Blog Birthday #6 and a Challenging Year

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Just a few weeks ago, Larry and I were sitting at a café high in the Alps, enjoying spectacular views. He raised his coffee and toasted “Happy Fall”, which reminded me of my sixth anniversary as a food blogger.

I don’t feel too deserving of a celebration this year, as my blog has taken a back seat for almost a year to going through double thumb surgeries. After each surgery came months of splints, casts, medical appointments, OT and rehab. My functioning in the kitchen and garden were severely limited, especially when each hand was casted for six weeks. Let’s skip the part when each respective six-inch pin was removed…It’s been a long haul and I’m glad to feel some gains towards full recovery.

A slow recovery is nothing compared to the pain I had experienced summer before last, which finally drove me to seek out a hand surgeon. I was lucky and our internist referred me to a terrific doctor. Pain is a great motivator and I had each surgery as soon as I could handle it.

And here it is Fall once again, just about my favorite time to hang out in the kitchen. My thoughts turn to roasting a chicken with lots of garlic and Meyer lemons, braising a roast in rich red wine – and to apples, my favorite fall fruit. I’m especially partial to Honey Crisps and Fujis, but I found a bag of organic Galas that smelled like autumn. Inspired, I drove home to whip up an apple cake.

 

apple-cake

 

It’s pretty easy to make a decent apple cake and this recipe was no exception. I grabbed the recipe I’d clipped from last month’s  Sunset magazine, a recipe you can find here.

As with most Sunset recipes, this cake turned out as promised and pretty enough to snap with my iPhone before I sifted powdered sugar on top.

My only caveat is that they recommend a baking time of 60-75 minutes and mine was easily done in 55 minutes. My oven can run a little hot, but check yours around 55 minutes, just to avoid over-baking the cake.

Happy Fall – and see you again soon.

 

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26 Responses to Blog Birthday #6 and a Challenging Year

  1. domenicacooks October 7, 2016 at 9:11 am #

    Happy blog anniversary, Liz! I’m sorry to hear about your thumb troubles. Hoping the coming year will pain- and surgery-free. Cheers, Domenica

    • Liz October 7, 2016 at 9:15 am #

      Thanks so much – I have come such a long way in the past 11 months. But my knife skills still suffer – ha!

  2. Mimi of MimiAvocado October 7, 2016 at 10:07 am #

    Congratulations Liz! On year 6 of blogging and on having the courage to address the pain.

    • Liz October 7, 2016 at 10:44 am #

      Thanks, Mimi – it’s wonderful to catch up with my blogging pals –

  3. susan | the wimpy vegetarian October 7, 2016 at 10:22 am #

    I love Sunset magazine recipes too, and will have to make this one. I love anything with apples. Hope you had a wonderful vacation, and hope you’ve fully recovered from a challenging year of surgeries!! So nice to see you back here, my friend 🙂

    • Liz October 7, 2016 at 10:45 am #

      Great trip to Switzerland – some pain upon return to high humidity here in San Diego, but I was pain free during the trip. xoxo

  4. Beth Lee October 7, 2016 at 2:35 pm #

    Happy to see a post from you Liz! Might even give this cake a shot for tonight’s dinner. I need to cheer myself up and this might just be the trick. Perked me up to see you posting and hoping it will get me back on the posting train as well! Have a great weekend.

    • Liz October 7, 2016 at 3:34 pm #

      It’s an easy recipe, kind of like a rich clafouti – hope we are both getting our blogging mojo back. xo

  5. Priscilla | ShesCookin October 7, 2016 at 3:16 pm #

    Good to see you back in the kitchen, Liz! Fall-ish weather brings out a cake and quick bread craving in me and your apple cake looks amazing! May year 7 be delicious and pain free!

    • Liz October 7, 2016 at 3:32 pm #

      Thanks, Priscilla – I love your restaurant adventures. Big hugs to you and to Tank 😉

  6. Suzanne October 7, 2016 at 4:15 pm #

    Happy Anniversary Liz, wow two surgeries on your hands. I know how tough it is going through one. Hope you are fully recovered now and have full use of your hands. I love apple cake this looks delicious. The cake just screams Fall I can almost smell those apples baking in the cake.

    • Liz October 8, 2016 at 7:55 am #

      I always enjoy your posts, Suzanne – your energy inspires me.

  7. Andrew October 7, 2016 at 4:30 pm #

    This post gets two thumbs up, Liz! 😉

    • Liz October 8, 2016 at 7:55 am #

      Thanks, coach!

  8. Abby of Baby Birds Farm October 8, 2016 at 6:23 am #

    I hope this next year is better for you. No more pain or inconvenience.

    The cake looks delicious. I’m definitely going to have to pin it to my dessert board and try to make sometime.

    Happy 6th blogiversary! I’m so happy to have met you through blogging!

    • Liz October 8, 2016 at 7:54 am #

      Thanks, Abby, I was so impressed with your use of “real” pumpkins in your latest post – glad to have met you too!

  9. Jayne October 8, 2016 at 2:49 pm #

    Happy blog anniversary, wow time flies! This apple cake sounds delicious, a perfect idea for all the apples I am seeing everywhere!
    I am so glad your hands are on the mend, it’s been a long road.

    • Liz October 8, 2016 at 4:25 pm #

      We miss you both and remember our lovely visit with you just a year ago – the colors seem even more glorious this fall. Thanks for all your support re my hands!

  10. jacquie October 8, 2016 at 6:55 pm #

    happy blog anniversary! wow what a struggle with your hands and I do hope it over and you will be back in the kitchen full force soon.

    • Liz October 8, 2016 at 7:03 pm #

      Jacquie, I so appreciate your support xoxo

  11. Stephanie Weaver, MPH, CWHC October 10, 2016 at 10:04 am #

    Welcome back Liz! That cake looks amazing and I am glad you are on the road to recovery at last. Say hi to Larry.

    • Liz October 10, 2016 at 8:03 pm #

      Thanks for remembering me, Stephanie –

  12. Wendy Read October 10, 2016 at 5:30 pm #

    Love you Liz! Let’s hope this year brings bigger and better things. Congrats on your blog anniversary as well I’ve pinned this cake for later!

    • Liz October 10, 2016 at 8:02 pm #

      Miss you, Wendy – my dream is to sit down with you and Jayne . xoxo

  13. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious October 11, 2016 at 9:02 pm #

    Happy to see you back, and glad to hear both surgeries are behind you. Here’s to another year of delicious eats!

    • Liz October 12, 2016 at 7:14 am #

      Indeed, cheers – thanks, Dorothy!

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