Thursday, May 31, 2012

Italian Coconut Cream Cake


When I came across this recipe
and saw the ingredients were coconut and cream cheese
I immediately added it to my "Must Try" list.
To see the original recipe please visit Cooking with K


Ingredients for Cake
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
5 egg yolks, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
2 cup shredded coconut
5 egg whites


Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Set aside.
In separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff.
In large bowl cream shortening, butter and sugar until fluffy.
Add vanilla and egg yolks.
Add flour and baking soda alternately with buttermilk
and beat until smooth.
Fold in coconut and egg whites.
Spread equal amounts of batter into pans.
Bake for 30 minutes or until cake is done.
Remove from oven and let set for 10 minutes before removing from pans.
Cool completely and frost with Coconut Cream Cheese Icing.


Cream Cheese Icing
2 (250g) pkg cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup butter
6 cups icing sugar
1-1/2 tsp vanilla
3 Tbsp. cream
1 cup coconut

Mix together until smooth.
(I chilled the icing before decorating)


I made this cake for my daughter's birthday
and it was delicious.
Definately a keeper recipe.


~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Roses & Diamonds Birthday Table


My daughter turned 19 this week
and I wanted to do something pretty
for her birthday table.


At first I was thinking of something
along the pearls and lace theme.


But it turned into a roses and diamond theme.


I used this pretty candle holder as my centerpiece.


And I found these candle holders at Dollarama.


Notice the diamonds scattered around the vases?


I let my daughter pick out the color of the roses.


The pink and white combination made the table so pretty.


I used my Silver Birch dishes
and did you notice the individual tealight holders
match the centerepiece candle holders?


Under the forks I used vintage cloths
that I found a few years ago at a yard sale.


I just love the delicate work and soft pastel colors.
This table made me smile everytime I looked at it :)


~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by.



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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Earring & Ring Holder


When I saw this idea for a ring display holder
and then this idea for an earring display holder
(click links for tutorials)
I knew I had stumbled across the perfect gift
for my daughter's birthday.


I first went hunting for the frame
and thought these would go well in her room.
I then enlisted the help of my mom for the fabric.
In her scrap bin she had exactly what I needed -
the soft cloth for the roll
and then this lovely white cloth to cover with.
To make it more special this white cloth
was a piece from the cloth she used to make her wedding dress!


She also provided some white liner for the back of this frame
and she also had some leftover mesh that worked perfectly.
I had so much fun making these and was pleasantly surprised
at how quick and easy they were to do.
A special gift for my daughter
from her mom & grandma :)


~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Monday, May 28, 2012

Basil Vinegar


I love herbed vinegars.
They are so easy to make and
they just add that extra bit of flavor to a recipe.


I decided to make some Basil Vinegar
using my purple basil
using a recipe from my
Company's Coming Preserves recipe book.


Ingredients
2-3 springs of basil
2 cups white vinegar


Place basil in jar.  Add vinegar.  Cover.
Let stand in cool place for 4 weeks.
Taste to see if flavored enough.
If it is, strain before using.
If it isn't strong enough, let stand a few more days.
Basil twig may be left in bottle for looks.
Keeps at least 1 year.
Makes about 1 pint.


The one thing I like about using purple basil
is the beautiful pink/red color
that the vinegar turns after just a few days.


It just gives it that extra special touch.


~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


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Sunday, May 27, 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook



For today... Sunday, May 27, 2012

Outside my window... Cloudy and cool.  We are supposed to get more rain today.

I am thinking... Of everything I need to do today to get ready for my daughter's birthday celebration we are having.

I am thankful for... My wonderful daughter.

From the kitchen...
~Today: Out for lunch to celebrate daughter's birthday
~Monday: Teriyaki Beef & Mushrooms, Rice, Asian Salad, Rocky Road Cake
~Tuesday: Chicken & Bacon Casserole, Peas, Cauliflower, Salad, Lemon Meringue Pie
~Wednesday:  Pizza Skillet Hot Dish, Garlic Tear & Share Bread, Ceasar Salad, Italian Cream Coconut Cake
~Thursday: Tuscan Tilapia, Rice, Green Beans, Turnip, Salad, Rocky Road Cake
~Friday: Pork Stew, Buns, Salad, Lemon Meringue Pie
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg

I am wearing... Black Dress Pants, Black Tank top, Deep Pink Cardigan

I am creating... Birthday Gifts

I am reading... Small Changes for a Better Life by Elizabeth George

I am praying for... My daughter finds a full time job.

Pondering these words... Set your mind on things above.

I am still hoping... The weather will finally warm up as the nights are still near freezing.

I am hearing... The air purifier, the furnace, otherwise it is still quiet this morning.

Around the house... We are getting a new bathtub installed!!

One of my favorite things... Family movie nights.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Yard & Garden work, Tuesday we are having contractors coming to replace our bathtub (been waiting a long time for this!) and farm sitting for my parents as they go to visit some family.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...


My back door welcome!

~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Thank you Peggy for the The Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.


Saturday, May 26, 2012

Vignettes Fight Clutter


I discovered something recently
that made me love making vignettes
even more than I already do.


They help reduce clutter!


The top of this dresser was bare except for one lone candle.
Bare spots don't stay bare for long
and things get placed there,
just for a moment,
that seems to last forever.


I loved the colors and saying on this piece
and thought it would be perfect on top of this dresser.


These two candle holders fit the love theme.


Don't you just love this little candle snuffer.


And the heart shape on this one.


This vase needed a home
and goes so well with the colors.
It is really true.
Love makes a house a home.


~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


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