Re-purposed Lawn Table

We decided to re-paint and re-purpose this once-night-stand of my husband's. I believe it is the only piece of furniture he has from his bachelor days. It was white (I didn't think to take a picture till after I had started) and quite rusty. This is a rust-free outdoor paint. It goes quite well with our lawn furniture.

Painting the underside.

A Table for Two and a Piece of Chalk Too

A kind friend gave us a table and chair set. My husband had picked up some chalk board paint and we thought it'd be fun to create a surface for our kids to draw on.

My daughter helped me with the spray.

We decided on three coats of paint.

It did bleed a little. I wonder if it would not have if we had used painter's tape instead.

It was well worth the time and materials. Now to find out how well it upholds.

Little Hands Helping with the Work

I love it when little hands hep with the work.

 Rolling out Cinnimon Rolls with Daddy

Pantry Life Made Easier

This project was a life saver. Although simple, over the last 6 months, it has saved me countless minutes trying to find what I need in our small kitchen pantry. I cut out and printed the labels with my silhouette cameo. The baskets were on an amazing sale at Frey Meyers. I love post-holiday sales.

A Delicious Pound Cake Recipe

I found a pound cake recipe that I absolutely love. My sister-in-law shared it with me this last Christmas. While it makes a good base for a fruit cake, I actually love it with fresh whipped cream and sliced strawberries.

I wish I could site this recipe but I don't know where it originally came from. If you know, let me know and I'll add it!

Perfect Pound Cake

12 oz {3 sticks} of room temperature butter 

3 cups all-purpose flour 

1 tsp baking powder 

1/2 tsp salt 

1 cup milk- room temperature 

1 tsp pure almond extract 

1 tsp pure lemon extract 

1 tsp pure vanilla extract 

3 cups sugar 6 eggs- room temperature 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees 

Butter and flour Bundt Pan or Tube Pan 

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together and set aside. 

Combine milk and extracts in a separate container and set aside. 

Cream butter until light and fluffy {about 2 minutes} then add the sugar 1/4 cup at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl. 

Beat about 3 minutes. 

Add eggs, one at a time, allowing 15-20 seconds between each addition. {you must allow ample time for emulsification, otherwise you will have an overly dense cake} 

Alternately add the flour and milk mixtures, beginning and ending with the flour. 

Beat until batter is smooth and silky, but no longer. 

Pour into prepared pan and tap it on the counter to allow batter to settle evenly. 

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. 

Let cool in pan on a rack for 30 minutes. 

Turn cake onto a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before serving.