Latest Crush: Cottage Green Shelf with Sheep

I recently went shopping at Gatsby's in Wewoka, one of my favorite antique stores. It was Open House and I knew there was a coupon to be had, so I grabbed Vaughn and we went looking.

About Gatsby's: It takes two trips around the store, through all the ins and outs, at LEAST. I actually think I could go around and around 100x and never see all the interesting things Carol has to offer.

On this particular occasion it took two trips to decide, although I noticed the vintage cottage shelf the first time through. I liked it for my bathroom above the bathtub, where I've been enjoying lots of baths to soak the sore arm. On the second lap I got out my Sherwin Williams paint chips I've carried since we built our house. This was serious. The green painted cabinetry in my bathroom would have to GO with the shelf.

There was such a slight chance the two greens would complement one another, I almost didn't get excited. But it did go and I got it and loved hearing about the 20% discount at the checkout.

I finally got to piddle with decorating the most charming green shelf this morning. Here's where I am right now.

My favorite sheep pictures, along with items that mean to me, "Be still. Be a sheep in His pasture. Let Him lead you."

Another favorite vintage sheep picture with some quiet treasures on Grandmother's old bathroom shelf.

A nice place to be.

I have been missing this me, the decorating me. She's been unhinged by the broken arm, but she's raring to get at it again soon.

Today Takes the Cake

Mrs. Dowell's Five-Flavor Cake

I have written in a diary or journal most of my life. When I started my blog a few years ago, it sort of took the place of a written journal, and for that reason, I just loved it. I loved writing the happenings of my life, even if no one read them. I was inspired by some of the bloggers I was hooked on at the time, and wanted to be as creative in my writing as I found them.

Here I am, years later, barely blogging for some reason. I guess I'm letting life get in the way of my love of writing. Then on September 5, 2012, I get the anonymous comment on my June, 2011 post that makes my day. The idea that I can write a post about Vaughn's grandmother's cake over a year ago, then receive a sweet message today from the great-granddaughter of the original recipe holder...totally wows me. How did Mrs. Dowell's great-granddaughter find my post? I'll be forever imagining how we were connected, but I'm sure glad we were. My words met up with her words out in the wild blue yonder. And sparks flew. Perhaps we're keepers of the cake. Grandmothers from years gone by were remembered in the same story. Sheer happiness.

So I'll get back to my love of writing in my journals through this blog that I now know means more than just what it means to me.

Grandmother's Cake: A Family Favorite

When I want to connect with my family.
When it's a holiday.
When it's time for a Parker visit.
When I just want to be proud of something yummy I made.
I make cake.
Not just any cake.
Grandmother Romberg's Cake.
The recipe calls it "Mrs. Dowell's 5-Flavor Cake", but we don't know who she is or was.
Although I'm sure we'd love her, it's Grandmother's Cake.
And I made it.
Reason this time (although, is there really a need for a reason to make cake?):
It's Father's Day weekend and Vaughn loves it.
Something tells me Grandmother would have made it this weekend too, if she was here.
Let's have some.

Mrs. Dowell's 5-Flavor Cake 
Serves: 10 or more

2 sticks margarine
1/2 cup shortening
3 cups sugar
5 well-beaten eggs
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 teaspoon rum extract
1 teaspoon butter extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 teaspoon rum extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon butter extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract

Cream butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs which have been beaten until lemon colored.  Combine flour and baking powder and add to creamed mixture alternately with milk.  Stir in flavorings.  Spoon mixture into prepared 10 inch tube pan and bake at 325 for 1 1/2 hours or until cake tests done.  Add glaze if desired.  Cool in pan 10 minutes before turning out.

For glaze, combine ingredients in heavy saucepan.  Bring to boil, stir until sugar is melted; pour over hot cake in pan.

Grandmother's Hearts

Every January or so I do this. When it's time to decorate for Valentine's Day in the classroom,  I open the ol' blue box simply labeled "Valentine's". And inside, sometimes buried, sometimes near the top, depending on how I threw it in the box, I mean, organized it after a crazy first grade Valentine's Day party the year before...I find Grandmother's love for me and my classroom.

Grandmother Romberg was Vaughn's grandmother, actually, but I claimed her as mine. Everyone wanted to be hers.

I remember when she was making these adorable, definitely granny-chic heart mobiles. She noticed me admiring her work (it might have been a little obvious I WANTED one like crazy) and the next time I was visiting, she had my own special mobile packaged up just like only Grandmother could do (and pull off).

I completely adore this part. My name in her handwriting.

Inside a previously-used, sorta ratty-looking plastic bag (she was green before her time), she had placed the July, 1998 issue of Reader's Digest, with the individual hearts tucked in and out of the different pages. A perfect way to keep it from getting tangled.

She died later that year.

So I hang it. And really love, love, love it. And remember her love for me.

And after Valentine's Day, I pack it back up, just as it was so many years ago...between the pages, inside the ratty bag, with my handwritten name on top. To be surprised by her love again the next time I unpack that box.