Thinking of you

It’s been two weeks since I’ve had a chat with you. I’ve thought about and missed you, Friend, and I hope all is going well in your life.

Mine has been busy, but good.

We’ve spent a part of the last two week-ends with Holly, our daughter, and her family. We’ve cheered-on the little girls at cheerleading/tumbling competition, sang Happy Birthday to Ashton at his 4-year old party at the park and fire station, followed Sydney with a fist full of tickets at the school Carnival, and watched Lindsey play in her first soft ball game of the season. We feel blessed to have them just an hour away, so we can participate in their lives with lots of hugs, chatter and giggles.

Holly and her husband Scott, Sydney, Ashton, and Lindsey

During the week, besides spending time at the Quilts, Inc. office, I’ve been in La Grange, Texas, the home of the newly opened Texas Quilt Museum. Recently, two days were spent on a Museum planning session. Lots of great ideas for continuing exhibits, education, and activities came out of that meeting. I hope you will have a chance to visit the amazing Museum. Check out the website often so you don’t miss anything.

Texas Quilt Museum Mural on Side of Building

Two other trips were made to La Grange for meeting purposes. One day, the entire Quilts, Inc. staff met  in the Creativity Center for a corporate retreat. Lots of good  decisions were made to make Quilt Festivals even greater for all of you.

Quilts, Inc. Staff Retreat

Before the retreat, I made a birthday card box for our  President of Quilts, Inc. to keep cards from everyone at the retreat. The instructions and supplies for this Trinket Box came  from Julie Craig of Attic Heirlooms in Kansas. It was great fun to see the transformation of a cigar box into a pretty card holder. Julie is scheduled to teach this class at International Quilt Festival this fall. Check out the class catalog when it’s available this summer.

Decorated Cigar Box for Birthday Cards

I also made a Chocolate Sheath Cake for the birthday celebration, but realized I left it at home when I was an hour from home. Oh, boy. I was back in the Quilts, Inc. office the next day so everyone, except the birthday girl, could  enjoy the cake one day late. This was a really easy, popular recipe for brides in the 60’s. I’ve included it here so you can make it, taste it and enjoy it, too.

 Known as ‘Sheath’ Cake in the early 1960’s

Do you think it was supposed to be ‘Sheet’ Cake? I’ve often wondered.

This recipe came from my sister Joanie McDonald before she died on June 1, 1989. She was the most generous person I’ve ever known.

 Cake

Sift together in mixing bowl:

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

Put in sauce pan:

4 rounded T cocoa

1 cup water

2 sticks margarine or butter (1 cup)

Bring this to a boil. Pour over sugar mixture. Stir well.

Add:

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 heaping tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

½ cup butter milk to which has been added ½ tsp baking soda

Mix well. Pour into well-greased and floured 8” X 12” cake pan.

Bake at 350 degrees 30 to 35 minutes.

Ice cake in pan while it is still hot.

Icing

Melt and bring to boil:

1 stick margarine (1/2 cup)

3 rounded tablespoons cocoa

6 tablespoons sweet milk or butter milk

Remove from heat, beat and add:

1 box powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Mix well. Pour over center of cake in pan. It will melt to the sides.

Try not to eat too much of the icing before it’s on the cake. It tastes like yummy fudge.

Chocolate "Sheath" Cake

Yummy…Thank goodness I can fit three sessions of Dahn Yoga into my weekly schedule. I’d be forgetting more than putting a cake in the car if I didn’t have that time of exercise and meditation.

Also being a member of First United Methodist Church Missouri City and a Stephen Minister makes meaning of this life I’ve been given. It’s a great way to start off each week.

This week, I plan to get back in my studio and to create something fun for the coming Easter season. I leave you with a hint of what you’ll see in my next post and a wish for a great week.

Dyed Chenille Bedspreads

I promise to visit you again in a few days. I’ve missed you,  Judy

Tags: birthday, chenille, chocolate cake, cigar box, family, friend, La Grange, Quilt Museum, Quilts, Quilts Inc., Trinket box, TX