Recipe by request

I put a picture of this classic family cake on my personal Facebook page and tagged lots of cousins. There were some wonderful comments and lots of "likes" so I am publishing the recipe here.

Burnett Plain Cake

—from the kitchen of Norma Anne Chattin by way of my Grandma Lizzie who claimed this recipe went further back than she did….

This is written the way she wrote it so it’s not in typical recipe fashion and that’s part of the charm.

Cream together:

·         1 cup butter

·         ½ cup Crisco shortening

·         3 cups sugar

Add:

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         ½ teaspoon baking powder

Alternately Add:

·         3 cups all-purpose flour

·         1 cup canned milk (not sweetened condensed but canned milk)

Add :

·         1 teaspoon vanilla

·         1 teaspoon other flavoring extract (mom likes lemon, I like almond, it’s also great with 2 teaspoons of REAL vanilla extract like Watkins)

Add one at a time:

·         5 large eggs

Beat really well and then beat it some more—the longer the better

Pour batter in to wax paper lined classic tube cake pan* and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cake will be golden brown.

Remove from pan before completely cool and store in airtight container.

*A note on the pan—our tube cake pans have been passed along for ages and are the kind with a removable bottom which is why you need the wax paper lining. Use just enough wax paper to keep batter from leaking. The “crust” on this cake is one of its most magnificent features and the wax paper doesn’t allow the crust to form as well.

Time flies

Seriously, I missed posting for an entire month? Just assume if I'm not posting that I'm off having too much fun. Life is good.

Setting up a series of posts today to give me some air time in March.

2012 Digi-Scrap projects

I've been creating at least 3 new Digi Scrap designs every month this year with the goal of continuing this process. I'm using the prototypes and extras in my visual art journal too.

Here's one of the January entries that I created with a kit from Crow-About-Studios at Deviant Scraps. The kit is called "She's a Doll"

I've become a big fan of downloading photos from the Facebook pages of my friends and family. This is a photo taken from my niece Kate's album. Kate is my heart and her daughter Hailee is my heart's delight.

Uncharted Destinations Tour Begins in the Land of Zentangle



Altered Art Journal Page-Horse of a decidedly different color.



When was the last time you did something for the first time? That question was asked of me (and possibly thousands of others) recently by Kandee Johnson http://www.kandeej.com/%20.

Yes, it’s cliché but clichés are often used because they’re often true. I believe I try new things frequently. I’ve decided to put my belief to the test and track some of my first time experiences. Of course, I have to add a codicil because it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t over-think. My codicil is that first time is defined as brand new or something I haven’t done in a quarter of a century.

Since the whole last time doing for the first time question is a bit complex (although catchy) I’ve renamed this journey as the “Uncharted Destinations Tour.” As the year moves along you can search on this term in the blog and check out my explorations.

My first Zentangle

Art Journals are not a new adventure for me; however, art journals are a great place to explore uncharted destinations. I posted a short piece on my Facebook page facebook.com/artfultourist about making a Zentangle. You can find out more about the Zentangle process here http://www.zentangle.com/ There are some enlightening You Tube videos on the topic too.

After I finished the black and white one in my journal I decided to see how much fun I could have doing the Zentangle techniques within an existing picture. I started small with the Arc de Triomphe and my Samsonella doodle dolly. Next I created my horse of many decidedly different colors from Raphael’s St. George and the Dragon.


Samsonella and the Arc



I am cheerfully accepting recommendations for my “Uncharted Destinations Tour.” If you know of a place where no Artful Tourist named Norma Anne has yet to travel, leave a comment or send me an email. Even better, tell me about your explorations and enjoy the moments.



Tiny 2 color zentangle spells a word



Look out below....

I am blog posting in more erratic patterns lately. Be sure and look down the latest entries to see if you missed anything.





Each entry shows up as a seperate note on my Facebook page too, so check the full blog sometimes if you are reading from there.





Yes, I am still enjoying Facebook and my friend list always has room for more so send me a request to be friends with you. Do say how you know me too please, since I have lived so many places, loved so many faces, and gotten on in years--it's hard to place people sometimes from those tiny pictures...


*Digital scrapbook page/party decoration for Daddy's brithday today. He's in Florida to celebrate this year and we're so happy.

10 minute post

Finally, I have become a member of Facebook...I feel so hip. Now if I could just figure the darn thing out...but there is always time. Did my research and realized Facebook is the 7th most visited site today. It used to be exclusively for students, then students and certain companies, and now, apparently, they let anyone in....smirk

I updated the web site gallery this week http://www.nachattin.com/Gallerymain.html with some black and white invitation ideas.

Also revised my career counseling page http://www.nachattin.com/career.html after receiving some inquiries on these services this week.

Finally, three more cards from the simply stamping session are posted for viewing.

I'm off to Sir Henry's company dinner for the holidays and then a fun weekend of moving assistance, cropping, and wrapping gifts to mail. HUGS!