Back in season
The local supermarkets suddenly have buckets and buckets of blood oranges. I was expecting them last fall when I was still in the middle of jam-making, but now that they’re here I can’t resist. I think they will make the most beautiful marmalade EVER!
Today in our house, we are doing little valentinesy things for each other. I made cupcakes, with cake from scratch and the best chocolate frosting recipe I’ve ever found. I was out of milk so I had to find one that didn’t require it, and I came across Better Homes and Gardens’ No-Cook Fudge Frosting. It’s in the “more” below if you’re interested.
And Rodney is, at this very moment, whipping up some Rock Cornish hens with pine nut stuffing and a side of minted carrots. Oh how I wish I could have a big old glass of wine with this dinner! It smells so good.
In the continued part below, you’ll find the frosting recipe, more on my Team Briar Rose Olympic knitting progress, and pics of the crib bumper set I just finished, all set up in the crib. I’m thinking of it as Mitten’s Little Padded Cell because it all turned out pretty smooshy.
This is our lovely new crib courtesy of Rodney’s parents. We still need some sheets and stuff for the mattress, so in the meantime it’s covered with a baby quilt that has been in my family forever. I don’t even know what side it’s from, or who made it, but it’s really great. And my smooshy bumpers. That’s what happens when the pattern doesn’t specify what weight of batting to use, and I go crazy and get the fattest kind they had (10 oz.). The pattern is Simplicity 9315, and it includes a whole ton of stuff to decorate a nursery, like curtains, rocking chair cushions, a duvet cover, etc., if you want all that.
It’s an Aunt Grace print. Ordinarily I don’t love yellow, but I thought it would look nice with the maple finish. In the end I think it is sweet, and I’m glad I have about a yard left over for some little pillows and other odds and ends.
And for progress on Olympic knitting, I have finished the back (which may become the front) of the Briar Rose sweater for Rodney. The original pattern is for a drop-sleeve style, but he and I both agreed that a set-in sleeve would look better on him. So I’m kind of customizing as I go along. So far, so good.
OK, the frosting recipe.
No-Cook Fudge Frosting
4 3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsweeteened cocoa powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup boiling water
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add butter, boiling water, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Cool for 20 to 30 minutes or till mixture reaches spreading consistency. This frosts the tops and sides of two 8- or 9-inch cake layers.
And just because…here is a picture of the little birdies.
Karma said,
February 15, 2006 @ 12:09 pm
Baby’s room will be so sweet and soothing!
Neefer said,
February 15, 2006 @ 1:21 pm
Too bad you don’t live closer. I have a blood orange tree, and I won’t let the kids eat the oranges because I have enough stains to deal with. I’d give them to you.
Heidi said,
February 15, 2006 @ 3:22 pm
That blood orange photo is gorgeous! The birds…uh…not so much
But I’m sure they were yummy.
The crib is beautiful and the smooshy bumpers look pretty cozy!
I wish you and your Mr. Geek could come down for ComicCon this summer–but you’re going to have your hands full!
andrea said,
February 15, 2006 @ 11:33 pm
the prettiest padded cell i’ve ever seen
really, that whole crib set up looks incredible comfy. shoot, adults should have them too, how nice would that be!
and i don’t remember seeing a pic of rodney before – maybe i’ve just forgotten – but shoot, he looks real cute, heidi
you two are going to have a heck of a cute baby.
Chris said,
February 16, 2006 @ 10:22 am
I love the sweater Heidi and wow! It will look great on your guy! Now, I just HAVE to go buy blood oranges!
Chris
jenny said,
February 16, 2006 @ 6:15 pm
yum, the hens and frosting sound tasty. i am stuck at a conference. yawn.
Kristin said,
February 16, 2006 @ 9:29 pm
Anything with pine nuts in it sounds delicious to me!
alice said,
February 20, 2006 @ 1:16 pm
The bumper set is adorably smooshy!
And the baby quilt is so cute–you’re lucky to have such a lovely little heirloom in the family!
Nice chickens, too. When I’m working with a raw chicken, I usually can’t resist the urge to make it dance, as in the “Sledgehammer” video. Perhaps your household has more restraint.