I know I’m not the only fruitcake lover out there.  Why else would Claxton flood the market with their variation each Christmas season?  This recipe makes a fabulous cake.  It was originally published by Wesson between 1950 and 1955.  It beats ANY fruitcake on the market, and though it is a bit time-consuming to make, it is so worth the effort.  My dear husband did not like fruitcake before he tried this one…now I have to make more than one…one to start eating as soon as it cools and one to age properly for Christmas.

Fabulous Fruit Cake

1 cup Wesson Oil (vegetable oil)

1 1/2 cups brown sugar (packed)

4 eggs, separated

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons ground allspice

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 cups all-purpose flour, separated

1 cup fruit juice (orange, grape or apple)

1  cup chopped  citron

1 cup candied pineapple

1 1/2 cups candied cherries

1 cup raisins

1 cup chopped dates

3 cups toasted, chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

Grease two loaf pans or one tube pan and line with paper.  Do not grease paper.  Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Mix all dried fruit and nuts together in a large bowl.  Add 1 cup of flour and mix well.  Set aside.

Mix 2 cups of flour and remaining dry ingredients together and sift. Set aside.

Mix oil, sugar and egg yolks together in a mixer bowl.  Beat 2 minutes.  Add the dry ingredients and juice alternately to the oil and sugar mixture ending with flour.  Mix until well blended.  Pour this mixture into the fruit and nuts and mix well.  Set aside.

Beat the egg whites until stiff.  Fold the beaten egg whites into the fruit and nut mixture, incorporating well, but do not over mix.

Spoon batter into pan/pans.  Garnish the top with whole candied cherries, if desired.

Place  in preheated 275 degree over.  Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  Cake will be brown and top will be slightly cracked when done.

Cool on rack for 15 minutes before removing cake from pan.  Cool completely on rack before removing paper.

This cake gets better as it ages.

I like to place a cake in an air-tight tin and place a layer of cheese cloth over it.  I lightly soak another piece of cheese cloth in red wine or good whiskey and place it on top of first layer of cheese cloth.  Every few days I re-soak the top cloth and replace it.  This adds “character” to the cake and helps keep it moist.

Note:  I do something that was not instructed in the original recipe so I did not add it to the above recipe.  It is optional to the recipe…but not to me.  The night before I make my cake I mix all the fruit together in large mixing bowl.  I pour 1/4 cup good red wine or good whiskey over the fruit and mix it well.  Cover and let set over night.

If you make this cake I’d love to hear from you.  Feedback is always appreciated!

Until next time…

A sharp bolt of hunger hit Luther hard. His knees almost buckled, his poker face almost grimaced. For two weeks now his sense of smell had been much keener, no doubt a side effect of a strict diet. Maybe he got a whiff of Mabel’s finest, he wasn’t sure, but a craving came over him. Suddenly, he had to have something to eat. Suddenly, he wanted to snatch the bag from Kendall, rip open a package, and start gnawing on a fruitcake.

~ John Grisham ~

That’s all I’ve got…”me time” is over, and it’s time to get back to playing catch-up around our house.  I hope your day is going well.

Until next time…

 There was a never a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him to sleep.  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

The Meaning of the Snowman

The white snow represents God’s forgiveness of our sins.

The circular snowballs show the everlasting life God promises us.

The carrot nose shows us that God has given us the Earth and all living things.

The black coal mouth reminds us to give God praise.

The scarf keeps us warm just as God’s love does.

The top hat reminds us to honor God above all things.

The twig arms are open to hold us the way God does when we need Him.

And there you have it…the snowman’s story and a timely reminder of our Heavenly Father’s abounding love.  I’ll never look at a snowman in the same way again.

Until next time…

For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth, likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

Job 37:6

Oatmeal Date Nut Cookies

(Preheat oven to 350 degrees)

2 (18-1/4 oz) boxes Yellow Cake Mix (I used Betty Crocker.)

2/3 cup vegetable or canola oil

5 large eggs, beaten (I used fresh yard eggs.) 

3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 cup uncooked oatmeal (I used steel-cut.)

1 cup chopped dates = 8 oz box

1 cup toasted and chopped pecans

Combine in a large bowl the cake mixes, oil,  egg, cinnamon, oats and vanilla.  (I did this by hand without any great effort.)  Add dates and nuts and mix well.  Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 11 – 14 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  Cookies will be set and slightly cracked when done.  Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for two or three minutes before removing to a wire rack for cooling.

This recipe can be easily adapted by substituting peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, walnuts, raisins, chopped dried fruit etc., for the dates and pecans.  Oatmeal can be omitted without compromising the outcome of the cookie.  Any flavor cake mix can be used.

Dough can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks, and freshly baked cookies are just minutes away.  Pre-shaped dough can be flash-frozen on a cookie sheet and placed in a freezer-safe container for longer storage.  Pre-shaped cookies are ready to remove from the freezer, place on a cookie sheet and pop into the oven anytime you need them.  Baking time would be increased slightly when using frozen dough.

If you try this recipe, let me know how it goes over at your house.  I’d love to hear from you.

Until the next time…

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.   2 Corinthians 1:3-5

It’s hard to believe Thursday has rolled around one more time…so quickly.  When I was a girl many people greater in years and wiser than me, told me to “enjoy the present”, because ”time flies when  you get older”.  I was often admonished not to “wish my life away” when I expressed my desire to be older and on my own, liberated from my parents’ control.  Back in those days I thought such wise counsel was baseless and unlikely…even foolish.  Afterall…how could time fly?

Today I am thankful for wise counsel.  I’m thankful for those who gave me wise counsel  when I was a girl even though I rejected much of it at the time and considered it silly back in those days.  I still remember their words clearly and recognize them for the true wisdom they were.  I am thankful for my godly friends, past and present, who are not afraid to give godly counsel and for God’s word so full of truth and guidance to live by.  I’m thankful for my pastor who shares biblical wisdom that helps me in my daily walk with Christ.

This past Sunday as I parked my car before going into church, I noticed the sign my pastor shares bits of wisdom with passersby.  This week the saying fits the Attitude of Gratitude theme perfectly and has helped me remember to pause and think of all I have to be thankful for throughout the week.

Have you paused to think of the many things you have to be thankful for, or does your attitude of gratitude need an adjustment?  Feel free to join in on Thursday and share what you are thankful for.  Click on the Attitude of Gratitude button at the top of this post or on the sidebar to visit the Christian Homekeeper blog.

Until next time…

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:20

To learn more about the Go Baby  click on the button below.  The selection of dies is amazing.

Until next time…

If like gives you scraps…make quilts!

As I reflect on having an “attitude of gratitude” and all that I have to be thankful, I cannot help but wonder about the meaning of the words.  Like so many things in this life  attitude is a choice.  One dictionary says attitude is “a settled way of thinking or feeling, typically reflected in a person’s behavior”.  Of Gratitude it says “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness”.  Notice there are two parts…two actions…in the definition of gratitude.  When I think an attitude of gratitude I cannot not help but think of the words of Jesus in Acts 20:35.  “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Today I am thankful God has given me a dear husband with a giving heart…that we might be a blessing to others by sharing what God has given us by showing random acts of kindness to others.  What better way to show our gratitude (and Jesus in us) than by being kind to the people we encounter in our daily lives?  Gratitude is an attitude of choice.  Choice is made on purpose.  May I always have an attitude of gratitude to the fullest extent of the definition so others see Jesus in me.

What are you thankful for on this Attitude of Gratitude Thursday?  If you would like to take part in this weekly expression of gratitude click on the button at the top of this post.

Until next time…Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:  Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.  Psalm 147:7,8

I recently joined a lovely online community for Christian homekeepers. The founder of the community started an opportunity to post weekly on Thursday, focusing on having an “Attitude of Gratitude”. She expressed her observation that, in general, people have become less thankful for what we have. I’m very inclined to agree. Even among God’s children I hear the expression of dissatisfaction about what they have…or don’t have.  (woe is me)   I’ve been guilty myself. So often we forget to count our blessings instead of counting our wants. As Christians, we know our heavenly Father loves a thankful heart…for this reason I am accepting the challenge of focusing on an attitude of gratitude and will take part in this weekly blog event.

When I replied to the initial “Attitude of Gratitude” post on the Christian Homekeeper blog I was asked if I would post my reply on my blog. That reply reads as follows…

“In all things give thanks” comes to mind when I think of an attitude of gratitude. I’m so blessed. It’s easy to express gratitude for the good things…for the blessings God bestows on His children daily if we just take the time to open our spiritual eyes and think about what those blessings are. In hindsight I can look back and see how God uses the tough times and hard things we go through to bring blessings into our lives…blessings that outweigh those tough times and hard things. I am thankful to have a heavenly Father who ALWAYS knows what is best for me.

Are you feeling thankful for the abundant good things in your life, or does your attitude of gratitude need an adjustment?  Feel free to join in on Thursday and share what you are thankful for.  Click on the Attitude of Gratitude button at the top of this post or on the sidebar to visit the Christian Homekeeper blog.

Until next time…

In everything give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

Celebrate Fall pincushion…

This pincushion is crafted using wool felt and embellished with a pieced, wool felt chrysanthemum on the top, and bits of wool felt in the shape of leaves along the edge, and fine stitching.  Tiny rick-rack adorns two seams.  (I love, love, love the rick-rack touch.)

side view…

As if I would forget…the tag will help me remember who made this lovely pincushion! A tag is always a nice touch.

Next up…my beautiful needlecase.

Chris told me she used a pattern by Crabapple Hill.  She did it great justice!  Chris’ stitching and embellishing is beautiful…the fabric choices are lovely and perfect for the crazy quilt theme she used for the cover of the case.  The tiny scissors she added are nothing less than darling.  The pen will come in very handy for signing swap pieces.  I am sure I will use this beautiful needlecase often.

Needlecase closed:

http://apronstringsandothertiesthatbind.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/closed.jpg

Notice the ribbon embroidery flower on the left.  That’s a craft I’ve not tried…but this piece has prompted me to add it to my list of things to do.  Chris’ stitching is in a word…beautiful.  The closure system of the case is beautiful beadwork and a button within a button…very classy!

Inside view 1…

There are ample pockets on the inside.  Some are large enough to hold small templates (very quilter-friendly) and even a small ruler.  One pocket is PERFECT for a tea bag.  (That’s a very important feature to me.)  It also has needle-keeper pages with contrasting colors of wool felt and a small pincushion sandwiching a pocket made just right for a marking pen.  Chris added a pocket for a small pair of scissors (scissors included) with a ribbon to secure the scissors in transport.

Inside view 2…

This needlecase showcase would not be complete without a close-up of the darling scissors and beautiful bead closure.  Aren’t they perfect?

I thank Chris for these beautiful swap shares!  What a blessing to be on the receiving end of this one!

Until next time…

Me thinks it is a token of healthy and gentle characteristics, when women of high thoughts and accomplishments love to sew; especially as they are never more at home with their own hearts than while so occupied.

~Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Marble Faun, 1859

I decided on a crazy quilt theme for this swap.  It made for lots of hand embroidery embellishing which I’ve done over the past couple days while I’ve not felt like doing much other than sitting around resting.  Win, win.   All the fabrics are from the Tea Party collection by Susan Branch.  The closure is made of grosgrain ribbon.  The bow is stitched together and slips over the flower button.

Needlecase closed…

The inside is lined with yummy, raspberry-colored wool felt.  A pocket for holding small notions or a tea bag, a button-embellished pincushion for keeping pins and needles, and a pocket designed to hold a small pair of scissors complete the tri-fold interior.  Tiny snaps on the outer-edge corners help secure the notions.

I’m hoping my swap partner enjoys her needlecase as much as I enjoyed making it.   Thank you for looking.

If you are interested in taking part in fabric-based art swaps check out Art4Mail.  There’s a button on my sidebar.

Off topic but still sharing…My dad loved yellow roses.  Our yellow rose bush has been showing out this week with beautiful blooms.  In loving memory of Dad…he’s been gone almost two years, and I miss him every day.  I’m thankful for our hope in Jesus…that we will see Dad again.

Until next time…

Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.

~ Henry Ward Beecher   ~