Happy Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows days! (back-to-back feast days that go together...)
On Monday we unwrapped not one but TWO crosses I bought for our new house... totally out of our budget... but can religious art really be a splurge? I couldn't help myself. They are again from Artes do Mosteiro. Aren't they beautiful?
On Tuesday (today) I made this fabulous cake inspired by CatholicCuisine here. It's Real Simple's chocolate cake with a vanilla frosting from another cookbook. I am liking Real Simple's recipes. They are really... simple! This one turned out great even though I forgot to tighten the heart pan and it leaked out and took double the time to bake. I might be going overboard with the baking recently, but I am so inspired by Catholic Cuisine.
Speaking of which... they posted my blueberry pie on Saturday!
I've been drilling holes in my walls. It's exhilarating. I recommend it to everyone.
We don't know any handy men in our new area and my husband doesn't have a lot of availability for this on his hands so I decided to take it into my own... and he was all for it! To my surprise...
So I've been reading things online, watching videos on Youtube and going to my local hardware store... where I feel totally out of my element. But I'm learning! I now know we have plaster walls and what brackets and bits are. I do have four holes in my wall that were unnecessary, but they are pretty covered up. I feel like I'm playing house. Hopefully I'll have some progress to show you soon.
Every Thursday we buy fruit and vegetables at the market near our house. It's something I missed at our old house... which didn't have a market, a park or anything "human" nearby. I'm terrified of the social aspect of markets: picking a stall to go to, making small talk, etc. Luckily, my husband and daughter are strong in the social department and they made friends with a couple at one of the stall. They are so sweet and call eachother "friend" even though they are married. "Hey friend, can you get a bag for this?"
Then of course we have to make the mandatory stop at the park (which is on the way) before going home. It's a good routine.
Happy birthday (two days ago) Blessed Mother!
I am only now getting into celebrating the liturgical year. I made a blueberry cake with a blue candle... which we didn't end up lighting or singing happy birthday since we shared the cake with some random kids at the park (who were playing with Addie) and got a little shy.
This was the second or third lunch picnic we've had at a park near my husband's new job. It's kind of a lot of work (getting all the food ready, hauling it all down there, etc.), but pretty worth it. Addie was super cranky (she hadn't slept well during her nap) but when I asked, "do you want to go see daddy at the park?" she starting yelling "ya! ya! ya!" with pure glee. She's kind of German with the "ya"s.
Addie was baptized on St. Rose of Lima's day (Aug 23). We went to mass with her godfather that day (in the Algarve), and last Sunday we celebrated with her godmother. I finally succeeded in making frosting.. I think that was a first. And rose frosting at that!
I made this chocolate chiffon cake. I've made it a few times and the last couple it has exploded in the oven... including this time. This time I salvaged it: I cut around it and stuck it in the oven. Next time, I will try not using baking powder and soda, but just the egg whites, like angelfood cake.
The frosting was from the chocolate cake récipe... with rose essence! I found it in an international store almost a year ago. And I piped the roses on according to these instructions.
It was tiring just to write that all out... but I assure you it was worth it.
