Wonderful Holiday Smell

Ok.... so this isn't really an edible recipe, but it includes such things, so I'm going to share it.  I saw (on pinterest.... shocker) many different things to put on your stove just to make your house smell wonderful.  I've combined a few and came up with a wonderful smelling concoction.

INGREDIENTS:
2 whole oranges, quartered
6 long cinnamon sticks
small handful of whole cloves
sprinkle of nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 C maple syrup
large handful of cranberries
4 candy canes, snapped in half

DIRECTIONS:
1) Put it all in a pot, add a bit of water (about 1/3 cup or so) and set on low.... for a very long time.  Make sure to maintain some water in it, so it doesn't scorch anything.  (No... bad smell!)  And that's it!!

This mixture is good for about a week.  The smells still work that long, however the mixture starts to look pretty icky... no more wonderful Christmas'y colors or bright hues.  Kind of a brown, mush mess.... but smells great!  Just make sure to add water before you start a new day.  The websites I read say you can keep it good for a couple weeks.  I'm not sure I would let it linger that long, a week was sufficient for us.

My kids loved the smell and commented on it all the time.  (Note: I didn't have cranberries until the second day.... so I added them in then.  I noticed only a slight difference in smell, however it greatly improved the look.)  Obviously you can add or subtract what you wish.  Try it.  It's awesome!!

This will make you want to cozy up with a nice sweater, slippers and a Nicholas Sparks book.  Yessss!!!

Old Fashioned Orange Layer Cake

I enjoy baking but I'm not good at it.  Measuring specifics.... timing things in the oven.... and truth be told, I'm quite afraid of sticking my arms in the oven (I've often had Chris do it for me, which he's more than happy to do. Not sure why, guess he feels needed when I cook, now.)  But I try.  I try and try and try and things still don't turn out perfect, just like this cake.  Boy does it taste good, my execution however has quite a bit to be desired!!!

Old Fashioned Orange Layer Cake

(.....for the cake)
2 C granulated sugar
1 C soft butter
5 eggs (at room temp)
1 Tbsp grated orange zest
1/2 C orange juice
2 1/2 C self-rising flour
1 C milk

(.....for the icing)
1/4 C butter
1 Tbsp grated orange zest
1/3 C orange juice
1 lb powder sugar

1) Preheat (PH) oven to 350', grease and flour 2 9" round cake pans.

2) Combine sugar & butter, cream well with mixer.  Add in eggs & orange zest.   Once creamed, add in the flour and milk, alternating; beat well & pour into the two round pans.

3) Bake 22-25 min (mine had to bake over 35min, so adjust accordingly - using the toothpick trick.)  Cool in the pans for 15+ min, remove from pan & cool completely.

4) Mix all the icing ingredients together but only 1/2 the powder sugar - on low with your mixer.  Gradually add the rest of the sugar in, while mixing.

5) Put the icing on top of 1 cake (about 1/3 C).... layer the cake & ice the whole cake, top & sides!

And you're done!   Hopefully yours turns out a bit better than mine, but tastes just as good!!  Looks bad, taste yummy!