Epiphany Cake

I made a Christmasy cake for the Feast of Epiphany. It's rich enough for Three Kings, and deliciously uses up the left-over fresh cranberries and dates and walnuts from the holidays. (I've always been the Queen of Leftovers, and find a way to use every scrap, but this season of unemployment has me aware of the contribution I can make that way.) Nice change from my other recipe for Cranberry Cake.
Winger was waiting with anticipation, so he snapped a photo as I was drizzling on the icing.
Cranberry Upside Down Cake
1 c. fresh cranberries
1/2 c. chopped dates
2 T. chopped walnuts
1 t. grated orange rind
1/2 c. soft butter, divided
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 t. cinnamon
2 T. fresh orange juice
1-1/2 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 egg
1/2 c. buttermilk
Icing:
1 c. powdered sugar
1 t. melted butter
2 T. fresh orange juice
Prep: Coat 9-inch square or round baking pan with cooking spray and dust with flour.
1. Combine cranberries, dates, walnuts, and rind in separate bowl and set aside.
2. In saucepan, melt 2 T. butter then stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and orange juice. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Pour brown sugar caramel sauce into baking pan. Sprinkle cranberry mixture evenly over top.
4. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in small bowl.
5. In large bowl, beat 6 T. butter with sugar until fluffy.
6. Add vanilla and egg and beat well.
7. Stir in flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
8. Spoon batter over cranberry mixture in pan.
9. Bake at 350' F for 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick comes out clean from the center.
10. Cool for 5 min. on wire rack. Run a knife around to loosen edges. Invert on plate.
11. Drizzle with glaze and serve warm.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Polar Bear
(St. Christ- opher)

Winger
(St. Joseph)

 Bishop Finn

 Proud Captain

Family

 Sponsor: Spencer Rusch

 Sponsor: Uncle Clint

Confirmation was a glorious day here!

Beautiful ceremony and music. I made a huge meal prior to the afternoon mass to feed Carey's family, Clint's family and my own. We had red charger plates to make a fancy table with china and crystal. The feast was rosemary pork loin, stuffing, cheesy potatoes, strawberry salad, sweet green beans, grilled asparagus, rolls, wine (note the red elements as symbolic of the Holy Spirit). 

Afterwards, our Bishop Finn and his deacon came over for sandwiches, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts buffet. It was great to compare notes on the events in Rome last week and to speculate about the coming days! We hosted the Schiebers (Alison was the confirmation sponsor of Meggar), the Leonards (Uncle Carey was confirmation sponsor for Reid), and the Bridgewaters (almost part of the family). I must say that I also enjoyed the food: croissant sandwiches, taco dip, hummus dip, artichoke dip, deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms, BLT bites (cherry tomatoes stuffed with mayo/bacon/green onion), veggie tray, fruit tray (blackberries, pears, strawberries) cheese cake, cranberry cake, red velvet cupcakes, and almond/coconut cake (in shape of a cross).

Last Cooking Class with the Boys

We made Thanksgiving-themed recipes today for the final week of "Boys Can Cook" class. The boys seemed to like the Turkey Soup (chopping all the veggies)...


and Cranberry Dip. The moms/helpers liked the Cranberry Cake with Warm Vanilla Sauce
2 T. melted butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. water
1/4 c. evaporated milk
1 c. flour
1 t. soda
1/8 t. salt
1 1/2 c. cranberries (fresh or frozen)
Stir together all ingredients. Pour into greased 9” pie plate. Bake at 350’ F for 25-30 minutes.
Warm Vanilla Sauce: (enough for two cakes)
1/2 c. melted butter
1 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. evaporated milk
Melt together all ingredients in pan on medium heat.
Let guests pour sauce over each slice of cake.

A Christmas Quiz

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A Christmas Quiz
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? BOTH
2. Real tree or artificial? Real tree that we get at the last possible minute
3. When do you put up the tree? Dec. 23 or 24
4. When do you take the tree down? After Jan 6 (Epiphany) when the 3 Wise Men arrive
5. Do you like eggnog? I have to fight the kids to get any myself. Dale and I like to spike it with Fra Angelico (Hazelnut liqueur).
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Fancy new coat each year from my godmother.
7. Hardest person to buy for? The ones we mail overseas so they will be light-weight yet meaningful.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Megan, who likes girly things.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, it has wooden figurines handmade in Bethlehem which are only varnished (not painted) so little hands can touch them as much as they want.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail with photo, usually last possible minute
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Holly Hobby Doll when I was “too old.”
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle at Moreaux (children during WWII)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I keep an idea folder all year long; try to create homemade gifts.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? To another hockey player.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom’s Skillet Cookies and my Cranberry Cake.
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, and candle lights in each window.
17. Favorite Christmas song? "O Holy Night" played by my own “Fiddlers Three”
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel, and Captain is usually travelling with us.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes, it's required for school teachers.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Pi Phi Angel.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve after Mass, then Santa's gifts on Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Anti-Christian holiday wishes
23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? Jane Austen mini book
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Sarah Palin's book, and jobs for my unemployed friends
25. Who is most likely to respond? email friends

Another Classic Book Club

We learned about a classic in women's literature this month when our book club tackled "The Country of the Pointed Firs" by Sarah Orne Jewett. Featuring chapter sketches of mostly female characters, this novel paints a richly textured portrait of coastal Maine in 1890s. The women are educated, strong of purpose, and pleasant (how great is that?) to one another. The book club discussions always broaden my horizons. Such as when Bonnie brought in all her herbs to parallel the main character, Mrs. Almiry Todd, who was an old-fashioned herbalist! Of course, there were plenty of other wonderful snacks such as zucchini appetizer squares, warm artichoke dip, fresh fruit, gingerbread cake, cranberry cookies, lemon cake, deviled eggs, etc. I wish that book club meetings (and refreshments) could last forever. But I told Meggar, it's better to leave when you are still hoping for more--than to ruin the atmosphere by staying too long.

Afternoon Tea was Nothing Shabby

Alison booked a reservation for Afternoon Tea at Shabby Hattie's in Parkville. It was my first visit -- as well as for she and Emma plus Maureen and her daughter. It was the real deal!

A pot of "Queen Mary" for me. A first course of chunky tomato soup with a cheese scone. A middle course with two savories, plus chicken salad on croissant, and some Caesar Salad in won ton cup (great idea). On the top tier, a dessert course of cranberry-white-chocolate scone plus coconut pound cake. Light and sweet! I will have to go there when Meggar has a day off work!

(Caveat: The owners seem grumpy and can hardly say two words--but their homemade food and atmosphere are as fabulous as any you could wish for.)