20 in 20 -- Make a new dessert

At work we were having a cultural dessert day and I decided I'd bring something German. Many German recipes are apple or plum based. I had an apple cake recipe that I could use but it required 2 cups of apples. I wasn't in the mood to peel and chop that many apples.

I searched Google and Pinterest for a week or so. I enlisted Stacy's help. She actually gave me a few good suggestions. One that I was contemplating making. Then I found the perfect recipe for Apfelkunchen. It was a basic butter cake recipe topped with apples.. 5 or 6 ingredients in all and the best part it called for 1 apple.

The only problem is that it's not apple season in Wisconsin. I picked up a couple galas because they were on sale. I usually bake with Macintosh.

This was probably one of the easiest cake recipes I made. Cream butter and sugar. Add a couple eggs. Add the flour and baking powder. Spread in springform pan. Peel and slice the apple then press into cake. Bake. Sprinkle with powder sugar. Eat.

Everyone at work said it was really good. It was the perfect texture. I would bake it just a tad bit less because the crust got crispy but it was it was very tasty. I thought it needed more apple flavor and maybe that's what I get for using Galas. Only 2 tiny pieces remained after I took home two pieces.

The hubby on the other hand wasn't overly impressed. He did say it was clearly a German dessert as it was blander than most apple cakes. He would try it again if I make it with Macintosh.

I'm hoping the Macintosh apples make a difference since it's such a simple cake. I was told it looked fancy all sprinkled with powder sugar. It would be perfect for a brunch or tea party.

20 in 2020

I decided I wanted to complete 20 things in 2020 that weren't on my bucket list. I asked my Facebook friends for help. 

Some of their suggestions:

New foods. New desserts. New exercises. 20 something a day (push ups squats etc)

Sky diving -- this seemed to be a common suggestion

Golf -- Does he realize who he is talking to? Someone might get beheaded or something...

Make a birdhouse. Learn a new language. Start a container vegetable garden. Repurpose something old into something new. Learn how to can or pickle. Learn backyard astronomy.... i just got a telescope. Learn how to recognize different clouds or trees


Start a new hobby, learn a new kind of workout, make a plan to eat healthier, try a brand new hairstyle, learn to recognize the birds in your area and their calls, try a new healthy recipe ever week.

20 new baseball stadiums -- I wish!!

Get a Tattoo? Different hair color/ style? New craft or sport?

Here is my list. It has some of their ideas incorporated into it and others that I really want to do. Some of things did come off the bucket list but not many. 

Craxi's 20 in 2020

1. Go to short story night at lion tail
2. Make a smoothie
3. Read to kill a mockingbird
4. Read a non-fiction book each month
5. Make crepes
6. Try tai chi
7. Go to Cozzy's
8. Go to Spat's
9. Try a new fruit
10. Go to the ballet
11. Walk loop the lake
12. Go to Mile to Music
13. Do a virtual 5K
14. Go to doughalicious
15. Tour Lambeau Field
16. Try a new ethic food
17. Explore one new city in WI
18. Make at least 1 new dinner recipe
19. Make at least one new dessert/cookie recipe
20. Try at least one new wine/beer/alcoholic beverage

Dot by Dot -- Painting Rock Mandalas

Apparently one of the hottest library event in the area is Rock Mandalas. Kaukauna Library had one in the fall and people literally were waiting outside the library to sign up before the library opened. So when I saw Menasha Library was offering the same program, I jumped on it and signed up without looking at a calendar. Oops.. it was the same night as the Red Smith Banquet that we were possibly going to. Turns out Red Smith Tickets were $50/person and we decided to stay home. I went to the library and the hubby watched TV.

Mandala is actually sacred practice engaged by Tibetan monks and many other cultures. It has become mainstream with mandala coloring books and now mandala rocks.

Photo courtesy of Google

The easiest form of Mandala rocks is creating a picture with dots of varying sizes. Most of them look like a flower pattern or insects.

We were given very basic directions.. pick out your paint colors, paint your rock a solid color (usually black).. figure out your design.. paint your design by adding dots of varying sizes to your rock using different objects (dowels, cotton swabs, tooth picks, pencil erasers)

Okay.. I usually need more instruction than that but I went to town. Because I was having so much fun there are limited pictures.

Painted rocks black.

Googled design since the examples seemed a bit scary.

Dotted rock with paint. Let dry and worked on the other rock.

Went back to the first rock and added more dots. I wasn't satisfied with how it looked.

Making teeny tiny polka dots on rocks with a toothpick is oddly relaxing.

I think they turned out pretty good. I need to work on my spacing but it kind of looks like a Mandala.

I may need to invest in some rocks and dowels and make a few more.