Refrigerate 6 hours or overnight.   

Enjoy!