The last Wednesday....

On this last Wednesday of 2014, I am continuing with a cookbook feature.  Do you remember booklets like these?

The copyright dates in these are from the thirties!  They were found in some papers that belonged to my mother.  

There was this one that came with the refrigerator, a step up from the ice box.

There was this one that came with the electric stove.

However, this one is the one that captured my attention.

For many years, Calumet was the baking powder that would wind up in my shopping cart.  It has become difficult for me to locate that brand in markets these days, for some reason.

When I opened this booklet, I found this page:

The notations on this Devil's Food Cake recipe belong to Mother.  My sister, who follows this blog, may 

remember when Mother baked this cake.

It appears that Mother also had some frosting favorites.  

Are you making any resolutions for 2015?  I know one I am making.  The next chocolate cake I bake will be this Calumet Devil's Food Cake!  I will keep you up to date on the results.

Happy New Year!

Out and about.....

While out and about last week, there were some lovely displays.

A tree adorning a favorite restaurant.

Mantle decor in the same restaurant.

Additional decor.

This was my favorite, though.

Beautiful rose bouquet in honor of those 40th birthdays!  

The tree in the bay window where we were seated at the surprise destination for that 40th birthday celebration.

Though Christmas Day has come and gone, it is still a pleasure for me to view trees and other decorations, some of which are still in place.

I've always thought that it is more fun to decorate than to undecorate!

A request....

Fulfilling a request, I am showing the recipes for the cakes that I baked for last week's birthday "girls."

Country Girl's choice....

....and this is what remained for her to take with her.

 

Munchomom actually gave me this cookbook for my birthday in the spring, and I have baked a couple of cakes from it.  The choice she made, assisted by Girl Munchkin, was the cover cake.

This is what remained for Munchomom to take home with her.

Needless to say, I will be doing much of my future cooking from this one, however!

This was one on my Christmas list, and Santa came through!

Sunday, December 28, 2014....

From Apples of Gold, compiled by Jo Petty, there are these words worthy of remembering:

                  "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

As listed in the 2014 United Methodist Women Prayer Calendar, today's Mission Focus is the Philippines: Harris Memorial College:  Leadership development program.

My wish for you on this day is that you find yourself surrounded by love, joy, peace, and kindness.

The best gifts....

What is that saying?  "The best gifts come from the heart."  "The best gifts are homemade."  Well, I'm not sure about the saying, but there is no doubt about this:

My name was on the tag.

This is what I found when I unwrapped it!  Country Man has been busy once again with his wood-working!  This is made from pine with a cedar handle.  I believe all the magazines that come to this address will fit into this!:-)  I think it is destined to become a family heirloom!

Happy week-end!

Christmas in the country....

It was a special time to go to the country for Christmas dinner with the Country Couple.  

Centerpiece on the table.

Tree trimmed with bird ornaments.

Arrangement on the foyer table.

Tabletop angel.

Sending you wishes for a very good "day after!"

Thursday, December 25, 2014 - Christmas Day

"For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ, the Lord!"

                                                                              Luke 2:11

Sending you wishes of hope, love, joy, and peace on this Christmas Day!

"Let them eat cake...."

....and that is what they did!:-) 

This is what those birthday cakes were like after they had been enjoyed.

Munchomom chose a Chocolate Truffle Cake from Martha Stewart's Cakes.

Country Girl chose a Citrus Surprise Grapefruit Cake from the King Arthur Flour website.  

Much of the remaining cake made it out the door with the "birthday girls," thankfully.

It has been a joyous time!

Before - or after?

I'm not sure here if this nap is before or after.

If it is after, he missed us!:-(  Hopefully he is resting up before his big trip.

Have a marvelous Monday!

Sunday, December 21, 2014 - Fourth Sunday in Advent....

From Luke 1:68, we have these words:

                         "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

                           for he has looked favorably on his

                           people and redeemed them."

From the United Methodist Women Prayer Calendar for 2014, today's Mission Focus is Pakistan:  Association of Women Awareness and Rural Empowerment (AWARE):  Ending violence against women.

On this day - as on all days - may you be surrounded by love, joy, and peace.

The time has come.....

.....to wish a happy birthday to someone!  Make that two someones.

Forty years ago on this date, we welcomed Munchomom and Country Girl into the family, giving City Girl two younger sisters!  We have had some wonderful times with them through the years!

Happy Birthday to Munchomom and Country Girl!

Watching and waiting....

Chris, the Christmas clown, is watching and waiting.

Santa must be nearby!  After all, he has left his hat here!

He must be coming back for it!

Five more sleeps!

No matter how busy....

....these days become as we approach Christmas, there is always time to take a break and enjoy some Christmas reading.

My very favorite way to begin setting the mood for the season is to review this book - Christmas Joy - by Susan Branch.

Ideas for "decking the halls" are especially helpful.  Thank you, Susan!

Another book that is well-loved by many in our family is this one:

Some gllimpses inside follow.

Tolkien fans are sure to enjoy this one!

Take some time for a reading break!  I always feel refreshed when I do!

Appetizer....

When we are faced with coming up with something for an appetizer, the first thing I think of is a cheese tray.  It is certainly the simplest and least labor intensive.  That is not the direction I chose recently, however.  

This was the mixture before it was to be placed into individual phyllo shells.

This is the "lone leftover" that came back home.:-)

Here is the recipe.  It comes from Skinnytaste.com, a very favorite site that I visit regularly!  

Enjoy!

Do you remember....

....when the local utililty company had home economists on their staff?  They would have sessions on various topics of interest to homemakers.  Also, there were publications available, particularly at Christmas time, to give us assistance in making our plans.

Here are some I collected from a number of years ago.  They included help with menus.

There was always a good opportunity to find some good recipes.

I am liking the sound of that Quick Corn Pudding, so that may find a place on the table here very soon!  Grits in Casserole sounds like a good choice, too!  I'll try to remember to take pictures!

The "Santa Crunch" is on!  Does it seem like someone pushed the "fast forward" button?  Eight more sleeps until Christmas Day!

Santa Claus.....

....is coming!

A collection of Santas through the years.  The smaller one was a gift from a student in1988.

The one in the middle was a gift of a friend of our daughters in the church youth group, and the fiddle-playing Santa is in honor of City Girl who chose to play the violin in middle and high school.

The parade continues.  The smaller ones were painted by Country Girl as a Christmas gift for me a number of years ago.  The Santa music box was a student gift in 1995.

The appearance of these must mean the "real arrival" isn't far away!  Are you ready?

Another chance....

As a week had passed, and I had not heard from the original winner of the giveaway, last night The Husband chose another name.  I have sent email to Sandra Coleman Clark!  You are the winner of this:

I will put it in the mail to you as soon as I have your address!

Congratulations!

There will be other giveaways in the future, so there will be other chances for those of  you who commented.

Wishes for a happy week ahead!

Sunday, December 14, 2014 - Third Sunday of Advent

    "His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation."

                                                                Luke 1:50a

Today's Mission Focus from the United Methodist Women Prayer calendar for 2014 is the United Methodist Ministries, Omaha, Nebraska.

May love, joy, and peace surround you on this day!

What is today?

Today is Saint Lucia Day!  This day is celebrated in Sweden in honor of Saint Lucia, said to have worn a crown of candles to help light the way when she carried food to Christian martyrs hiding in cave from persecution. The present-day tradition is for the oldest daughter to rise first and bring buns to all those who are sleeping in the household.

I may - or may not - bake this today:

Isn't it lovely?  It comes from this:

Yes!  Another Betty Crocker cookbook!  You've seen several of these earlier on the blog.

I have conducted an experiment and did some resetting on my Blogger page.  Someone out there will have to let me know if there is still a verification box in the Comment section.

Twelve more sleeps until Christmas Day!

Oh!  I don't think I'll be baking that beautiful braided crown of bread, but I did give it some serious thought.