Sunday, July 31, 2011

Fantastic and Easy Chocolate Birthday Cake

I made this chocolate cake recipe for my nephew Rowan's birthday party. It came out great if I do say so myself, with standard ingredients. It is from the Time-Life Book Series 1981 The Good Cook Cakes, page 148
























Chocolate Fudge Cake 

from Joan Nathan, The Jewish Holiday Kitchen 


Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease and flour a 9-inch tube pan (bundt). (I used non-stick spray and flour.)


1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup boiling water
8 tablespoons butter

2 cups sifted flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking SODA
1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream or vanilla yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


In a big mixing bowl (I used my Kitchen Aid mixer) mix cocoa powder with boiling water and butter, stirring well to dissolve and blend smoothly.
In a separate container sift together flour, sugar baking soda and salt.
Mix the dry ingredients a few spoonfuls at a time into the chocolate wet mixture on slow speed.
Beat in the whole eggs one at a time, beating well - total beating time one to two minutes.
Mix in the sour cream or yogurt and the vanilla last until well blended.


Bake 35 to 40 minutes until it smells done and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the cake. Let cool briefly - about 10 minutes - before turning out onto a platter. Frost wen cool with your favorite frosting.






Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Flowers in Profusion

Yasya
First Otto's Thrill Dahlia


Many Edinburghs! with Benary's White Zinnias
and a small Thomas Edison Dahlia


Zorro Dahlia on left with Zinnas
and a couple of Edinburgh Dahlias

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Camp Onaway Historic Costumes



I have recently created four replica outfits for Camp Onaway. Below are the reference photographs from Camp Onaway archives followed by my creations. The effort is to help celebrate Camp Onaway's Centennial.
1914 Chapel Uniform

1914 Activity Uniform




1932 Uniform



1950's Chapel Uniforms




Wednesday, July 20, 2011

First Bouquet

Thomas Edison Dahlia on left


Benary's White on left Thomas Edison on right

Benary's White Zinnia





Friday, July 15, 2011

Wedding Garden Revelations




The areas are filling out and the first blooms are happening!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Horseshoe

I found a horseshoe while digging to make a small Zinna patch

the biggest Dahlia so far - an Otto's Thrill