I Won!

I. Never. Win. Anything.

I really don't.  Some people just have the luck... they run into famous people in airports, find money on the ground in the parking lot, win things.  Well, that has just never been me.  Until now.  Well.... not "now"... just twice in one week.  I'm sure this will last me a lifetime.

My first score?  A whole book of stamps on the floor in Target.  I grabbed those bad boys up and didn't look back twice.  I needed those and have been putting off buying a whole book.  I'll just pretend the Stamp Fairy dropped them right in my path for me.  (thank you!)

The second thing I won?  A pair of earrings!  Ashely's blog, Under the Sycamore,  has a group of sponsors each month and they each do a "giveaway".  You look at each sponsors Etsy shop and enter by leaving a comment stating what your favorite item is.  I think everyone pretty much enters with each sponsor, but I won with Elizabeth Williams Jewelry.

And... my earrings finally came in the mail today!

The box was packaged very nicely with a handwritten "congrats" on the back of her Etsy business card.  That was a nice, personal touch!

I chose the Rosalie earrings with the black quartz about the leaves.  They are perfect!  I love them.  She also has the same earrings with clear or moss aquamarine stones above the leaves.  It all depends on what you like!  I like the black because you cannot see the hooks underneath.

 

I love them and cannot wait to wear them soon!  

You can visit the Etsy shop here... Elizabeth Williams Jewelry.  

And, thank you, Beth!

Butternut Cake

I have to get away from making only SWEET recipes.  I think I have become a better baker and not a better cook.  Somehow I just don't seem to care to experiment or learn to cook better.  I have a huge sweet tooth and I guess I always flock to making something sweet.  I'm sure my family would be a little happier with some variety at the dinner table.... but since I haven't gotten there yet... HERE WE GO!

This is my great-Aunt's recipe for Butternut Pound Cake.  I asked for the recipe a couple of years ago and she quickly gave it to me.  I was a little surprised... some people act stingy with recipes.  Trust me, I know... no one will ever get the cheese straw recipe from me.  But, nevertheless... I like recipes given to ME!  ;)

This recipe is called for a pound cake, but I think she used to make it layered sometimes.  I cannot totally remember.  But, when you want more icing, layer it and everyone will be happy.

This isn't your birthday type cake... this is more of your sit around and take a slice here and there or with a cup of coffee type of cake.  It's good.  It's subtle.  It's yummy.  And I recommend you try it!

Cake:

1 1/4 Crisco
6 eggs
2 cups of sugar
1/4 tsp salt
3 tsp Vanilla Butter Nut flavoring
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix the crisco, eggs, sugar, salt and butter nut vanilla flavoring until light and fluffy.

Add 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk.  Mix well.

Sift the flour and baking powder and add to the fluffy mixture.  Mix well on high speed.

Bake for 1 hr 30 min for pound cake.  Bake 40 min for two layer cake.  (just make sure you test whether a fork or toothpick come out clean)  Baking times may vary depending on oven!

Frosting:

1 stick of margarine or butter
1 pack of powdered sugar
1 8oz cream cheese
1 tsp butter nut vanilla flavoring
2 cups finely chopped pecans

Mix butter, cream cheese and flavoring until fluffy.  Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, blending on high speed in between each addition.  Lastly, add pecans and mix well.

This icing recipe is enough for three pound cakes.  You can freeze whatever you do not use.

Enjoy!