Red Velvet Delicious

I hope everyone had a lovely and very Merry Christmas! I'm always so sad when it is all over and we put away the tree, the lights, the goodies are all eaten (with tight pants to show for it), and we stop listening to the holiday music. Luckily it isn't quite over yet!

I wanted to share this incredible red velvet recipe that we made for Jesus' birthday. A month or so ago, I stumbled upon The Food Librarian's blog as she was celebrating National Bundt Day. She made 30 bundts in 30 days--she likes big bundts. :) I thought that I would have to search long and hard for the perfect red velvet recipe but I think I found the perfect one first time around! The following is Kiss My Bundt Bakery's Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting as adapted by the Los Angeles Times.


CAKE

1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon fine salt
1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Using an electric mixer, combine the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder.
4. Add dry ingredients to the wet 1/2 cup at a time. Do this slowly so that the batter doesn't develop clumps.
5. Pour the batter into pans that have been greased and floured. The recipe will make one bundt cake.
6. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean and the cake doesn't jiggle when shaken, about 45 minutes.
7. Cool the cake in the pan for at least 15 minutes. Then invert onto a serving plate. If cake resists, cool for an additional 15 minutes. Cool completely before frosting, at least 1 hour for a single large bundt cake.

FROSTING

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar (measured then sifted)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. With an electric mixer on medium speed, cream the cream cheese and butter until soft and completely smooth, at least two minutes.
2. Turn the mixer speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, making sure to scrape down any frosting stuck to the sides of the bowl.
3. Add the vanilla extract.
4. Mix on medium speed until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.

Gingerbread Fun

I just love this time of year!

Handmade Holidays continued

My handmade holiday wrapping continues!

Handmade Holidays

I FINALLY found a frame for my embroidered flowers! I embroideed the flowers for my grandma as her Christmas present. I think (hope!) she will like them. My great fear is that the frame will break en route. Please no, please no.

Finished Pillow

I posted images of my embroidered elves as they were in progress. I considered framing them but then changed my mind and made them into a pillow instead. I love the way they came out!

Elves

Most recently Brian was in Japan for 10 days (on another post I'll tell you all about the fabric he brought back. I have the best husband ever!). The evenings are BORING without him around so I would embroider to pass the time. Aren't these two little elves adorable? The elves are Jenny B's inspiration. So cute!

I've got big plans for these two. Stay tuned!

Blissful Sunday

This was the kind of Sunday I had. We ate yummy pancakes for breakfast, wrapped gifts, watched football, drank hot cocoa, took naps, and had an all around wonderful and restful day. You need a Sunday like that every once in awhile.

Counting Down

It is such a busy time of year. I wish I had time to post all that is going on around here! More soon though!

Self Portrait

We have been in the single digets weatherwise for about four days now. This cold snap has us a bit bored indoors. Searching for ways to entertain ourselves. Tomorrow it is going to be a downright balmy 18 degrees.

12 Degrees

The high today was 12 degrees! Yowser, it was darn cold. We also woke up to 4+ inches of snow. After shoveling the driveway/sidewalks, we attempted (unsuccessfully) to make a snowman. We didn't last for very long. It was too cold and the snow was too dry. The best part of having fun in the snow is coming in for some hot cocoa with marshmallows--or a little cocoa with our marshmallows.

You remember that sweet poem from childhood:
Animal crackers, and cocoa to drink,
That, is the finest of suppers, I think;
When I'm grown up and can have what I please,
I think I shall always insist upon these.



In keeping with tradition, we gobbled our marshmallows, dipped our animals and sipped our cocoa. The kids loved it. I wish I took pictures outside. I was afraid for my lens, it was that cold.




After our treat, we sat by the Christmas tree and fire and listened to Christmas Carols. I had a good laugh at watching the kids make funny faces in the ornaments, which then led to them start kissing all the ornaments. Too cute!





It was the perfect day, just PERFECT. I love these kinds of days. It is definitely why I love this season!

My Fabric Wish List

Today I wanted to share my favorite fabrics with you. I'm a Fat Quarter Shop fan. I like their web site. It is easy to navigate and I like being able to see the coordinating fabrics in a line all together. So, all of the following colorways can be found at FQS.










I can't get enough of all the Japanese import fabrics. They're pricey but so unique and fun. I recently discovered Fabricworm's Etsy shop. I also recently discovered sewdeerlyloved's Etsy shop. I'm planning to make a car quilt for MiniB and found that her shop offered the perfect mix of red and aqua Japanese fabrics. I love these Japanese cuties:








I hope you've enjoyed my wish list sharing. I'd love to know if you post your wish lists. Maybe I'll get some more ideas!

My Wish List (patterns)

I'm going Oprah-style and sharing my wish list of all things crafty. Yesterday I featured some of the books that are on my wish list. I hope you were able to add some to your own list after seeing my list (if you have a favorite, let me know yours--I'm sure I don't have it). Today, I'm going to feature some of the patterns I'm eyeing. There are so many but here are a few of my faves.



Glad All Over quilt



Toddle Time quilt



Elf Embroidery pattern from Jenny B's Etsy shop (ok, I broke down and bought this one--couldn't wait!)



Oliver + S School Days Jacket Isn't Liesl beyond talented? I want this coat in my size! If you think the coat is cute, how about her jumprope dress?



And I can't make a pattern list without including Julie's adorable knitted animals. Visit Julie's blog to see all of her animal creations.



Can't go without posting a purse pattern. May I present the Sophia Carry All by Amy Butler. Too cute.



I love all of Amy's quilt patterns so it is hard to narrow it down to one. But I'd sure love to make the Lollipop quilt for MiniMe's bed someday.




The Lollipop quilt by Kati Cupcake design

And what 5-year old wouldn't just love the Analise outfit? MiniMe sure would love me to whip this one up for her. I have the ideal fabric in mind too. I've sewn Sandi's patterns before and I have to tell you that she is so thorough and her pictures are so helpful. A new to intermediate sewer should have no problems. MiniMe asks me if she can wear her Claire dress when it is 30 degrees outside, she loves it that much.



In my next "wish" post, I'll cover fabric!