German Chocolate Microwave Cake

If you need a quick dessert and don't have a clue what to fix, then this is the dessert for you! I don't normally fix desserts unless I have someone over for dinner. You'll be surprised at how quick and easy this is. It only takes a couple of minutes to stir everything into the microwave container, then you cook it in the microwave for only 10 minutes! That's it!

German Chocolate Microwave 
Dump Cake

I learned how to make this microwaved dump cake when I was Supervisor for Gifts by House of Lloyd, which also included Christmas Around the World and Cookin', similar to Pampered Chef. It was pretty cool that I could offer all 3 parties to my hostesses. If a hostess choose to have a Cookin' party, I would always make something for her friends to eat while demonstrating the kitchen items we offered. We had a cookbook full of quick and delicious recipes and I would let the hostess choose whether she wanted me to make a main dish, such as a pizza, a Taco Ring, Chicken Broccoli Braid or one of our delicious decedent desserts. This cake was one of them they'd often choose.

At the time I was doing that (in the 1990's), we made this cake in our microwave Rice Cooker, but I no longer have that and was trying to find a bowl or other container to cook it in. Then I realized I have a microwave pop corn popper and it was perfect for making this cake. I hope you enjoy it!

German Chocolate Dump Cake

Ingredients:

1 box Super Moist German Chocolate Cake Mix

1 cup water

1 cup sour cream

3 eggs

1 can Coconut Pecan Frosting

1 cartoon Cook Whip or ice cream

Put dry cake mix, water, sour cream and eggs in rice cooker or any microwaveable glass or plastic bowl. (I used my microwave pop corn popper). Mix well with spoon or whisk. Put Coconut Pecan Frosting on top of uncooked cake.  Microwave without lid for 10-15 minutes. Check with toothpick for doneness.
Note: it cooked only in 10 minutes in my microwave, which is 1200 watts, I believe. Cake will keep cooking after you taker it out  so do NOT overcook. Let stand for 15 minutes. Invert on plate and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Note:
I checked the cake after 8 minutes just to see how it was doing, but it was still gooey on top.
As you can see by my pictures, I did not invert it into a plate. The icing goes to the bottom of the bowl while cooking, so when you invert it, the icing will be on top!

Another Tip: if you'd like to make the German Chocolate coconut frosting from scratch, (which is better of course) go here to find that recipe by Pampered Chef. Picture above, showing the icing on top,  belongs to the person at this link.

Bohemian Style Purse

Bohemian Style Purse
Free Pattern by
Mary Jane Hall

This Bohemian Style Shoulderbag (see pattern below) is another one of the patterns I created for Hobby Lobby a few years ago. These  were given as a free pattern to customers, hoping they would purchase the Hobby Lobby yarn I used to create the design. Really, you could use just about any yarn to make this purse, but keep in mind,  if you are a beginner, using a smaller weight yarn than this bulky yarn I used would make a smaller purse. Or if you want a larger bag than this, you could use extra bulky yarn or even work the pattern with 2 strands of yarn together.

This is a super easy beginner pattern, and the tassels make it fun! Actually it reminds me of the purses from the 70's. Or if you want to make it look more like a colorful "Hippie Bag", it would be cool to crochet each row (or round) in a different vibrant color!

I probably would not have chosen a fuzzy yarn for this, but I had to come up with designs using  yarns Hobby Lobby headquarters sent me. Most of the yarn they sent was furry or fuzzy. I figured they wanted to showcase yarns that weren't selling as well.

I did 7 designs for their tear sheets and at one time Hobby Lobby had all the free patterns online, but they no longer have those posted. So that's why I am adding the free pattern here. The bag is worked in the round, having less seams to sew. Hopefully you will
be able to print this pattern. 

This pattern is copyrighted, so please do not sell the pattern. You are welcome to sell your projects made from this pattern.

Difference Between Crochet and Knitting

I have been wanting to do a post on this, but I found this article that is pretty good. I am not positive and am still researching, but I believe there are more crocheters now than there are knitters. I know how to knit, but I like crocheting so much better than knitting. It's just more fun and faster to me! I'm sure everyone is different though. I learned to crochet before I learned to knit when I was 18. One thing about it was I noticed it's much easier to find your stitch in crochet than knitting if you drop a stitch. And I like that! I love the look of knitting  but also love the look of crochet lace. It's so much fun and addicting!

While I'm still researching, in the meantime you might want to read this article at The Spruce Crafts. If you have anything to add you think might be helpful please let me know.

The Spruce Crafts:
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/differences-between-knitting-and-crochet-4077447

Flower Motif Scarf and Hat - Free Pattern

Flower Motif  Scarf and Hat 
Free Pattern by 
Mary Jane Hall

This scarf and Hat set is one of the patterns I created for Hobby Lobby a few years ago after they contacted me about doing designs to appear on their "tear sheets" in all 900 of their stores.  This was such an honor! These  were given as a free pattern to customers, hoping they would purchase the Hobby Lobby yarn I used to create the design.

I was kind of limited as to my creativity, because they would pick out the yarn and send it to me, saying to use those yarns to design something. Most of the yarn they sent was furry or fuzzy. I figured they wanted to showcase yarns that weren't selling as well.

I did 7 designs for their tear sheets and at one time Hobby Lobby had all the free patterns online, but they no longer have those posted. So that's why I am adding the free pattern here.  It is basically 6-petal flowers, connected together to form a scarf or hat with an edging in a different color. Hopefully you will
be able to print it out. As soon as I can, I will try to post a better picture. I want to say thank you to Alyssa Denen for modeling this for me. 

This pattern is copyrighted, so please do not sell the pattern, but you are welcome to sell your projects made from this pattern.

Crochet Curlique Projects

My "Candy Colored Bracelet" - this Fun Pattern is in the Book, Positively Crochet! - A Book with 50 Crochet Patterns. What A Bargin! Available on Amazon and EBay

I think one of the most unique and fun crochet stitches ever is the crochet curlique. Some people call it a spiral. I have a curlique scarf pattern in 2 of my Kooler Design/Leisure Arts booklets. The first one is Crochet Young and Trendy, published in June 2005. An editor at Leisure Arts told me later that booklet "sailed across the charts that first year". Then in 2015 they did a 2nd printing of that same booklet and titled it Crochet Fashions, but with a different project on the front cover. (A red poncho). This stitch is especially fun for a beginner! I love the fun curlique bracelet with the crochet balls and beads shown above in that first picture. Scroll down to see more curlique projects.

Working The Curlique

The way to work the spiral is to make a chain about 4"- 5" long, adding an inch or two to the length, and when you turn to work the first row, put 2 sc in the second chain from hook, and in each remaining chain across. It will magically start to curl on its on. If you want it to be even curlier, put 3 sc in each stitch instead of 2. You can do the same using all hdc or working dc into the chain. But only work 1 row and then end it off. Your hook size will also determine how tight or loose the curlique will be. If you've never done this, you should try making a curlique now. I promise, you'll be hooked! And I'm sure you can come up with projects of your own. 

Curlique Hair Tie
by Mary Jane Hall

I made the curlique hair ornament with a round stretchy hair thingy. You know what they are! These are cute to wear with a ponytail. 

Another fun, quick project using the curlique would be to make it into a key chain. When a beginner is learning to crochet, I think it is imperative that they have an actual project to work on, rather than sending them home to make a long chain. They will get more excited to be making quick projects they can make for themselves or as a gift for others. This will keep them motivated.

Curlique Key Chain
By Mary Jane Hall

All Curls Scarf
By Mary Jane Hall
Pattern is in Crochet Young and Trendy and Crochet Fashions
(Available on eBay and Amazon)

All Curls Scarf
by Mary Jane Hall

Pimento Cheese Spread for Sandwiches

Southern Pimento Cheese
For Sandwiches

This is another one of those recipes I grew up eating in the south and I absolutely love it! I have never, ever seen anyone bring Pimento Cheese Sandwiches to a gathering of any kind here in Ohio in the 40+ years I have lived here. I am the only one who has fixed it and nobody even knows what it is!

I discovered several years ago that there is a brand called Prices that my grocery store, Kroger,  sells and it's actually pretty good. I even found pimento cheese spread at Aldi recently and it was just as good as the Prices brand. But homemade is much better. I was looking for recipes on Pinterest and many of them added all kinds of spices, but I just love the simple pimento cheese spread my mama fixed. And btw, my mama never used sugar in hers, but I like it in this spread.

Can you tell I miss the south? I do fix southern food at home all the time, but sometimes I feel lonely when many people up here don't even know what grits, okra, black eyed peas, hoe cakes, red beans and rice or pimento cheese is. And of course, these are only a few of the southern foods I love.

Pimento Cheese Spread - great as a dip or spread on crackers for your holiday party! Delicious!

This recipe makes enough spread for about 12 whole sandwiches. What I'm showing above in the small container was what was left over after making 9 sandwiches. You  can also use it as a dip or spread on crackers.

INGREDIENTS - makes
9-12 sandwiches

2 cups Colby cheese, grated (it's better if you buy the chunk and grate it yourself, otherwise it will be too dry because of the flour or corn starch they coat it with)

1 cup original Velveeta cheese, grated

1 - 4 oz jar, diced pimentos, undrained (Note: this is the larger of the small glass jars you will find in the aisle with canned vegetables at Kroger. The pimentos (in the glass jar) are usually on the top shelf, near the canned mushrooms

Update: OR

You could use roasted red peppers that come in a jar. 8/12/20 - I used these roasted red peppers, (see picture below) because I didn't have the pimentos, and I couldn't tell any difference in the taste. I think I got this jar of peppers (below) at Big Lots when I was there a couple of weeks ago.

½ cup (or more) Hellman's mayonnaise or Dukes GF mayo, (more or less - sorry I didnt measure it!)

6 oz cream cheese, softened

2 - 3 teaspoons sugar or to taste

Optional: 1-2 tablespoons grated sweet Vidalia onion. I like it better without onion but sometimes it's nice for a change.

Mix all ingredients together and spread on bread for sandwiches to serve immediately, or you can put it in a container and place in the refrigerate for later.

I hope you enjoy this!

Add caption

Sweet Potato Coconut Casserole - Gluten Free

Gluten Free Sweet Potato 
Coconut Casserole 

Many years ago (in the 80's) I wanted to find a special sweet potato casserole, because I never was crazy about the candied sweet potatoes my mom fixed with toasted marshmallows on top. I don't know why I didn't like that. Maybe it's because they were canned? So I set out for a search in my collection of cookbooks. Please understand, this was before the internet and before Pinterest where you can go to find any recipes you want in a matter of seconds!

I found 3 recipes that sounded good, but I did what I usually do and took ingredients that appealed to me from all 3 recipes and came up with my own. I came up with the most decedent, delicious sweet potato casserole and called it  "Sweet Potato Pie Casserole". It was absolutely deliscious and everyone lovel it, but there was one problem. It was more like a dessert than a side dish! So most people wanted it as their dessert. (Even me)

Then my youngest son, Tracy, grew up and married the sweetest  daughter in law, Ashley, who's from the south too. She's from Nashville, where I have family roots.  One year she brought her own sweet potato casserole to our family holiday dinner and we love it. I did tweak her recipe a little. I cut way down on the sugar and also added a small can of crushed pineapple. This ingredient would be optional, but believe me it adds a little bit of sweetness which is great, considering I cut down on the sugar.

You CAN use the canned sweet potatoes and I've done it that way. It is ok, but much better with the fresh ones. My family is crazy about this dish, but I noticed they didn't really want the leftovers when I used the canned. They usually fight over who gets the last of it! I didn't eat the leftovers either when I used the canned potatoes. The secret to a good sweet potato casserole is the fresh ones. You can peel and cook them in water or bake them, peeling off the skins. This recipe is special because of the coconut and crushed pineapple. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that it's gluten free because I left out the flour that was in the original topping ingredients. I didn't miss it at all!
I hope you try it! If you do, please let me know what you think.

Sweet Potato Casserole
with Coconut

Main Ingredients
3 lg sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed) OR 1 lg can sweet potatoes (about 4-5 cups mashed) Fresh sweet potatoes make this taste so much better. It's worth the extra work.
½ cup milk
½ cup melted butter
½ cup sugar
1 cup coconut
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained (this is not in Ashley's original recipe, but I put it in because I saw it in a recipe on TV and it is delicious-a touch of sweet since there's not a ton of sugar in the potatoes.

Topping
½ cup sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup chopped pecans
Dash of salt

Mix all of  the main ingredients together with a mixer and put in a casserole dish.
Then mix topping ingredients and spread over the top.
Bake in 350º oven for 30 minutes.