early morning car shuffle

Every 2nd or 3rd week I don't get my act together in the evening and move my car to the 'non-street sweep' side of the street. On those weeks you will find me out on the road at 6AM (aka the crack of dawn) circling the blocks trying to...just...find...some...where...to...park...zzzzzz

This morning found me doing that exact thing. I've learned that 6AM-6:15AM is the best time to find a spot because those early morning gym people or commuters have usually vacated a spot. (Sometimes I'm the early morning person myself and just take myself and my car to the gym.)

This bright and early morning was special though. I found a spot quickly. It was on a hill but whatever, that just means a couple back and forth adjustments. Nearly had it when out of nowhere comes a crazed man (seriously legitimately crazy) who proceeded to berate me for my sub-par parking skills. In a very loud and agitated voice that ended with "Cut the crap and get it together." Then he stormed off with his sheepskin rug flying out behind him like a cape as he took the next corner in a 'she doesn't know how to park' agitated, loping kind of way.

Harrumph I thought sitting in my car until the coast seemed clear. I'm a fine parallel parker. And this is way too much to handle before my morning coffee.

I've been SPAM'd

Email spam is an everyday occurrence but SPAM, well, I can't say that's ever been a regular part of my day. And especially not as the secret ingredient to bundt cake. On New Year's for the 30's themed party, friends brought just that - Spiced Apple SPAM Bundt cake and to tell you the truth, I had no idea. I had missed the announcement about the secret ingredient, and my sample of the cake just tasted like spiced cake.


If you find yourself needing more protein in your dessert, try this recipe. But be warned, making the SPAM into paste in a food processor may be a memory that you don't want to have stuck in your head.

Ingredients:

• 1 12-oz can reduced-sodium Spam (emphasizing that reduced-sodium is very important for recipe)
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups chopped (peeled) apples
• 3 cups self-rising flour
• 1 cup chopped or broken walnuts or pecans

Glaze:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar

For the cake, heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan. Cut Spam into several pieces and place in food processor or blender. Process to a paste consistency.

In a large bowl, combine Spam, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and apples. Mix with electric mixer until well blended. Gradually add flour, mixing well on low speed after each addition. Stir in nuts and pour into bundt pan.

Bake 1 hour or until cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for about 15 minutes before turning out onto a place with deep sides.

For the glaze, heat cream and brown sugar in a small saucepan until sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and whist in enough powdered sugar until glaze is think but still pourable. Pour glaze evenly over cake.