LEMON CAKE...IT'S PRIZE WINNING

 

Mom's Very Best Lemon Cake
1 lemon cake mix
1 box instant lemon pudding mix
1 T. fresh lemon zest
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil

Mix all ingredients in large mixing bowl and beath
with hand mixer until well acquainted.
pour into prepared bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees
until dne, about 30 minutes.

Glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2 T. water

This cake made our hit parade....

EVERYDAY LIVING ...BIRTHDAYS, RECIPES, GARDENING and PUMPKIN CAKE

Good Morning Kindred Spirits...
we find ourselves coming to the end of July!
This month has flown by at warp speed...
It's impossible to believe that in a few weeks,
school buses will be appearing in the early mornings
and late afternoons....such a short summer vacation
for children these days, which is a shame..

July is family birthday month for us....
we celebrate three family members
and enjoy the time we can gather in one place
for a bit.... 



Brunch was just scrumptious as we met over near Keller....

Enjoying Mimosa's and Blood Mary's is not a bad way to begin the day

The darling and I had a lovely evening celebration
for our birthdays in our downtown historic district.
Everything was top notch...the ambiance, the cocktails and 
the service...we loved every minute!

One of my sweetest gifts was this darling garden bunny
which I am choosing to keep inside....

It is the best time to take advantage of those summer fresh berries...
I whipped up a beautiful berry trifle...with custard and whipped cream...

I tried out the Viral Chicken Cobbler for dinner one evening....

We are replacing some dead shrubs in the garden
and chose Texas Sage as a new addition...

I actually love this so much more.....

It is time to think of fall and all the goodness that it
will bring our way.....

I have always been a fall color girl,
and purchased this beautiful new quilt which will go
on the farmhouse table, along with a beautiful leaf and candle....

And, it's time to test out a few new recipes....
this cake is divine and will definitely be offered at Thanksgiving

PUMPKIN CAKE
submitted by Southern Sideboards, Mrs. Donald Seago 1978

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil
2 cups self-rising flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
1 cup canned pumpkin

Mix well the eggs, sugar and oil. 
Sift dry ingredients together and add.
Beat 3 minutes on medium speed of electric mixer, add pumpkin.
Bake in prepared bundt pan at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.

'One remembers all those tables, some grand and richly laden,
some humble and bearing simple fare, 
over which flowed the talk, the tales, the exchanges that

have made up the histories of our lives, the tables which
loving eyes have looked in loving eyes, spirit to spirit...I think 
of vanished loved ones, and simpler times, of youth and wonder..
the seasons in which we were blessed with Heaven's gifts...."
~Wyatt Cooper

DINETTE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

February is a sweet month...
it's all about love and valentine's, chocolates
and treating yourself on certain days...
this brought to mind all the delicious
snack cakes that my grandmother and mother
often made!
Often, I would come home from school
and see that mother had made one of her
fabulous snack cakes for me....
She was so wonderful about that....always...

 A snack cake is a simple, single-layer cake, often baked in a  square pan, designed for casual, everyday eating as a small treat, rather than a formal dessert for special occasions. They are typically easy to make, sometimes from one bowl, with minimal fuss, and can be served plain or with a light glaze or dusting of powdered sugar, meant to be grabbed with your hands and enjoyed with coffee, tea, or milk. 

 Simplicity: Often made with pantry staples and one-bowl methods, requiring little prep.

Single Layer: Baked in a single layer, like a sheet cake, making it easy to cut and share

Casual & Anytime: Meant for everyday moments, afternoon breaks, or packing in lunches, not just birthdays.

I found this little gem the other day
and it is perfect for a smaller cake, uses basic ingredients
which are most likely in your pantry and it received rave reviews!

DINETTE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

LINK TO ORIGINAL RECIPE



We are celebrating our granddaughter's birthday this month..
y'all have a happy and delightful VALENTINE'S DAY!

COTTAGECORE WINTER TABLE AND A DELICIOUS POUND CAKE

Winter has a quiet rhythm.... 

have you ever been for a walk in nearby woods
on a winter afternoon after a snowfall?

It's incredibly quiet...not a sound can be heard,
except for a maybe a falling ice laden tree branch..
you pull your coat a bit tighter and keep
your hands tucked inside your mittens....
longing to return home and warm up with hot chocolate...



When I think of designing a winter themed tablescape
on the farmhouse table, I go for simplicity...
I need warmth and tradition in the heart of our home...
so I think of cottage core style of plaids and ginghams!
I like the charm of it all....a feeling of nostalgia...
that feeling can be found in the details...
the linens, warm woods, brass and candlelight...
and of course, something good to eat.....

And, I am still embracing deep greens, along
with a few accents of winter white...as in a touch
of my vintage William-Sonoma plates, which
I use every season!



The necessity of layering a look...
and it can be as simple as a cloth napkin within your color story....
I wanted to include this brass deer that belonged to my mother-in-law

The centerpiece is simplistic but it features just what I wanted
with carefully selected decor pieces that are vintage and well loved...

I think I shall stay awhile and enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of this marvelous pound cake..

Recipe is linked below

CONDENSED MILK POUND CAKE

LEMON CAKE AND WINTER WEATHER

 GOOD MORNING WINTER LOVERS....
Are you snug and warm in your cozy home?
I hope this finds you well, sitting by the fire
in warm socks and soft blankets....we need
comforts during winter as we dream of
warmer weather and picnics in the park....
I have a delightful recipe for your today..
a marvelous lemon cake that tastes sooo good and
smells like a fresh lemon while baking...
You will want to make this for your 
next gathering!

One box lemon cake mix
One small box instant lemon pudding
1 cup milk
1 stick of melted butter
4 eggs
1 t. lemon extract

Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer
Pour into a prepared bundt pan
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

I wish I could have bottled the aroma....

I always serve a lemon dessert at Easter and this is the one
that will be served for 2026

If you are looking for a good cookbook, this darling
book is all about the art of the PICNIC ...
full of recipes, illustrations and lovely stories..

We love salad for a light lunch and this
Lime garden chopped salad was so refreshing....
I love a bag salad, how about you?

A winter storm is headed our way for the weekend....
perhaps a time for a pot of 15 bean soup....

CHRISTMAS REVIEWS AND FRANNIE'S APPLE CAKE

 Oh Kindred Spirits....it's just hard to believe..
the year is now 2026!
We must try to keep kindness in our hearts
and spread good cheer toward others.....
I think the word PEACE is my word for the year.....

I so hope you all enjoyed your Christmas season and enjoyed
getting together with loved ones, eating delicious foods
and dressing up in your holiday finest!
We had a wonderful time and the grandchildren were busy celebrating
with both sides of their family!

Our game theme was Christmas Eve at the Theater....

Our Atlanta family Christmas 2025

Our granddaughter's husband's Houston family

The season is not over and so I plan on designing a vibrant

tablescape for New Year's and baking a few things
 I did not get to last week. 

The most important is Daddy's Fruit Cake Cookies,



along with my Peanut Butter Clusters.

Christmas dinner was delicious with Fried Turkey.
scalloped potatoes, cheese grits, green bean casserole
and sweet potato casserole!

I wanted to begin setting the farmhouse table
with a fresh citrus centerpiece that would 
welcome in the brand new year...






FRANNIE'S APPLE CAKE
1 cake mix, yellow or spice
1 can apple pie filling
1 can sliced apples
3 eggs

Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer in large mixing bowl.
Pour into a prepared 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes...
Dust top of cooled cake with powdered sugar!

This is a very easy and delicious cake for afternoon
tea or coffee..I dusted the top with nutmeg..
smells heavenly!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH MOCHA BUTTERCREAM...A MOST REQUESTED HOLIDAY CAKE

Remembering November

If November had flavors, it would be clove and pumpkin...with generous dollops of sweet whipped cream.... If November had a feel, it would be a crisp air that would make you turn your collar up and pull your coat close up around you.. Come Thanksgiving, most of the leaves had fallen from the trees, leaving only twiggy branches to endure the winters cold.. There is no doubt about it..

the holidays are special and therefore the food you serve, should be the best of the best... This semi-homemade cake will become a family favorite.....it's excellent!

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix 1 cup whole milk 1 stick melted butter 4 eggs 1 t.vanilla 1 t. Espresso powder Blend all ingredients with hand mixer Divide batter between two 8 inch cake pans Bake at 350 degrees for 28 minutes.

MOCHA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

2 cups butter, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
1 T. espresso powder
1 T. cocoa powder
1 T. vanilla
3 T. heavy cream
1/2 t. salt

This cake is moist, has a lovely soft texture and a rich
chocolate flavor!
I am all in favor of using a box cake mix these days,
rather than rather than a recipe calling for 12 or more
ingredients. The cost of groceries these days
is rather expensive, so this is a true cost saver!