Happy Birthday to Me...LOL

For my August birthday, mom would make a pistachio cake. For as long as I can remember. She made it in a bundt pan and frosted it with 1/2 pt. heavy cream, 1 box instant pistachio pudding and 9 oz. whipped topping. I sometimes prefer a glaze. Everyone in my family enjoys the cake so I make it a couple times a year and share. It is also a nice cake for Christmas and you can decorate the plate it sits on. A special delivery is being made to my brother and two sisters today :-) Some people don't make a big fuss over their birthday and say "it's just another day". I get that. Here the celebration seems to go on for two weeks. I love birthdays because it's a chance to get together with family and friends. 

Recipe:

1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)

2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant pistachio pudding mix

1 cup water

4 eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

GLAZE:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon butter, softened

2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Directions In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mixes, water, eggs and oil; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. In small bowl, combine the glaze ingredients, adding enough milk to reach desired consistency. Drizzle over cake. Yield: 12 servings.

The recipe is also on the Taste of Home website. http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pistachio-bundt-cake#ixzz3GvI5d5Ux

Our Summer Fun

This summer, I wanted to invite you into our family's camp. We are on a small lake in the Adirondacks in New York and it's where we recharge. Camp is filled with family, friends and lots of good food!  We believe we have a little slice of Heaven on Earth. We sit around the campfire and talk about life. Even though we have had 36 people sleep at our camp when all the children were little, it is best with 6-8. We have three beds and a couch. There is very little privacy...lol.  

Just a little history on where our camp is located. Okara Lakes is in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Mountains. Our backyard woods is designated "forever wild". Great visionaries such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Thoreau have drawn inspiration from the Adirondack Mountains. I'm sure you've heard of the Adirondack Chair. There is a lot to love in the Adirondacks. The Adirondack Park is larger than Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon combined. 

I hope you are having a wonderful summer! Thank you for your positive comments on my new blog design. 
 xoxo Debbie

Traveling Totes Summer Table

Welcome! I just grabbed some warm bread from Utica Bread and picked a bouquet from the garden for my small table. Come on in!  I'd love to have all my blogging friends at my MacKenzie-Childs table! It all started 25 years ago when my co-workers happened upon MacKenzie-Childs in Aurora. It sure has made entertaining fun!

Joe decided to add his Tommy Bahama "Relax" hat to my small table display...lol...this man always makes me laugh. He is very relaxed this summer. 

I've set the table where we have been enjoying several meals this summer.  Sometimes I bring the same place settings to the outdoor table. And I invite you to do the same today! Set a pretty table and dine alfresco. It makes eating a meal more special. I wish you could all be here with us today!

I usually start with the MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check table runner.

It's Basic.

It's Elegant.

The monochrome beauty and stark contrast of black and white captures the eye just as a splash of vibrant colors can. 

There is a story behind each ceramic plate...the artist that created it, the memories it holds from family get togethers, dinner parties and informal garden parties with my mom, grandmother and husband. I still remember when I set up a banquet table on our lawn and we ate under the stars. 

I am joining my fellow Traveling Tote group, and hope you will visit their summer tables. 

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Linda with Miss Rosie @ More Fun Less Laundry

Linda with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Patti with Miss Kenzie and Miss Taylor @ "Pandora's Box"

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Visit us on Instagram #talesofthetravelingtote

Highlights of MacKenzie-Childs Barn Sale 2017

 

The Butterfly Garden Tumblers had been on my wish list and they are more reasonable at 50% off :-)  

Flower market cutting board, Berries & Blossoms dinner plates, Poppy dish towel, Daisy dish towel.

I picked up the Courtly Stripe Chandelier Shade for an accent lamp I had, and got one for a friend. 

A throw rug for the entry way.

The cannister trio came home with me, and I haven't decided what to fill them with. I've never had cannisters on my counter. 

Most of the people I met at the barn sale were from other states. This is Stacie from Oklahoma. 

Barn Sale treasures and meeting new friends was the highlight of the MacKenzie-Childs Barn Sale. But having quality time with my best friend Mr. Mountain Breaths at the barn sale was even better. The best way to describe the barn sale is that you are at a conference with thousands of people who enjoy what you enjoy. It's a happy place, crowded yes, but everyone is polite. Some of my blog friends would like to attend in 2018, and I sure hope they do. One of the ladies I met at the sale was from Oklahoma and while chatting I found out that the reason she attends the barn sale is because of my blog. The world is smaller than we think. The connections we have that we are unaware of. I receive several emails about the barn sale, and I am happy to help. How long was the line this year? I went on Thursday, arrived at 2 pm and only waited for one hour. We were checked out by 5:30 pm just in time for dinner at the Aurora Inn. 

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo

Debbie

MacKenzie-Childs Barn Sale Bound!!!!

Wish me luck! I am hoping to find everything on my list :-)

I'll be back soon!