New York Baby Shower

Due to a rough few weeks of a stomach bug followed by a head cold, I haven't been much of a blogger lately. However, today was a beautiful, sunny day in the North Shore, both weather-wise and health-wise, as thankfully I'm beginning to feel much better! However, it's already been about two weeks now since Jesse & I were able to travel home to Vestal, NY on October 10, where my mom and cousin, Danielle, hosted a baby shower for me! I desperately needed to put this post up, as the shower was wonderful and I had so much fun with friends and family!


I was surprised to have my out-of-state college friends, Ashleigh and Judy, travel from Lancaster and Philadelphia to be with me at the shower! It made the day even more special. My friend since high school, Sarah, planned and coordinated the games for the party. She did an awesome job, and everyone had fun... especially with the "Guess which Chocolate is Melted in the Diaper" game. My mom and cousin did a great job with all the decorations and food! Everyone made Baby Anna feel very welcomed!

The House of Faith & the Star of Tanya Cake

Our small group has had some big milestones lately. Tanya turned 30 last week, and the Ranges have been actively house-hunting. To celebrate both, I got a little creative in the kitchen and whipped up this cake, which I titled, "The House of Faith and the Star of Tanya." It evolved into such as I went along, and I had a lot of fun baking/decorating it. The star was especially for Tanya, the birthday girl. The house was for the rest of our small group to enjoy, as after all, aren't we all living in a house of faith? Hmm...ponder on that one. In all seriousness, we continue to pray for the Ranges in their house hunt and enjoy the fellowship of our small group as we experience life together.


The cake was "Jesse's Cake," otherwise known as Moist Chocolate Cake, with both coffee cream and chocolate icings (all egg-free, dairy-free). I'll post Jesse's Cake recipe below, as well as the icings, for any interested bakers... it's very yummy!

As a side note, Jesse has benefited greatly from my pregnancy as I have been in a baking fever the past couple of months. So far, he has been spoiled with banana bread, pumpkin bread, sugar cookies, apple crisp, and now chocolate cake.


Jesse's Cake (Moist Chocolate Cake)

2 2/3 cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vinegar

Mix all ingredients well. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Coffee Cream Icing

2/3 cup milk-free margarine
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. instant coffee

Cream margarine, gradually add powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in vanilla and instant coffee.

Chocolate Icing

1/2 cup milk-free margarine, room temperature
2 1/2 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa
2 1/2 tbsp. water
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Place margarine, honey, and vanilla in mixing bowl. Sift cocoa into this bowl. Using electric beaters at low speed, cream these ingredients together. Add water and sift powdered sugar into mixture. Beat with electric beaters on medium speed until well mixed.