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stoney3211. My Emily told me this morning that she wants to go as a "lousy superhero" for Halloween. She's just pull some underwear over her pants, wrap a sheet around her neck, and there you have it. Ahahahaha. Her super power? (And why I love this kid so much?) "Able to walk at a moderate pace for a little bit." Her words. <3 <3 <3
2. These little plant creations are AMAZING and I want every single one of them. Bonsai = dire circumstances. Just awesome.
3. I took myself shopping and bought a purple fitted dress that is so Mad Men, it's not even funny. And some spectator Mary Jane pumps to go with it. If only I smoked, I'd get a vintage little cigarette case and talk in a clipped tone. I'm so glad that fitted, ladylike clothes are in style, it's not even funny. Thank you, pencil skirt! You've never steered me wrong.
4. I made an Italian cream cake this weekend and OH MY GOD. It's one of my favorite flavors, but I've never made one. This is the tried and true recipe, y'all, no lie.
Hee.
Italian Cream Cake
Cake:
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
5 eggs, separated
3 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup flaked coconut (from PW: If you think you hate coconut, trust me: I do too, and I love it in this recipe)
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups all purpose flour
Frosting:
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 2-lb package powdered sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup sweetened, flaked coconut
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
Beat egg whites until stiff. Set aside.
Make the Cake:
In a large bowl, cream together butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg yolks, vanilla, and coconut.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
Alternate adding buttermilk and dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
Mix until just combined, then fold in egg whites.
Pour evenly into the three prepared pans, then sprinkle the top of each pan with 1 (at least) tablespoon sugar.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes, then turn the cakes out onto cooling racks and allow to cool completely.
Make the Frosting:
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Stir in chopped walnuts and sugared coconut. Spread between layers and serve.
Note: the frosting makes a LOT of frosting, so don't skimp in between the layers. You'll have plenty. I didn't make a thick layer on the bottom and I ended up with leftover frosting. Wah.
Note#2: this is a HUGE cake and will easily feed 20 people. I had a total of 10 mouths to stuff on Saturday and had half a cake left over. And some slices were generous. (I'd go with a knuckle thick slice from now on - it's rich and decadent.)
Now as it is only 81 degrees outside (what?!!?! I live in TEXAS.) I am going to grab my book, "The Family" and read all about the creepy religious politics that are screwing up America, and recline in the lovely sunshine. :)
2. These little plant creations are AMAZING and I want every single one of them. Bonsai = dire circumstances. Just awesome.
3. I took myself shopping and bought a purple fitted dress that is so Mad Men, it's not even funny. And some spectator Mary Jane pumps to go with it. If only I smoked, I'd get a vintage little cigarette case and talk in a clipped tone. I'm so glad that fitted, ladylike clothes are in style, it's not even funny. Thank you, pencil skirt! You've never steered me wrong.
4. I made an Italian cream cake this weekend and OH MY GOD. It's one of my favorite flavors, but I've never made one. This is the tried and true recipe, y'all, no lie.
Hee.
Italian Cream Cake
Cake:
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
5 eggs, separated
3 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup flaked coconut (from PW: If you think you hate coconut, trust me: I do too, and I love it in this recipe)
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups all purpose flour
Frosting:
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 2-lb package powdered sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup sweetened, flaked coconut
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
Beat egg whites until stiff. Set aside.
Make the Cake:
In a large bowl, cream together butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg yolks, vanilla, and coconut.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
Alternate adding buttermilk and dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
Mix until just combined, then fold in egg whites.
Pour evenly into the three prepared pans, then sprinkle the top of each pan with 1 (at least) tablespoon sugar.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes, then turn the cakes out onto cooling racks and allow to cool completely.
Make the Frosting:
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Stir in chopped walnuts and sugared coconut. Spread between layers and serve.
Note: the frosting makes a LOT of frosting, so don't skimp in between the layers. You'll have plenty. I didn't make a thick layer on the bottom and I ended up with leftover frosting. Wah.
Note#2: this is a HUGE cake and will easily feed 20 people. I had a total of 10 mouths to stuff on Saturday and had half a cake left over. And some slices were generous. (I'd go with a knuckle thick slice from now on - it's rich and decadent.)
Now as it is only 81 degrees outside (what?!!?! I live in TEXAS.) I am going to grab my book, "The Family" and read all about the creepy religious politics that are screwing up America, and recline in the lovely sunshine. :)
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Date: 2009-08-31 07:24 pm (UTC)I know, right? Isn't it fantastic!
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Date: 2009-08-31 07:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-31 07:37 pm (UTC)So, I can appreciate the gloriousness that you are experiencing, though I spent most of the morning in a doctor's office. :D
Alas, even if it is lovely in my ex-area, it would be hard to get to a grassy field—everything is dead! (Though my parents tell me that it rained there a few days ago!)
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Date: 2009-08-31 07:54 pm (UTC)Aww, that makes me sad to hear - I want to always think of Austin as a verdant jewel in Texas' crown, lol.
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Date: 2009-08-31 07:28 pm (UTC)We've been having very atypical August weather here, especially at night. So I'm pretty sure that means we're due for a snowstorm or something in a week.
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Date: 2009-08-31 07:35 pm (UTC)AUGH, it is so beautiful outside! I love having my iPhone so I can comment, hahahaha. I AM A NERD.
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Date: 2009-08-31 07:37 pm (UTC)Haha, I love that costume idea! Very clever! That said, it might take some explaining or folks might get confused.
That cake sounds soooooo good. Yum.
Enjoy the lovely weather!
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Date: 2009-08-31 07:55 pm (UTC)I just had a wafer thin sliver of cake and it was GLORIOUS.
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Date: 2009-08-31 07:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-31 08:09 pm (UTC)The book - so far - is really upsetting and amazing and informative. It's standard issue prose, but the information is head spinning.
And hahaha, my kids come up with fun costumes, fo sho.
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Date: 2009-08-31 07:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-31 08:12 pm (UTC)Wow, for a change I think I WOULDN'T die on your front lawn.
Sigh... and I want to move to Spain when I finish college.
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Date: 2009-08-31 08:20 pm (UTC)Ooooh, Spain. That lovely ocean breeze - if you can get down there!
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Date: 2009-09-01 08:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-31 08:16 pm (UTC)Great recipe.
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Date: 2009-08-31 08:21 pm (UTC)Well, I only eat a little bit, and I work out every day. Otherwise, I'd be wearing a Washable Fat Marker skirt. :D
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Date: 2009-08-31 08:33 pm (UTC)2. I love those little sculptures. They're inspirational.
3. That dress sounds gorgeous. I love all my vintage dresses and skirts. They're so flattering for a hippy gal like myself!
4. Yum!
It was 72° overnight! I almost wept with relief. I was still sweaty on my walk this afternoon (because, hey, exercising), but it was actually pleasant. Please let the heat wave be well and truly over. That was no fun at all.
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Date: 2009-08-31 08:48 pm (UTC)3. Macy's and Banana Republic have had the CUTEST dresses. UGH, J. Crew has this wool pencil skirt in this lovely heathered copper that I'm seriously in need. of. Yay for hip-hugging curvy, ladies are beautiful clothes!
I'm contemplating leaving my windows open tonight, as it's supposed to plummet to the 60s! YAY FALL.
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Date: 2009-08-31 11:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-31 11:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-01 12:23 am (UTC)It looked very cool. ABC News might have a blip for you to see the camp people talk about what its all about, etc., if you want to see the people talk about it (there's only so much you can get from a website).
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Date: 2009-08-31 11:10 pm (UTC)We were finishing an early dinner when D looked at me pityingly and asked for dessert, of which we had none. AND CAN YOU GUEZZ WHUT CAME NIXT?
I saw your post, but rather than whip up the cream cake, I made a faux-white-trash-white weddin' cake and topped it with your frosting. It is to die for!
Thank you for the receipt, dear. Ma Kettle is pleased as punch, thanks to you.
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Date: 2009-08-31 11:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-01 12:26 am (UTC)I want to see a picture of you in that dress.
I grew up next to an area that was mob controlled and man, the Italian bakeries were to die for. My favorite cake is an Italian whipped cream cake. Haven't had one in years.
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Date: 2009-09-01 01:16 am (UTC)Ooooh, is that much different than the cake I mentioned? I'm all over whipped cream, yummy!
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Date: 2009-09-01 03:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-01 12:03 pm (UTC)And hahahaha, YEAH. I know I wouldn't!
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Date: 2009-09-01 12:04 pm (UTC)Wouldn't it!? Sweater sets! Pointy bras! Skinny ties and shiny suits! Old school cocktails at 6! Misogyny! Wait... ;)
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Date: 2009-09-01 06:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-01 12:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-01 02:56 pm (UTC)Nathan wants to be a hot dog for Halloween. Got to think about how to make that.
I heard about "The Family" on the Daily Show. I think my jaw was on the floor during the whole interview segment. Could NOT believe that this has been going on all this time. Also, could not believe that the story has not been in national newspaper headlines. INCREDIBLE.
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Date: 2009-09-01 03:09 pm (UTC)Hmm, the costume. Red felt in a tube with face, arm, leg holes, and maybe cotton batting to fill out the bun? Maybe put snaps on the sides of the hot dog so you can just affix the bun that way, instead of trying to figure out a way to make a zipper, something like that? You always have the coolest costumes for your kids. I love the continuing food theme. :D
Oh my gosh, Anne, this BOOK. I'm telling you, it's going to make you crazy. I'm just baffled over and over by what I'm reading, and EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID: how has this not been splashed on every paper everywhere?! Thank goodness for Rachel Maddow who won't let it go!
(Also, HELLO, sweetheart! I'm sorry I've been a poor internet friend, but know that I love you very much! Go treat yourself at a bookstore and lunch today, now that your house is free!) <3
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Date: 2009-09-01 04:29 pm (UTC)Those are great tips about the costume! You are very good with these things. I saw a hot dog costume for sale but it looked rather blah. I'm not a good seamstress but I think I will make an attempt. I mean, even *I* can make a tube, and sew on snaps! :D
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Date: 2009-09-01 04:33 pm (UTC)Hahaha, I know what you mean. I didn't get ANY work done this summer with the kids running around. Now that they're in school, I almost don't know what to do with myself! (Almost. Heh.)
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Date: 2009-09-01 07:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-03 01:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-03 11:22 pm (UTC)it's also really easy to make, and uses stuff you have in your house already. that's how i bake.
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Date: 2009-09-03 02:27 am (UTC):)
Do you whip the egg whites first, or just put them in 'as is'. And are these three regular cake pans? I only have two, but since you say the cake is huge, i'll probably cut the recipe in half.
Can't wait to try it!
:)
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Date: 2009-09-03 01:10 pm (UTC)I used regular 9 inch rounds, and I happen to have 3 of them (I wondered about using a springform if I couldn't find that third!)
I bet you could halve this recipe and use some 8" pans and have it turn out fine. The layers are normal sized in the 9" pans, so you might have sliiiightly thinner layers, but that wouldn't bug me, if I was eating at your house. :D
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Date: 2009-09-03 01:44 pm (UTC):)
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Date: 2009-09-03 12:30 pm (UTC)See?
CAKE.
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Date: 2009-09-03 01:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-21 10:04 pm (UTC)