Bittersweet will be celebrating Twenty-Five Years in April. I can't help but remind myself of the women that paved my way.
Aunt Charla taught me to crochet and wore cool ankle boots and bandanas on her head.
My Mom could make anything and always shared her tender love. She made beaded necklaces and her name was Alice. Hence the name, Alice Bracelet and Alice Soap that I happily named after her.
Great Grandma Lucy was the first generation soap maker in my family and inspired me to name an entire zero waste collection in her honor.
Aunt Vivian sent me soap that she made in her kitchen in 1997. The seed was planted and her niece is forever grateful. The Third generation soap maker!
Grandma Christine was graced with many talents, and her chocolate pie was divine. I can remember the day that she shared her pie recipe. I made it not too long ago.
Grandma Lola owned her own restaurant during the depression. Her talents were many including being an artist. Her paintings were beautiful.
I left out an important woman in my family. My Great Aunt Enid. She was the first woman bank officer hired in Missouri. She went on to get her law degree and became a successful business owner.
We're eager to enter March at both the shop and soap house on the hill. I've been gazing through seed catalogs and planning the next seasons blooms. The freshness of Spring will soon fill the air. We just received another shipment of spring into summer clothing and accessories, and I'm in love with the rain boots, or garden boots. Some new hats designed with spring, summer in mind, and a lovely assortment of linen trousers, and go-to tops are center stage.
It's with a heavy heart that I type this post. I had breakfast with my family this morning and the topic was all about the current climate in Ukrane. How could it not be? I don't feel good about this at all, and the future could change for many at the drop of a hat. For those who have never witnessed a setup for war, it's hard to see such things. My dad is old enough that he remembers more than one war, and he was in the army. He believes what's playing out is a prelude to another world war two. I can't say that I don't dissagree. War is never good no matter how you look at it. I can hardly bare the thought. I have a lot to say about this and how our current administration handles such things, but this is not the platform for such topics. --------
On a happy note, Bittersweet will be celebrating twenty-five years in April. I can recall that lovely day when Bittersweet was born. It was a lovely day! There have been many other lovely days follow. I am grateful. I'm blessed to have such strong lineage and forever grateful for these ladies. Each one delivered a different gift. But these gifts were not something that you hold in your hand. Wisdom, Encouragment, and Strength come to mind. Without them, Bittersweet would not be Bittersweet.
We're looking forward to celebrating an early arrival of spring celebration at our shop next weekend. I mentioned in my last post how the downtown hosts a spring open house. We're happy to participate. In May Bitterweet will be celebrating our annual May Day event at the shop. Next to Christmas, this event is one of our favorites. I might even throw in a twenty-five year celebration too! Why not?
Our manufacturing line-up is moving fast speed ahead as we whip up new spring soap, and skin essentials.
The aromatic scent of apples fills the kitchen. We're making Applesauce Cake with Caramel Icing. I've seen many variations of this cake over the year, but my favorite is my moms. The aromatic cake with its cloves and nutmeg smell so good! It will taste even better. Years ago I found a recipe for old-fashioned caramel icing that was made with milk. I love the recipe, and it's easy since you don't have to use cream.
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 apple finely chopped
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup chopped pecans
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8 x 8 inch baking dish
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer cream the butter and sugars; until light and fluffy. Turn the mixer to low and add applesauce and egg; blending just until combined.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture in three increments mixing just until combined after each increment. Stir in the apples, pecans, and raisins. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm. If desired ice with homemade caramel icing.
- Icing - 1/2 cup butter 1 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup milk cups conf. sugar
Melt butter in pan, add brown sugar and cook over low heat about three minutes, stirring constantly. Add milk and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and cool. Add sugar slowly, beating after each addition, until frosting is thick enough to spread. ENJOY!
Jill xo
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