Saturday, June 29, 2013

Margarita Cake - Simply Delicious!

I wanted to re-print this post from last year. With the holiday in a few days this is a fabulous recipe to make for entertaining and for the summer months.

So here it is:

I love having friends over and trying out new recipes. 

A few weeks ago, I pinned a Margarita Cake by Michael that looked quite delicious!  I knew I had to try this one because it looked fabulous and seemed too simple to make.  I found out that this cake is one of those desserts that ranks up there as an all time favorite for me.  And the fact that it's called a "Margarita Cake" shouldn't deter anyone from making it for those special occasions.  If you didn't know tequila was in the recipe, you couldn't tell.  It was very savory and delightful!  You can get the recipe here, but I made it my way with what I had on hand.
The lime zest smelled so good!

I didn't have a metal or glass 13x9 inch pan. My sizes were either too small or too large so I used an oval glass baking pan that was smaller but deeper and looked prettier (for guests). I also had to adjust the temperature. Duncan Hines stated on their website "for glass baking pans lower the temperature twenty-five degrees."
The frosting consisting of yogurt, lemon pudding and whipped topping was so light and fluffy .  .   .   .piled high.  It can definitely be a dessert on it's own, simply scrumptious!
The decorative slices of limes and lemons added a special touch .  .  .  .

Simply delicious!!!
And yummy!!!
My friends .  .  .  . oooh and ahh, just couldn't get enough of this special treat!

                                          Margarita Cake
                                                     
 
                                                      Ingredients:
                                                      1 pkg.  white cake mix 
                                    1 tsp lime zest
                                    1 cup boiling water
                                    1 pkg. (3 oz.) Lime Jello
                                    ¼ cup cold water
                                    ¼ cup cold tequila
                                    1 tub (8 oz.) thawed Whipped Topping
                                    1 pack instant lemon pudding
                                    1 cup plain yogurt
                                       Lemons and limes

Directions:
Preheat oven 325 degrees F
(I used a glass oval pyrex pan for baking)
Follow instructions on cake package
Bake as directed for a bundt cake pan  (I baked for 1 hour)
Cool cake in pan 15 min. 
Pierce cake with wooden skewer or fork across the entire top.
Add boiling water to gelatin mix in small bowl stirring until completely dissolved
Next, stir in tequila, cold water and mix together 
Pour over cake
Refrigerate for at least two hours til set

To make the frosting: 
In a medium bowl whisk together whipped topping, lemon pudding mix and plain yogurt.

To decorate:
Spread the frosting high on top of the cake. 
Next, slice lemons and limes
Make a half cut on each slice and twist, standing the slices on top of the frosting  .  .  .  pretty!

Refrigerate    


 Thanks Michael,at inspiredbycharm, this is a true winner!!!


                                                                                   

                                                                                          
      

My Linking Parties:
By Stephanielynn  for the Sunday Showcase Party ,  The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday ,  VMG206 for DIY Sunday Showcase , Sewing Barefoot for The Weekly Creative, Alderberry Hill for Make the Scene Monday , Clairejustineoxox for Creative Mondays ,  Craft and Repeat for On Display Monday Link Party ,  The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday , Feeding Big and more for In and Out of the Kitchen Monday ,  I Should be Mopping the Floor for Mopping It Up Monday ,  Making the World Cuter for Making the World Cuter Monday , So Much Better with Age for Give Me The Goods Party ,  Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday , Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday , Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , Home Coming for DIY'ers , I Gotta Try That for Linky Party Monday,  Mod Vintage Life for Mod Mix Monday , Pursuit of Funtional Home for Monday Hop , One More Time for Share It One More Time , Twelve O Eight for Pretty Things Linky Party Monday , Todays Creative Blog for Get Your Craft On ,  Be Betsy for Brag About It Tuesday , DIY Dreamer for From Dream to Reality , Kathe With A E for You're Gonna Love It Tuesday ,    The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday , A Stroll thru Life for  Tabletop Inspire Me Tuesday , Cedar Hill Ranch for The Scoop on Tuesdays ,Homework for Inspiration Board Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures , Romance on a Dime for Take on Tuesday , Debbiedoos for Tuesdays Top Talent Pinterest Party ,  Hickory Trail for Assets and Efforts ,  VMg206 for Brag About It Tuesday ,
The Blissful Bee for Work It Wednesday ,  Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home ,   Eclectic Red Barn for The Pinterest Power PartyPrimp for Primp Your Stuff Wednesdays , Ginger Snap Crafts for Wow Me Wednesdays , I Gotta Create for Wildly Original Link Party ,   Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays ,The Shady Porch for Rock and Share Wednesdays , The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesdays , View from River Mountain for Show It Off Wednesday , We Like To Learn As We Go for What I Learned Wednesday ,  DIY by Design for Swing into Spring , All Things With a Purpose for Thursday Link Up ,  CSI Project for Challenge of the Week Thursday , Dysfunction Junction for Linkin With My Ladies Thursday , The Frugal Girls for Chic and Crafty Party ,  Glued To My Crafts for Thursdays Obsessions , Lamberts Lately for Create It Thursday , Katherine's Corner for Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop ,  The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays , Marigold's Loft for Tutorial Thursdays ,  My Fashion Forward Blog for All Things Pretty ,  No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays , Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits on Thursdays , Chic on a Shoestring Decorating for Flaunt It Friday , The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday . Happy Go Lucky for Shine on Fridays ,  Jennifer Rizzo for Fabulously Creative Friday ,     My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday , French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Common Ground for Be Inspired on Fridays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday ,  Diana's Rambles for Pin Me Linky Friday 504 Main for Tickled Pink Fridays , Happy Go Lucky for Shine on Friday , Rooted in Thyme for Simple & Sweet Fridays , See Vanessa Craft for do something crafty Friday ,  Shaken Together for What's Shakin' Friday ,  Whipperberry for Friday Fair Link Party ,  DIY Showoff for That DIY Party ,   Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special, Love of Family & Home for Inspire Me Please Weekend , A Bouquet of Talent for Life on Lake Shore Drive on Saturdays , Classy Clutter for Spotlight Saturday , Crafts a la Mode for What To Do Weekends , Debbiedoo's  for Get Blitzed on Pinterest ,  Just Us Four for Pinworthy Projects Party Friday , Mommifried for Ladies Only Blog Share Link Party ,  Natasha in Oz for #Say Gday Saturday Linky Party , One More Time for Share It One More Time Saturday ,  Serenity You for Serenity Saturday , Tutus & Tea Parties for a Pinteresting Party Saturday ,


                                                                       

Monday, June 24, 2013

Fabric Calla Lilies
















I love calla lilies!  They're in bloom in my garden and I'm loving the look of this beautiful and majestic flower. The calla lily has an appealing and elegant shape - one of simplicity.   I think it is one of the easiest flowers you could find to recreate, and I had just the right fabric in my stash to make this with.




 







Here's How:

Draw a petal pattern on paper cardstock and cut it out. Each calla lily is just one petal. How easy is that?  I wanted a fairly large flower so my dimensions were roughly 6.5 inches tall by 6 inches wide. Do have fun making your own version of calla lily petals!



Next, mod podge an area of the fabric large enough to accommodate as many of the petals you wish to make.  I did this to stop the fabric from fraying and to make the petals stiff.






Once dry, cut out one petal, using the pattern and apply mod podge on the back and place together on another area of the stiffen fabric, smoothing it as you press. I did it this way so the calla lily would have a finish look on both sides.  After drying, cut out the double sided petal.  Repeat for additional flowers.


To make the spadix ( floral spike), I used 3/8 inch dowel rods since calla lilies have thick stems. File the edge of the rod to an oval shape and paint about two inches of that end.

 *In hindsight, I should have made the spandix out of clay and pushed a floral wire stem into it and draped the wire in strips of paper towels and mod podge to thicken and then tape with floral tape. This way you can bend the flower stems to conform to any type of arrangement.  You can't bend dowel rods but that is what I had on hand. I didn't have any clay and was not in the mood to make the homemade kind. Sorry!

Glue the rod to the center of the petal.

Fold over the bottom end of the petal and secure with hot glue.


 Make the stem.  Tape the remaining portion of the rod with floral tape.

                   (I re-opened the petal base to tape for a cleaner look and re-glued)
 

 Shape the petal.  The edges of the petal need to be curled by rolling the edges over to get the shape of a calla lily.  I looked at the calla lilies in my garden to get a real feel of how they needed to be shaped.

                                                                     Beautiful, huh?











Calla lilies need little adornment to make a dramatic statement.  No matter what the decor, they are simply divine in both modern and traditional arrangements.  And calla lilies made out of fabric are no exception.







 
 
I hope you like this easy way to make fabric calla lilies. The stencil looking fabric gave the flower a unique and distinctive look.  One I'm pretty proud of.  Why not have a try at making your own!


Take a little time to enjoy,












My Linking Parties:
By Stephanielynn  for the Sunday Showcase Party ,  Mellywoods Mansion for Raising Imperfection ,  The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday ,  VMG206 for DIY Sunday Showcase , Sewing Barefoot for The Weekly Creative, Alderberry Hill for Make the Scene Monday , Clairejustineoxox for Creative Mondays ,  Craft and Repeat for On Display Monday Link Party ,  The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday , Feeding Big and more for In and Out of the Kitchen Monday ,  I Should be Mopping the Floor for Mopping It Up Monday ,  Making the World Cuter for Making the World Cuter Monday , So Much Better with Age for Give Me The Goods Party ,  Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday , Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday , Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , Home Coming for DIY'ers , I Gotta Try That for Linky Party Monday,  Mod Vintage Life for Mod Mix Monday , Pursuit of Funtional Home for Monday Hop , One More Time for Share It One More Time , Twelve O Eight for Pretty Things Linky Party Monday , Todays Creative Blog for Get Your Craft On ,  Be Betsy for Brag About It Tuesday , DIY Dreamer for From Dream to Reality , Kathe With A E for You're Gonna Love It Tuesday ,    The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday , A Stroll thru Life for  Tabletop Inspire Me Tuesday , Cedar Hill Ranch for The Scoop on Tuesdays ,Homework for Inspiration Board Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures , Romance on a Dime for Take on Tuesday , Debbiedoos for Tuesdays Top Talent Pinterest Party ,  Hickory Trail for Assets and Efforts ,  VMg206 for Brag About It Tuesday ,
The Blissful Bee for Work It Wednesday ,  Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home ,   Eclectic Red Barn for The Pinterest Power PartyPrimp for Primp Your Stuff Wednesdays , Ginger Snap Crafts for Wow Me Wednesdays , I Gotta Create for Wildly Original Link Party ,   Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays ,The Shady Porch for Rock and Share Wednesdays , The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesdays , View from River Mountain for Show It Off Wednesday , We Like To Learn As We Go for What I Learned Wednesday ,  DIY by Design for Swing into Spring , All Things With a Purpose for Thursday Link Up ,  CSI Project for Challenge of the Week Thursday , Dysfunction Junction for Linkin With My Ladies Thursday , The Frugal Girls for Chic and Crafty Party ,  Glued To My Crafts for Thursdays Obsessions , Lamberts Lately for Create It Thursday , Katherine's Corner for Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop ,  The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays , Marigold's Loft for Tutorial Thursdays ,  My Fashion Forward Blog for All Things Pretty ,  No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays , Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits on Thursdays , Chic on a Shoestring Decorating for Flaunt It Friday , The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday . Happy Go Lucky for Shine on Fridays ,  Jennifer Rizzo for Fabulously Creative Friday ,     My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday , French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Common Ground for Be Inspired on Fridays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday ,  Diana's Rambles for Pin Me Linky Friday 504 Main for Tickled Pink Fridays , Happy Go Lucky for Shine on Friday , Rooted in Thyme for Simple & Sweet Fridays , See Vanessa Craft for do something crafty Friday ,  Shaken Together for What's Shakin' Friday ,  Whipperberry for Friday Fair Link Party ,  DIY Showoff for That DIY Party ,   Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special, Love of Family & Home for Inspire Me Please Weekend , A Bouquet of Talent for Life on Lake Shore Drive on Saturdays , Classy Clutter for Spotlight Saturday , Crafts a la Mode for What To Do Weekends , Debbiedoo's  for Get Blitzed on Pinterest ,  Just Us Four for Pinworthy Projects Party Friday , Mommifried for Ladies Only Blog Share Link Party ,  Natasha in Oz for #Say Gday Saturday Linky Party , One More Time for Share It One More Time Saturday ,  Serenity You for Serenity Saturday , Tutus & Tea Parties for a Pinteresting Party Saturday ,





Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Ricotta Cheesecake with Fresh Berries

Helen's Creation!
I should be calling this: Helen's Ultimate Cheesecake with Fresh Berries!  

I had a taste of this fresh berry cheesecake at my friend Helen's home last year during a Fourth of July celebration.  It was so good and delicious that I wanted to share the recipe with you. She has a way with desserts and I believe she had gotten the recipe a few days before the fourth last year from the USA Today Magazine.

It is just perfect to have for this Fourth of July holiday or any summer gathering!



  To make, Helen used:

1     15 oz. part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2  cup reduced fat sour cream
  4   ounces softened Neufchatel cheese
  3   large eggs    
3/4  cup sugar
1/4  cup all purpose flour
   1  tsp vanilla extract
   1  tsp finely grated orange zest
1/4  tsp salt
1/4  cup all fruit raspberry jam
   1  Tb orange liqueur or water
   6  ounces  freshraspberries
   6  ounces  fresh blueberries
       cooking spray
       9inch springfoam pan
       food processor
           small saucepan

All the ingredients should be room temperature.  Heat oven to 325 degrees.   Spray pan with cooking spray. Put the ricotta cheese in a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.  Add the sour cream, cream cheese, eggs sugar, flour, vanilla, orange zest and salt and continue processing until well blended.  Pour into the greased springfoam pan and bake until the center is set, about 55+minutes. 

What's wonderful about this while baking, the cheesecake forms its own golden crust which is absolutely out of this world!

After baking, place the cake on a wire rack to cool completely, about one hour, then cover and put in the refrigerator for at least three hours before removing from pan.

Next, in a small saucepan, bring the jam and liqueur to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth.  Brush the cheesecake with the jam mixture and place the berries on top in a decorative pattern - alternating one row of raspberries with two rows of blueberries or one row of each. The cheesecake should be refrigerated and will keep for about three days.

  This light and creamy ricotta cheesecake surely is a scrumptious end to a fabulous summer meal.  Thanks Helen, it was DELISH!!!



Enjoy your Fourth in all it's Red, White & Blue Glory!






My Linking Parties:
By Stephanielynn  for the Sunday Showcase Party ,  The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday ,  VMG206 for DIY Sunday Showcase , Sewing Barefoot for The Weekly Creative, Alderberry Hill for Make the Scene Monday , Clairejustineoxox for Creative Mondays ,  Craft and Repeat for On Display Monday Link Party ,  The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday , Feeding Big and more for In and Out of the Kitchen Monday , A Humble Creation for A New Creation , I Should be Mopping the Floor for Mopping It Up Monday ,  Making the World Cuter for Making the World Cuter Monday , So Much Better with Age for Give Me The Goods Party ,  Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday , Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday , Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , Home Coming for DIY'ers , I Gotta Try That for Linky Party Monday,  Mod Vintage Life for Mod Mix Monday , Pursuit of Funtional Home for Monday Hop , One More Time for Share It One More Time , Twelve O Eight for Pretty Things Linky Party Monday , Todays Creative Blog for Get Your Crat On ,  Be Betsy for Brag About It Tuesday , DIY Dreamer for From Dream to Reality , Kathe With A E for You're Gonna Love It Tuesday ,    The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday , A Stroll thru Life for  Tabletop Inspire Me Tuesday , Cedar Hill Ranch for The Scoop on Tuesdays ,Homework for Inspiration Board Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures , Romance on a Dime for Take on Tuesday , Debbiedoos for Tuesdays Top Talent Pinterest Party ,  Hickory Trail for Assets and Efforts ,  VMg206 for Brag About It Tuesday , Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home ,   Eclectic Red Barn for The Pinterest Power PartyPrimp for Primp Your Stuff Wednesdays , Ginger Snap Crafts for Wow Me Wednesdays ,  Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays ,The Shady Porch for Rock and Share Wednesdays , The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesdays , View from River Mountain for Show It Off Wednesday , We Like To Learn As We Go for What I Learned Wednesday ,  DIY by Design for Swing into Spring , All Things With a Purpose for Thursday Link Up ,  CSI Project for Challenge of the Week Thursday , Dysfunction Junction for Linkin With My Ladies Thursday , The Frugal Girls for Chic and Crafty Party ,  Glued To My Crafts for Thursdays Obsessions , Lamberts Lately for Create It Thursday , Katherine's Corner for Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop ,  The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays , Marigold's Loft for Tutorial Thursdays ,  My Fashion Forward Blog for All Things Pretty ,  No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays , Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits on Thursdays , Chic on a Shoestring Decorating for Flaunt It Friday , The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday . Happy Go Lucky for Shine on Fridays ,  Jennifer Rizzo for Fabulously Creative Friday ,     My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday , French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Common Ground for Be Inspired on Fridays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday ,  Diana's Rambles for Pin Me Linky Friday 504 Main for Tickled Pink Fridays , Happy Go Lucky for Shine on Friday , Rooted in Thyme for Simple & Sweet Fridays , See Vanessa Craft for do something crafty Friday ,  Shaken Together for What's Shakin' Friday ,  Whipperberry for Friday Fair Link Party ,  DIY Showoff for That DIY Party ,   Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special, Love of Family & Home for Inspire Me Please Weekend , A Bouquet of Talent for Life on Lake Shore Drive on Saturdays , Classy Clutter for Spotlight Saturday , Crafts a la Mode for What To Do Weekends , Debbiedoo's  for Get Blitzed on Pinterest ,  Just Us Four for Pinworthy Projects Party Friday , Mommifried for Ladies Only Blog Share Link Party ,  Natasha in Oz for #Say Gday Saturday Linky Party , One More Time for Share It One More Time Saturday ,  Serenity You for Serenity Saturday , Tutus & Tea Parties for a Pinteresting Party Saturday ,








Thursday, June 13, 2013

A Nostalgic Father's Day



Soon we will be celebrating Father’s Day.  My


Oliver W. Madden,Sr.
Dad has been gone for quite a number of years now, since the fall of ’87 at the age of ninety-one.  He was almost twenty years older than my mom and was in his early fifties when I was born.  I still think of him often. He was a wonderful, hardworking, intelligent husband and father who generously provided for his seven children.  I am the youngest.  
                                                                  
My sister, Sandra, moved to California shortly after college and would receive letters from Dad.  Somehow I never thought much about this, not until Sandra downsized and moved into a senior community.   She told me she was digitizing all of her important papers and asked if I wanted the last few letters my father had sent her shortly before his death.  I welcomed the letters feeling a bit envious, for my father had never written to me.  I lived in driving distance of my parents, looked after them as they aged, and became my father’s caregiver after my mom died. 

 
We all have areas in our homes where we display family pictures and mementos, honoring those in our past and present.  



For this Father’s Day, I copied one of my father’s letters to my sister .  . .

on vintage looking paper and .  .  .


 pasted a cropped family photo of Daddy sitting in a chair surrounded by family. 



 My family, left to right:   Sister, Sandra, brother Bill, Mama, niece, Patricia, brother, Oliver,Jr., me, nephew, Oliver,III and Daddy.   Unfortunately, there are only three of us left in this picture, Sandra, Patricia and me.  I have an older sister, Margie, still living, whom I've given the title of Family Historian.

                              The real letter was placed just behind in a frame.  

 Having scripted paper in the handwriting of my father as the background for this family photo means so much to me, and I will cherish this keepsake always.  I'm so glad I thought of doing this.


                            
                        
                       Happy Father’s Day!