Thursday, May 24, 2012

my favorite cake


Italian Crème Cake
This is my all time favorite cake.  Even the photo makes me salivate.  I happen to love coconut and nuts, however my husband thinks he does not eat either, but he LOVES this cake.  Promises to be a crowd pleaser.

-1 stick margarine

-1/2 cup Crisco

-2 cups sugar

-2 cups flour

-5 eggs (separated)

-1 teaspoon baking soda

-1 cup buttermilk

-1 teaspoon vanilla

-1 can coconut

-1 cup nuts

Preheat oven to 350 (will bake for 25 mins). Cream margarine and Crisco, add sugar and beat until smooth. Add 1 egg yolk at a time (beat well), stir in vanilla. Sift flour and soda, add gradually. Add buttermilk. Beat well. Add coconut and nuts. Fold in egg whites (they should be beaten in a separate bowl until very stiff). Divide batter into 3 greased and floured cake pans to make a 3-layer cake.


Let cool after baking. Remove from pans and let cool after baking. Next add icing:

-1 8oz. cream cheese

-1lb powdered sugar

-1/2 stick margarine

-1 teaspoon vanilla

*optional* top cake with nuts/coconut flakes


Let me know if you make it and what the reviews are.  ENJOY

Sunday, May 20, 2012

learn to resolve conflict

Learn how to resolve conflict.  Everyone deals with conflict, but not everyone knows how to RESOLVE conflict in a healthy way.  Every relationship will have its share of conflict.  I once heard it said, "If two people agree on everything, then one of them is unnecessary"!!!  I like that.  You and your spouse will have disagreements, just plan on it.  How you handle it will greatly determine the health of your marriage.  Here are some ground rules:
Deal with each conflict comprehensively so the next conflict will not have momentum from your last unresolved episode.  This does not mean you will agree, but you will come to some acceptable agreement, like agreeing to disagree. 

Work hard to remind yourself, "we are on the same team".  It is you against the problem, not you against each other.  There are times we have had to stop in the middle of a "heated" dialogue and remind ourselves, we are on the same team.

Practice not having things your way.  It is good for you to learn to yield to others, especially your spouse.  Ever been around a spoiled brat??? You do not want to be that person.  Not getting your way  is good for you as a person.  It helps you to be "others" focused.

Try to really understand your spouse more than seeking to be understood... again, others focused. 

Do not go to bed angry at your spouse.  Even though the emotions of the conflict may decrease, the damaging effect is still there if you do not deal with it!!!

Do not attack your spouses character.  You can never take back what you say.  Words have trememdous power.

Determine to be an asset in the life of your spouse.  You have tremendous power for good.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

i want to be like Sabrina

my friend Sabrina that I love!!


This is my friend Sabrina.  We met at the gym about 4 years ago and became fast friends.  She is one of those people that you love the minute you meet her.  Not only is she beautiful on the outside, but she is more beautiful on the inside.  She is always smiling and loves people BIG!!!  Everywhere she goes she interacts with those around her, asking them how they are doing, and she really means it.  Even the voicemail message on her phone can cheer you up. 

Although Sabrina is over 2 decades younger than me, I have learned so much from her.  She takes time for others and genuinely cares how people are.  When she goes to the gym she talks to everyone.  My goal when I go to the gym is to talk to as few people as possible so I can get in and get out.  I am focused on my agenda.  Not Sabrina.  She is never too busy to hear how you are doing and to ask how she can pray for you.

She loves her husband well and and is completely devoted to him and her children.  She is "old school" in a world where so many are out for number one.  She is selfless, compassionate, childlike, and filled with love.  I want to be like Sabrina when I grow up.  Oh, and I almost forgot, she is an amazing worship leader with a voice like no other. 

I attended an intimate lunch today in her honor because.... she and her family are moving next week to Des Moines.  We were laughing at lunch today telling her that we all thought we were her best friend.  That is just how she makes you feel.  I will miss her terribly and there are some gals in Des Moines who are about to meet a wonderful friend.  I am so glad Des Moines is only a little over 2 hours away.  Sabrina and I will be friends for life!!!
Sabrina surrounded by her friends

Saturday, May 12, 2012

dancing annie

Our daughter, Annie Alice Schenzel, had her final dance production for Austin Community College this past weekend.  She has loved dance for as long as I can remember.  When Annie dances, she owns that stage.  For me, it is as if no one else is dancing but her.  My eyes are glued to her every second of her performance.  I had not seen Annie dance for several years.  She moved to Austin two years ago, and she has been taking classes at ACC since she has been in Austin.  She has also participated in many additional classes and workshops.  When she can find the opportunity to dance, she is dancing.

I could not believe how much she has blossomed as a dancer.  Her strength and poise are amazing to me.  But, for Annie, it goes way beyond sheer talent, which she has plenty of.  Dance is Annie's passion, and when you see her dance, it is a thing of beauty.  To see someone flourishing in their passion is something to behold.  It is quite a moving experience.  When that someone happens to be a very special "someone" in your life, it is downright divine.  Ty recently used that word to describe Annie dancing, and I was searching for another word, but divine is it.  It's like she was created to dance. 

As a mother, to see my daughter pursuing her passion is so satisfying.  Add to that the beauty of dance and it becomes one moving experience.  As I watched Annie dance, what I was feeling is hard to describe.  I am so very proud of her and the hours of hard work she put in to grow and develop as a dancer.  It was excrutiating at times, but when it is your passion, you endure. 

Annie's teachers at ACC have told her, "we do not want to see you here next year".  They have taken her as far as they can and now she is ready for her next step.  She has been accepted to The University of Texas's fine arts program and she will begin dancing this fall on a new stage.  You go Annie Alice Schenzel.  Your parents are so very proud of you!!!

Airborne Annie!!


Annie and I at Texas State Capital
Annie and her dance partner Trevor horsing around after the show

Monday, May 7, 2012