I had all intentions of time in Blog Land this weekend. I was going to give the great Christmas tree tour.
Then, I got stuck in the kitchen. I spent all day Friday in my own kitchen making red velvet cakes. All told, I have made four of those little demon cakes with three layers apiece. If you do the math, that's twelve layers of red velvet. I only needed two cakes, but it was my first time making them from scratch you see, and I'm apparently a remedial red velvet cake scratcher. I named the first one trial and the second one error.
The recipe was from The Joy of Baking to which I say Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire.
I found an easier one.
I finally had six good layers to show for it and a red polka dotted apron to match my kitchen.
Saturday was our family's day to work the local soup kitchen. We spent it preparing and helping to deliver 291 meals-on-wheels.
I'm pretty much kitchened out right about now.
I did have time to do a little Christmas decorating and an 80's Santa sleigh makeover though.
I've had this little oak and brass sleigh for about twenty- five years now.
I bought it at a Home Interiors party back in the '80s. Does anyone else remember Home Interiors? Are they still around?
I thought it could use an update.
I was inspired by
Babs at Upstairs Downstairs
to paint it cardinal red with some Old English dark stain.
I was inspired by
Babs at Upstairs Downstairs
to paint it cardinal red with some Old English dark stain.
I put it on top of the oak china cabinet
that I recently moved out of the dining room into the living room.
(Some of these pictures were taken before I realized that I had the runners on backwards. That's why it looks like a baby carriage. Good grief...)
This year, I'm using the cabinet to display the girls' Santa collection.
My dad started it for them,
and my mother continues to give them one every year.
Anyway, that's what we've been up to around here
and why you haven't seen my flower cart out visiting.
and why you haven't seen my flower cart out visiting.
Tonight, I plan to settle down with a cup of my world famous
Christmas cocoa and check in on you.
Until then...
Ho Ho Ho
Until then...
Ho Ho Ho
37 comments:
So pretty and festive! Love the sleigh...what a difference! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie
The sleigh looks Lovely... I would also look lovely with some Glitter on it to give it that SNOW Glistened look... :) I am starting a LINKY party tomorrow and would LOVE for you to link up... I just put the buttons up today... Hope to see you there... :) With your beautiful Sleigh.. Oh and that cabinet is Amazingly all DECKED out!!
Love what you did with the sleigh, and your cabinet looks so pretty. Sorry I laughed at trial and error and liar liar. Glad it worked out in the end. mmmmm...I do love me some red velvet.
'Liar Liar pants on fire', and 'trial and error'... you are a girl after my own heart! :)
The red velvet cakes sounds dee-lish! What a fun Santa collection that your girls have and what a beautiful cabinet to display them in.
As for the "trial & error", we ALL learn by experience! LOL!
Wow, you definitely need a break after all that baking. I chuckled when I read what you said about the sleigh having it's runners on backward. Sounds like something I would do. That is a very nice Santa collection you have. It's fun to see all the different Santa looks. ----------- Shannon
Hello! yes I remember home interiors well, and I remember this sleigh believe it or not. I love what you did with it. HAHA on liar liar, and trial and error. Soo sounds like me. Love the Santa collection. HUGS
The sleigh turned out really cute. I can't remember if I have one of those or not. Clearly I don't use it any more if I do. Just love the girls Santa collection displayed in your china cabinet. I can't wait to see it in person.
I didn't realize you had to try so many times baking that red velvet cake. I'm sure it will taste yummy.
Wow, Debbie! You have been busy. No wonder you are kitchened out.
Great update on the sleigh. And the Santa collection is delightful.
The nice thing about Trial and Error is hopefully you ate them yourself. That would be my sorry solution!
What a difference a can of red paint can make - your sleigh turned out so pretty and looked great on top of the cabinet - where are your pictures of the red velvet cake - I've make those - they are tough. Bet yours turned out good! sandie
Did you say why you had to make all those cakes?
Tell me about your world famous hot cocoa?
The sled looks great in all red. Isn't paint a great thing?
Hope you are doing great.
Love the sled makeover, Debbie, and I also like the girls' santa collection. So nice of your dad to start it for them. After 40 years, they can start competing with Laurie's collection, lol. Thaks for stopping by. You must be an expert in baking red velvet cakes by now....Christine
My family loves Red Velvet Cake, but I can honestly say that I have never made one...Not sure that I want to try! I hear that there is a lot to it.
I know how stressful it can be in the kitchen when you are trying something new...Bless you girl!
I believe you deserve to sit back and enjoy your cup of cocoa! Think I'll share one with you...
Hugs Girl..
"Trial and Error!" Once again I'm in a puddle and laughed out... I need your cute sleigh. I have searched for one about your size to fly Santa in off my entry-hall bridge. It looks terrific even backwards!!!!
Next time, just for me please get out that shiny red Kodak. I would love shots of the apron and baking disasters! Thanks for all the fun and for getting all those meals around. Love the Santas too.
I wonder how many bottles of red food coloring you had to use to make all of those layers! WOW
Love the sleigh transformation, and I love how you have displayed your daughters' Santas. That is such a special collection and you will miss having it in your house someday!
Love the update of your Home Interiors sleigh!! Yes, I remember them however I have no idea if they are still around... they probably became Southern Living... ;) It is crazy busy this time of year!! Hope you were able to enjoy your cocoa! blessings ~ Tanna
I love your sleigh makeover and that is one serious Santa collection! What incredible treasures for your girls to have. :-) Love the new title you gave the Joy of Baking too!
Vanessa
Twelve layers and 291 meals, now that is impressive. That world famous Christmas cocoa is really needed.
What were the cakes for?
I think that is why we have bakeries!!! My Aunt was one of 4 region managers for Home Interiors, she completely supported the family and retired wealthy, so I have a lot of home interior products! I have no idea if they are still around? Hello to the Dutchess!
Carol
Oh Debbie, as usual this is so funny!! :) I love the "Trial" and "Error" and the red polka dot apron and kitchen. I have been thinking about trying one of those cakes myself because it's my sister's very favorite cake. Maybe this Christmas I'll give it a try. I'm already behind on everything though.
I love your Santa sleigh/baby carriage. :) It really did turn out great! And your daughters' Santa collection is wonderful! I do remember Home Interiors. I'm pretty sure I went to one of their parties that a co-worker hosted when I was pregnant with our precious son. Glad to see you back in blog land.
Hugs,
Denise
I don't journey through Blogville often, but I always visit your flower cart when I do. I'm smiling about your red velvet cakes, but I probably shouldn't be. :-( At any rate, glad you got it all fine-tuned.
Good grief. Sounds like you need to put up your feet for about a week!!!
Love the sleigh. And thanks for pointing out the runners were on backwards, otherwise I wouldn't have noticed.
Love the tradition of the Santa's for your girls, and that you display them. They look so wonderful all together.
xoxo
lynn
The sleigh really turned out great-enjoy your cocoa:@)
What? No pictures of the cakes?! I was prepared for mouth-watering! :)
Oh, what a cute sleigh, seems so full of joy. LOVE the collection...WOW!
I am on it with your request, my friend. Never hesitate.
Love and blessings.
I love Red Velvet Cake (although it isn't the easiest cake to make, as you found out!). I also love little red sleighs, and yours is adorable! What a huge undertaking working with the soup kitchen. I pray it was also a huge blessing for you and your family! May you receive many more this week as you focus on the Giver of blessings of the very best kind!
The sleigh looks wonderful. I love your collection of Santa figures all displayed in your lovely hutch. xo
The sleigh looks great, especially with the runners on the right way round! The Santa's are superb and look right at home in the oak display cabinet.
That was an awful lot of soup you helped to make and serve. It's so sad in this day and age that we still have people living in poverty in wealthy countries like ours.
I hope the wonderful Christmas Tree Tour has only been postponed?
Ya do know that today is National Cocoa Day...for real. I don't just make this stuff up! Heeehehehe!!!
Your little paint job made such a difference on the Big Man's sleigh. What a wonderful transformation.
You do have one fabulous Santa collection there.
God bless ya and have a terrific day my friend!!! :o)
I didn't think anybody made red velvet cakes from scratch anymore, or German chocolate cake, or fresh coconut cakes!! I'm impressed you made one (them!) Sounds delicious!
Cute sled transformation! I haven't heard of Home Interiors in years, loved their stuff!
The Santa collection in the china cabinet looks beautiful! Reminds me to get my Christmas dolls out to display!
Merry Christmas!
Katherine
You always put a smile on my face, dear Debbie. And that's a wonderful gift you have, making people laugh. Love the little sleigh and the Santa collection. I have a teeny collection myself.
Thanks for your prayers, sweet blogging friend. Muchly needed and appreciated.
Love the santas--got a good laugh about the backward runners and the baby carriage--ha ha
and I MISS YOU!
Ho ho ho and HA HA HA! I loved the kitchen saga(s)...
And YES! I remember Home Interiors, and I even think they're still around. Love how your sled revamped so beautifully! SHARP!
Merry Christmas! When do the girls come home?!
Debbie, Your little sleigh turned out great and you're so sweet to mention my "paint technique". I had to giggle at the runners the wrong way 'round. Sounds like something I'd do. :) Anyway, it looks great and I like the black runners, too. Your Santa collection is perfect in the china cabinet. They look great mixed with dishes and glassware.
Debbie, I just love your sense of humor. Love your trial and error cakes! The little sled looks so pretty in all of its red glory (even with the runners on backwards). That cabinet is gorgeous, and what a beautiful Santa collection. They look so pretty in that cabinet. laurie
OK, I've really got some shoulder-giggling going on right now about that "baby carriage" sleigh! Either way, your red re-do was adorable!
And, being a rather compulsive collector, I can appreciate your Santa collection. How special. I just love that your parents started that tradition with your girls. Grandparents are a very lucky thing to have.
You know, I'll bet those cakes weren't as bad as you make them out to be. I would have eaten them. Of course, I've been known to eat invisible food at a tablescape or two...
XO
Thanks for your visit --- LOVE your pretty Santa collection.
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