Still A Sad Day...

On this day of the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson's death, I still feel sadened to have such a musical giver gone.  No matter what your individual opinion of the person is, he was a humanitarian and he gave a lot of himself in everything he did.  Personally, Michael and I were/are the same age, so I grew up with him, purchased all his albums, yes, I did say albums!  Listened to him on the radio, back in the AM days!  And enjoyed the display of his talent.  The day of his death even brought to me some self reflection and how precious life really is.  I for one, still truly miss his contributions to this world and wish his family peace and healing.

I think I Can Slow Down-A Little!

What a week and weekend!  I think I can finally slow down and get back to my continued project of the reorganization of the craft/computer room! 

For my sweetie's birthday this past weekend, I made his favorite wine cake and I forgot how yummy it is, here is the recipe:

Di "Vine" Wine Cake
Cake
1 box of devils food cake
1 small box (6 ounces) black cherry gelatin
4 eggs at room temperature
1 cup California Cabernet Sauvignon Wine
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (12 oz) package of semi sweet chocolate chips

Wine Glaze Ingredients
2 tablespoons room temperature butter
1/2 cup Cabernet Sauvignon Wine
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees, grease bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. 
In a large bowl, beat cake mix, gelatin, eggs, wine, and oil on low speed for 30 seconds.
Increase speed to medium and beat for one minute-scrapping the sides.  Add chocolate chips
making sure all indredients are well mixed.
Slowly pour cake into the bundt pan, tapping pan lightly to make sure all air bubbles are released
before baking. Bake on the middle rack for 40 minutes.
Carefully remove from oven, set aside for 10 minutes to cool.  Carefully use a plastic knife to loosen
cake from pan, invert onto wire rack.
While the cake cools, prepare a simple cabernet wine glaze.  Combine the butter, wine and powdered
sugar in a medium saucepan.  Bring all ingredients to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon
vanilla extract.  Set aside for drizzling on individual slices of cake.

Pretty simple to make and a great crowd pleaser.

I Can't Believe Almost A Month Since I Posted!!!!!!

How time flys when we are all busy!  I returned from So Cal after many long hours of cleaning and organizing a house with sixty four years of memories.  Have put some incredible aniques into storage for a later date when I have the room to move them and display them.  I also came back with two 18 gallon containers of pictures and we have barely scratched the surface!  A good trip but an exhausting one.

I just got back yesterday froma two day trip to Reno.  We took approximately forty ladies, chartered a bus, stayed at the El Dorado hotel and casino and saw a fantastic show, Shake, Rattle and Roll!  Boy did these kids have some energy, an hour and a half of constant dancing and singing.

Today I have a baby shower, and I have attached a photo of the baby card I had to whip up quickly this morning-because I was too busy running around the country, making poodle skirts, and just in general overloading myself!  

I am off again tomorrow for a long weekend with my sweetie, we are celebrating his birthday and father's day all rolled into one weekend-with me getting the benefits of the celebration!