Monday, October 29, 2007

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!

9 comments:

  1. OMG those look yummy!!! Love the platter too but where's the sugar cookies? Did you eat them already?? Sorry about your dear friend. Being married that long has got to be tough. How sad for Vi.

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  2. so sorry about your friend passing.
    Your table topper turned out great. About the recipe? no pumpkin in it?

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  3. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Ed, Kairle. I know he was an important part of your neighborhood life. (And do you think Sharon really meant to say "being married that long has got to be tough"? Or do you think she meant to say that losing someone you've been married to that long is tough?!?) Those pumpkin yummies look most excellent. Diet or no diet, I just may have to try those little gems! It might be the first thing I try out the Splenda baking blend on. Oh, and thanks SO MUCH for adding another blog post so I don't have to look at that eye anymore!

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  4. I'm with Kim--goodbye eye! Shiver! So sorry about ed. It always hurts to lose someone special like that. The cookies look wonderful with your little star tip finish! I am getting your quilt posted on my website right now! Looks great!

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  5. Yes, I'm also glad that the EYE is gone.

    Your Tres quilt is super. and Oh. those Yummy cakes. Where's the pumpkin?

    So sorry about Es's passing but like you said he's in a better place and happy ow , pain free. As one that has been married that long to the same mman, Yes. it would be hard but then we get over it and carry on. I really don't look forwasrd to that time in my life.even though I camplain about my job now. LOL

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  6. I am so sad to hear about Ed, but I'm glad he's not suffering anymore - I know he will be missed, that's for sure.
    Your table topper is so cute, Kairle! I'm still working on mine - I hang my head in shame! lol
    Those little pumpkin cakes look yummy! Thank you for sharing the recipe!!
    Happy Halloween!!!

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  7. Wow! another great Tree table topper. I must find the time to make one. So sorry to hear of Ed's passing.

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  8. These look so yummy. I teach girls to quilt that have been incarcerated in juvenile prison. We publish a cookbook each year. Would you submit this and any other recipes for our 2008 edition? Our website is under construction but it has some info. www.missionmakeover.org. Also www.automission.org.

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  9. I'm late (nothing new)... but I'm doing the quilt challenge too. I love yours!

    Sorry to hear about your friend Ed. Warm thoughts to you all.

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