Pineapple Upside-down Cake

I don’t really understand the pineapple Easter correlation. I think it might have something to do with ham, but you know what, I really don’t care that much to figure it out. (Okay, I googled it and it is ham related.)

So no ham here but I am all about the pineapple. Last week when I did my grocery shop there were a shit ton of pineapples on sale, so I grab a few figuring that me and the mr would eat them for next week or so. Up until last week, I was positive that the mr really liked pineapple. Until I cut one up. Turns out the mr , for some reason, now doesn't like pineapple that much. What. the, HELL!? This was new news to me. I swear he just says these things to piss me off, but whatever, I guess he is not a fan anymore and it just means more pineapple for me.

But I also made a cake with some of the pineapple because I had so much and also I just wanted to bake a cake. And guess what, turns out the mr does like pineapple, just as long it is in cake form. I should have known.

To the upside down cake!

The stuff. A pineapple, flour, baking soda and power, salt, brown sugar, coconut oil, vanilla and apple cider vinegar.

Cut up pineapple. If you want to get fancy, garb a cookie cutter and cut out pineapple shapes for the upside down part. Or just cut up 1/2 inch slices or rings. however you want.

Get the pan ready. Grease a pan, add a parchment bottom. place about a tablespoon coconut oil into pan and coat bottom of pan then evenly sprinkle in about 1/2 cup brown sugar. Layer in your pineapple.

In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients… (a bowl bigger then mine)

Place pineapple into blender (use scraps if you have them) and blend until smooth. Add in the brown sugar, coconut oil, vanilla, and vinegar and blend until combined.

Pour wet into dry and whisk until combined.

Pour batter over pineapple and into the oven it goes.

Oooooh. Cake. Are you just so excited! You should be, it is an exciting time.

Give it a few minute before flipping it.

Flipped and revealed. So pretty!

Now it’s cake time so get down on it.

-C

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Pineapple Upside-down Cake

makes a 12 round or 9x13 inch rectangle cake

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 cup brown sugar plus 1/4 cup

• 1/2 cup warm coconut oil plus 1 tablespoon

• 1 1/2 cups pineapple pureed which Is about 1/2 a small pineapple

• About 1/4 pineapple for bottom

• 1/4 cup water

• I tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

First get the pineapple cut up any way you usually do it. If you want specific shapes for the pineapple bottom, keep that in mind and cut the pineapple accordingly. You are going to want the pieces (like the circles that I used) to be about 1/2 inch thick. And if you are using a cut out, my suggestion is to cut out all the pieces that you need to use and use the cut out scrapes to puree.

Grease and parchemnt line a 12 inch round or 9x13 inch rectangle cake pan. Evenly spread a tablespoon coconut oil on parchment then evenly coat with 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Place pineapple cut outs or pieces into pan. It is fine if pineapple pieced overlap a bit but make sure to not go much thicker then1/2 inch in places.

In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking power and soda, and salt.

Place 1 1/2 cups of chopped pineapple into blender and blend until smooth. Make sure it equals 1 1/2 cup pureed. Add in 1/4 cup water, 3/4 cups brown sugar, 1/2 cup warm coconut oil, vanilla, and the vinegar and blend until completely smooth. Pour mixture into the bowl with the whisked dry ingredients and mix until combined. Pour cake batter gently over pineapple in pan.

Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the cake is a nice golden brown and a tester poke comes out clean.

Remove cake from oven and let cool for about 5 minutes, then invert pan onto a wire rack or plate and remove pan gently. The cake should pop out easily with the parchment attached. Peel parchment off and if any of the pineapple cokes loose, jus stick it back on.

And then cake. Eat it.

Sunday Happy

I am so happy for spring. It is my favorite season for sure. All the new, green things popping form the ground.. Warmer but not hot days, rain and sun then rain and more sun. No more winter jackets but sweaters are still good. People are in good moods. Flowers are coming out of the ground. The world is just a delight.

The week started off with a bang. I turned all of the garden beds over and did a great big yard rake and cleaning so things are looking pretty good back there right now. I repotted my tomatoes and peppers and started a bunch of greens and peas which makes me feel awesome. I think this might be the first year that I am actually on top of the planting season like I want to be. Yeh me. I also busted out the bike and went for the first ride of the year. Sure it was only a few blocks, but it was still fantastic. Now what I really need to do is give the old gal a tune up cause the chain was grinding and the tires need air and maybe new brakes? Not sure but I need to get to it, like asap because I plan on making the bike my means of transportation for the summer.

aside from all the that stuff, we also did some work, the mr did even more work (he is always working). I finished up a couple clay projects that have been lingering for a while. We went for lots of walks without jackets and I wore sandals all week. We managed a good stop by to see the littles and bring them carrot cookies. They ate all the cookies (2 dozen), beat the shit out of the mr, and managed to clean while they were doing it. We were impressed to say the least. The mr was sore from getting wacked a bunch.

Then Wednesday was Seans birthday. Would have been 30 years old…Whoa. The family, friends, all of Seans friends went to the basketball court for a little pick up basketball game to celebrate and be together. It was fun, and sad, and good to see all the boys, but sad, but good. Never going get used to it. You know what I mean? Life.

Rest of the week came and went with the usual plus lots of rain and gray, but again, I was all about it because it is spring. worked at the studio on Friday where I moved all the clay in the world, got stabbed so hard by a stray pointy tool that was in slop bucket and got blood everywhere. I also managed to get so much clay in my hair and was overly praised for my height by all the studio ladies. They really appreciate my abilities at grabbing things on high shelves.

And the weekend. Yesterday we woke and basically ran out of the house to moms to borrow her truck (still haven’t found a car to buy). We then drove the truck up to the greater north of Vermont and picked up all the cedar wood we need for the porch. Loaded up, drove back to the porch and unloaded all the wood. I came home for a few hours of power cleaning while the mr ran around all over some more and then back to moms for dinner. (Mom made ham, I brought my own dinner) We ate, Mom brushed my hair and then Barb breaded it which I love love and will never be able to do myself. I raided moms books (found nothing I haven’t read already), searched for a missing bowl, made fun of the boys. Then I came home just in time to passed out.

Today, well today is Easter so after the gym and a few Sunday errands I need to do this morning, we are going to be doing a little easter lunch thing and an egg hunt for the littles at moms with the fam. After that I am coming home and continuing my quest for perfection in the yard, maybe tinker with the bike a bit, take a nap, read, drink all the coffee.. Looking at some sunshine and 70 degrees for the afternoon.. It’s going to be a fine fine day.

And I still have not washed my hair so I need to do that. Most of the clay dried and fell out, but there still is some left….SO yeah, I need to do that today. I really hate washing my hair.

Internet links to check out.

-Fireflies Will Soon Light Up the Skies In Mesmerizing Harmony — Here's How to See Them. I love me some fireflies, how cool would it be to see this.

- The Single Most Useful Snacking Rule I Give My Kid. I don’t have my own kids, but when I have other peoples, I go by a rule like this too except my rule is you can eat veggies any time all the time.

-Want to grow your own avocado tree, here is how. Good luck.

-THE VINTAGE ROMANTIC BATH.. All the clawfoot tubs. Can’t go wrong

-I am so ready. The first official “Stranger Things” Season 3 trailer

-4 Natural Ways To Fertilize Houseplants. Now is a good time to fertilize!

-Hate the dentist? Read this and you will only hate it that much more. The Truth About Dentistry

-If ever I was to live on a house boat, this boat would be the one. And the floors in this place… swoon!

-How One Woman's 'Magically Delicious' Pot Brownies Changed History. Brownie Mary, what a lady.

-What the freaking f@ck? I am pretty sure I don’t like where this could go. Neuroscientists just brought pig brain cells back to life.

Some pictures from the week

Sunday Happy

An Easter April Fools Day all in one. This probably doesn't happen too often.  I could imagine that things could get pretty crazy with the holiday combination. I am picturing lots of little littles opening empty Easter eggs, or eggs with rocks, or (fake) bunny poop... because April fools  Ha. That would so be pretty fun to watch and is totally something that I would (and might) do. Would that make me a jerk? Maybe a little but I think it might be worth it. 

The week has been and up and down kind of week. Officially 2 years since Sean passed so I have been a little quite, sad, and maybe a little bitchy. Doesn't help that it was just an annoying week in general. Like I almost broke my leg with a 35 lb weight at the gym, but not really. (Word of advice, don't drop heavy shit on your leg, it doesn't feel good and hurts all week). Had to get the oil change and ended up waiting for 2 hours. And I guess I am starting to get spring allergies making me feel heady and tired and Oh, I had to go to the dentist. Still no camera so pictures are are still all off my phone which is driving me nuts and I still haven't finished the taxes that promised myself that I would have done before April 1...Ok, I am done bitching.

But it definitely was not all bad. We had dinner with Shannon and got to harass Jackson for a little while. I won a bag of literal shit (compost) from a library raffle. Then there was farm share pickup where we  talked spring greens with the  farmers because we are all getting a little tired of the roots and very excited for spring. I did some seed planting and cleaned up the yard a bit. The mr and I have been taking some pretty good walks and trying to embrace any nice weather that we can. I talked to Barb about talking to her plants to keep them alive and while Mark was home for the weekend I got to harass him about applying for jobs where he is expected to wear short shorts and be a prick..... I think got some joy in harassing people this week. 

Then it was Moms birthday. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM) The whole family came over and I made a birthday dinner and cake and cupcakes. The cake was for mom (blueberry coffee cake), who I know well enough to know that she was going to want to take half of it home so I made cupcake too. Those were basically for the little so I made them very neon pink. Shannon hid some candy filled eggs in the yard to keep the littles busy (for like a second) and we all just basically had one big dance party because that's what we do. After dinner we all headed down to the YMCA for the annual pick up basketball game in honor or Sean with all of Sean's friends. A bunch of younger dudes all getting a little older, playing a pretty intense and sweaty game of ball while all the littles and maybe some of the adults (Erin) proceeded to eat their weight in candy. This after all the cake they had just consumed. (The sugar highs were getting intense.).  There was a lot of emotions, but mostly it was a lot of fun and was really good to see everyone.

And then we went home to the trashed house with pasta and cake all over. Like for real everywhere. I don't know how the littles managed to smear pink frosting BEHIND and UNDER the couch, but they did and I am never going to let them eat  in my house again. All food outside from now on.  I then spent half of my day yesterday cleaning up after it all. Pink frosting and pee because apparently there are some boys that have a hard time aiming into the toilet. Fun stuff. 

Now it is Easter and I am not quite sure whats going on. I know that I am needed to fill (or not fill, or fill with (fake) poop) eggs and then hide them at some point this morning, but other then that..... There are things and people and Easter stuff, but I am not putting any pressure on myself to participate in anything. I am feeling a bit antisocial and could use quite day. I might just stay home and plant more seeds and pretend that it is not going to get mother f-ing cold out again next week and so I can pack away the last remaining bits of winter. And maybe bunny proof the garden because the bunnies have been hopping around a little to close to my garden beds these days an I am not particularly fond of sharing my food with them.What better way to spend Easter then to keep the bunnies away. Ha.  Maybe when we get chickens back there they bunnies will just stay on the other side of the fence. I'll figure it out one way or another.

Have a Happy Easter April fools.

Internet excursion from the week

-Here's Why Easter Eggs Are a Thing. Oh. 

-Seriously no. Just no. Peeps-Flavored Beer Is Reportedly Being Released For Easter 

-The Last Conversation You’ll Ever Need to Have About Eating Right. It really is. 

-Well son of a bitch. Does Coffee Really Need A Cancer Warning? California Judge Decides So

-I am in love with this serving  board. It's on my have to do list of things I have to do. DIY Celestial Wood and Brass Inlay Serving Board

-A Tiny Cabin is This Writer's Off the Grid Getaway. That toilet...It's a good one. 

-New Human 'Organ' Was Hiding in Plain Sight. Whoa dude. 

-I am always trying to make sure that I have enough protein in my diet, but I would never drink that muscle milk shit.Whole foods my friends.  How Protein Conquered America

-My sister Erin lived in a place for a while that had carpets in the bathrooms.. It was freaking disgusting. Why Did Anyone Think Carpet in the Bathroom Was a Good Idea?

-Oh, and watch the fuck out. Falling Chinese Space Station to Crash This Weekend

Pictures from the week

-C

Sunday Happy

Holy crap, it's Easter.... Well Happy Easter to you (if you celebrate it). And if no, happy beautiful spring day. It's going to be so nice and warm and sunny today. I am really excited... spring is finally here!

This past week was epic for th house. The roof was ripped off and now the new addition is up! It all started on Monday when the mr got a phone call asking if he could go let the guys into the house(they were a day early). and three days later they were done, the walls and the roof were up!(not the roofing, we are doing that next week) It was like magic ad I couldn't be happier. The upstairs is now huge and bright. Our new bedroom space is bigger then our entire living space now. I am all like Woo hoo!

When the guys were finished, the work started for us. We had to finish knocking all the walls down and ripping up all the shit floors. It's been a hard on the body kinda week of work and every single muscle in my body is aching. (the mrs too but he doesn't complain. He is a champ) 5 years ago I was able to rip apart a house and be like " what what" the next day. Now I am like What what no.. creak creak" I am officially an old lady and now I need a break!

WE are taking a semi break today( although there might be a little framing and light cleaning might be in store) because it's Sunday and it's Easter. The family is getting together for food, fun and a egg hunt, which I am really excited about., and lots of sitting outside absorbing the warm sunshine and fresh clean springtime air. It's going to be great. I am even planning on bringing a book and passing out on the back porch at some point.

What about you, any fantastic Easter/Sunday plans? Are you going to spend the day hunting down specially hidden Easter eggs, eating lots of chocolate eggs (and carrots I hope) and hanging with loved one?. I sure hope so. And don't forget to get outside. We could all use the fresh air.

Some stuff to read if you get sick of all the jelly beans.

-Ever wonder how those magazines get those amazing photos of food? Well this article explains it all. Ceci N'Est Pas Ice Cream (Actually It's Lard And Food Coloring)

-I love spring and all the pretty bloom that comes with it. 

-I went and got avocados right after I saw this (haven't tried it yet though) HOW TO MAKE AN AVOCADO ROSE

-I was thinking about making the pup a new bed. I really like this design. (and fabric)

-Did you know that Ikea sold candy? I had no clue but here is a guide for the good and the bad. Top 10 IKEA Pick & Mix Candies You Need to Try

-One mans weed is another mans salad. How to Cook with Weeds

- I sometime think I can see a few more colors then is normal....A New Study Helps Explain Why Some People Can See So Many Colors

-These plates would make me so happy.. and not just for Easter. And these molds even though I don't need them

-Trend Alert: 8 Techno Toilets cause we all need a gadgety toilet seat(no, not really)

- Is this for real? Unicorn Kisses Seltzer Water... As a seltzer water junky, I really freaking hope so.

And a couple photos.

Happy Weekend!

-C