Rainbow Butter Cake: Take 1

For months my mom has been telling me about the rainbow butter cake my grandma used to make, and how delicious it was. The concept seemed intriguing and I began to feel jealous that my gram had never before made it for me. So in an attempt to learn myself we scheduled a baking day with my aunt for this past Saturday. Although we never got around to making the cake and will have to reschedule, I can only hope it will turn out something like this:

Check out the recipe!

RAINBOW BUTTER CAKE
1 cup butter
1 ½ cups sugar
4 eggs (5 if small)
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
3 ¼ cups flour
1 cup milk
4 teaspoons single-acting baking powder
OR
1 tablespoon double-acting baking powder
————————————————————————–
Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and beat five minutes or until fluffy. Add flavoring. Add combined flour and baking powder alternately with milk. Beat only until smooth – do not overbeat.

Separate batter into three portions and color with red, green, and yellow (or colors of your choice) food coloring.

Grease angel food cake pan well on bottom and around tube – lightly on sides – sprinkle with flour.

Pour red into the tube pan, then green, then yellow.

Pan should be a little more than half full.

Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Then raise to 375 degrees and bake 15 to 20 minutes longer – or until a cake tester comes out clean.

If anyone out there feel ambitious enough to make this cake, I would love to see photos!

image via

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Weekend in photos

This past Saturday was October 1, which means all things fall and all things Halloween can now ensue. Although I’m not so eager to dress up each Halloween and I can’t handle scary movies, I was somehow motivated to purchase tickets for a historic, haunted walking tour through downtown Naperville. While I didn’t have any nightmares, I was sufficiently spooked.

Yes, we all had to wear glow sticks.

My ghost meter, which reads electromagnetic field emissions around the human body. Yes. True.

The Naperville Metra station, the site of a particularly gruesome train accident decades ago, which now makes for an equally spooky story.

Orbs: according to one of the tour guides, an orb can be considered an invisible spirit or aura.

Amazing how much a difference a day (and sunlight) can make. Western suburbia is normal once again.

Well, maybe Frasier isn’t though.

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Dog walker by day, PI by night

I’m currently amidst The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy and I am obsessed. One of the main characters–Lisbeth Salander–has latched onto my love of information and knowing what makes people tick (okay, I admit it, I am at times a gossip fiend), and my immediate desire to be a private investigator. I can see it now: dog walker by day, private investigator by night. And making millions all the while, no?

I have one book left in the trilogy, and then I will be eagerly anticipating the first movie (of the American kind by David Fincher), due out in December. Which got me thinking. What are some of the best movies I’ve seen this year? Crazy, Stupid, Love, which I absolutely loved and Drive. Hands down. Go. See. Them. Now. And my guilty pleasure: No Strings Attached.

What movies are you looking forward to?

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A step back in time

I came across these photos several weeks ago, and was instantly charmed. I’m always drawn to black and white or old, vintage photos and this was no exception. I’ve wanted to live in Chicago for forever (hello, suburbanite), and will be the first to sing its praises (as well as faults), but there’s something about New York City that just doesn’t compare. I would give anything to go back in time.

photos via

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Entertaining n00b

In college, I didn’t often host guests for dinner because it was always easier to meet friends out at a new restaurant, an old favorite (Panera), or for coffee or drinks; not to mention my kitchen became crowded with more than one person in it. Since moving home and starting work, however, there is something equally appealing as inviting friends and family over, cooking a meal together and enjoying each other’s company in the comfort of your own home. Last week, our family friend came over and I promptly put myself in charge of dessert. I opted for this recipe, and was pleasantly surprised.

And if you’re looking for your own entertaining ideas, check out this video from one of my favorite blogs, cupcakes and cashmere.

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