Sunday 6 December 2020

Hummingbird Cake, Big Stitch Quilting, Christmas Baking, WIP's ??

On Friday we were supposed to stack the last two loads of wood. It was damp and rained lightly the whole day and if it let up at all, we missed it. I made the executive decision that I didn't want to chance us getting wet and chilled so no wood got stacked. 

Instead we spent the day indoors working at our various chores/projects and putting up with a grumpy Labrador who just doesn't get it that we're old. Finally I couldn't take the harrumphing anymore and donned the heavy raincoat and took her out for a walk. Actually in the forest it wasn't too bad and I certainly felt better for the fresh air.  Her nibs was happy and Hubby got his paper. Peace restored at the wooden house!

I was utterly lazy when it came to supper. I reheated leftover mashed potatoes and carrots and opened a can of beans to go with it. Toast rounded out that fancy gourmet meal.

 Oh but we had another beauty of a cake from Daughter to enjoy. She tried her hand at a traditional southern U.S. cake, the Hummingbird Cake.

 It had banana, pineapple and pecans and cream cheese frosting. Delicious! Who cares what's for supper when this is for dessert.  Hubby was delighted to find out she has allotted us our very own cake carrier!
But I accomplished a few things that day. I did get the angels out, straightened their wings and fluffed their skirts for their 2020 showing. 
And our thrift store Christmas mugs.
And began big stitch hand quilting on the little table topper. Hope to finish this one this week. 
And catching up with Kate at her YouTube channel, The Last Lonely House By the Sea. Here she is talking hexagons and how she saves cardboard to make them. She is making a large quilt out of tiny hexagons. 
I love my blogging friends and am always in awe of their creativity and for many, productivity too. This time of year I also love when they /you share Christmas cooking and baking. For instance, last week

 Karrin at This post on her blog Karrin's Crazy World posted photos of her Christmas decorations including the most beautiful nutcrackers on a shelf ever and also her Fudge recipe she's been making for years. 

And speaking of fudge, Angela at Thoughtful Ramblings shared her fudge recipe that she has also been making for years as gifts. I remember a post with a photo showing just how much she made. Wow.

Cindy at this post on her blog, Stitchin' At Home shared her recipe for Cinnamon Roll Cookies. Since I love cinnamon rolls, that naturally caught my eye. 

And in case you missed it. Here is the link to the King Arthur Baking 5 Star Holiday Classics recipes. A wonderful collection to check out. 

I've been saying how much I love this season for all the home cooking and baking that goes on. Inspiration all over the place. I'm so happy I have a good appetite. 

I'm headed to the sewing room with my journal and fountain pen. It's time I wrote down my projects/WIPs- take stock as it were. Will I shock myself with how many I've started, I wonder. 😟

Happy to link with Kathy's QuiltsLove Laugh Quilt and Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

24 comments :

Quilter Kathy said...

A lovely big stitching project to enjoy this time of year!
How do I go about getting my own cake maker?!?! LOL

Ray and Jeanne said...

That Humingbird Cake looks delicious! I've always wanted to try it but have never taken the time to make one. You should be seeing more cakes with your own carrier! Your big stitching on the table topper looks great. ~Jeanne

Karrin Hurd said...

That cake looks absolutely delicious! Happy stitching on your big stitch project. I love this time of year too, finding new recipes, and seeing everyone's decorations. Glad you got grumpy dog out of the house for a bit~

Karrin Hurd said...

I don't know where my other comment went. That cake looks absolutely delicious. Happy stitching on your big stitch project. I am glad grumpy dog got a little walk! Have a great week!

Ivani said...

Great hand quilting. I need to try this someday.
Owo! The cake, seems delicious, and you are right, who will care for super with a desert yummy like this one.
Love the X-mas mugs .

Nancy J said...

Your table topper is so fitting with those fabrics, and the word " JOY" I hope we all have that inn our lives this Christmas Season. Fudge, a good reminder to me to make some for our grandson to take North when he stays for a night , on the 18th.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I have never made a Hummingbird Cake and always intend to and never seem to have the right ingredients on hand. you are busy and understand not going out in the cold rain. Your Christmas decorations look good and we will be tackling more of that this afternoon, I got a few boxes of things out earlier

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

It always does feel good to get outside and into the fresh air, even when the weather isn't the best. How funny that your pup just wouldn't let up on you! The block you're quilting looks wonderful - love that Santa. And that looks like quite a yummy cake!

Libby in TN said...

Hummingbird cake is definitely a Southern thing! And so decadently delicious. But I have never made one ...

Kim said...

How beautiful your angels look all gathered together. Hummingbird Cake is delicious. Yes indeed, who needs dinner when there is a piece or two of cake. Love the quilting on your table topper. Enjoy your hand quilting.

Robin said...

The table topper is so cute and festive. I love the big stitching. I want to make a design by Cheri Payne that reminds me of this log cabin topper. I bet it's a joy to stitch. The cake looks amazing.

PaintedThread said...

That cake looks great! I love the Christmas mugs. Those cinnamon roll cookies look really good.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Yum! i have had Hummingbird cake, but that was years ago, now i wonder if yours was the same. the fruit in it sounds the same. Anyway, it sure looks good.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Dogs can be very persistent but it is a good idea to try not to get wet and cold. Big stitching is always a whole lot of fun, enjoy!

Radka said...

Wow, what a cake, it looks yummy!
x

Jenny said...

Yes, do tell us, how many UFOs did you find? Mind you, I always seem to have plenty of projects in various stages too, plus more ideas for the "must do one day" list.
As for Christmas decorating, so far I've changed the quilt on the back of the couch (sofa) for a Christmas one. I need to make the dreaded journey up the ladder to the left to get the Chritsmas crates down, my smaller Christmas quilts must be up there in the crates, I think.

Michele McLaughlin said...

What a great project to big stitch! I love your tabletopper! I know what you mean about needing some fresh air and I really know what you mean about the dog harumphing. My neighbors think I'm crazy because I'm out there with slicker and umbrella walking the dog when it is pouring. But she needs it and I guess I do too! I've had hummingbird cake once but I was actually in the deep South and it seemed super sweet to me. Anyway, love the angels and the mugs and you and all our blogging friends! Stay well!

Linda said...

Your dinner sounds good to me - we've had such gourmet meals ourselves. But that cake is stunning! I've never made a hummingbird cake but I know the Mister would love it. Your big stitch project looks great! Thanks for the links to all the goodies. I started out reading some of the posts then promptly forgot about the blog hop.

Out To Pasture said...

What a thoughtful cake-baking daughter you have, Jocelyn! I can almost taste it just by looking at the picture. So many lovely decorations at your home! I especially admire your snowman and wildlife masthead on your blog.

MissPat said...

A waitress at the local pub used to bake hummingbird cake which was delicious. Even though I know I should be going out for a walk and fresh daily, it is so hard to get motivated when it is cold and gloomy. And we haven't even hit the really cold weather yet. I need to improve my cold weather gear and must find my mittens as gloves leave my fingers frozen. Your big stitch project is lovely.
Pat

Angela Tucker said...

Good morning!! LOL at your sweet dog. Mine have all kinds of ways to show me how unhappy they are when I make a decision that does not suit them. Thank you for mentioning my fudge. It's almost time to start! I've been baking shortbread cookies and pumpkin bread the last few months. I tell myself that it's to find the perfect recipe...well, not really...I just want to eat them. LOL Your decorations are wonderful. I put up two small trees and hung a garland. Poof. I'm done. LOL Have a fabulous week.

audrey said...

Your hand quilting on the Christmas quilt looks so good! Love the texture. And that hummingbird cake looks incredible! Haven't ever tried to make one, but the picture of yours/your daughters is making me want to!

Deb A said...

Such pretty quilting and decorations. I love seeing all the tried and true recipes this time of year. I just asked my girl scout troop to post a cookie recipe and bake something next weekend to eat while we Zoom together Monday to make some cards to bring to the local hospital or nursing homes. I need to see who will take them this year with Covid. I might make a little book for each of them of the recipes.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Yum - that cake looks SO good! If you have been allotted your own carrier it must mean there are more cakes to come. You have such a nice collection of angels and I know I'd enjoy a cup of coffee from one of your Christmas mugs.