Dinner was set for 4:oo but the family started arriving around 2:30 to fill the house with laughter and commotion. Becky, who would be technically classified as a "friend", was the only non family member here. She is however, more family to all of us than friend! DARN ~ I didn't get a picture of her shaking her groove thing in the kitchen with Gabby!
We had a great day with lots of food, laughs, and all around nonsense. We ended the evening with a couple of rounds of our favorite game "Apples to Apples". For those of you who like to play games, if you've never tried this one, it's a LOT OF FUN!
The real issue is: THIS YARNAHOLIC NEEDS A FIX!
One last little picture. I'm sure you're all getting sick of seeing Phoebe & my other assorted "babies", BUT~ I just have to give you a peek at Phoebe wrestling down her best friend ~ Gabby's {but she thinks it's hers!} glow worm. She pounces on it to get it to light up and play lullaby music. Then stands back and cocks her head every direction like it's talking to her. It's hilarious!
Happy Monday to All!
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Coconut Cream Cake
1c. butter, softened
1c. milk
2c. sugar
1t. pure vanilla
3 eggs
1t. lemon extract
3c. flour
1t. butter flavoring
2 t. baking powder
Beat butter in large bowl at medium speed. Gradually add 2 cups of sugar, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
Combine flour & baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Stir in flavorings.
Pour batter {which is thick} into 3 greased & floured 9" cake pans {I usually use 2 - 8x8x2" square pans}. Bake at 350 degrees for 25~30 minutes. Cool 10~12 minutes on wires racks.
Remove from pans & cool completely.
While cake is cooling, combine 1/2 cup of water & 1 tablespoon of sugar in small saucepan on stove & heat to boiling. Turn down & simmer for 3 minutes. Drizzle over cooled cake layers
{I usually poke the layers gently all over with a toothpick first}.
Spread 1 cup of coconut frosting {recipe following} on each layer, top with approximately 1/2 cup of shredded coconut, then stack them. Spread rest of frosting on cake & sprinkle remaining coconut over top & sides { I usually end up using the whole bag of coconut!}.
Coconut Frosting
3 c. shredded coconut {set aside}
2 c. heavy whipping cream
1/2 c. sugar
1t. pure vanilla
1t. lemon extract
2 drops butter flavoring
Combine all ingredients, except shredded coconut, in a meduim bowl & beat at medium speed until soft peaks form.
Yield 4 cups.
This makes a lovely cake for Easter. Also the coconut can be colored pink, green, or any pastel color you like!
I just realized this is my 75th post! WooHoo!! Time sure flys when you're having FUN!:-)
I'll put everyone's name who comments on this post into a drawing at the end of this week and have one of my daughters {or maybe Gabby!} draw a name. I'll announce the winner on Saturday and send off a little surprise gift!
Hmmm......... I feel a fun project coming on!