Happy New Year!

2012 has been great but 2013 promises to be even better! Happy New Year to all of you! Jesus told His disciples to look at the birds-the heavenly Father feeds them, so how much more will He care and provide for us, His children? Think on that and get ready to bask in the Lord's wonderful blessings!

Mom and Dad

Good to have parents here in Atlanta, all the way from North Carolina! You'd never guess they are 75 years young!

Merry Christmas!

From all the Friday gals!

Tunnel of Fudge

Every Christmas I make a special dessert for our holiday meal. I used to make the cover cake on the December issue of Southern Living, but this year I decided to go for the Tunnel of Fudge. This is a wonderful cake that is clearly a chocolate-lover's delight. Thick, dark cake with a fudgy center and covered with a chocolate glaze is beyond yummy. I knew it would be good when I tasted the batter. It became popular years ago as a Pillsbury bake-off winner and has returned as a family favorite. Here is the recipe if anyone wants to try:

1/2 cup boiling water
2 oz semisweet chocolate drops
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 1/2 sticks butter, softened

Glaze
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup light corn syrup
8 oz semisweet chocolate drops
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 12-cup bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray with flour.

Heat water in microwave to boiling and mix in chocolate drops. Let stand for about a minute, then whisk the mixture until smooth. In a separate large bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, confectioners' sugar and salt together. In a glass measuring cup, whisk together the eggs and vanilla until combined. Beat the butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the egg/vanilla mixture and beat just until incorporated. Pour in the chocolate mixture and beat until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients, beating just until combined. 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the edges of the cake start to pull away from the pan. Do not overcook!

Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool in the pan for about 1 1/2 hours before turning it out onto a cake plate with a large lip.

To make the glaze: Add the heavy cream, corn syrup and chocolate to a small saucepan. Set over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Let the glaze stand for about 30 minutes to allow it to thicken slightly, then drizzle over the cake. 

More Gingerbread - the Eiffel Tower

Check out this rendition of the Eiffel Tower constructed out of gingerbread and icing by my ingenious daughter, Anna, and her boyfriend, Alex. It took two days, but they had a great time together and even let me help a bit. I'd have to say that the Friday family gingerbread tradition has been elevated even higher!! Merry Christmas, or as they say in Paris, Joyeux Noel!

Gift heaped upon Gift

John 1:16 in the Amplified translation says this: for out of His fullness we have all received one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and favor upon favor and gift heaped upon gift. 

This Christmas, while you are out and about, shopping for friends and family, don't feel guilty about buying and giving (provided you aren't breaking your wallet!) because it all represents Jesus, the greatest, most wonderful gift given to mankind. He is an exceeding, abundant, more-than-you-can-think-and-imagine gift given to us by Abba, Father God. This year, all of us in our Wed morning bible study have a renewed attitute about shopping, wrapping, and all the hustle and bustle that goes along with the holiday season. Instead of dread and anxiety, we are excited and expectant, basking in the everyday joys of baking, decorating, shopping, wrapping, and entertaining. It's all about Jesus! Keep Him in the forefront of Christmas and the dread and anxieties will melt away!

Here is a lovely gift my dear, dear friend, Terri, made for me for Christmas. I love it and will cherish it always! Again, Merry Christmas!

Bible Study Celebration

Christmas came early to the Friday house! Our bible study had our annual Christmas party where we studied, prayed, praised the Lord and opened gifts - and ate! Take a look at these adorable aprons made by my friend, Heidi. She took a large mens shirt and fashioned an adorable apron with a crocheted rosette. Here is a pic of me and my dear friend, Chris, donning Heidi's creation. And then look at Chris's cross - made with old keys and an old rhinestone pin! Beautiful! Go to her blog: avintageflea.blogspot.com. And then, of course, here is a pic of our delicious meal - shrimp and wild rice with butter cream sauce in phillo pastry with salad. It was yummy and so much fun!

Merry Christmas from A Vintage Flea

Look at this beautiful paper white from my dear friend Chris - founder and owner of A Vintage Flea. She is so creative and has such a great eye for beautiful things. Go to her blog and check out what she has to offer - avintageflea.blogspot.com. Have a wonderful Christmas season this year!

Tis the Season - Gingerbread House

Take a look at my latest creation--a gingerbread mansion. Normally I make a gingerbread cottage every Christmas, but this year I decided to upscale. I found a picture of a house online, then cut out the cardboard, baked the gingerbread and then glued it onto the cardboard with icing. What fun. I took an entire night and all day today--I had a few fiascoes with the roof, but with patience and prayer, it all came together. Now the Friday Christmas tradition of a gingerbread house has been elevated to a new standard. Next year -- a pink mansion, per the request of my youngest daughter. Enjoy this month of festivities and preparations.