The BEST lemon dessert I have EVER had!!!!!

This may not look like much but it is in The Top Ten of desserts in my book and it is a new discovery!  The recipe was on Attic24's blog but of course since she's in England it was in metric and I didn't know how to convert it.  So, then I went "googling" for an American version but no luck but I did find a conversion chart and did the math and came up with a recipe based on another recipe I found as by now I was "dizzy in the head" and forgot about Lucy's recipe which started the whole thing!
Anyway, I ran to the store and picked up the superfine sugar and the lemons.  I always follow a recipe exactly the first time at least so I get the original results and then later I can tweak it or substitute and I have a basis of comparison.  I was nervous, as I wasn't sure if I had done the conversions correctly and it didn't seem like very much flour, but I trusted my math and forged ahead!  It was out of this world delicious!  IF you want a head over heels response from guests this Easter.....you should make this!  I had it with a cup of tea all snuggled in my bed last night!  I always eat my dessert in bed at night...and last night it truly was an extra special treat!  Thank you Lucy, although it wasn't her actual recipe she was the one that started the ball rolling!  So, here's my Easter gift to you!

The American version of the famous English Lemon Drizzle Cake
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I used my Kitchenaide stand mixer for mixing this up.  It makes one loaf pan that I lined with parchment paper.  I baked it for 30 minutes or until done at 350 degrees.
1/2 C butter (really soft)  (1 stick)
3/4 C self-rising flour
1 tsp baking powder
the rind of one lemon grated (I use a micro plane and just the yellow skin...the white is bitter)
1/2 C superfine sugar
2 eggs
3-6 T milk

After whipping the butter, I added everything else and whipped it for no more than 3 minutes and much less really.  I wanted it incorporated well but also whipped it to get the eggs nice and fluffy. I poured it into my loaf pan and baked it for 30 minutes although it said 30-40 mine looked great at 30.  I had previously mixed up the syrup to pour on top which is merely the juice of 1 lemon mixed with 1/2 C superfine or granulated for the "frosting".  I looked at so many recipes and not a one of them were the same! LOL!
I used the superfine also for my frosting.  I just mixed it with a fork in a small bowl and poured it directly over the cake after it came out of the oven while it was still hot.  Some recipes I looked at later said you should poke holes in the top before pouring the frosting mixture on top but I didn't do that but I might next time.  You then let it cool and I took it out later and sliced it like pound cake although it is much more delicate and light and moist with the lemony goodness that soaked in....you are going to just LOVE it!!!!  I promise or your money back!  Oh!  You haven't given me any money! LOL!  But you'll want to after you taste this heavenly dessert!   You'll thank me for the best Easter you've ever had with this dessert!  Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating a bit now but please try it...you won't regret it and actually it's super easy to make too!
I think I have to go have another piece now.....TTYL!

Freaky, Funny, Fantastic Friday!!!!!!

This book is on loan from Karen, at  The Vintage Bag Lady  .....it's hysterical and I definitely recognized a few things in there!  Some of the funniest ones I didn't show as they were "borderline" and I'm not sure what my blog is rated for and I certainly don't want to offend anyone but lets just say...it was written by a guy and there were plenty of phallic symbols strewn throughout the book.  But funny?  Oh yeah!  I laughed out loud plenty with this one!  Here's a few  "mild" examples..........

Okay...this picture is dedicated to Anita over at Aunt Nubby's Kitchen since she just blogged a bit ago about the shoes lying around in her entryway and she only had a few pair!  I had to show this for her. LOL!  BTW, Anita, those "Best Ever Baked Pork Chops" are just that...BEST EVER!!!!!  You need to check out her blog.  She has the best recipes with ingredients that are common and not exotic and everything I make of hers is YUMMY!  You can take it to the bank!

 Sorry for the glare....it says "When one fails to distinguish between using a coupon and preparing for the Apocalypse".   Whew!  I only have a few of those...maybe they were expecting company?   A family reunion?

You know this is "old" when the price is only 35 cents!

  Too funny!

I was thinking maybe I'd TRY and feature something "funny" on Fridays so we could all "lighten up" going into the weekend.  Also, I think I will blog on Sunday. "In the old days" when I was young we would take "spins" in the country on Sunday afternoons.  So, I'm going to do the same on my blog....I'll pick a few of my favorite blogs and we'll "go visiting" on Sunday afternoon!  Have a great Friday everyone!  I hope the sun is shining down on you wherever you are.

Hoppin' down that bunny trail!

I have so much to blog about but I can't over do it in case a blogging "drought" comes along and I have nothing to blog about I had better save some for later!  But I never showed you what I got at Wally World the other day so here goes....just the "fun stuff"...I'll leave the mundane groceries out of it! LOL!
I am so in the mood for Easter and I couldn't resist this colored egg cover from "Maatha" (I never pronounce the "R" when saying her name).

 

Then there was this excellent resource from Burpee.........key word here is "SIMPLE"...keep it simple, Sam.  I too often, go way overboard in my "projects".

I'm not really too "froufrou" in my decorating but this magazine always has something I like and the 44 Renovation Redos and Kitchens caught my eye!  I'm reading this one now....I'll let you know but so far, so good!  Of course they show BIG rooms and mansions but I just grab the ideas and run with them to fit my size and my taste.  Plus, they usually throw in a humble cottage somewhere which is what I'm going for.  I don't want to clean BIG spaces anymore....cute and cozy is for me and low maintenance.

 

And then the "feast de'resistance" ........beautiful Spring colors of yarn!  I am getting ready to do an Attic24 crocheted blanket of her "ripply" design.  She is SO colorful and I love it so I'm going to give it a go!  I did my test swatch and now I have to calculate how big I want it.  Probably just a throw size for now since I want to make a blanket later.  The pattern is so delightful and "t.v. watching" friendly.  Some patterns I have to pay too much attention to and cannot have the telly on or I get distracted and mess up....BIG TIME!  LOL!

   This is acrylic yarn which is fine for a throw for the back of my chair but if I were making a blanket for a child or for anyone's bed it would be in a washable Merino wool probably...a soft wool. As you probably know but I was not aware of for a long time,  acrylic yarn is basically plastic and if there were ever (God forbid) a fire.....acrylic literally melts onto the person whereas wool does not.  So, if you are making blankets for babies, or children or the elderly...for ANYONE, please use a nice soft washable wool of which there are many beautiful ones out there.  Yes, it costs more but not when you think of the cost to a potential burn victim.   It may save their life if they're ever in that situation.  This throw is going to be used to cover the back of my ugly chair!

 Then...TA DAH!  The Easter stuff..........

 The eggs are going on my little Sugar maple out front, I got cards to send out, cookie cutters, egg dye to color eggs, jelly beans to place around the Bunny Cake I always make (the black ones get saved to put under the tail....oh...I am SO bad!) and some new colorful pens that were only .97.  In fact, Wal-mart now has an aisle like Target with .97 things in bins.  Of course, they can't compare to Target (boo, hoo....I miss my Target so much!) but they're trying and I truly appreciate it since they're the only store for miles and miles!  The nearest Target is 2 hours away! 

 Okay, now I'm tired thinking of all the things I have to do....I better go lay down or drink more coffee.  I have my work cut out for me!  TTYL.....have a great day!

Book Review..............

 

I'm sure you've all read this or seen the movie already but if you haven't you should.  I'm not sure what it is about Southern writers but they seem to have a corner on the market for great story telling!  Or is it just because I'm not from the South so it's "different" and interesting from a Midwestern perspective?   I almost didn't want to read it because after Black History Month and Martin Luther King Day...I was getting a little "tired".  Maybe because I don't happen to carry any guilt over black history like people who's relatives owned slaves?  It was horrible and it amazes me what was taking place in the South when I was a little girl and even in high school that I was barely aware of.  But I hate the hollocaust and Darfor and Syria and many things that have gone on in history and are STILL going on in some areas.   As a woman, I am still waiting for equal pay, a worthy female president, stopping female genital mutilation in Africa, and putting an end to human abuse of all kinds.  It seems worldwide that no matter what happens it is always the women and children who suffer the most.   I am not one to dwell on the past but to understand it in order to create a better future.  So, at my age I just can't seem to handle dwelling on the horrific....BUT that said,  Kathryn Stockett told a story from every single perspective out there.  She told about all of us in some way or another "profiling" each other, every day, based on how we were raised and where and brainwashed by our own country, religion, and/or family.  Does justice and fairness have to be taught or can it grow from within with just a little bit of nurturing?  I think we all need to take a "world oath" when we become of age and be accountable that we will "do no harm" but then you have to define harm and pretty soon there are differences of opinion over what "harm" is.  Will we ever get it "right"...I certainly don't have all the answers but Kathryn Stockett showed all of us, black and white alike, that there is hope for each one of us if we only open our minds and our hearts and be courageous enough to follow through with action and kindness.  As Maya Angelou said "When you know better, you do better".  I would add that when you know better, you SHOULD do better!   

Look what I received from Kimberly at Camp and Cottage Living!!!

Okay, this is way too much fun and I am definitely having a drawing SOON so stay tuned.  I just have to gather up the "treasures" first.  When I received the package from Kimberly at Camp and Cottage Living I was blown away by all she sent me.....take a gander!  First a lovely Easter card (probably the only one I'll get so I truly appreciate it!)

 

Too cute, Kimberly!

And then a Mary Jane's Farm magazine!  Don't we love those!  Does this woman ever age?  I think she's had some "work" done as I see no wrinkles anywhere!  Does Photoshop do this?  If that's the case....I'll take all MY pictures and "fix" them.   I thought she was into all natural?  Hmmmm....or is that what organic does for you?  She looks like a teenager!  You go Mary Jane and I will be ordering some "organic" real soon!

 This is one of my favorite magazines!  There's not an article they have that I can't relate to and use!  I swear my blogger friends know me better than anyone!

 

 Look at this book!  The back cover says it is "hilarious" and it's a Bottom Dollar Girl's novel!  I can't wait to read this as who couldn't use a good laugh these days!  Laughing is like my most favorite thing to do....right up there with being happy.  I think they pretty much go hand in hand and laughing is so healthy for you!

   Just in time for "re-run" season on T.V.! LOL!  I don't subscribe to cable channels so summer can be pretty "dry" when it comes to watching television.  This will be wonderful and I love the old movies better than the current stuff most of the time.  I can just see me this summer when it's 5 zillion degrees outside and I'm inside with the A.C. on watching these old movies and crocheting....oh yeah!  (Summers in the South are like Winters in the North...pull the curtains and stay inside!)

And last but not least, will you look at this retro juicer cover?  Too sweet!  And I think I might even have the old juicer to cover! LOL!  I'll look and post if I do!  I was just thrilled as punch to get this in the mail and Kimberly, how can I ever thank you?  But I will!  You just wait and see!  Please stop over and visit Kimberly at Camp and Cottage Living  She has the most wonderful home and blog on Lake Superior, gorgeous photos and a VERY interesting life!  I can "bearly" keep up with her!  She's been on vacation but I think she's probably home by now so stop in and visit her and  maybe you'll be the next winner of one of her fabulous drawings!

Now I'm off to mow, hang laundry outside and then come in and start gathering treasures for a giveaway!  I'm so excited!   Have a great day everyone!

Did some "puttering" around the house over the weekend........

It was another gorgeous day so I threw open the windows and started getting the dust out of the corners.  Remember those bark cloth pillows I got at the rummage sale a few weeks ago...well I washed them and hung them out on the line and they "brightened" up in the sun, I swear!  I know they don't fit the rocker below but until I make some "custom" cushions.....for $4.00 it doesn't look too bad.....yeah?

 

What did you do on your Sunday?   I went to Wal-Mart today and I'm "bushed" so I'll post about that and a few other things tomorrow.   Oh, and Dancing with the Stars is on....I tell myself each season I'm not going to watch it and get caught up in it but..... it's too late.