Cake, Pretty Plates, and Thrifting

The first time I saw this cake in Joy's Cookbook, I knew it would be a favorite.  I also knew I'd want to serve it on one of my Mom's many cake pedestals.  So this was the recipe this week for Sundays with Joy.  I first suggest you get this cookbook, I then suggest you join this group.  It's a great place to share your love of baking and show off your creations.

O.K. so enough business, back to this cake!  First of all, I love a bundt cake.  They lend themselves to such simple decorations.  A drizzle of a nice glaze would be fine or swirls of thick frosting like this one I made here.  I didn't have to worry about getting smooth crisp edges like I would with a layer cake.  It looks so pretty and fancy but really is super easy!  I'm not even sure how I can successfully describe this cake.  Let me try....IT'S AMAZING!  The zucchini and cream cheese in the cake make it super moist and rich.  Oh and the frosting?  Brown sugar and cream cheese?  Yes Please!  It's the kind of frosting you you could eat by the spoonful, I'll have you know I did not.  But you could, if that is your kind of thing.  It would actually make a good fruit dip if you wanted to enjoy it on a bit of a lighter sweet treat.  I served this cake to my family after dinner one day last week then promptly brought the rest to some coworkers.  It's sweet, rich, and delicious....a bad combination to have on hand if you just want one piece!

This is the cake pedestal collection I got to choose from for serving this cake.  The collection belongs to my Mom.  A cake on top of a pedestal just makes it that more special I think.  She had 1 or 30 some to share with me for this week's recipe!  I'm not sure where she would put any new ones but I know she is always looking.  Most of these are thrift store and goodwill finds with a few gifts from my sister and I thrown in.  I think this may be one of her favorite things to thrift for though.  She's got a gift for finding treasures like these.  I'm hardly a thrifter compared to her.  I do however get to benefit from her thrifting skills, she's found me some great treasures along the way too.  I have a wicker bench on my porch and three tier table in my bedroom to prove it!  Thanks Mom!

Speaking of thrifting....I participated in a fun little thrift exchange this month.  A group of bloggers organized the Thrifty Love Gift Exchange.  We were all assigned a partner to thrift for.  My partner was Jenn from Passenger Seat Perspectives.  I told her how I was looking for fabrics/cloths that would make good props for some of my blog photos.

Jenn did a great job finding some fabrics, recipe cards, and even a cute little vase.  I already used the red place mat and blue check napkin in last week's post.  It was different thrifting for someone else, someone you've just emailed and never met, but a fun change of pace.  Best part is, I found another great blog to follow.  You can check out some other blog posts on this thrift gift exchange HERE.  I'm new to thrifting but with a great teacher like my Mom, I'll be finding all sorts of great treasures in no time.  I even have a rummage sale find book shelf I hope to transform into a TV stand soon.  Look out thrifting/DIY world....I'm coming for ya!

Any favorite things you like to thrift for?

Any tips for someone new to thrifting?

Does my Mom need more cake pedestals?