Chip It

So I'm trapped indoors for yet another day...I may never trust the weatherman again!  He promised the heat wave was going to break today...now he says tomorrow...ya, and tomorrow I'll wake up and fit in a size 6 again....

I did find something very fun to play with on the computer.  Graphicsfairy.blogspot.com is using a new program by Sherwin Williams called "Chip It!" to select paint colors for her diningroom.  This program is so fun.  Basically you upload a photo and it selects paint colors from the photo.  I used a couple of photos from my favorite lighthouse and got the color palette that I already have in my livingroom!

  So I then used one of my favorite garden photos from England and got a great palette that I could use in my kitchen!  Glisten yellow...

I know many of you are already thinking...I could use this to develop a palette for my next quilt!  You could also upload you quilt photo and find a paint color for the room....

I tried it with a couple quilts and was happy to see it doesn't match the colors exactly but gives paint colors that works with the entire quilt...all an all good fun and a good tool for the next DIY project!

Pound cake and musings

I've had a slow few days since the class. It has rained constantly and my balance is not up to puddle dodging! Ahh, but this morning the sun is shining and you can almost hear the grass grow.

So before I go out and do battle with the weeds in the back garden I thought I would post my Peach Brandy Pound Cake recipe. One slice of this cake was all it took to "sweeten" the young sheriff earlier this week and make him forget to write me a the speeding ticket that yes, I deserved. (My bad....had a great CD on and was sipping a cuppa coffee thinking about everything but the speedometer...granted I was in the middle of nowhere!)

Peach Brandy Pound Cake
1 cup butter, softened
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
dash of salt
1 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons light rum
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon exrtract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup peach brandy

Using an electric mixer beat butter at medium speed for 2 minutes or until soft and creamy; gradually add sugar. Beat at medium speed 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until the yellow disappears.

Sift together the flour, soda and salt. Alternating with the sour cream, add the flour mixture to the batter. (begin and end with the flour) Beat after each addition only until just blended. Stir in the rum, extracts, and brandy. Pour into a greased and floured 12-cup Bundt pan.

Bake at 325 degree for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until wooden pick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack in the pan. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

If wrapped well this cake will keep for several days. I think it tastes best about 3-4 days after backing! The flavors have a chance to develop. I serve it plain or with some sliced fruit (like strawberries!)

I did do a quick kitchen project between storms...my dh's DVD collection spread to my former cookbook bookcase. I don't mind losing the shelfspace as much as I just didn't like looking at the DVD's...very messy.
So I was cruising the internet and saw a quick coverup project using fabric over the glass....


It may not be perfect but it keeps that corner from being an eyesore! Even Dh approves...just knock me over....