I’ve had some questions about the frosting I use in my cake decorating exploration.  So, the next few posts will be a little beginner’s guide to frosting.  We start today with the basic recipe for frosting that is taught in Wilton cake decorating classes.  I used this recipe on many cakes including this one…

You will be surprised to hear that with this recipe I actually (for once) stuck completely to the recipe.  It starts with a cup of shortening (I used Crisco from the big can), flavoring, and water.  My favorite flavoring is almond, but that doesn’t go with as many cake flavors so vanilla is probably the most common.  After creaming that, add the sugar and meringue powder and mix until it’s nice and smooth and creamy.  Meringue powder can be found at some grocery stores or at any Michaels or Hobby Lobby.  It just stabilizes the frosting so that it holds up a little better, doesn’t melt as easily, and makes a nice smooth “crust” on the cake frosting.  This recipe makes 3 cups of “stiff” frosting for decorations on a cake.  To make medium frosting, add one teaspoon of water for each cup of stiff frosting.  For covering a cake, you’ll want to make thin frosting by adding another one teaspoon of water for each cup of medium frosting.

Our next post will focus on chocolate frosting.  Then we can expand into some of the basics of frosting the cake.

Here’s the full recipe…

Wilton Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup solid vegetable shortening
• 1 teaspoon flavoring (vanilla, almond, butter)
• 2 tablespoons water (or milk, but then you have to refrigerate)
• 1 lb. pure cane confectioners’ sugar (approx. 4 cups)
• 1 tablespoon meringue powder

Cream shortening, flavoring, and water.  Add dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until all ingredients have been thoroughly mixed together.  Blend an additional minute or so, until creamy.

Additionally, you can add a pinch of salt if desired, but you must dissolve it in the water before adding to the bowl.  You wouldn’t want little grains in the frosting — yuck!

If you have any questions, or have stories/photos of trying the frosting for yourself, please share!  And check back for the chocolate recipe.

- Clarissa

I took this picture at Dublin Castle in Dublin, Ireland.  I love how the three different pieces of the building that join together are so very different.

The center tower is Norman (also called Record) Tower, a medieval tower built in 1226.  It was used as a high security prison at that time, and continued in that capacity for approximately 400 years.  It is believed its 4.6 meter (about 15 feet) thick walls may be why it’s the only tower remaining from that time period in Dublin.  Now it houses the Garda (Police) Museum.

The building to the right of the tower is part of the Treasury Building built in 1714.  It is the oldest office block in Dublin and attaches right into the Norman Tower.

Finally, the building on the left of the tower is the Chapel Royal.  This is the newest of the three parts of the building, built in 1814.  It was originally the King’s Chapel in Ireland for the Viceroy, his household, and officials.  Here’s a better picture of the chapel.

In the current days of building for 30 years and tearing down buildings once they’re older, I think it’s nice to see a spot where new was added (twice, even) while retaining the old.

- Clarissa

Check out this castle that was built in the 1400s.  At first glance it looks just like any other 15th century castle.

But then, take a closer look.

Notice how the bottom section has severely shifted to the left over the years?  A few hundred years ago the problem was noticed and the wall in the very left of the photo was built to help stabilize.  The guide said they are still working on it today, and we noticed a couple carefully placed bricks that looked brand new.  Good thing that was after we had safely been in and out.

And you thought you needed to worry about your house’s foundation.  Although with backyard view like this, maybe they didn’t care!

- Clarissa

I realize it’s kind of hard to talk about home-related topics when I’m not home.  So, I decided to add a travel category to this site and share some little stories from our travels whenever those occur.  I hope you will find them as an interesting break from the housewife talk.

So, do I sound different? Last week I kissed Ireland’s Blarney Stone, which is supposed to give me wonderful speaking abilities. However, none of the legends address its effect on writing/blogging — maybe it’s time for Blarney to enter the 21st century. Whether it worked or not, it was a crazy experience.

Blarney is a small town with a famous castle that has become a tourist destination mainly for its famous stone. We were warned to be prepared for a very touristy experience, but we actually very much enjoyed the castle and especially the beautiful gardens and grounds that surround it.

First, some history… The castle currently standing on the site was built in 1446 by the family of the King of Munster. Legend has it that the king supplied four thousand men to help fight another king’s battle and was given half of the “Stone of Scone” in gratitude. That stone is now what’s known as the famous “Blarney Stone.” The name is said to be coined by Queen Elizabeth I who was upset that her Earls were not overtaking the castle and said their failed reports were all “Blarney.”

Here is our first view of the castle.

As we climbed up the narrow spiral staircase…

we saw rooms that used to be a bedroom, kitchen, living room, and banquet room.  Once we got to the top, though, we had a great view.

And then it was time to kiss the Blarney Stone and receive our gift of gab, meaning we will be given the ability to speak beautifully and eloquently.  The legend is that anyone with Irish blood already has the gift and is exempt, but I did it anyway because our tour guide said “it never hurts to get more.”  My mom had warned me that kissing the stone required hanging off the edge, but I didn’t quite have a good mental picture until we got to the top.  She wasn’t kidding!  They have a man at the edge who helps each person lay down on his/her back and slide off the edge of the roof  (for short people like me that means hanging off past the waist!), lean back until completely upside down, and reach out to kiss the rock.  Hard to picture, I know.  Maybe this will help.

And a great video of Adam kissing the stone (Note, the videos across the bottom at the end aren’t ours, just other random people’s)

After that strange experience, we just wandered the beautiful grounds and enjoyed our new speaking abilities

If you’re interested in joining the series of following our trip day-by-day, check out our site at AdamandClarissa.com.  There you will also see links to all of our photos from each day.  If you already subscribe to both sites, then you’re all set to receive the day-by-day series as well as NGH’s focused topic-based stories.

- Clarissa

You guessed it — we’re back from our big trip to Ireland.  It was a wonderful trip full of great memories, wonderful food, and many new friends.  Of course, I have tons of pictures, videos, and stories to share.  Right now, though, I’m caught in restocking the fridge, doing load after load of laundry, and trying to get my body back on its correct sleep schedule.  So, please stay tuned for great stories and plenty of pictures from our trip!

- Clarissa

Now isn’t that just pretty?  Even better, it tastes as amazingly nice as it looks.  This is my new favorite after-dinner drink.  It’s not too strongly alcohol-tasting like an original martini, but it’s not too sweet and fruity like the typical girly martini.  Plus it looks fancy enough that it could easily impress dinner guests and serve as a dessert on its own.

The drink is also very simple to make with only three ingredients and equal parts of each.

• 1 part gin
• 1 part cream
• 1 part green creme de menthe

Pour all three ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake with ice.  Then strain into a martini glass.  We found this recipe in our Complete Bartender’s Guide, but a quick Google search finds it on multiple websites as well.

Give it a try one night when you have extra cream on hand — you won’t be disappointed, and soon enough you may actually be buying cream just to make it.

- Clarissa

Valances are done!  Well, for now at least.  I might make a little change to them, but that’s not going to hinder our celebration!  Check it out…

And a close-up…

You can see it’s asymmetrical — that’s because the window on the other side of the fireplace is the inverse.  I’ll get a picture of the whole scene when it’s daylight.

- Clarissa