Tuesday, November 10, 2009

White Texas Sheet Cake, a Holly Sprite, and a Pesky Pixie!

Good morning, everyone! Hope the day is going very well so far!

Sorry I didn't get my post done yesterday...a cold bug is trying very hard to bite me, and I'm trying very hard to fight it off! Feeling a bit dozy and wonky today!

Got a few things to share with you today--first off, another sweet Vintage Postcard image from Crafty Secrets, from the "Baby Boy" kit:


I'm not really thrilled with the photos I took of these--my lighting (and my head!) is a little off today, but here it is, anyway!

Love this detail shot--what a gorgeous image! All I did for this one was add my silver glitter, some crystal rhinestones, a little diamond glitter on the stork, and some pretty, gauzy orange ribbon. These kits make little gifts SO easy to make!


Next, I LOVE The Graphics Fairy! Karen is so creative and so generous with her free vintage images, which I of course adore! Last week she offered up some adorable vintage images of sweet little sprites--this one is a holly sprite--I love him! Here's what I did with him:

Not too happy with these photos either--oh, well! Isn't he cute?! The paper I used is from the new Graphic 45 "Christmas Past" collection--beautiful stuff! I cut out the little sprite and popped him up with dimensionals, and the Christmas greeting is from Crafty Secrets' sweet stamp set "Season's Greetings". A little gold glass glitter, Xmas Red Stickles, some rickrack & ribbon, and that's it!


You can just barely see the diamond glitter I put on him--looks better in real life, of course!

Now, how about some WHITE Texas Sheet Cake?! I've only had the chocolate version before, but just found this in my recently acquired Gooseberry Patch "All Through the Seasons" recipe book...and oh, my! It's just fabulous!

Can you see what I added to the top? A little edible glitter, of course! My girls laughed so hard--they think I can't do anything without glitter! (They may be right.....!)



This is SO good, and so easy to make! Here's the recipe:


White Texas Sheet Cake

1 cup butter

1 cup water

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 cups sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tsp. almond extract

Frosting (see below)

Bring butter and water to a boil in a large saucepan. Remove from heat and whisk in flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, eggs, sour cream and almond extract until smooth. Pour into a greased 15"x10" baking pan (just a regular cookie sheet). Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Spread Frosting on cake. Serves 12.


Frosting


1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup milk

4 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 cup chopped walnuts

Combine butter and milk in a saucepan; cook over low heat until butter melts. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

Remove from heat and add powdered sugar and almond extract; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until spreading consistency. Stir in walnuts.

(Originally sent in by Sandra Warren of Friendship, Ohio).



All the while I was making this sheet cake, I kept thinking about my wonderful Aunt Diana. She loves Texas Sheet Cake (in it's original chocolate form!), and I hardly remember a visit to her house when she didn't bake one for everyone.

She's been such a kind visitor to my little blog, and has made some lovely comments and shared some sweet memories with me, two of which are from when I was just a little pesky girl of 2 or 3 years old...I just happen to have pictures of these two remembrances, thanks to a kind auntie, who, instead of getting upset with her niece, decided to capture the moment on film instead...

She reminded me, a month or so ago, how I used to always go into her room, at my Grandma and Grandpa Smith's house, and get into all of her bracelets, putting all of them on my arms at once...

On another occasion, she tells of walking into her room (not too long after the other photo), and finding me on the floor of her room, covered in her scented powder...

Things haven't changed much, I guess--now I'm covered in glitter instead of powder! Thank-you, Aunt Diana, for your ever-loving kindness and reminding me of my silly early days! I love you!

Like I've said before...everything's connected in some way or another...I love when the past jumps into my present and I'm reminded that it's one long chain of events....

Hope your day is wonderful, and that you enjoy every moment! I'll be back tomorrow with something new...

44 comments:

  1. Oh, where to begin? The baby tag is so adorable. Love what you did to that. The Texas sheet cake recipe is one I must try. Looks delicious and since I'm currently living in Texas, I have to give it a whirl. The photos of you as a child are precious. I remember many times, knocking down my Grandmother's large round powder puff container off of the bathroom counter as a child. What a mess! I home to pop by here more often.
    Maureen

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  2. What a wonderful Aunt. It's really great when something unlocks a long lost memory. Beautiful cards as usual, and I particularly love that little Holly sprite. The Texas sheet cake sounds scrummy.
    Hpe you feel much better soon.
    Anne x

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  3. Such fun!!!! I love your cards, and yes, Karen is the best! I hope you have such a lovely day today, you made mine sparkle. Thanks. Blessings.

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  4. It's all so great. I'm here via a link from Holli @ Nobody Puts Mama in a Corner. She linked her post of your banana cake to my Vintage Recipe Thursday. I've been enjoying my visit to your blog. You are so talented, and we share the crafting, recipes, old family photos, and vintage bugs. I'd like to invite you to participate in Vintage Recipe Thursday. Would really love to have you join.
    Feel better soon. :-)
    http://joyofdesserts.blogspot.com

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  5. How fun to have the photos to match the memories...that is a special thing.

    I'm so sorry that you are feeling under the weather...rest assured, your photos look beautiful as do the creations themselves.

    By the way...make a trip over to the Open Window for a little gift...

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  6. I'm feeling icky too - nasty cold, been asleep most of day!!! Hope we get better soon!!!! And I love edible glitter on cakes :)
    You should DEFINITELY try journalling :) You'd really like it.
    Great post, lots of yummy things to drool over x

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  7. Such lovely collage pieces...they look like they came from an antique store...beautiful! Thank you for the white Texas sheet cake recipe..growing up we always had Texas sheet cake (the chocolate kind) and this will be a fun twist to make...also love the childhood photos! soooo precious!

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  8. Okay girl.. YOu are CRAZY talented.. these are AMAZING!! I LOVE everything about them.. and I love that you always add a little flair to them too :) hugs

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  9. LOL...you can never have ENOUGH glitter in my opinion! :D The baby card is adorable - more glittered edges! And thank you so much to turning me on to the Graphic Fairy - she does have some GREAT images!

    (yeah, my mom's a cutie - and now with new knees she's going 90mph again!) :D

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  10. Wonderful creations & recipe ... but I especially LOVE how you share these photos .. HOW ADORABLE YOU WERE (and still are!!)

    I hope that bug doesn't get you! Please gets lots of rest and fluids and maybe you can "shoe" him away!

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  11. When I visit your blog, I always want to be sitting with a cup of tea in my cozy pjs because the artwork is gorgeous, the recipes divine especially when accompanied with photos and the stories engaging. It's a treat for the senses.

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  12. Your cards are so pretty Julie! Cute idea with the little holly sprite.

    I must try that white Texas sheet cake. I have recipes in three different Gooseberry Patch cookbooks. (two are the same recipe though) So nice to meet you and please pop over anytime.
    Blessings~

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  13. You do such beautiful work with those vintage postcard kits, Julie, and that pixie card - oh my, I can't stop looking at it! What lovely layers!

    I also really enjoy the photos and the recipes. Looks like you were always as sweet and dear as you are now.

    Hope you're able to keep that lil' cold bug away. Hugs!

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  14. I hope you are feeling better soon. Your creations are so pretty, as always. I'll have to try that cake, it sounds wonderful. Love the old pictures. They are so cute! Enjoy your day! Twyla

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  15. I just found your blog, thanks to Gooseberry Patch blog. Really enjoying it! Will keep checking in! The cake looks yummy, and the glitter made it look like sparkly snow!

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  16. thanks for the very sweet words--such great memories in my life. come visit and i'll put glitter on my chocolate texas sheet cake for you. i still make a good one. i printed off that same little sprite thinking i would try my hand at a little card for grandma grace--thanks to your beautiful cards which inspire me and brighten my day. you are one very talented niece...love you.

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  17. Lovely post Julie. I really enjoyed all of it. A great feast for the eyes, the soul and the tummy! Your cards are so beautiful, and I think the pictures are great! I also loved seeing these pictures of you as a little girl and reading about your special memories and your much loved Auntie. I had the same kind of Auntie, but she passed away several years ago. I am grateful for the memories. Love the cake! I am going to have to give that a try. I have always loved the chocolate version of this cake, but my Todd hates chocolate and so I have been missing it. I'll just have to give this white cake version a go! Thanks so much for all that you share with us!

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  18. Gorgeous art hun...and i am just putting on the weight looking at that gorgeous cake....mmmmmmm...thanks for sharing x

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  19. Oh Julie, what an awesome post, memories, pictures and a cake surely to have the label of comfort food. I adore both of your cards and I too love the Graphics Fairy and her wonderful sharings, that tag is stunning. Hugs

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  20. Julie,of course you can copy the photo!!! I am sending you another I found.....by the way I LOVE your work above!!! The cards in this post are to die for....I have my Granny's recipe for chocolate sheet cake!!!

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  21. JUlie check out this image!!! I think you will like,,,
    http://www.insidesocal.com/bargain/VeteransDay.jpg

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  22. So nice art, great recipe and wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing!
    Your cards are beautiful! Love the vintage style!

    Hanne

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  23. I LOVE this post!!!! You images are darling the way you did them. Love the elf! And those photos of you when little were tooooooooooooooo cute for words. I did have to chuckle when I saw that you glittered your cake. I LOVE the chocolate version so much I don't know if I could do it in white. But, maybe for my Christmas Tea I will. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. Wow, you card and tag are awesome! That sheet cake looks awesome, thanks for sharing the recipe! I love these pictures of you as a little girl, too cute!

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  25. Hi Julie,

    Thanks so much for stopping by, I love meeting new people thru Blogging..... Love this Post ~ I must make the Texas Sheet Cake Recipe for Christmas.... Looks So Yummy ~ Love the Photo's I am Still a Powder Girl ~ you can't walk into my Bathroom without leaving footprints in the White Powder Residue.....
    If you get a moment, please stop back by & enter My "ThanksGiving" contest, it runs till the 18th, Just check out the link on top or right side bar (post from Nov. 1st)
    I am now a Follower, I will add you to My Links Post on My Blog ~ so I Will Be Back, Often....
    Cheryl

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  26. Hi Julie! What a wonderful blog post this is! Gorgeous artwork and your shared memories and pics...just fabulous! Hope you get to feeling better soon:) Take care, I too will be following you:) Thanks for visiting my blog!
    Jamie

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  27. Hi Julie: Hope you are feeling better...Be sure to take time to get well! I would love to see what you create with some of the images from my blog. I appreciate the sweet comments you leave. If you lived closer, you could come over for a cup of coffee and you could bring the CAKE ...Yum Yum..! Take care, Hugs~Chris

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  28. You are very welcome!!!! I'm glad I brightened your day because your little world always brightens mine!!!!!! So glad to have found you my friend. Have a wonderful week. Hugs! ~Charlene

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  29. Sweetest tags and cards you've made! Hope you feel better soon! I'll be back to peruse your blog, so many goodies here! ~ Angela

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  30. So nice to meet you, Julie, thanks for coming by. I've been looking back on your blog, Your art is just wonderful, and I'm definitely going to have to try some of your recipes. The white sheet cake looks so yummy. The chocolate version has long been a favorite around here. Take care, come by again soon.
    Debra

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  31. What a fun blog! We have much in common! I have 3 girls too & love British movies & family history!! So glad I found your site! That Texas sheet cake looks sooooo yummy!!!! I am so bad at refusing cake. ;o)
    Now I'm going to wander around & check everything out!

    Shellagh

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  32. Butter, glitter and vintage, what could be better!
    I was just looking at some photos of my boys looking very similar to the mischief you got in...what a hoot......playing with creativity from the beginning. Really cute stuff Julie!

    Hugs, Pammyjo

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  33. You were too cute for words - oh my, that photo with the arm chocked full of bangles is so immensely precious! (And it reminds me that one day I'll have to post a snap or two of myself as a wee little one, too.)


    Sending endless get well wishes & hugs straight from the heart to you, sweet friend!
    ♥ Jessica

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  34. So I really wish I could click my heels 3 times and suddenly be at your house so I could make you some yummy food to help you feel better. Also, selfishly for me as well. I could really use a few days of sister time with fun movies and yummy food and complete relaxation!!!!1 One can dream right?
    Love you sister.... you ROCK!!!!!

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  35. Those photos are PRICELESS!

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  36. Hi Julie,
    Thanks so much for linking this one up!!! The card and the ornament you made are so adorable. And those photos of you as a child are just as cute!!

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  37. What a lovely card with great details! I love less cake and thick frosting - the recipe is a must do!

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  38. Beautiful card! Everything is beautiful!

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  39. oh my, those photos are just priceless! :) what a sweet memory! and i love what you did with that little holly sprite...so cute!

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  40. The tag is so adorable, love the colors and the glitter.
    The design of the card is wonderful and I love that happy holly sprite from gf.
    That cake recipe looks so tempting my mouth is watering-love the edible glitter you added!

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  41. I came here from the link posted at Graphic's Fairy. You are making such wonderful things with all the vintage images. Love the pictures of you as a little one getting into all sorts of trouble (or fun, depending on how you look at it :) So nice that your aunt has photos and fantastic stories to share from the past. That sheet cake looks yummo! Will definitely be making that at my next get together. Blessings to you and yours, Tammy

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  42. Love your site as always and this post is just to wonderful. That sheet cake has made me hungry for something sweet. I have to come back and copy it.
    The card is beautiful and so is eveything about you and your site
    Maggie

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