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    T Tuesday: rum cake edition

    This year for Christmas we changed things up a bit.  In the past several years we’ve had a Christmas brunch and it worked out very well since the kiddos weren’t too great at waiting to open presents. In those days I think they would have preferred everyone spend the night and get up at 6am.  Since they are older now, we decided moving back to a more traditional time for our family was best. That meant we’d need a dessert.

    I decided to make a rum cake. I’d made this one before and it was so yummy. The recipe comes from a cookbook called Booze Cakes that I checked out from the library.  The first time I made it I used a vintage Nordic Ware bundt pan in the classic bundt shape. This time I decided to get a little adventurous and use my fancy bundt pan since it looks a bit like Christmas trees.

    rum cake

    As it was baking, I was realizing that the tree pan was smaller than the classic pan…I kept watching it in fear that it would run over as it baked. I was lucky…

    rum cake

    Look how beautifully it came out of the pan! I took a lot of time preparing the pan in hopes that it would work.  So cute!

    rum cake

    Remember I mentioned this was from a cookbook called Booze Cakes…yeah…that bottle was full when I started and I wasn’t sampling. I don’t even like rum in drinks…but I sure do in cake!!!

    Just before serving I dusted the entire cake with powdered sugar giving it the appearance of snow. I totally forgot to snap a photo though. You’ll just have to take my word for it. It was yummy and boozy.

    The kids head back to school after winter break so I’ll be all by myself for a change…well I’ll still have Marvin to keep me company.

    Marvin

    What are you doing today?

  • Around home - Blog - Kitchen

    T Tuesday: treat shop edition

    I’m not really starting up a treat shop…it just feels like it. Every year I give plates of cookies and sweet treats to the neighbors but the list seems to be growing and therefore the amount of goodies is getting crazy! But still fun. I get to have a little of this and that without having to keep all of it around.

    treats

    I’ve also made a double batch of spritz, pretzel hugs and Rolo pretzel turtles….unfortunately all the turtles have been eaten or maybe that’s fortunate since I couldn’t seem to leave them alone.

    winter-tea

    It’s super, duper cold here and will be all week so there is lots and lots of hot tea being consumed.

    tall-marvin

    I just had to share this photo of Marvin….when I tell people he’s a big cat they really don’t have the concept of just how big.

    Grocery shopping and ortho appt are on the list for Tuesday…oh and trying to stay warm!!

    What are you doing today?

  • Blog - Kitchen

    T Tuesday: lefse edition

    Trying something new for this edition of T stands for Tuesday. Mini-me helped make the first batch of lefse for the season. I took a series of photos and linked them as a slideshow. Fingers crossed that this works.

    [KGVID]http://www.halleshobbies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/lefseday.mp4[/KGVID]

    It’s been a busy, weird week that has included but not limited to:

    ~an overnight dog visit that went reasonably well with Marvin the dog hater cat

    ~two turkey dinners

    ~precipitation of all kinds and in all directions: rain, snow, sleet and hail

    ~one panicky ER visit which turned out very benign

    ~one partially dislocated jaw (unrelated to the above)

    ~all four of us on vacation for 5 overlapping days plus extras on both ends

    ~late night scratch made brownies

    ~4 teen boys Black Friday shopping (for themselves)

    ~one Christmas tree set up and was still standing in the morning (amazing!)

    I’m absolutely positive there was more but that is all I am able to wrap my mind around at the moment.

    Kids go back to school after a 6 day break…and a mountain of laundry awaits. Living the dream boys and girls. Actually, that is serious! Yes, we all love to complain about the pesky chores of life but I am so thankful for every day that I am able to be home caring for my family.

    What are you doing today?