Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Look What I Found...

 



I recently came upon this piece of artwork done in pastels up in the attic.  I decided to have it framed.
This bunny was done way back when I was a Freshman in high school.  I was fortunate enough to take art lessons from a talented neighbor.

I think you will agree, it is charming!  Spencer Frameworks did the framing.  They are located on Main Street in Spencer, Massachusetts.  The two sisters, Patty and Kathy who own the shop are very creative and helpful.  It is always a nice experience to visit the shop.  When I pick up the finished product, it's even better!

Meanwhile, I continue to get ready for my Easter guests and this new addition in the breakfast room will make everyone smile!

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Dark Chocolate Guinness Cake with Bailey's Cream Cheese Frosting

Time for "Dark Chocolate Guinness Cake"







1 cup Guinness beer 
1 cup butter
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1-3/4 cup sugar 
2/3 cup sour cream 
2 eggs 
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
2 cups plain flour 
2-1/2 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter and line with wax paper a 9" spring-form pan.
Melt butter into the Guinness in a saucepan over low heat. 
Whisk in the cocoa and sugar and take the saucepan off the heat. 
Beat sour cream with eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl until combined.  
Then add to the beer mixture. 
Pour the cake batter into the tin and bake for 1 hour.
Please note...The middle of the cake may still be slightly wet when you take the cake out but it will 
firm up as it cools down. 
Leave to cool completely in the tin as it is quite a damp cake and could collapse. 

Bailey's Cream Cheese Frosting 
1 box confectioners sugar 
1/2  cup butter at room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese at room temperature 
4 - 6 Tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream (to taste)

Cream the butter and sugar together until well mixed 
Add the cream cheese in cube slowly until incorporated.  
Add in Baileys.  Continue mixing for 5 minutes until the icing is light and fluffy. 
Put dollops of icing onto the top of the cake to recreate the froth on a glass of Guinness.  

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Getting Ready for Easter!

Getting Ready for Easter one venue at a time.  Start decorating!  Take your time and enjoy the Easter journey.



The Easter Tree is up and ready for guests. 
Twigs broken from this years storms have been added.





Vintage Easter cards from my childhood are on display.

Monday, March 2, 2015

No...No More Snow...Please!

This morning, we woke up to another 5 inches of snow.  The sun
came out and helped with some melting on the driveway.  But,
this is at a point of being ridiculous.  I must have a word with
Mother Nature and Old Man Winter.  We are all anticipating the
arrival of daffodils, and the pussy willows haven't show their
fuzzy faces yet.  Global warming?  I firmly doubt it.  Do you really
think all of this snow will be gone for Easter?  I'm planning our
traditional family Easter and it looks like we will have to have
our Easter Egg Hunt amongst the snow bankens.  Whatever the case
spring will arrive, Easter will happen and everything will fall into
place.  By June all of this white will be a distant memory...or will it?
 



Sunday, March 1, 2015

It's That Time of Year Again!

 This is the best recipe for Irish Soda Bread ever! 
It is on page 161 of our Cook Book!
If you don't have the book, you should get it.
But, you can find this recipe on our website
www.twosisterscookbook.com
 I will be baking this recipe all of March...I hope you follow along!