Christmas Trees, Pumpkin Cakes and Ed

I finally finished Kim's challenge to make Marcie's Trees on the Table topper. One thing that I learned in the process is that I'm somewhat TriRec ruler challenged! It took several attempts to get everything lined up and sewn correctly so that the tree top came out as a square. Although I used varying sized strips for the tree, I decided to use the 2.5" strips that I already had cut in my green border. I'm really happy with the way this turned out and am eager to get it quilted so that it will be ready to throw on my dining table come December.
Yesterday for dessert I made a batch of mini pumpkin cakes. I got this recipe several years ago at a Main Street Cotton Shop retreat held in Hutchinson, MN. I was so impressed with the delicious treat when I first tasted them and was glad that they handed out the recipe. The ones made for the retreat had a dab of frosting on the top of each cake, but I think it adds an extra touch of something when the frosting is piped on with a large star tip. This recipe makes five dozen mini cakes which, when shared with neighbors, is barely enough to last through the evening! I also discovered that if you send a bunch to the neighbor's home on a pewter plate that I comes back the next night filled with decorated Halloween sugar cookies. How great is that?! BTW, don't you love the acorn and oak leaft platter below? That was a thoughtful gift from Kim which she gave me after I hosted a retreat last fall. MINI PUMPKIN CAKES

2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 15 oz. can pumpkin
4 eggs
1 c. oil
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients together. Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray. Fill each 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degs. for 15 to 18 mins., until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean.

OOPS! Marlene and Eileen brought it to my attention that I forgot to include the pumpkin when I first wrote the recipe. Sure wouldn't be pumpkin cakes without the pumpkin, would they?! LOL!

Also...When I made the mini pumpkin cakes on Sunday, I left the oil out all together and they still turned out very moist. Who needs all the calories from a cup of oil?

FROSTING

8 oz. cream cheese
6 Tbs. butter
2 to 2-3/4 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients together. Top each mini cake with a dollop of frosting.

Add a toasted pecan half to the top.

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On a bit of a sad note...our friend, Ed, who I blogged about last month, passed away on Friday night. We're all so sad at his passing, but know that he's just as busy elsewhere as he was here in our neighborhood. There will be a memorial service on Saturday. DH and I went to visit Vi last night. Although after 61 years of marriage she'll definitely miss her companion, she seems to be at peace and is glad that he's no longer suffering. She's grateful that all of their friends came to visit while Ed was still alive, rather than waiting till after his death. It's a good reminder to me to take time for the important people in my life.

I'm so grateful for each of you who take time out of your day to check on me and see what I'm up to. Bloggers are truly a unique people. I feel so blessed to be part of such a large community who (for the most part) have never met, but celebrate the good events in one anothers lives and sorrow in their trials and misfortunes. Thanks for stopping by today!