Poppyseed Cake

Here's a recipe that my mom made so many times through the years. 

Just the smell of it, let alone the taste of it, causes warm memories to come flooding back.

I think they call it "comfort food".

My bundt pan is a vintage treasure of mine. Given to me by my mom, in all its harvest gold glory! 

The scratches reveal that it has been well-loved. Bear with me as I show it off.

May I introduce the star of this recipe? Baker fine dessert filling in poppyseed.

The recipe for this cake has always been, and still is, on the back of the label.

They call it "3 minute Delite" Poppyseed Cake. It really is quick and easy.

One of those recipes that you just dump everything into the mixer bowl and away you go.

Poppyseed Cake

3 C flour

1/2 t salt

1 1/2 t baking soda

2 C sugar

8 oz vegetable oil

4 eggs

13 oz evaporated milk

1 jar (10 oz) Baker Poppyseed Filling

1 C chopped walnuts

Sift dry ingredients together. Add all liquids and mix until smooth.

Add poppyseed filling and nuts; mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.

Turn batter into greased & floured 10" tube or bundt pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until done.

Cool cake 5-8 minutes before removing from pan.

Rich, moist deliciousness!

Now, what do you take in your coffee?

Jim Power & The Mosaic Trail

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Meet Jim Power. 

Twenty-five years ago, he was dubbed "The Mosaic Man" by the The Village Voice.

He creates mosaics on the light posts in New York City's East Village.

His goal is to cover 80 posts, each with a theme centered around well-known people, landmarks or events associated with the neighborhood. His work has become known as "The Mosaic Trail".

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I know you'll enjoy hearing more of Jim's story in this YouTube video:

His dedication sure shows his love for his city and the people in it!

Catch up with Jim on his Facebook page, 

or on his website, where you can make a donation to support his art.

Take a closer look!

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Jim has gift items and T-shirts available on CafePress...

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...and one-of-a-kind, handcrafted mosaic belt buckles on his Etsy shop.

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We appreciate your talent, Jim, 

and we thank you for beautifying our streets, our country, our world!

Etsy photos used with permission from Jim Power.

Bakelite

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In 1907, Dr. Leo Baekeland, a scientist from Belgium, discovered a new compound of carbolic acid and formaldehyde. He took out a patent and  named it "bakelite" (pronounced bay-ka-lite). As the first synthetic plastic, it was wildly popular. It was touted as "the material of a thousand uses".

Here are just some of them:

Desk sets, dresser sets.

Handles for umbrellas, pots, and kitchen utensils.

Guitars, fishing reels, tape measures.

Electrical plugs and parts.

Dice, poker chips, dominoes, chess pieces & checkers.

And of course...jewelry!

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During the Great Depression, when money was scarce, bakelite jewelry was affordable. 

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Bakelite pieces dating back to the 1920's to 1940's 

show signs of having oxidized because their original colors have changed. 

For example, pink became orange, white changed to butterscotch, and blue to green.

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A really popular use for Bakelite was billiard balls.

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Let's get back to jewelry, shall we? 

How about this fantastic necklace overflowing with charms? Fun!

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I'm lovin' the whimsy of this leapfrog pin!

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Buttons...

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...purses...

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...and belt buckles.

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After World War II, new types of plastics such as acrylic, vinyl, Lucite and fiberglass were invented.

Today, vintage bakelite items are highly collectible. 

I wouldn't mind owning a bracelet or two myself!

"When I Fall in Love" ~ Nat King Cole

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Valentine's Day brings romantic love songs to mind.
Nat King Cole. One of my favorite classic crooners.
His voice is what smooth sounds like.

Enjoy his performance of "When I Fall in Love".

When I fall in love, it will be forever.

Or I'll never fall in love.

In a restless world like this is,

Love is ended before it's begun.

And too many moonlight kisses

Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun.

When I give my heart, it will be completely.

Or I'll never give my heart.

And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too,

Is when I fall in love with you.

Happy Valentines Day to Steve, my forever-love!


You'll love to read these blog posts, too:
Vintage Victorian Valentines
A Collection of Hearts for Valentine's Day

Tellus 360 ~ Lancaster, PA

Can't say enough great things about Tellus 360!
This is one of those shops that isn't a just a store, but an experience!

Well-named. "Tellus" means "Earth" in Latin.
A fresh, eco-friendly philosophy with fair trade, sustainable items.
Reclaimed wood furniture with an irresistible, rustic richness.

Not only green in the environmental sense, but also literally;
the building is topped with a 9,600 square foot vegetated green roof!

The browse itself is a delight in Tellus 360's peaceful, zen-like ambiance.
Join me!

Blankets created with yak yarn from Nepal. Yes, yaks.
Such lush colors! I dare you not to feel the softness!

WeWOOD plants a tree for every purchase of one if its 100% natural wood watches.

Anyone remember Charles Chips? What a creative piece of nostalgia!

Terrific bags! My favorite is the market tote at far right. Made from a coffee bean sack.

It was hard not to take home this rough, hand-carved wood bowl. Imagine what you could keep in it!

Tellus 360's Balance Boards - very cool.

Made from 3 types of reclaimed wood. Bamboo, multi wood & mushroom wood.

Mmmmm. Luscious hand-knits.

Oh, this fantastic table!

Made from one enormous piece of bubinga wood.
The raw bark edge is tactile, woodsy perfection.

At the rear of the store, they have their own art gallery, called Gallery360.

When I visited, the art featured was "By Nature",

Sarah Butzer's captivating collection of black & white photography. 

There was so much more:

Tellus 360 wooden electric guitars, handmade from recycled materials!
Comfy clothing.

Recycled glassware.

Antiques imported from Ireland.

Linens. Jewelry. Cards. Soaps. Candles. Books.

Bamboo bowls & utensils.

And on and on...

Beyond all this -

they do custom work,

commercial furniture and fixtures,

and solar hot water systems.

Wow!

Here's their website and their Facebook page.

I encourage you to visit this remarkable shop at 24 East King St. in downtown  Lancaster!

You'll not be disappointed.