Category: friends and loved ones

life with my loved ones

a bit of history · friends and loved ones · in my kitchen

memories and a few teardrops

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It wasn’t that long ago that I was looking online for dishes. Just a few months ago, I suppose.  I happened to mention the search to a friend of mine.  Little did I know she’d find them!

Specifically, I was searching for little glass trays with matching cups that have a tear drop design in the glass.   Perfect for a little snack and beverage, I’ve been wanting these little place settings because they would be just right for guests at a wedding or baby shower.

But really, that’s not why I wanted them.  I was looking at them because they remind me of GG, my dear Great-Grandmother, who used to serve us all manner of snacks and “splitzies” on those trays, with a little 7up in the matching cup.

When my friend texted me a photo, having found 8 sets at a local thrift store, I was elated.   I finally made it to the shop today, and I was relieved to find that they hadn’t been sold yet.  Of course, I bought all 8 sets.

Oh the memories that have been unlocked in my heart, just from seeing these little teardrop dishes today!   Her wonderful way of telling a story, the giggles and rolling laughter at her funny poetry, the crosswords, games of hide-the-thimble, strawberry picking, the snowballs at splitzie time (listen, I don’t have time to explain that one right now), the many books she read aloud to us,  her outrageous costume jewelry and that car of hers we road in around Ottumwa to the Hi-Vee or to the Baptist Temple – its all resting squarely, right on those little plates.

I’m so grateful for my GG, and her example of loving life, loving us, and loving Jesus.  Mostly, when I look at these dishes, I remember her, and I’m inspired to do the same!

 

friends and loved ones · in my kitchen · more cake, please

cake #28 – not a bundt birthday cake

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My son, Isaac turns 11 this week. It is quite mind-blowing to think he is going to be 11!  At the risk of sounding a little ridiculous, I have to say, I just don’t know where the time has gone.

Isaac has the best sense of humor, always making us laugh and living up to his name which means laughter.  Anyway, when my sweet boy who brings us so much joy, told me that he did not want a bundt cake, but that he wanted a layer cake with a lot of frosting, I knew what I had to do. I decided to take a one week hiatus from making bundt cakes.

We celebrated early on the 4th because daddy was home from work, and grandparents were free!  We had cake and presents, and celebrated Isaac and his life.

Here’s the cake I made:

I made a chocolate cake with a lot of chocolate butter cream.   I used a chocolate fudge cake duncan hines cake mix, with 4 eggs, 1 cup of milk, 1/3 cup of oil, and chocolate pudding mix.

My chocolate butter cream recipe was taken from the wilton’s website:   1/2 cup crisco, 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup cocoa, 5 tbsp of chocolate milk and a bit of vanilla.

I decorated with peppermint buttercream and mint oreos because my boy loves mint and chocolate.  Mmmmmm.

Guys!  It was fanatastic!

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friends and loved ones · in my kitchen · more cake, please

Cake #23 – Lemon Rhubarb at the beach

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Week 23 was approaching and I realized that, indeed, I needed to bake cake #23 in advance because we would be on vacation at the beach.

I’m a real sucker for some seasonal fruits, like blueberries and strawberries and especially rhubarb!  I have a love for rhubarb that cannot be measured. The aroma of rhubarb baking, brings back memories from childhood.    There is nothing like hot rhubarb crisp from the oven, with softening vanilla ice-cream running down into canals around the  warm and chewy fruit dessert.

But, alas, I cannot actually make a rhubarb crisp for my cake-a-week challenge – so, I did the next best thing.  I made a lemon rhubarb bundt to take to the beach with us.     The flavors of this cake are crisp and bright – and makes a sweet and sour explosion in your mouth with every bite! As much as I love chocolate, this might be my favorite cake so far!

Here is the recipe from the warmvanillasugar.com site.    I made a minor modification, using lemon extract and lemon juice from a bottle instead of lemon zest  in the cake batter and fresh lemon juice in the glaze because I forgot to pick up a few lemons at the store.    oops.  It was still amazingly yummy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

Cake:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 lemons, tested
3 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, divided
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp Kosher salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 cups rhubarb, diced in 1/2-inch pieces

Lemon Glaze:
2 cups icing sugar
1 lemon, juiced
1 tbsp melted unsalted butter

 

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a bundt cake pan. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, sugar and lemon zest until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula and then add the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Mix in the vanilla.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups of flour, baking powder and salt. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture into the egg mixture along with 1/3 of the needed buttermilk and mix on low speed. Alternate with flour and buttermilk until both are fully incorporated.
  4. In a medium bow, or large ziplock bag, toss the rhubarb with the remaining two tablespoons of flour until the rhubarb is well coated. Gently fold rhubarb into the batter with a rubber spatula until it’s distributed evenly.
  5. Turn out cake batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to gently spread and level it out.
  6. Bake for about 60-70 minutes, or until the cake springs back gently when touched and a toothpick inserted into it comes out clean.
  7. Allow cake to sit and cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes.
  8. Meanwhile, make the glaze by whisking together all the glaze ingredients until smooth. Thin with extra lemon juice or thicken with more powdered sugar as you see fit.
  9. When the cake is cooled, tip it out onto a serving plate and generously drizzle cake with the lemon glaze.
  10. Slice and enjoy.

 

friends and loved ones · in my kitchen · more cake, please

Cake #22 – Welcome Neighbors! Lemon Blueberry Bundt.

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We learned a few weeks ago that some friends from church were moving into a neighborhood near ours.  And I couldn’t resist making them a little “house warming” treat to welcome them!

I’ve been toying with the idea of a lemon blueberry bundt, so I decided to practice my recipe on them!  I can’t wait to hear if they like it!

Here’s what I did:

Cake #22 – Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake.

Ingredients:

Classic White Cake mix
small lemon pudding
3 eggs
1 cup Fresca
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp lemon extract
1 cup of blueberries

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients (except the blueberries) on medium speed for two minutes.  (maybe scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway thru, to be sure all of the ingredients are combined well.)  Set the oven at 350 and prepare the pan.  Pour 1/3 of the batter into the pan, sprinkle with berries.  Pour another 1/3 of the cake mix and sprinkle again with blueberries.  Bake for 45 minutes.

When the cake is cooled, remove from the pan and prepare a lemon glaze.  mix powdered sugar with a bit of lemon juice until you have the consistency you want and gently pour over the cake, or paint lightly with a pastry brush.

Here’s to the lovely, fresh flavors of summer!  And Here’s hoping our new neighbors enjoy their special treat in their new home!  😉

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friends and loved ones

In the middle of the busy month of May,

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my baby girl turned 8.    How in the world did that happen?  Time really does fly, friends, but, that is a subject for another time.

Let me tell you about our celebration!

Mackenzie, is my sweet, spunky, youngest baby.    She loves her family, loves to play outside and loves all kinds of board games.    When her birthday rolled around, her desires were simple.  A few friends and family to celebrate,  a cookie cake with ice-cream sundaes –  her gift wish list was even simpler.

Since she is so simple in her “wants”, we had little to go on as far as gift ideas.  But, my hubby came up with a fantastic idea! (He never fails to amaze me with his gift-giving skills.)   She loves being outdoors so much, we decided to clear an area of our side front yard and  surprise her by hanging a tree swing!  It was a huge hit!   She and her cousins and friends partied, swinging all day long!

I love who this precious girl is becoming – and I’m completely amazed and thrilled that we get to be her parents!  I can’t wait to share the coming with year with her and all the possibilities it holds!

Thank you, Lord for the goodness you’ve shown to our family by blessing us with the gift of Mackenzie!

 

 

 

 

friends and loved ones · in my kitchen · more cake, please

cake #21 black oil bundt

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Okay, friends! Week 21 rolled around and I realized it was time to bake a birthday cake for my dear friend, Leslie.

This is my sweet mom, my friend,Leslie, and I at a Lookouts game just last weekend.  We chatted the time away at the game.  But, while we talked, I managed to squeeze out of Leslie (hopefully without her knowing) what kind of cake she might like.  Now, I know Leslie loves a good red velvet cheesecake – but, I’m making bundt cakes – not cheesecakes… so, I had to figure something out!  She mentioned a “black oil cake” – and I had never heard of that!

Of course, my curiosity was roused and I went home in search of a black oil cake recipe.  Guess what I found?  It is chocolate cake – but not just any chocolate cake!  It is dark, rich, thick chocolate cake full of egg yokes and buttermilk, covered in more satin-y smooth chocolate.

I had to go for it!  And, according to Leslie it was phenomenal.  Her family devoured it!  That makes this baker’s heart super happy!

Here’s to a Happy Birthday for Leslie and  to finding a new amazing cake recipe!  🙂

Cake # 21  Black Oil Cake

Beat together:
1 cup oil
1 cup buttermilk
3 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla

sift together and add to the wet ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1/2 c cocoa ( I used hershey’s dark)
2 cups flour
1 tbsp soda
1/4 tsp salt

Mix all of the ingredients, then add 1 cup  of boiling water and stir gently until combined.  Pour into prepared pan.
Bake at 325 for 1 hour.

When the cake is mostly cooled, remove it from the pan and make this frosting:

Ingredients:
1 stick of butter, 6 tbsp of buttermilk, 3 3/4 cups of powdered sugar and 4 tbsp of cocoa.

Instructions:
Bring butter, buttermilk and cocoa to a boil.  Remove it from the heat and add the sugar and vanilla.  You can add nuts, but I did not use nuts.  Pour over the cake.  ( did not use all of the frosting on the bundt cake, but I’m sure you’d use it all on 9×13 cake. )

friends and loved ones · in my kitchen · more cake, please

Third times a charm, or so they say

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Cake # 20 is the third version of my fudgy peanut butter bundt.

After last week’s cake (the second fudgy peanut butter bundt) seeming as thought it was just not peanut buttery enough – I had to give it another go!

Enter last week’s recipient – Our church’s facilities manager.  It so happens that I had a spring choir concert with the Scenic City Children’s Choir – and North Shore Fellowship was kind enough to host it. What this really means is that I needed James’, our facility manager’s, help with wrestling risers in and out of a tiny closet and setting them up in the sanctuary. He was so kind to offer his help!

I realized that he needed cake as payment.  When I asked him what he’d like – he was very interested in peanut butter and chocolate.  It seemed reasonable to give the fudgy peanut butter bundt  another whirl!

Here’s what I did:

Cake #20 – Fudgy Peanut Butter bundt (take three)

Ingredients:

Chocolate cake mix

3 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup hersheys syrup
1/4 cup peanut butter (melted)
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions:
I mixed up the ingredients thru the hershey syrup – and set the mixer on medium speed for two minutes.  I added the chocolate chips at the end and stirred them into the batter.  After the bundt pan was prepared, I poured a third of the batter in, and then swirled in a bit of the melted peanut butter.  I poured in another third, swirled in more peanut butter – and so on until all of the batter was in the pan and the peanut butter was used.

I baked at 350 for around 45-50 minutes.  I let the cake cool 20 minutes and then removed it from the pan.  When the cake was completely cooled, I used a pastry brush to spread hershey’s syrup all over the outside of the cake. Then, I melted some more chocolate chips (maybe a half cup?), cream (several tablespoons) and peanut butter (more peanut butter than chocolate) together in the microwave for 40 seconds or so and then stirred them up until the mixture was smooth and glossy.

I smoothed the topping over the cake and let it run down the sides.  Then I chopped up some peanut butter cups and sprinkled them over the topping.  After that I melted a few more tablespoons of peanut butter and drizzled over top of everything alone with a few mini chocolate chips.

 

I haven’t heard back from James yet, but I’m really really hoping it was a hit!  He really deserved it!  I’ll let you know what I find out!

a bit of history · friends and loved ones

Grandma B turns 93!

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Two women who are so special to me, my Mum and Grandma B.

My sweet Grandmother turned 93 years young yesterday.   I wasn’t able to travel north this time for the celebration, but I’m thankful my mom and dad were able to be there!

It seems like yesterday we were visiting my grandparents’ home in Goderich, Ontario.  But, it wasn’t yesterday – it was probably 35 years ago…

A confident homemaker and loving wife, my Grandma was a master in the kitchen and around the house – her cooking, baking and sewing – I only dream of accomplishing so well.  Her hospitality as a pastor’s wife was well known in the community, and likely around many of the churches in Southern Ontario.    Without a doubt, I can tell you she was an example of the Proverbs 31 woman.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Though her body has aged a little, much about my Grandma has remained the same.  My Grandma B is, and has always been, a beautiful godly woman. She is joyful and content, with a gentle smile and an encouraging word.

She has arrived at 93 with grace that the Lord has given, and I can only hope I might do the same.

Mom took part of one of my cakes to Grandma to share with her, so she could see what I’ve been up to with all of this cake-a-week business!  I can’t tell you how thrilled and proud I am to know she had a little taste of my baking and approved!   Here she is with a piece of the cake I sent!  🙂

I’ve been staring at photos from the party that happened earlier today, just slightly jealous that I couldn’t be there.  But, it makes me feel a little better to share the photos of my family honoring her today, here on my blog!  Its like I was almost there!  Thankfully, we will head north this fall and we will get to visit Grandma (and all the other family, too!) then.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!  We’ll see you soon!

a bit of history · friends and loved ones

25 and counting…

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then

and now…  (not that much has changed, right?!)

In the fall of 1992 I was beginning my senior year at Bowling Green High School.  It was only my second year at the school, and my third high school to attend.  Needless to say it was a little rough on the emotions.

Senior Year is a big deal.  There are firsts and lasts.  beginnings and endings.  opportunities offered and doors closed.    Some of those occasions I remember clearly, and some I’ve forgotten by now.  But there is one part of my year that stands alone from everything else.

That year I met my best friend.  Like so many other life-events, you don’t know it is important until long after the fact.

I suppose we had actually met earlier in the spring of 1992 in our junior year, but our friendship began to blossom our senior year.  I can’t really tell you exactly how it happened – I can’t even recall how or when we met. It may have been because of common experiences, or similar family values, or because we spent a lot of time in choir together. But, regardless of all that, our friendship began- and I believe my life is so much different because of it.

Twenty five years is a really long time to be friends.  Most of that time our friendship has endured long-distance.  Long phone calls.  texts. emails.  Our face to face visits have been too few.  But, our relationship remains strong.  I’ve often thought that we could actually be on the phone with each other, and not actually talk, and still know what the other person was meaning to say. That’s how long-term friendships work, I guess.

All those memes you see on social media about friendship; they may seem silly, but they’re kind of true.  She is the friend who chooses to be my friend, in spite of my faults – who knows how to sing my song to me even when I’ve forgotten – who believes in me and inspires me to be better – who gets me into trouble, or keeps me from getting into trouble, or both – who knows the majority of my history and still doesn’t mind admitting she’s my friend.

Most of all, I’m really a better person because she chooses to put up with me.  I’ve watched this dear friend walk some of the most painful roads, filled with hurt and confusion.  She’s held her head high.  She’s worked hard and given herself away. She’s survived and even thrived.  She’s not only survived, she’s successful.  She’s a magnificent mother, daughter, sister and she’s my friend.  There is no one who inspires me more.  no one.

And it is her birthday today.  My dear friend, Chiara – Happy birthday, friend!  Your love and friendship means the world to me!  Here’s to our friendship of 25 years ( its the only real gift I have to give you) – and here’s to 25 more!

Love, me.

friends and loved ones · who knows?

My Eternal King

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We are at the end of Lent -40 days of contemplating sacrifice, ultimate sacrifice. After all this time of being a Christian – a Christ follower –  I don’t know if I can fully comprehend the reality of His sacrifice. But, over these last days I’ve come to realize this one thing :  Jesus is near; He is much closer than I expected.  And He is prepared to reveal Himself at every moment.   His sacrifice – His death and resurrection – made a way for me to know His presence more fully.

this Scripture, from Acts, put exactly what I’m experiencing:  Acts 17:27

“…that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.”

It seems like Lent is a time set aside for groping for Him, knowing I have a hope that I will truly find Him. Good news! This season I have found Him so very present!

In His majesty and glory, I found Him, watching my favorite tree bring buds into leaves this spring.  I know that sounds strange, but,  I am reminded when I see this tall, strong, beautiful piece of creation that my Savior, by the power of His resurrection, makes all things new!  He brings the dead of winter, into the new life of spring – and it is truly glorious!  Even as He brings this tree to life, He has regenerated my own heart to new life in Christ!

And He was in the poetry of song.  I share this piece because it is rich with the truth and the splendor of His sacrifice.  I’ve heard it many times in the past, but this spring it brought His work on the cross to life in my heart and mind!

My Eternal King

My God, I love Thee;
not because I hope for heav’n thereby,
Nor yet because who love Thee not
Must die eternally.

Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me
Upon the cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails, the nails and spear,
And manifold disgrace.

Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,
Should I not love Thee well?
Not for the hope of winning heav’n,
Or of escaping hell;

Not with the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward;
But as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever-loving Lord!

E’en so I love Thee, and will love,
And in Thy praise will sing;
Solely because Thou art my God,
And my Eternal King.

May I continue to grope for Him and find Him, not just now before Easter, but all year long!  Heavenly Father, Help my heart to be revived by your gracious presence in all of life’s moments!  amen.