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!

I am joining...

Just Us Four for Pinworthy Projects Party

Sweet as Sugar Cookies for Sweets for a Saturday

Crazy for Crust for Crazy Sweet Tuesday

Mrs. Fox's Sweets for Mrs. Fox's Sweet Party

Something Swanky for Sweet Treat Thursday

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.

I am joining...

Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

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!

I am joining...

Serenity in the Suburbs for Tuesdays Project Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday

Something Swanky for Swanky Stuff Thursday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

While He Was Napping for Weekend Wander

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

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!

I am joining...

Blessed with Grace for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Miz Helen's Country Cottage for Full Plate Thursday

Rattlebridge Farms for Foodie Friday

Serenity in the Suburbs for Friday Farmgirls

Addicted to Recipes for Scrumptious Sundays

Flour Me With Love for Mix It Up Monday

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}.

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!

I am joining...

A Stroll Through Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Mod Vintage Life for Mod Mix Monday
Have a Daily Cup from Mrs. Olsen for Share Your Cup Thursday
52 Mantels for Thursdays Are Your Days
A Ruffled Nest for Friday Pretties