Fruit Cake

Ok, who likes fruitcake and who hates it! I have heard so many people over the years say they hate it that you begin to wonder why it is a popular baked good for the holidays!  I love fruitcake — BUT — only if it doesn’t have candied fruit in it.  I use dried fruit.  I haven’t been too pleased with the recipe I have used in the past – for some reason it seems to dry out quickly the past several years.  My friend Marianne in Vermont- who was my secret pal for the Dear Jane group this past year – she was the one I sent packages to — posted a link to a recipe that I am using this year.  I have the fruit soaking in the liquid overnight and will do the baking tomorrow.  I have cut the recipe in half as it does make a lot.  I am doing as Marianne does and making a few substitutions.  I am leaving the candied cherries out of the recipe and just added a little more of the dried apricots and pineapple.  I will use walnuts as that is what I have and King Arthur Flour uses some extra ingredients that you have to get from them that really do not seem necessary so those will be out and substitutions will be made.

We all agreed yesterday that we work on several projects at once – I think we all get tired of working on the same thing all the time and 3 or 4 keep us more mentally alert

I have been continuing to quilt on the Dutch Treat quilt and it really doesn’t look any different from the last photo as it is hard to see the quilting so most likely the next time you see it, it will be done. 30  more blocks to quilt so it is moving along nicely.

The front of the sweater is coming along well too.  I found a easy to knit sweater book the other day and bought it.  It has several patterns in it that I feel I will be able to do!

Crispy you are a bad influence on me and after seeing your red and green quilt top by Jeana Kimball I decided I had to look the book over and the pattern that is in it.  It arrived today and I have been looking at it so much – I don’t know the Little Brown Bird quilt might have to be done at the same time as I do this one!!  Once again my projects for the upcoming year might get changed around a little!! and it is all your fault Crispy

sorry for the glare - this book must be out of print as there are so many high prices out there it is ridiculous! If you do a search there are copies available. I found a used-like new copy. It said it hadn't been used and really did look new and I am very pleased with the condition of the book. I didn't pay anymore than I would for any quilting book but there are copies going for over $50 to 100.00 - if you are interested in it do some searching as you can find it in the $25 range.

If you like the historic red and green applique quilts you might like this link – about 19 of them shown I think.