The Merry Month of May!

Since May is not only my birthday month, but also includes Mother's Day, graduation, and Memorial Day,

I'd thought I'd share this wonderfully decadent, easy to whip up chocolate cake recipe.  As a matter of fact, it's so moist, you won't even need to make icing for it.  Unless of course you want to.


Triple Chocolate Cake

Cocoa powder for dusting.
1 - 18-1/2 ounce box deep chocolate or devil's food cake mix
1 - 4 ounce box instant chocolate pudding mix
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup toasted, chopped almonds
4 eggs
3 tablespoons almond liqueur
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup chocolate chips

(Note:  I usually leave out the liqueur and replace the almond extract with about 1 teaspoon of mint extract).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 10-inch bundt pan and dust with cocoa.

Place all ingredients, except chocolate chips, in a large bowl and beat for 2 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.  Mix in chocolate chips.

Pour into prepared pan.  Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until cake tests done.  Cool on rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

Place warm cake on serving dish and drizzle with glaze or dust with powdered sugar.

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon almond, vanilla, OR mint extract

Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a small bowl.  Let stand at room temperature until ready to glaze cake.

This is a time tested recipe.  If you keep the chocolate cake mix and instant pudding in the pantry, you can mix this cake up and have it in the oven faster than you can say Happy Birthday.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Spring has sprung.

Can you see the trees bursting forth in bud and bloom?  It's a good thing we've had rain for 5 of the last 7 days.  It's washing the pollen out of the air.

 Slowly, the sewing room is being re-assembled.  Bins of strips are now on the shelf.

I've worked my way through ironing/folding 2 bins of florals.  Now it's time to finish up 2 bins of browns.  Many of which are getting washed to freshen.  The cabinets are getting full.

While the ironing/folding process continues, I'm cutting the 14", 16" or 18" long fabric pieces in half along the fold line.  One half goes back in the stack, one half is starched and hung on the design wall to dry.

Jo Morton recommends cutting strips vertically, parallel to the selvage, for piecing small blocks in her books.  I've been waiting a long time to make some of Jo's patterns and this will help me get a jump start.  

If you happen to save your strings for stuffing dog shelter dog beds, the big W-M store carries these "ice bucket" containers in several colors.  I think mine was $5.00.

The opening is nice and wide to catch pieces coming off the cutting table.  I'm working on my second big bag of strings, which I'll hand off to a friend involved in the project.

If you're not familiar with the dog bed for dog shelter project going on, just look it up.  Some bloggers even have tutorials for assembling beds.  It's a great way to use up batting bits also.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Yard news

 On Sunday it was cool enough to burn the briar patch.

 I've been fighting this patch for 5 years now, both mowing and burning.  Yet it grows bigger every year.  So this time the tractor tiller guy will churn it up.  When I plant my corn there, hoeing will help break up those roots.  That's the current plan anyway.

 This is what 9 truck loads of alpaca manure looks like, 3 to 6 inches deep.  The garden book says 40% compost, 60% dirt required.  It should make for happy pumpkins.

Plants from the Mennonite Market.  Tomatoes already have blossoms.

Herbs from Lowes, on sale last weekend, 5 pots for $10.00.  These will go on the porch in big pots, easily accessible from the kitchen.

If you're just starting this year's garden, do try to get some alpaca manure.  It really is terrific stuff!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Mini Road Trip

Sadly it rained the whole way over during Friday's excursion to the Mennonite Market.

The roads were full of water, so I took my time and made it safely.  Can you see they've added some new greenhouses.  Of course, limited produce was available.  I picked up some spring lettuce and a few cucumbers.  Yum, delicious.

But mainly I went over to pick up my tomato and pepper plants.  They grow a nice variety.

Yes indeed I checked on the strawberry crop.  The word is they will be ready the first week of May.  Ummm, I'm thinking shortcake like my mom used to make.  Or perhaps a whipped cream strawberry sponge roll, chilled frosty cold in the fridge.  Then again, how 'bout a . . . .

hmmmm, decisions, decisions.  Spring got here just in time.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Wishing you all a happy Easter.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .