You Still Have Time to Vote!

The holiday rush is on. Whew! So much to do and so little time to get it all done.

But I had to take a few moments out of the mad scramble at Silly Hat Central to share my overwhelming gratitude to each and every one of you who voted for my Chocolate Rum Cake in the Ultimate Chocolate Cake Challenge.

A huge, velvety, dark chocolate Thank You!

Voting ends December 19 so, if you've been wanting to vote, you still have time. Here is the link to the round up page:
Ultimate Chocolate Cake Round Up

I couldn't believe my eyes today when I saw my name near the top of the voting list. See?

There are so many incredible and masterful-looking cake submissions that I presumed my humble (though very tasty) entry wouldn't get many votes. Now I'm jazzed!

I encourage you to visit NotQuiteNigella and take a gander at all the delicious cakes. Drool, indulge in a calorie-free chocolate fantasy or two and cast your vote.

Mine is the last cake before the voting ballot. The recipe lives right here in the original post.

As I've said before, there are so many mouth-watering chocolate confections to choose from, I couldn't possibly expect you to choose my entry. Many humble thanks, though, if you do.

Nigella Lawson — Banana Bread from How to be a Domestic Goddess

What to do when you have overripe bananas lying around?
Make banana bread, of course.

I wanted to share some comfort food since the weather outside is so dreary. There is no better way to warm up a damp, rainy day than with homey aromas and sumptuous flavors. And Nigella does homey and sumptuous so well!

Nigella soaks golden raisins (also known as Sultanas) in bourbon or dark rum for this recipe. Apple or orange juice may be substituted if you’re looking for a non-alcoholic alternative. However, Nigella writes:

If you’re thinking about giving this cake to children, don’t worry, the alcohol doesn’t pervade: you just end up with stickily, aromatically swollen fruit. – Nigella Lawson, from How to be a Domestic Goddess

I can personally attest to the aromatic qualities of this sweet bread and must confess that the plump, juicy raisins were my favorite part. It tasted delectably rich and oh, so satisfying.


Don’t you just want to carve off a slice, slather on some butter and take a bite? Click on the Banana Bread Bake-Off event link below for the recipe, plus photos of Lorraine's loaf. (Loaves, actually. She baked four different ones!)

I found this Banana Bread Bake-Off event on the Not Quite Nigella website.

Click on the links to see how Nigella’s recipe fared against three competitors or send in your own banana bread entry.

This cupcake-lovin' blogger even has a recipe for Meatloaf and Mash Cupcakes!


Not Quote Nigella is my kind of creative baker! You go, girl!

Easter Egg Hunt

Oh the joys of waking to find that the Easter Bunny has come!

Not yet old enough for jelly beans or chocolate bunnies, Little Sprout found an Easter basket filled with toys, books and animal crackers waiting for him on Easter morning.


Little Sprout went hunting for Easter eggs around the living room!


Oh my! He had a grand time searching for eggs behind the drapes, tucked into chair cushions or in a nook by the stairs.


He would find an egg and put it in his basket, then get distracted because he wanted to take his exciting, new egg out of the basket and put it back in again (half a dozen times).

Out of the 12 eggs that had been hidden, my little treasure hunter nabbed 9 before the novelty wore off.


After the big Easter egg hunt Little Sprout asked Big Daddy to read him a story, and instead of his new Easter book, he wanted Tails! by Matthew Van Fleet. It is an interactive book where he can touch different textures of animal tails, such as soft, fluffy, shiny, spiny, clingy, and stringy.


Oh the irony! Big Daddy asked me to share a precious moment that needs to go into his memory book. Little Sprout and Big Daddy were hanging out on the couch when Big Daddy asked,
"Do you know who the Easter Bunny is?"

Little Sprout looked up into Big Daddy's eyes and pointed right at him! Years from now when he's older and questioning whether or not the Easter Bunny is real, we will look back on this Easter with a knowing smile.

Okay, just one more photo. (I know, I should have dashed around behind Big Daddy so the shot captured Little Sprout's expression of wonder. Hindsight is always 20/20.)

Don't the bubbles look amazing? I am almost hypnotised by them, as is Little Sprout. It just goes to show, sometimes the simple things are what life is all about.

And oooh, ha, ha, ha! If you look carefully, you will see one soap bubble perfectly poised in front of Big Daddy's nose -- so silly!

Simple Pleasures

It has been five days since Julie's last blood test and I'm delighted to say that she's still with us. Every day more and more of Julie's personality shines through which makes it easier to focus on daily routines and other happy things. Like Bruce feeding Julie animal crackers.


And giving her lots of love when the animal crackers are all gone. (Maybe they were consoling each other.)

On Thursday she goes in for another blood test to check her packed cell volume. I'm expecting it to be lower than before, but perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised. A few days ago, I was sure that she wouldn't live as long as Thursday. And she may not, but I seem to have new hope. Here she is dozing in a defiant patch of sunlight that belies the winter chill.

By Thursday our little sun worshipper will have run out of meds. It could be that the steroids have been keeping her eating and drinking. That could be a big part of what is keeping her alive. We don't know how much longer she will be with us so we're taking it day by day. Each day is a gift.

As content as she is for the simple pleasure of warm sun on her face, I am grateful for every moment we have left to spend with her. We love you Julie, Julie.