Quilting For My Son

Many of you know that my son left for Air Force Basic Training a few weeks ago. There is so much I cannot wait to share with you about his experience there. But first I want to tell you about a project that I am working on to help pay for our trip to see his graduation.

Quilting!! Most of us do not have a lot of expendable income for trips. But I wanted to do something practical and artistic to earn my way to his graduation. I want to make him proud of my hard work too! So I am selling quilts to pay my way to Lackland AFB!

PRICE LIST

Baby Size: $100

Twin: $175

Full/Queen: $250

King: $300

Your choice of color and size!! Specialty fabric that has to be ordered takes a bit longer and also adds $25 to the cost. Keep this in mind when ordering.

I also make memory quilts using clothing of a loved one who has passed. They are around $400 for a full/queen due to the complexity involved but they are a wonderful keepsake.

***(Specialty quilts have an additional fee)****

Shipping $15

I also make custom gift baskets that are appropriate for any special occasion and can be shipped almost anywhere. Just leave a comment and I can help you choose exactly what you need.

The Cake Everyone Asks For....

About 25 years ago I made a cake for a family party. It became legend. To this day it is still the most requested cake that I make. My father-in-law would come to our house and simply say..."Make the Cake."

So here, today, I am going to tell you my secret....

                                                                                                            It is not much of a secret. :)

Chocolate Almond Fudge Cake

1 Devils Food Cake Mix (yup, not from scratch)
1 Small Bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 Stick of Butter
1 Small Package Slivered Almonds
HomeMade Whipping Cream

Make cake in two round pans according to package direction. Use dental floss or sharp knife to split each layer into two layers.
Over low heat melt chocolate chips and butter being careful not to burn the mixture. Mix in almonds when melted.
Spread mixture over three of the cake layers. One should be left plain for the top layer of your cake. Stack and place top layer...well...on top. :)
Make homemade whipping cream by beating whipping cream, 1 scant tsp vanilla and 2 Tablespoons sugar on high speed until soft peaks form. Spread over entire cake. Serve.

This cake is especially good for breakfast. I don't know why.

Cupcake Version

Now, over the years I have tweaked and played with the recipe and you can too. Make it your own! Add orange extract to the chocolate mixture. Use pecans or walnuts instead of almonds. Try going sugar free by using a Splenda mix. Whatever you like, try it. But do not, I repeat, do not be tempted to use store bought whipped topping instead of homemade. It just isn't as good.

Now you know my secret. Today, for my husbands birthday, I will be making this cake. Hope you all enjoy and have a great day!

Happy Feast Day!

Another Luminous Goat Story..... :)

In a village far away in the East there was a young girl named Lu Ming. Everyday Lu Ming went to the marketplace with her goat to sell apples to help feed her family. It wasn’t an easy life but she was happy. She would sing to the goat on her way to the village. He seemed to enjoy the company, too. Once in a while she would even give the goat an apple to munch while she scratched him behind the ears and told him stories. As the set each day, Lu Ming and her goat would make their way back home.

One wintry morning Lu Ming pulled her little apple cart up the long hill towards the village. As she reached down to wrap her shawls tighter around her tired shoulders, the cart slipped from her grasp and began rolling down the hill towards a little boy who was gathering wood for his fireplace. Lu Ming ran as quickly as she could to grab the cart but her legs, weary from the journey, could not keep up as the card sped away.

Just before the cart reached the little boy, a flash of white crashed into the cart, knocking it on its side and spilling apples along the road. The little boy was safe and Lu Ming was able to catch up to her toppled cart. But as she approached she saw the lifeless form of her little goat that had saved the boy from harm. A tear rolled down her rosy cheek as she realized her friend was gone.

Soon the story spread across the village about how Lu Ming’s goat saved the little boy. As years passed, the villagers could not quite remember the name of the little girl but they did remember The Luminous Goat. Some even say that on cold, wintry mornings you can see the white goat standing in the sunshine waiting for his little girl.

Today's Helpful Tip


Helpful tip for the day...Mix equal parts borax and baking soda for a great (and cheap) dishwasher detergent.

Orlando Fun for Free (or Cheap)

Wish You Were Here!

As a mom I am always looking for fun free or inexpensive adventures that I can can have with my family. As my kids have gotten older it has gotten a little bit more challenging. Fortunately for me, I live in central Florida. Most people immediately think of Disney when I tell them where I live. But when planning a family vacation the budget is always a concern. So, yes....go to Disney. Enjoy the parks because there is a lot to see and do for all ages. But don't overlook the many other activities that sunny Florida has to offer. Several times during the month I will be posting about great places and people that you will not want to miss on your next Florida getaway. If you are a homeschooling family many of these trips offer great lessons in science and history. Feel free to share your experiences and tips with everyone.

Florida Air Museum in Lakeland, Florida

The Florida Air Museum, Florida’s “Official Aviation Museum and Education Center” features a dynamic display of the best examples aviation has to offer including one-of-a-kind designs, classics, ultra-lights, antiques and war-birds.
But the Museum is more than a collection of airplanes; it is a tribute to the history and joy of flight highlighting pioneers such as Howard Hughes, early air racers, and countless Floridians who have influenced the world of aviation. The Museum also offers a variety of unique year-round educational experiences for all ages including camps, tours, workshops and speaker presentations.
The Florida Air Museum continues to grow and meet the challenge of our mission – to be the premier showcase for Florida’s aviation history through exhibits, restoration and preservation, education and outreach and to share the passion of flight with all ages.

This Month's Giveaway!

Each month on The Luminous Goat I will be giving away a gift to one follower of my blog. You can increase your chance of winning by recommending the blog to a friend. I want to hear from you. Leave a comment, tell me what you think...

The beautiful chopstick rests are this months gift!

So here is how it works...follow the blog = 1 entry. Recommend to a friend and they follow = 2 entries.
Deadline for entry is next Tuesday, May 22nd at Midnight (EST).

The Luminous Goat

Many people ask me how I got the name of The Luminous Goat. I have many answers, none of which are true. Someday I might tell you but for today I will just give you a story....

The Luminous Goat

Long ago on a small island off the rocky coast of a faraway country, lived a lighthouse keeper named Lou Minos. He had been trained as an apprentice in his native country of Greece and this was his first assignment on his own. Lou lived alone on the island except for a small goat he had rescued from the icy waters of the sea. Lou built a cozy lean-to against the lighthouse for the goat but during the day he would let the goat wander the small island and forage for his food. Lou sang songs for the goat and told him tales of his homeland. Each night Lou would light his lantern and and he and the goat would climb the long stairway to the top of the lighthouse to light the big lamp for the passing ships. They would stand at the railing and look out at the sea and Lou would scratch behind the goat’s ears, which made the goat sleepy and relaxed. Then they would go down the long stairway and Lou would put fresh straw down in the goat’s little shed. Only then would Lou would have his own supper and then go to bed.

Lou and his goat lived for many years on the island, watching for ships in distress and making sure the big lamp was lit every night.

In the nearby village on the shore, all the villagers knew Lou and knew of Lou’s goat. Once a week Lou would row his wooden boat to the village for provisions for him and fresh hay for the goat. He would catch up on village news and have a cup of strong coffee with the men of the village before heading back to the island.

Early one blustery winter afternoon, Lou decided to head to the village before the storm hit. He rowed hard against the waves and arrived at the village café, wet and cold. He drank his cup of coffee quickly and then hurried to the general store to pick up his weekly supplies. By the time he was ready to head back to the island, the wind had picked up and the waves were too high for Lou to row his small boat. Lou could see that the wind had blown out the big lamp atop the lighthouse. He was wild with worry about the passing ships because he knew that without the light from the lamp, a ship could become lost and drift toward the rocky shoreline and crash in the high waves. Lives depended on him but the villagers would not let Lou not risk the icy waters of the raging sea.

Suddenly someone cried out, “A light, a light!” Another voice said, “It’s Lou Minos’s goat” The villagers crowded the shore and watched though spyglasses as the small goat climbed the lighthouse stairs carrying Lou’s lantern. The goat stood at the railing with the lantern held in his mouth all through the night until the storm subsided in the gray light of morning. As the seas calmed, Lou ran to his boat and rowed back to the island. The small brave goat was still standing, frozen to death, still with the glowing lantern held tightly in his mouth. Only one life was lost that stormy night, Lou Minos’s goat. As the story was told again and again, he became known to all as the Luminous Goat.