Talent Show

We have had a busy few weeks and they ended on a very good note.  Adam played his guitar in his school's talent show on Friday.  Now this isn't his first talent show.  He has been playing since Kindergarten, so this makes number three.  I am always astonished at how calm he is while performing.  He doesn't get that from me or Jay. 

All in all it went well.  The curtain got raised a bit too early, and he didn't have his place in his book or have his amplifier set up.  He played it cool and everyone thought the delay was an intentional part of the act.  I was a proud momma as he performed Greensleeves.

Have a happy week!

Lemon Frosted Pound Cake

March is here, and I insist that spring is around the corner.  In the spring, my taste buds change a little.  I think of lighter food and that applies to baked goods too.  I love citrus based baked goods, they are so refreshing.

So here's a simple lemon frosted pound cake just for YOU!  It is similar to that famous coffee house that sells pound cake for $3.00 per slice.  My pound cake is more economical and you know exactly was is in it :)

recipe (8 slices)

1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1/3 c. fresh lemon juice  (2 to 3 lemons, depending on size)
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon extract

frosting

1 c. powder sugar
2 tbsp. whole milk
1/2 tsp. lemon extract

In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder; set aside.  In a medium bowl, mix eggs, sugar, extracts and lemon juice until smooth.  Add wet to dry ingredients, mix well.  Add oil and mix until smooth. 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pour batter into a grease 9 inch by 5 inch loaf pan.  Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Allow to cool.  Once cooled remove from pan and prepare icing.  Frost the top of the cake and allow to set up.  Slice in 8 slices.

New Portable Hobby

I love to craft, cook, and bake.  Unfortunately all the crafting and most of my baking items are 300 miles away, settled in our new house.  So I had to find a  new, more portable hobby. 

On my last visit home, Amy taught me a basic scarf.  It's not a true knitted scarf, but one of those ruffled scarves made from a crocheted type yarn.  She literally taught me in one afternoon.  Since then I have made four more.  I will be gifting these scarves to friends and family over the course of the year.

My next project to learn, is a dish cloth.  This requires true knitting technique.  I am eager to learn and super excited to have a portable hobby.  My boys even wanted in on the action, and this evening played with knitting needles and scrap yarn.  Brandon made everything, from socks to mittens (in his mind anyway).