Friday, December 30, 2011

A Christmas to Dye For

Sometimes the holidays call for a dye job. It started with Mea's red velvet birthday cake which requires an entire bottle of food coloring. It was delicious, so then I wondered if you could make green velvet, and made a sheet cake version for our piano teacher. From there I digressed to sugar cookies, making Red Hot Hearts, Lemon Yellow Stars, Blue Almond Snowflakes, Green Peppermint Christmas Trees, the other flavors got their coloring from ingredients (Gingerbread Men, Chocolate Bears, and Vanilla Snowmen). Anyone have ideas for other flavors and colors?
Finally, it was time for my first Christmas Velvet Cake. I wanted something Dr. Seussian, so instead of splitting the layers I stacked four whole layers, alternating red and green. It was as delicious as it was cheerful. If you decide to try it use the America's Test Kitchen recipe.

Friday, December 23, 2011

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

A Massy Christmas

Until this year, I've hosted a family Christmas for all our family, both sides, for three days. Everyone but myself and our oldest are Protestant, so finding a way to go to mass without upsetting most of my guests wasn't possible. It was my first item in confession after Christmas, and I always felt sad. The importance of the calendar in the liturgy is one of my favorite things about my faith. It orchestrates us through all the highs and lows in a way that keeps us from taking Christ for granted.
This year it was time to try something new which means I'm free of all that cleaning, cooking, planning and shopping. Taking care of the eight of us feels so light and easy. Best of all my new freedom opens the door to Christ Mass. We've got our fancy clothes laid out. We're looking for a restaurant to cook our seven fishes. (Hallelujah!). We've got our plan in place, and I can't wait to go to mass. I want to know if it's as rich as Easter Vigil or simpler, with children in mind. Whatever it is Jesus will be there, guaranteed.