Sunday Print & Pattern, Prayer & Play

This has been quite a Sunday (so far...nice lean cut of beef to roast later). I have loved it. I went to mass with my Sister-in-Law (the one from Mexico City). I had never been to mass, but I welcomed the chance to keep her company in a new church. It was so funny to me. We didn't speak much on the car ride over, but when we got within a few steps of the man in the long white dress, she whispered to me in that wonderful Latin accent: "When everyone stands, stand. When everyone sits, sit." And that's all she said as if she knew I was a little nervous as to how to behave in a Catholic service. This is the blouse I wore. No big deal, but if you ever got a chance to sneak a peek at my wardrobe you'd witness a sea of neutrals and plain muted, pastel articles, not a bold pattern like this. White, black, dove grey, chambray, denim, indigo, taupe, beige, charcoal, Bermuda pink, ivory. No prints. No Patterns. But lookie here: A cotton blouse that I've had in my closet for about a year now. It's a Cherry Blossom pattern. How ironic. Some how it made it's way into my walk-in and has been cheerfully waiting for our blogging festival week. I'm going to be adding more print and pattern. Specifically; navy and white stripes, polka-dots and dare I say brocade? Hmmmm...we'll see. Also, I wanted to share some happy Canadian faces of little girls thrilled to be able to play outside. You see though, they still need coats. Darn it all anyway. Ahem, the cupcake is called a 'Sakura Blossom Cupcake' and it sits on top of my new journal. Yes, it's been a lovely Sunday....so far.

Sakura Blossom Cupcake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Will make 6 large or 12 regular size cupcakes. Add dry and then wet ingredients. Bake 20-25 minutes - test with a stick of some sort. Cool completely before frosting. Cool completely before devouring.

Cake

2 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 tbsp red food colouring
1 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting

1 lb. cream cheese
1/2 lb. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups icing sugar
enough red food colouring to make a soft cherry blossom pink
red or pink sprinkles

Generously spread frosting on cupcakes.
Yum.