I am DYING for some Madonna Inn Pink Champagne Cake!

It looks like this recipe makes enough cake for tiers or a really nice layer cake and lots of cupcakes. I have not tried this recipe so I have no idea what it tastes like.

Pink Champagne Celebration Cake

6 egg whites
3 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shortening
2 2/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 to 10 drops pink or red food coloring
2 cups pink champagne (or regular champagne)

Let egg whites stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Grease pans and line with parchment paper. Grease paper and lightly flour pans.

Preheat oven to 350.
In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside.

In a large mixing bowl beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, vanilla, food colorling and beat until well combined. Gradually add egg whites beating well after each additon. Alternately add flour mixtue and champagne to beaten mixture starting and ending with flour just until combined. (batter will appear curdled after champagne additons, but smooth after all of the flour mixture has been added.

Pour in prepared pans and bake for 35-40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Creamy Champagne Frosting

1 cup softened butter
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup Champagne
few drops of pink food coloring
1 tablespoon vanilla
Additonal 5 cups of powdered sugar

Beat butter for 30 seconds gradually add powdered sugar, milk, champagne and vanilla. Beat in an additonal 5 cups powdered sugar until of spreading consistency

5 Steps for Inner Change...uh-huh.

I daydream about making a living selling my purses or necklaces or any other crafted item I put in a shop.

I am centered and focused.

You are what you eat. Exotic and spicy? Natural and bland? Junk?

Release the past and your ATTACHMENT to it.

Yay me! Someone loves me. I love me...but I'd like to love me more.

Me today.

Coco Chanel

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.”

 I was actually thinking of a quote like this...

 “A women who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.”

 I like perfume and love to wear it, but I have never felt like spending the money it takes to buy the ones I like.

I would like a bottle of Be Delicious by DKNY. I like it, but I can't convince anyone else to like it.

 I need a perfume that squeals "HALLIE!!!" but at half volume.

I Want...

I want to create a "28 Days of Hallie Mama Fashion" layout like the one I saw in this month's issue of InStyle. It was inspiring, but filled with 6 inch stilettos and ugly, ugly clothes. Some of which oddly reminded me of my own closet. Oops. oh well. So I am armed with a thick fashion magazine and two closets full of clothing that seem to do nothing for me. I will take photos of this undertaking.

 Also, my main man was laid off from his job yesterday. A little distressing, but I am not worried. We have talked about worst case scenarios and options so I am prepared. I am looking forward to a downsizing yard sale in this next month. I have nothing of major worth that I am going to sell, but tons of detritus lying around.

The stress is killing us.The stress is killing us.

Depression and crying. The desire to give up on the normal life lost to messy kitchens and unfolded laundry. Lack of sleep for no reason related to children.
My man is a shell of who he once was and it really does appear to be my fault. I mean it. I've ground his positive attitude down to nothing and all that is left is despair.

Scary.

"Voice or no voice, the people
can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That
is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being
attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of
patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."
-- Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials