Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Cake and Quilts Sturbridge Village

I love cake and last week while my son, Andrew, was visiting he requested The Bubble Room Orange Crunch Cake.   Do yourself a favor and click the link to their website.  You will see right away why I like the place!
(recipe on bottom of post)

Despite the snow, ice and wind the New England Regional Chapter met at Sturbridge Village for an  American Quilt Study Group day.  Wow, that was a lot of links, but I'd like to encourage you to join this National organization.
From the Sturbridge collection, made by: Susannah Howard 1879.
My heart stopped when I saw this Pride of Iowa 4-block.  Sorry for the bad iphone photo - I was having a mild heart attack.
Wow - these berries were nearly round but securely attached.  I need to step up my game!
My favorite room
What a sweet little doll bed and paper doll set.
It was great to see the group again including Cynthia of Wabi-Sabi and to finally meet Wendy, the Constant Quilter in person.  We had a funny adventure through the snowy village :)   They both have great posts on the day too.

Despite or because of the horrid weather, the feeders have been very busy!   Poor little Gold Finchs.
Check out this look.  She seems to be saying what are you doing here?
 Just waiting my turn.....I'm freezing out here!
Last Chance Charlie to win Diane's book or my stencil.
Thank you for all the comments on your quilting stories.  I've enjoyed reading each one.    Click here to enter the giveaway, I will  pick a winner on Saturday.

xo

**The only change to the recipe is that I make my own buttercream frosting with butter, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla - then I added the zest.**

Ingredients

    Crunch layer

    • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
    • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (actual recipe) or 1/2 cup slivered almonds ( actual recipe)
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
    • 1/2 cup butter, melted

    Cake

    • 1 Pillsbury Plus yellow cake mix
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1/2 cup orange juice
    • 2 tablespoons grated orange peel
    • 3 eggs
    • 1/3 cup oil

    Frosting

    • 1 pillsbury ready to spread vanilla frosting
    • 1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
    • 3 tablespoons grated orange peel
    • 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Directions

  1. : Combine crunch layer ingredients. Press 1/2 into each bottom of 2 greased and floured 8" or 9" pans.
  2. : In a large bowl, blend cake ingredients at low speed until moistened. Beat 2 mins at high speed. Pour into pans.
  3. : Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes Cool 10 minutes Remove from pans and cool completely.
  4. : In small bowl, mix frosting & topping. Fold in lemon & orange peels.
  5. : Place one layer, crunch side up, on plate. Spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with remaining layer, crunch side up. Spread top and sides with remaining frosting.



34 comments:

Julierose said...

Ohmy--I DO also love that Pride of Iowa quilt--it is amazing--I think that each time you look at it you see yet another wonderful thing...I can see you making this one for sure...thanks for the links and that yummy sounding recipe...hugs, stay warm--I know there's a season called Spring out there--hopefully it will make its appearance very soon...hugs, Julierose

CecileD said...

OMG this cake.....yum !!!
And these quilts are just stunning ! Wow...this appliqué ! Ans I really love this pink on the first quilt, I love to call it "special repro pink" !
You give cheese to the birds ? That's a good idea !
Good luck with the snow... spring will coming soon !!

CecileD said...

OMG this cake.....yum !!!
And these quilts are just stunning ! Wow...this appliqué ! Ans I really love this pink on the first quilt, I love to call it "special repro pink" !
You give cheese to the birds ? That's a good idea !
Good luck with the snow... spring will coming soon !!

Taryn said...

I quiver with excitement, too, when I see the Pot of Flowers in a four block setting. I am so disappointed with New England weather. I was signed up and flying to Boston to head for the event. I don't mind driving in snow but hate flying in 50mph winds. Plus, I was pushing the timing and if the plane was delayed at all I would have missed that 4-block quilt anyway. :(

Karen said...

When we lived in Orlando, there was a Bubble Room restaurant for a while. I did not realize that it is a chain of sorts. I only got to eat there once before it closed. I tried the Red Velvet cake because I had heard so much about it. It was luscious.

I saw the pieced quilt on Wendy's blog yesterday. It would take a lot of piecing to make a quilt like it but oh so wonderful.

Janet said...

What a fabulous day out looking at old quilts! That 4 block makes my heart stop too - that border is gorgeous!! Was is beautifully quilted as well? I love the fabrics and marvellous variety in that first quilt. What a joy to see them in person :0) I always enjoy your bird pictures and that cake looks delicious - I can't decide to go sew something or bake something - lol.

Cheryl Lynch Quilts said...

How inspirational to journey to the past. Speaking of the last, 40 yrs ago we spent our honeymoon night in Sturbridge Village. Nice memories. Sorry you had to trek through the snow.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

That cake looks so good,I am sure quilters love it! What a great trip, I love that red and green applique and that room too!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Beautiful quilts and back home, birds. I just copied that recipe to my computer...looks like a great one when you have to take something to a potluck and you want to 'show off' :)

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Beautiful quilts and back home, birds. I just copied that recipe to my computer...looks like a great one when you have to take something to a potluck and you want to 'show off' :)

Angie said...

Oh my! Thanks for all the eye candy! The 4 block quilt is amazing - glad you were able to snap a pic!

Marge said...

I'm still on an inspirational "high" from seeing those quilts. (And being surrounded by so many talented and knowledgeable women.)

Kyle said...

It sounds and looks you all had a fabulous day at SBV. Nothing better than getting together with friends and new fairies and looking at beautiful quilts. The cake sounds easy and yummy. Thanks for sharing.

Quilting Babcia said...

That cake looks positively wonderful. I remember many years ago visiting Sturbridge Village, the quilts are so inspirational.

Janet O. said...

Oh, I love those vintage quilts!
Lucky you to meet up with bloggers.
Cake looks and sounds delicious!

Ann said...

What fun you had! I lived in NH for a while but never made it over to Sturbridge Village and always regretted that. AQSG is such a wonderful organization, especially when you find a local group to join, too.

rondiquilts said...

Those quilts look just like quilts you would make Barb! Thank you for sharing photos. I will be on vacation next two weeks and am looking forward to a visit to the Bubble Room. Will partake of cake and think of you and your son! For Easter I made the infamous Southern Living Hummingbird Cake that has been making the rounds on FB. It was delicious.

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

What an amazing outing in spite of Mother Nature's influence! What stunning quilts you saw!

Susan said...

Looks like a very inspiring adventure, the quilts are gorgeous. I'm so glad you're feeding those sweet little birdies.

Susan said...

That cake looks delicious! You must be a wonderful cook AND quilter Barb!

Barb said...

we sure did - thanks Terry you are a non-reply blogger

Barbara said...

Sturbridge Village is such a treasure and their quilt collection is to die for! Just beautiful! Love your little Goldfinches. It never occurred to me to put slices of bread in the feeder, lol! Great idea :)

Anonymous said...

Oh Barb, I'll be thinking of your delicious looking cake all day--darn you!!! Bad weather be damned--it can't stop Barb Vedder! Looks ike you had a wonderful day. I've been to Sturbridge and it's delightful.
Norma

LONA said...

Good morning! What a wonderful quilt- it is just amazing. A true labor of love. I knew there was a Sturbridge Village fabric line, but I did not realize that there is an actual place named Sturbridge Village. Makes the fabric even better! Thanks for the post! Have a great day!

Thimbleanna said...

Ooooh, that cake looks amazing -- thanks for the recipe! It's so funny that you've posted about Sturbridge Village -- I was just thinking this morning that if I could get a work trip to Boston, I need to plan a visit there!

Val's Quilting Studio said...

I so enjoyed your post. Snow...still...ugh...but so pretty!! Will check out the American Quilty Study Group as I'm looking for something to join/do this summer when I am on break.

Wendy Caton Reed said...

We surely did have fun. Funny we all took a snowy picture from about the same vantage point. Beautiful! Cake looks yummy too!

jane nj/wi said...

Always always always a highlight when your ID pops up on my FB scroll. I need to get back to Sturbridge some day. The quilt study group must be a grand way to view and learn about historic quilts. And thanks for some dandy pictures of snow.....none down here....but I do have lots of lizards......looking forward to some pictures of your current projects.

Jane who cannot figure out how to ch age her Google signature to WI/FL..... :0)P

Ruth said...

I just LOVE Sturbridge Village! We visited it on our 50th anniversary trip to New England in 2012 and it was one of my favorite parts of the trip - there were many favorite parts. The quilts are amazing! Especially the first one. I'll look into the study group. Thanks!

Rachaeldaisy said...

That cake looks and sounds so delicious!! It's easy to see why you like the Bubble room, such fun!! Thank you for sharing these beautiful quilts with us. The one made by Susannah is mind blowing, and so full of gorgeous fabrics. You take such great photos of birds. I bet your feeders are their favourite restaurant.

Handmade by Joan said...

I thought it was funny to see The Bubble Room in your post! I live in Fort Myers, FL and have been to The Bubble Room. They have great desserts! What a beautiful snowy picture of the Village you shared. That quilt by Susannah is so beautiful and all that piecing!

Rebecca in AK said...

I am not sure which looks more delicious, the cake or the quilts! lol How wonderful to see those quilts up close and personal. I hope all the birds got a chance at the feeder!

smazoochie said...

I'm going to stay away from the cake recipe, it looks too good.
What a beautiful place to see & talk about old quilts!
Thanks!

fiberchick said...

WOW. The Sturbridge quilt collection is worthy of a heart attack especially after that cake. You are a temptress on many levels:)