Today is my birthday...

No it's not really mine, I would prefer to not discuss my birthday. This last birthday and the next four to follow are really tearing me up inside, I am not going to handle the big 3-0 very well, I can already tell. Twenty five was a rough one and this years 2-6 isn't going to be any easier. Don't ask me why I am like this, I can't really tell you. I think it's the fear of getting older and eventually passing on. It scares me to think of not being on this earth surrounded by my family and friends. In fact just thinking about death makes me hyperventilate. Let's talk about something else shall we??

While today is not my birthday, it is the birthday of a particular fan of this little ol' blog I affectionately call Katie's Korner. I missed his birthday celebration on Saturday due to the fact I was a little under the weather and unable to leave my home so we are having birthday dinner round two at my joint this coming Saturday. That right there should tell you how special this man is to our family, not very many people get multiple birthday celebrations like I do every year. There is something to be said about having divorced parents who re-married and then divorced again. There's a lot of guilt flowing in my extended family and I get to reap the rewards...lol.

(Uncle Dan and Aunt Robin at the cookie bake-off)

Anyway, this particular man is not only my favorite Uncle, but he's my Godfather, and pretty much my third Dad. Technically he's my second since he came before my step-dad, but I categorize them all together so we're good. If I wasn't with my Mom and Step-Dad or with my Dad and Step-Mom, I was with my Uncle Dan and my Aunt Robin. A kid can never have to many places to call home and their house was definitely just as much mine as all my other homes were.

If I only have one visitor to my blog each day I can count on it being my Uncle Dan. He enjoys reading my posts just as much as I enjoy creating them. He is my ultimate recipe taster and I know that if I were to do anything to make him happy, it would be to cook him something. Since I am making him a big dinner on Saturday I thought I would do something a little sweet tonight. Hope everyone enjoys and yes Uncle Dan, a fresh one will be ready for you upon your arrival on Saturday.Apple Coffee Cake (Adapted from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:
Cake~
1/2 C. butter, softened
1 C. sugar
3 eggs
3 C. all purpose flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 C. milk
1- 21 oz. can apple pie filling
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Topping~
1/2 C. chopped walnuts
1/4 C. packed brown sugar
2 tbsp. butter, softened

Directions:
1.) In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, combine with flour, baking powder, and salt, slowly add milk.
2.) Pour half of mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish. *Combine apple pie filling with cinnamon and spoon over batter. Drop remaining batter over filling and spread gently.
3.) Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over batter.
4.) Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5.) Cool on a wire rack.

* I added the cinnamon to the batter instead of mixing with the apples.

Verdict...this is good, not my favorite. I bought the cheap brand of apple pie filling and I can tell. I think next time I would make my own apple pie filling. Uncle Dan will like it, he will eat just about anything I make. Daniel's stuff not always, Daniel likes to sneak in the heat, we will not discuss the atomic buffalo turds will we Uncle Dan??