some visuals (and a treat)

The heavy ice just brought trees and limbs cracking down all through the night and day.There are wires still down and snaking all over the roads
Look at the limbs hanging on the wires!
Since this is what we're still living everyday (minus the beautiful ice crystals now--although snow is on the way!), I thought I'd give you a glimpse into some of the wake of this storm. It's impressive. The clean-up is massive, and everyone is just trying to work together to get debris cleaned up, wires put back, and restore the power to those STILL without... It's humbling.
The newscasters are correctly reporting that there are still more residents here who are WITHOUT power, than those who have had it restored.
(And thanks to my friend Marilyn, since these pictures are from her camera)
We ran into some friends in town at the store, and they still are without power...
It was hard to feel so happy about having power back when your friends don't.
Food always helps.
Here is a MUST bake for your friends, or a holiday brunch:
I doubled this last night, and made two.
Southern Apple Cake
cream together:
1 1/2 c. canola oil
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
then add:
1 t. vanilla
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
2 t. baking powder
then add and mix just until combined well--
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 c. chopped pecans
3 c. peeled and diced apples
mix well. Batter is thick. Put into greased bundt cake pan.
Bake at 350 for one hour.
Do the toothpick test. It will be done, but slightly moist. The pick should come out clean.
Right away while the cake is hot, mix the glaze and pour over cake in the pan.
Let sit 2-3 hours to cool and set.
Then invert the pan and either serve that day or cover and let sit on the counter til ready to serve. You can easily make this 1-2 days ahead. It aso freezes well.
GLAZE
melt and boil one minute
1 c. dark brown sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. milk

YUMMY! Don't skip this one!