PACKING IT UP

A few weeks ago, I took some photos of teapots and cups and saucers lined up on my buffet in the kitchen a lot like this:  

                 

               

The truth is I had no choice because

Things were lined up for a reason

My husband has been packing them for weeks!

Yes, we are moving.

In fact, as you read this –

These items are waiting in Missouri to be “unpacked”.

Yes, my husband is the one who does the wrapping
 and packing into the boxes.  He is good at it.  I am terrible

 and obviously - these treasures are very breakable.  My job is to I type the labels for every box identifying what is in
 the box and what room

 it should be taken to in our Missouri home.

I wouldn't wish this job on anyone but

 let's face it, it doesn't do any good to gripe so we just have to 
"Keep Calm and Carry On"!

One of my jobs was to carry these things up from the basement.

  Yes, I will do whatever it takes!

I am excited to be moving to Missouri

to be near our son and family!

I think this quote says it well:

SUNDAY CELEBRATION

20" of FRESH SNOW IN COLORADO

Upon returning to Colorado we knew that we

 should expect fresh snow and yes we do have 20":

Just sharing a few photos!

CHILDHOOD TEACUPS

I grew up in the 50's when it was common for little girls to collect demitasse cups and saucers.  I remember most every dime store sold these. They were mostly from Japan because this was the post World War II Era.  These came from my Mom and I kept them in a an old cedar chest.  

Forget Me Nots were a popular pattern.  Sometimes a few got broken along the journey of life and some show signs of very old glue! 

Because we are in the transition

 of moving,

this was a repost from 2010!

CHOCOLATE FOR A WHIMSICAL VALENTINES TEA PARTY

These photos are from a few years back but I thought it would be fun to "reshare them" with Valentines Day coming up.

And a little later it looked like this.

I have had this little cupid man

 from back in the

 early 90's when painting on

 wood was very

popular!

 Why not plan a whimsical Valentine Friendship Tea Party for a few of your very best friends! 

Look around for "red stuff" and start your pile...this doesn't have to be "Valentine" related items...just look for red! (oops.......just not Christmas stuff!)

This is different than a dinner party where

 you go very elegant - this is about fun!

Here is my recipe for this great Ohh La La CHOCOLATE CAKE....

Here is what you need for your cake:

5 squares unsweetened chocolate, 2 1/3 cups sifted cake flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 stick of butter, 2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar, 3 eggs, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup plus 4 TB water-boiling

1. Melt chocolate in a small bowl over hot water -

2. grease and flour 2 size 9" cake pans either square or heart shaped

3. Sift flour, baking soda and salt into a bowl

4. Beat soft butter in lg bowl. Add brown sugar and eggs; beat with mixer at high speed til light and fluffy about 5 minutes

5. Stir in dry ingredients alternately with sour cream til batter is smooth.

Do not boil water too soon as it evaporates fast- stir in boiling water and batter will become thin Pour into cake pans

6. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes- check with toothpick

7. Let cool 10 minutes - cut around edge to loosen

Turn onto cake platter...I like to put Cherry pie filling between the layers before icing

Fudge icing: 4 squares unsweetened chocolate, 1 stick of butter, 7 1/2 cups of confectioners sugar, 3/4 cup of milk, 2 tsp vanilla

Melt chocolate in small saucepan with butter - remove from heat

Combine other ingredients in bowl and then add chocolate mix- beat till ready to ice cake!