Cold Oven Pound Cake

I've been using this pound cake recipe for many years.  It originally came from a lady who grew up on Tangier Island, a tiny island just off the coast of Virginia.   This sandcastle cake I baked  today is a gift for my young  neighbor who always helps with my corgi girls.

Cold Oven Pound Cake

Cream 2 sticks margarine or butter and 1/2 cup vegetable oil (Wesson) and 3 cups sugar gradually until grains disappear.  Add 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 cup milk, blend.  Add 4 eggs, one at a time, beating until dissolved; add 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 t. salt, 1 t. lemon and 1 t. vanilla or 2 t. vanilla.

Pour into a well greased (I use Bakers Joy spray with flour) tube pan; put in a cold oven.  Turn oven on 325 degrees and bake for 1 hour - raise temperature to 350 and bake 30 minutes longer.  Do Not open oven at all until cake is done (1 1/2 hours).

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

I spent yesterday morning at Lewis Ginter enjoying the flowers before it got too hot.  I especially wanted to see this twig structure built back in the spring by international artist, Patrick Dougherty.  I read that it took at least five tractor and trailer loads of twigs and saplings to construct it.  

This is a beautiful pale yellow marigold.  I  have never seen marigolds this color.

I love this view of the "tree house" in the Children's Garden.

By 11:00 the heat was unbearable so my visit was short but very enjoyable!

Sewing Room Facelift

It all started last Friday when I spotted these beautiful valances hanging at the windows at an estate sale.  I loved the soft colors and all the bugs and flowers.  They were obviously custom made, lined and looked like new.  They were $15 each and there were two. Perfect! I've wanted to replace the dark colored tab curtains in my sewing room for a long time.  I just hadn't found the right ready-made curtain or fabric that I really liked to make a change.  I couldn't begin to buy the fabric for $30 to make these.

That was the beginning.   I made a pin cushion in this ceramic shoe which happened to be the same color with very similar bugs on it. 

 I gathered all my buttons and filled these jars. 

Last I made this arrangement with vintage sewing notions.  Can you believe that Ric Rac ever costs 10 cents?

I think since I've brightened up my sewing area, I'll be ready to work on some projects I've been putting off for a while.

Yard Crawl

I'm starting to get excited!  It's a little over two weeks before my friend and leave to go to the Route 11 Yard Crawl.  This is a 43 mile yard sale which starts in New Market and ends in Stephens City, Virginia.  We leave on Friday and spend the night so we'll be there early Saturday morning (August 13) to start the "crawl".  Each of the historic little Shenandoah Valley towns along Route 11 gets dressed  up for the occasion and atmosphere is fun and festive.  It's called the "crawl" for obvious reasons but no one seems to mind the traffic.  Last year was our first year to participate and we plan to make this an annual event.

HOPALONG JACK AND THE BLUE BUNNIES

I received this book as a gift this week and just had to tell you about it.  It is written and illustrated by Jeri Landers of Hopalong Hollow Gazette blog.  The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and the story is so sweet.  I have a small collection of children's book which includes a signed copy of the Corgiville Kidnapping by Tasha Tudor.  I'm so excited to add Jeri's book and Hooper Finds a Family. 

I love books!  Reading has always been one of my favorite pastimes. 

HOOPER FINDS A FAMILY

My friend in California told me about this adorable children's book that was written by her sister-in-law. It is based on a true story about a lab puppy who survived hurricane Katrina.  The author, Jane Paley, and Hooper were on the CBS morning show a few  weeks ago.  The following is a description of the story from one of the online book stores:

Here comes Hooper, one plucky, spunky dog whose warm spirit and goofy personality are irresistible. Hooper tells his own dramatic rescue tale after being left homeless in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and taking a daring trip from New Orleans to New York to meet his new family. He tells of the terrifying force of Katrina, his trials in the shelter, and being the new dog on the block in a city far from home. As Hooper struggles to find his place, he learns to overcome his fear of water and faces down feisty squirrels as well as the resident bully and top dog in his new neighborhood. In a moving tale of adventure and triumph based on a true story, meet this tenacious puppy who makes an incredible journey in search of home.

And the winner is...

Donna at An Enchanted Cottage is the winner of my bird's nest pendant.  As soon as I receive her mailing address, I'll be mailing it to her. 

If anyone would like to purchase a pendant, they are $15 which includes mailing.

Last Day for Giveaway!

Today is the last day to leave a comment and get your name in the hat for this bird's nest pendant.  Leave your comment on this post and I'll add it to the original comments.

I'll pick a winner tomorrow. 

Corgi Topiary, Teacups, and Misc.

I thought you might like to see how my corgi topiary is growing this summer.  Angela at West Virginia Treasures sent me a box of hens and chickens to use for the collar and they have done so well.

Also, last week when I posted about my teacup birdfeeders, Angela suggested that I include a teapot in the trio.  Well, what do you think?  I love it!

Saturday is flea market day at my house.  Today I found two treasures for a $1 each.

First, I found this Ball jar full of beautiful old buttons.  You know how I love buttons!  I washed the jar, dusted off the buttons and put it on my sewing table just to look at.

Second, I bought this Nordic Ware cake pan.  I haven't seen this tulip design before.  I love to bake my pound cakes in these pans.  I've learned over the years that the key to getting your cake out of the pan smoothly is Baker's Joy Spray with Flour.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Natural Bridge, Natural Bridge, Virginia

My daughter and her friend took a day trip to Natural Bridge this week.   They enjoyed seeing the bridge and visiting all the beautiful animals at the Natural Bridge Safari! 

Photos courtesy of J. B. Photography

Bored Corgis!

Heidi

 Would you recognize a bored corgi if you saw one?  This week has been so hard for my furgirls. The heat and humidity have been terrible!   They get so hot with their double fur coats.  We haven't been able to play frisbee in the backyard or even take a walk.

Hanna has taken one long continuous nap! 

  

I'm not sure where Miss Arabelle was when I was taking pictures today.   She was probably somewhere aggravating the cat.  



Business is Good at the Flower Shop!



1" scale flower shop - click on pictures to enlarge



                           

Larry Crowne

I went to see  Larry Crowne yesterday with a group of friends.  In spite of the negative reviews, we all thoroughly enjoyed it.  I thought the chemistry between Julie Roberts and Tom Hanks was very entertaining.  It was written and directed by Tom Hanks and reflected his usual straight forward humor.

Teacup Birdfeeders

I found a great tutorial on the  Stone Gable blog for these teacup birdfeeders.  I bought everything I needed to make them at Home Depot except the teacups which I bought at  yard sales.  I'll put water for the birds in the cups instead of birdseed since I have so many squirrels in my yard.

There are several tutorials on the Stone Gable blog as well as  fantastic recipes.