What I Did On My Winter Vacation

So far, I feel like I have been piddling my time away, being lazy, but I guess that's what vacation is for, right? Today I got up at the sinful hour of 10:30 a.m., and at 4:30 p.m. I looked at the clock and asked myself what in the world I had been doing for the last six hours. I couldn't really think of anything! Eek. I did package up some swaps and mail stuff. I spent a lot of time reading friends' blogs. I took some pictures and uploaded them to Flickr.

I am glad to say my pictures have a static address now, which is:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lillysoflondonish/.

Makes it a lot easier to direct friends to photos like the one here of Cabbage Patch Jacob Alexander Dye. Now hold your comments! He wanted to pose like this! He got Matchbox sets. Cousins Chloe and Logan got the Cabbage Patch(es): Sophie Madison and Billy Somebody. Kids always like the boxes best.

It has been about a month since I got this glorious swap box from Michelle of Hold Dear http://michellegeller.typepad.com/ in Oregon. We've been hatching a plan, or actually she has, about a Mermaid Swap. I've been waiting until she announces her plans to post these pics, but I just couldn't wait any longer. Tonight I sorted through her goodies again, and I just feel so fortunate to have such wonderful blog friends. I can't wait to meet some of them in person next year. I also sorted and filed goodies from fellow Memory Works 'worker' Lynn Darda of Winamac, IN who sent me a huge box of Western US memorabilia and the wonderful DeBRiNa Pratt of spark*your*imagination on ebay and flickr. I have more goodies to show in future posts.

We are still enjoying all the remnants of Christmas treats here, although I spent that day in bed under the weather, and missed the Cabbage Patch opening altogether. Right now I am writing this in my new Lands End flannel pjs and contemplating a Lands End peppermint cookie...or a Godiva's...or perhaps some South Bend Chocolates...maybe some Chex Mix....or, I know! A deviled egg. Egads. Holidays + vacation = strange eating habits + strange sleeping hours. Love it!

Oh yeah, I forgot. Maybe I am lazy today because I stayed up until 2 a.m. this morning crocheting: nine hats to be exact. Lester models the one with Elmer Fudd earflaps here. They're actually for the Blythes on that 'other' blog http://bly-me.blogspot.com/.

Did the Pilgrims have this?

I haven't really ever blogged about food before, but I love how Alicia Paulson, a star knitter and author, talks about fabulous recipes at http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com. She writes with such passion you'd think her blog was about food, but it's really about hearth and home. In fact, she calls her blog Posie Gets Cozy. You can find photos of her corgi, Clover Meadow Honey Paulson, her art, her cooking, her decorating. I just love it all.

So, since my cake was a surprise smash hit today, after much grumbling from the children about coconut and nuts, I decided to share. The recipe is branded by German's, but I wouldn't think they'd care if I gave them a plug. I don't know if copyrights apply to recipes anyway, but I wanted to give credit where credit is due. Plus, I snagged this one from Katie at my office.

German's Sweet Chocolate Cake

1 pkg. (4 oz.) Baker's & German's sweet chocolate

1/2c. water

2 c. flour

1. tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

2 sticks butter or margarine

2 c. sugar

4 eggs, separated

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. buttermilk

Line 3 9-inch cake pans with wax paper, spray bottoms and sides.

Melt chocolate and water on high 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring until completely melted.

Mix flour, baking soda and salt and set aside. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in chocolate mixture and vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating until well blended after each addition.

Beat egg whites in another large bowl with electric mixer on high until stiff peaks form. This could take up to 10 minutes. Gently stir into batter and pour evenly into prepared pans. Bake at 350-F 30 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Immediately run spatula around edges. Cool 15 minutes then remove from pans. Cool completely on wire racks. Assemble by frosting between layers and on top.

Coconut-Pecan Filling and Frosting

1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 1/2 sticks butter or margarine

4 egg yolks slightly beaten

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 pkg. (7 oz.) flaked coconut

1 1/2 c. chopped pecans

Mix milk, sugar, butter, egg yolks and vanilla in large saucepan. Cook on medium heat 12 minutes or until thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add coconut and pecans, Cool to spreading consistency. It should be noted here, you can cheat and get a tub of German chocolate frosting and just add the pecan pieces, if all this fussing is too overwhelming. I add this because it sure seems like no one cooks anymore. Well, except for today. There was a lot of cooking going on today, I'm sure.