Heart And Soul

 As I am typing this post the local weather is being broadcast and it looks like we're getting more snow! Thankfully though it shouldn't add up to more than 3".  Back into bitter cold by the weekend again too:(:(  Well, I'll be busy inside preparing cake and a dinner for our son's birthday on Valentine's Day.

 Although Mardis Gras is tomorrow (Tuesday) we have never celebrated it nor have I done any art around it that I can recall. Also Fastnacht day around these parts but we don't eat donuts anymore either. So, I'll share some of the valentine projects completed...after I share my morning cuppa and delicious apple cake:

Had to share a close up because it is incredibly moist, easy peasy, and mouth watering! Of course it is a bit indulgent because there is butter in it-but everything in moderation n'est-ce pas?
                You can find the recipe for this apple cake at the bottom of this post.
       Sharing with Elizabeth and friends over at T Stands For Tuesday. Won't you join us?

  I used lots of scraps leftover in my Valentine themed folder. Top piece is a wood heart covered in tissue paper with a coat of sparkly glitter glue over it before adding the collage elements. Most every year I try to send out a little ornament along with a Valentine card and this year I cut out cardboard hearts, glued down dictionary papers and painted over them before finishing them. I had just enough of those glitter foam hearts-phew! The faux postage images are from ARTchix Studio and I have tons of ARTchix supplies still! The image on the bottom left is one I created for Helga (the owner).

 Linking to Mixed Media Mojo (hearts);  Moo Mania and More (use scraps); the Simon Wednesday Challenge (have a heart); and Try It On Tuesday (a fine romance).

 And what are you all up to? Making Valentines? Eating donuts? Enjoying a Mardis Gras party?

" FEED your heart and soul so that you can FILL your heart and soul so that in turn you can GIVE your heart and soul."



                                                             Apple Cake

 1 c butter, softened           2 c sugar        4 eggs           2 c flour     2 tsp baking powder

 2 tsp baking soda      2 tsp cinnamon       3 lg tart apples, peeled and coarsely chopped

  Preheat oven to 350 F. grease a  9" x 13" pan. Combine butter and sugar in lg bowl. Beat on low speed with mixer until creamy. Add eggs one at a time and continue to blend. Slowly add flour, soda, powder and cinnamon and mix well. Fold in apples and place into prepared pan. Bake about 45 min. or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool. This cake freezes well too:)