friends and cake and christmas lights and other randomisms

I spent way too much time yesterday taking shots of Christmas Light Bokeh:

I got brave and put my speedlight on my camera.  Grace took this of the hubby and I:

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.  Grace made that ho-ho-ho banner.

And I finished Camden's stocking (yes, this is his seventh Christmas, don't judge me) and made Charlie's.

Both, DONE!

I'm taking Kim Klassen's free Skinny Mini class (highly recommend the class and did I mention the free part?) and am getting all brave with textures and shit stuff:

I made a delicious Macadamia Fudge Cake for my dear friend, SuLee's, birthday:

I celebrated Christmas (and SuLee's birthday) with a "favorite things" party with a few of my favorite people...

(l-r: me, kristin, annie, sulee, jenny):

and just because I know you are going to need this:

MACADAMIA FUDGE CAKE

1 c flour

3/4 c sugar

3/4 c sour cream

1/2 c butter, softened

1/4 c cocoa

1 1/2 t instant coffee powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t vanilla

1/4 t salt

1 egg

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease 9-inch round cake pan.  Line bottom of pan with waxed paper and grease paper.  Mix all ingredients until well blended.  Pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake 30-35 minutes.  Cool cake in pan for 10 mins, remove from pan, and cool completely.

macadamia-fudge topping

In saucepan over medium-high heat, heat 1 c heavy (whipping) cream, 1/2 c sugar, 2 T butter, 1 T corn syrup, and 4 squares of semi-sweet chocolate to boiling, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat to medium, and cook, 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, stir in 1 t vanilla.  Cool about 10 minutes, then stir in 7 oz of macadamia nuts.  Pour fudge topping over cooled cake.  Try not to eat the whole thing.