Red Velvet

I've never been a big fan of Valentine's Day.  I think it goes back to high school when, if I had a boyfriend, I got dumped right before the big day. Now that I think about it, it wasn't just V-Day, but every other holiday along the way!  I always thought it was pretty crappy for a guy to do that and quickly realized it was because he was a cheap ***!  I envied the girls who had flowers delivered to them at school or walked around with heart shaped chocolate boxes.

As I got older, it didn't get much better, at least not for sweetheart day.  Even married.  I recall a particular Feb. 14th that fell on the same Sunday as the Daytona 500.  Uh...let's just not go THERE! As time marched on, V-day just kind of faded into the background. Oh, well, there's been roses here and there or a box of chocolate or dinner out, but not a big to do.

 I've always wanted to make a Red Velvet Cake from scratch.  Only because I've heard there's some magic involved and I'm all for a challenge! I searched until I found this old Southern recipe and didn't think there was anything too spectacular about it.

I gathered the ingredients and set forth on this journey of sugar, eggs, cocoa, and RED food coloring. WOW! That's a LOT of red! Didn't I hear once that red dye #40 wasn't good for you? Not like this cake is anyway!

This needs NO explanation!

BEST vanilla I've ever used!

Eggs and Sugar

Very dangerous lab procedure

Looks like an art project!

Perfect out of the oven.

Let the fun begin!

Some sugar crystals and sprinkles for a dash of excitement

The whole kit and caboodle!

The roses were from my sweetheart!

Here's the recipe for one VERY delicious cake!

2 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cocoa
1 1/2 c granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 c canola oil
1 tsp vinegar
1 (1 oz bottle of red food coloring)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup buttermilk (room temp)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (9 inch) round cake pans.

Sift flour, baking soda, cocoa together.  Beat sugar and eggs together in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, mix together oil, vinegar, food coloring, and vanilla.  Watch that red, as it will stain clothes and fingers! Add to the bowl of eggs and sugar and beat until combined.

Add the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the wet mixture by alternating the buttermilk and dry ingredients. Always start with the flour and ending with the flour.  Pour batter into pans. Tap them on the table to level out and release air bubbles.  Bake for 25 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Watch it closely. Mine were finished at about 18-20 minutes.  You don't want to over bake or you'll have a dry cake.  Let layers cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then remove from pans. Cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

2 sticks margarine at room temp
16 oz cream cheese at room temp
2 box confectioner's sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla

Cream together the margarine and cream cheese. Add sugar and beat until mixed, but not so much that the frosting becomes loose. Add vanilla.  You can also add toasted pecans or walnuts.  Spread between layers and on sides.

Now, here's the deal.  I screwed this up big time! The recipe listed above is doubled.  I usually do this because I'd rather have too much than not enough.  Well, I did great with the cream cheese and margarine, but when I got to the sugar, I only added 1 box.  I also didn't pay attention to over mixing the frosting, as mine was a little "loose."  I don't know why, but that term just doesn't sound right to me. Brings about another....uh, never mind.

So, I have this very creamy frosting and I'm trying to figure out why the consistency isn't thicker...DUH!  BUT, it tastes FABULOUS!  I expected it to be very sweet, but it wasn't at all.  You could really taste the cream cheese. I started frosting the cake and it wasn't too challenging, just different. It set up nicely in the fridge.  I have to say it's the BEST cream cheese frosting I've ever tasted!  I will continue to leave out the 2nd box of sugar. Also, I did have some left over.  My son thought it would be good to dunk oreos in!

I'm suddenly craving a slice of cake. Hmmm...I wonder if there's any left?

Sneak Peak

Three little girls just might like this....

The time is quickly approaching for a mother to get her crafting studio back! Ooops...did I REALLY just say that?  I'm just kidding...sort of ! I've loved having him home these past few months, but he's moving back out in a couple of weeks. 

 April 9th is just 2 months away when Scooter, my hero, will begin his life journey with his beautiful bride.  I'm not sure the magnitude of it has hit me, yet.  I'm keeping busy with making flower girl baskets, head pieces, and decorations for the ceremony and reception.  That being said, I thought I'd just share a sneak peak of what I'm doing...

Now...what could this possibly be?

These were once white...love Glimmer Mist!

Gotta have white birds in a wedding...right?

Last, but not least...glitter!  Thank you, Martha, for the finest out there!

So, there you have it!  You'll just have to check back later when I get it all done.  Wish me luck!



Lack of Pretense

We were invited over to Tracie’s grandparent’s house. The Nickel’s…Ted and Frantella. Sweet people married for 65 years. Small house filled with 25 people. All blood relatives except for Jer and I and Aaron’s mom and dad. Aaron is married to Crystal, Tracie’s sister. I can’ t imagine cooking for that many people, but the preparation started days before. Family members all brought a dish and I brought brownies…candy cane peppermint brownies. To die for, I might add.
We were graciously introduced to family we had yet to meet. Kendall and Jennifer, from Dallas, and their son and his wife. Kendall is TJ’s brother. We were introduced to some cousins scattered throughout the room and Grandma made sure she welcomed us with open arms. We sat and visited while we waited for the dinner bell to ring. Grandma, Franchetta, wanted to say a prayer…a blessing. She wrote it down, so she wouldn’t forget any of it. She blessed us all for coming and asked for a blessing on Jennifer, as she had lost her beloved mother this year, whom they all loved. She mentioned the newest member of the family, Sydney, born to Crystal and Aaron. She shared “Mike” and Tracie’s upcoming wedding next year and Gerald and Susans. She then blessed the food.
She rushed us into the kitchen to form a cafeteria line , which started at the desserts first. Just a tease to show us what was to come. The spread was laid out in aluminum pans, except for the chicken dumpling, a family tradition, which was in a big stock pot. Chinet, plates and bowls and plastic cups filled with ice were lined up and ready. After we filled our plates and poured our drink, champagne included, we decided to go out to the garage where a very long table was set up, enough to sit 20. There was also a table in the house to seat 6 and then couches, chairs and the floor. We had been told to sit wherever we wanted to. Paper napkins and plastic utensils were placed at each chair. Dinner rolls , along with a tub of margarine, were placed at each end of the table. We sat and enjoyed our meal while laughing and visiting with our new family members. After our plates were empty, we went back for dessert. Pies of every flavor; pumpkin, apple, cherry, coconut cream, an apple strudel (another family tradition) and of course my brownies. We stuffed ourselves until we couldn’t breathe.
We then gathered into the living room where gifts were presented to grandma and grandpa. It was so sweet to watch them open them. I was reminded of a child getting their first glimpse of packages under the tree Christmas morning. Pure delight with each opened package. When they were done, Grandpa got up and gathered two gift sacks and gave one to me and one to Aaron’s parents. I was surprised, to say the least. It was a box of chocolates. The sweetest chocolates I would ever put into my mouth. Then grandpa gave out personalized cards , to each family member. When the last one was delivered, the sound of paper tearing was heard all about the room. Each card contained a monetary gift. Each person yelled out a heartfelt thank you to grandma and grandpa.
It was now time for Dirty Santa. I’d never played Dirty Santa with that many people, so I knew it was going to be fun. And it was. It took awhile for the “pirating” to start, but when it did, it was good. I stole itune gift cards from Aaron and Jer stole a small shop vac from Savanna, a cousin of Tracies.
We stayed and visited for quite some time after that and then people started to shuffle out. We hugged and said our goodbyes. Grandma and Grandpa both told me how honored THEY were to have us join them on this day. They truly Love Scooter and I truly LOVE them!
The thing I will take home from this day is this…the lack of pretense and airs. That house was filled with pure love. The purest form like when a baby enters its parents arms for the first time. It didn’t matter what form of china we ate of f of or the rusty old folding chairs we sat on. What matter were the people. The love AND respect shown by each and every person in that house. I was so overwhelming touched by all of that. It’s so easy to get hung up on the petty things. The fine china, the crystal minus the water spots, the ironed table cloth, your finest clothes. We had what matters most. Love and appreciation for one another. That’s what I felt. Every grandchild in that tiny little house had great respect for not only their grandparents ,but for their cousins, aunts , uncles and siblings.
It was a Christmas I’ll never forget. If it hadn’t been for them including us, we would have been home alone, which we were ok with, but this was so much better. I am thrilled that Scooter is marrying into such a lovely family with strong values and traditions. I am honored to be welcomed into the family, too.
Another thing learned. There’s a lot of wisdom that comes with 65 years of marriage, like using disposable dishes when feeding 25 people!