Recipe that no one should live without

I have a tendency to subscribe to a multitude of magazines. I have collected over the years lots of recipes, to which I tear out and add to my recipe box.

The purpose of this box is to try recipes and decide as to whether the recipe is a keeper or not. My husband enjoys being a taste tester, I tend to add pounds to him in the winter. This recipe stood out in my mind. It has odd ingredients, Sour Cream???

Best-selling crumb cake

makes: 25 servings ( I should have looked at this before I made it)

prep:25 minutes

bake: 350 for 35 minutes.

Cake:

1 box yellow cake mix (18.5ozs.)

1 1/4 cups sour cream

1/3 cup vegatable oil

3 eggs

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Crumb topping:

3 3/4 cups of all purpose flour

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2tsp nutmeg

1 1/2cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

Sour cream glaze:

10tbsp confectioner sugar

2 tbsp of sour cream

1. Heat oven to 350. Grease a 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Lightly dust pan with flour and shake out excess flour.

2. For cake: combine cake mix , sour cream, oil, eggs, cinnamon and nutmeg in large bowl. beat according to package directions. Pour batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

4. Meanwhile for topping blend flour sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and melted butter in medium bowl until mix is evenly moistened and clumps together.

5. Remove cake from oven. Sprinkle with crumbs (this will be thick layer). Return to oven; bake 15minutes or until crumbs are slightly set. Remove to wire rack and let cool completely.

6.For glaze whisk 8 tbsp. of the confectioners sugar with the sour cream in a bowl. Dust top of cake with remaining 2 tbsp of conf. sugar. Drizzle glaze on cake.

7. Brew your favorite cup of coffee and try not to eat more than one piece. Cake can be stored at room temp for 3 days. Believe me it will not last that long.

I am not usually a fan of cakes. They taste good, but if I were at a dessert buffet I would not choose cake.

This cake crumbled and melted in your mouth, serious this best tasting cake I have ever had!

Back into sewing

I have been on such a crochet kick because of Laura and Julia, that I have not sewn in months. I decided that because the twins are always inspiring me with their crafting endeavours that I wanted to thank them.

They have inspired me to be crafty, and use skills that I had forgetten that I had. I dusted off the sewing machine and created these cute quick and easy crochet needle cases.

I consider myself a very lucky girl to have become friends with these unique women.

If you knew them you would probably guess which one belongs to which.

Laura's is on the left

Julia's is on the right

Laura has a paisley print, which I know she is very fond of.

Julia's button has a rooster on it, which reminded me of a past blog she had posted, about two adorable rooster tea cups.

May they be a constant reminder for my thankfulness of our friendship!

cowl

While on Vacation I found myself missing my hooks and yarns. Before we left I finally got to use the yarn I was yearing to make a cowl with. I was also interested in making something with a large hook. It was a size Q hook. It was amazing how quick this whipped up.

My next crochet project will take a while, I am determined to make a sweater. We will see how it turns out.

Good times

Our vacation in Florida visiting my parents was amazing. Not only was it relaxing, my son had a great time and learned a ton.

The weather was not that great but we made the best by visiting the Florida Aquarium. I took a zillion picture but thought I would share a few of my faves.

I love the reflection of his face in the glass.

We also went to the Lowry Zoo. Jack learned so much about animals, he told me this morning

"Ma there is an alligator in my room, he pooped in my bed." Okay maybe not the best thing to say about alligators but at least he knows what one is.

He saw how piercing blue the tigers eyes were. He ran around all day from one animal to the next and then splashed around in the fountains. He may have been the only kid playing in the fountain, as it was only 60 degrees. The other Florida children in there sweatshirts were jealous.

One of the last things we did on the nicest day was visit Fort Desoto Park/ the Gulf of Mexico. The white sandy beaches and crystal blue water was breathtaking.

Jack searched for "she-shells".

Vacation was only made possible by my generous parents, who bought us plane tickets for Christmas. They opened there camper in Florida to us and we will always be grateful for this gift. It made us realize that we need to start saving money for future endeavors. It was a good time had by all.

vacation day before vacation

I was called off today. Just what I needed a day to myself, and what to my surprise was dangling from my mailbox but the books that I ordered from Joann's. Finally time to relax and enjoy my new hooks and books. I finally got to use the yarn I have been dying to knit into a cowl for myself. I would have glorious pictures but my computer is not cooperating with downloading at this moment.

It was a vacation day before our first family vacation. My husband and I have never been on a trip together. He has never flown, and I have only flown once a long time ago. It should be an adventure with a toddler, but hopefully we will come away with lots of great memories.

So relaxation day will sadly come to an end because I have lots of packing to do.

more gifts to work

Thanks to the lovely twins, my crocheting obsession is blooming. For Christmas I got a generous gift of a bag full of yarn skeins. I have found crocheting to be rather calming, and it keeps my mind busy.

The hat is my first completed crochet project. I used scrap yarn in white which I would never wear. I never thought I would be able to actually make it! So the next hat will be in yarn that I actually like.

The cowl however is in a green alpaca yarn! I love it! It can be worn as a hood or a scarf style as demonstrated in my terrible self photos.

The green doesn't really match my coats, looks like I will have to give this one away and start a new one!

christmas gifts to use

After recently been through an emotionally trying time, I thought instead of wallowing all day, I would get busy. Busy minds don't have time to dwell. I decided to put some of my lovely Christmas gifts to work.

My countertop mixer. I have always wanted one, but not an expensive one. I don't do enough baking to justify a 400$ piece of equipment.

I decided to make some cookies. My husband likes it when I cook because he is convinced that I touch my butt. Well here is proof. My husband took the picture.

I do love my new mixer, it allows me to have the freedom to just throw all the ingredients in the bowl. The end outcome was successful.