The ancient Orange Kiss-Me Cake!

My husband needed something to take to his office pot luck and it reminded me of a favorite, quick recipe that tastes like one went to a whole lot more trouble that it really does. My mother made this when I was growing up and the muddled slip of paper with the recipe followed me into my marriage. For me, this recipe practially goes back to the Stone Age! Given my day has been hectic with unexpected uses of my time, this was the best idea that came to mind.

Orange Kiss-Me Cake
3/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 milk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
(Like to put both the walnut and the raisins in the food processor and grind them up together a bit)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Vegetable oil spray a 13x9 pan. Combine 1/2 cup of the orange juice concentrate with remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Blend at the lowest speed for 30 seconds, then increase to medium speed for 3 minutes. Pour into pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Drizzle remaining orange juice  concentrate over warm cake; sprinkle with topping.

Sugar-Nut Topping-
Combine in a small bowl.
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla power or add liquid vanilla extract to the remaining orange concentrate.

Count down to Christmas . . .

We are literally just a few days away from Christmas. I imagine we are all trying to maintain the spirit of Christmas while dealing with the materialistic side and hoping they will meld in a blessed way. I have only a bit of shopping left to do and am working madly on one, final gift that requires more days of work than I actually have the time to do. Christmas miracles happen, right?

Children and friends are home from college and seminary so mini-reunions are happening now much to everyone's joy and happiness. Students are on vacation and parents aren't having to drive so many hours a day for a few weeks. There has been expectation in the Readings and Gospel reminding us of how long the wait was for the Birth of Jesus. In the midst of all the problems of the world, there is still hope for those who want to look for it.

Meanwhile, as mothers, we still have to cook and clean. I got my baking done but get to make some extras for holiday meals. With that thought in mind, I was reminded of a cookie I tried last week that met with rave reviews from the family. It seems complicated but it actually easy and looks impressive. I wanted to share the link with you:

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/linzer-cookies-10000000392629/ I did post the recipe earlier in the month but, in case, here it is, again. Enjoy!

Here is hoping and praying that everyone has a blessed Christmas and finds much happiness in this wonderful time of the year.