Changing the Front Porch

Hello Everyone,

 

Yesterday I changed out the quilt on the front porch and put out my Heartfire quilt.

 

 

French General fabrics from Moda, always offer something that I can use for an attractive center hexagon.

I've made this quilt multiple times in different colorways.  My sister Gail worked on this version with me and it hung in the Marcus Fabrics booth at Quilt Market.

I also made one in Fig Tree fabrics.  The pattern looks completely different every time I make it.

Yesterday we were glued to the TV watching football playoff games.  I've enjoyed watching both teams this season, and would have been happy to see either one go to the Super Bowl.  But, my heart was with my California team.

Our neighbors came over and we had an indoor tailgate pot luck party.  Here's one of the things I made and I'm sharing the recipe with you.  This Coffee Orange Fudge Cake is my go-to cake that I can't screw up at high altitude backing.  It is so moist, and so rich, and so popular with guests. 

 

Coffee Orange Fudge Cake

1 pkg. devil’s food cake mix

1 (8 oz) carton sour cream

½ cup salad oil

½ cup water

4 eggs

1 (3 oz.) pkg. instant chocolate fudge pudding mix

¼ cup coffee liqueur

2 tablespoons finely-shredded orange peel

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

12oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Powdered sugar (optional)

 

©      Grease and flour a 10-inch fluted tube pan.  In a large mixer bowl, combine cake mix, sour cream, oil, water, eggs, pudding mix, liqueur, orange peel and cinnamon.

©      Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until blended, scraping sides of bowl constantly.  Beat on medium speed for 4 minutes. 

©      Stir in chocolate pieces.  Pour into prepared pan. 

©      Bake in a 350° oven for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes.  Remove from pan and cool on rack.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. 

©      Makes 12 to 16 servings.  This recipe is a blue-ribbon cake from Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen.  This cake freezes well.  It’s rich and moist.

 

We also made Shrimp on the Barbie which always gets a laugh.  The funniest part was Mr. Joe trying to find a Barbie doll here in our small town.  He found this one at Dollar General, and the cost was considerably more than a dollar.  There were three little girls in line behind him at the check out stand, and all of them wanted the doll.  It's pretty hard to explain that Barbie was going to be part of the table decorations covered in leafy lettuce and shrimp!  I don't know who was more traumatized.  I'd better put this Barbie in a safe place because he is NEVER going to go buy another Barbie by himself!

 

Soon,
Lynn