Sunday, August 2, 2009

It's Not What You Do But How You Do It...

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU DO, BUT HOW YOU DO IT... When we do the best we can... We never know what miracle is wrought in our life or in the life of another.... Helen Keller

Easy Entertaining... A friend has called and say she would love to come for a visit... Only a couple hours to make ready... Just have a touch of something simple...Remember the friend is coming to see you... How about a quick simple country style.... 4 pint canning glass jars will give you a nice start... Use two of the jars for serving a iced lemonade or ice tea.... One for sitting a votive candle for burning into... and one for a lovely couple sprigs of flowers..... These may be cut from your garden or I have used queens annes lace { wild carrots} cut from roadside or ditches.... They are ready available everywhere in our area now and I think they are so delicate... You need not spend allot of money to make some one feel very special... { hint} there is nothing like having music at a low level so it doesn't affect conversation but fills the void moments. We have taken care of three of the senses in just a matter of minutes... The music to the ear... the flowers and candle for the eye and smell. All three adding just a touch of romance.
A simple sandwich such as chicken salad { can be purchased at deli} fresh fruit... { don't forget to add a couple blueberries or a couple raspberries to your beverage for added color} for the perfect touch. A piece of Texas cake{ that way the family has something to enjoy after the visit} or pecan tassies{ one of my favorites} can be a simple dessert....
The important ingredient is that you get to spend time and wonderful conversation with your friend.

Pecan Tassies
1 3 oz. package cream cheese { softened}
1 cup sifted flour
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped pecans

Cream the first four ingredients together and refrigerate 1 hour. Roll into 1 inch balls and mash into tiny muffin pans.... Mash half of chopped nuts into dough....Use other half for filling....
FILLING...
1 egg
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon soft butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
Mix all ingredients together with pecans and fill shells. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes... Reduce heat to 250 degrees until filling is set or knife will insert in filling comes out clean.





TEXAS CHOCOLATE CAKE

1 cup water
4 tablespoon cocoa
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter
1 cup sour cream
2 cups unsifted flour
1 teaspoon soda
2 eggs beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla

Bring water to boil with butter and cocoa... Remove from heat and add rest of ingredients. Beat until smooth and well blended... Pour into a greased and floured 12 x 18 inch cake or jelly roll pan... Bake for 25 minutes at 375 degrees.
ICING
1 stick of butter
6 tablespoons of milk
1 pound of confectioners sugar
4 tablespoons of cocoa
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla
Bring to boil butter, cocoa and milk... Remove from heat and add rest of ingredients. Spread icing on lukewarm cake.....


7 comments:

SharDon Exclusives said...

Thank you for the receipts! I will go try them right now...sharon

Petit Coterie said...

What a beautiful post and your recipes sound delicious, especially the chocolate cake. Makes me want to run out and get the cocoa. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
Happy Sunday!

The Victorian Parlor said...

Great ideas and wonderful recipes! Thanks for sharing!!!

Blessings,

Kim

Sandi said...

Oh the recipes sound wonderful Marietta! And it sounds like you are good under pressure. I am not. I need to work on that. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom too!
Blessings~

kathy said...

YUmm - this makes me so hungry --
I do so love queen anne's lace --Kathy - ga

sweetpea said...

Good advice and so true. That cake is a mainstay where I grew up as well (Indiana) and one of my all-time favorites. Great with a cup of coffee for breakfast when you feel like being bad...

Hugs,
Shelley

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE that vintage photo!