Wordless Wednesday

Lemon Blueberry Loaf

I recently made a revised version of this Lemon Blueberry Loaf and was very pleased with the results.

Thought I'd share my version:

Lemon-Blueberry Yogurt Loaf

YIELD: 1 9x5 loaf

Ingredients:

For the Loaf:
1 1/2 cups + 1 tablespoon all-purpose whole grain flour, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
1 cup unrefined-whole cane sugar (the kind that is brown in appearance)
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (approximately 2 lemons)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen, thawed and rinsed

For the Lemon Syrup:
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup unrefined-whole cane sugar (brown in appearance)

For the Lemon Glaze: I did not get to this step, because the loaf was already delicious enough for me to eat half of the loaf, but next time I will try to make powdered sugar from the whole cane sugar (by putting it in the blender and rev'n up the engine to make it whole-cane powdered sugar).
1 cups whole-can sugar, sifted (put in blender)
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom and sides of one 9 x 5-inch loaf pans; dust with flour, tapping out excess.
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla and oil. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the blueberries with the remaining tablespoon of flour, and fold them very gently into the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing loaf to a wire rack on top of a baking sheet.
While the loaf is cooling, make the lemon syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir together the lemon juice and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once dissolved, continue to cook for 3 more minutes. Remove from the heat; set aside.
Use a toothpick to poke holes in the tops and sides of the warm loaf. Brush the top and sides of the loaf with the lemon syrup. Let the syrup soak into the cake and brush again. Let the cake cool completely.
To make the lemon glaze, in a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of the lemon juice. The mixture should be thick but pourable. Add up to another tablespoon of lemon juice if the mixture is too stiff. Pour the lemon glaze over the top of each loaf and let it drip down the sides. Let the lemon glaze harden, about 15 minutes, before serving.

Recipe Notes:
This recipe will also yield about 12 standard muffins or 36 miniature muffins, baking time adjusted.
It could be doubled and baked in a well-greased and floured bundt pan, baking time adjusted.
This recipe could also be baked in an 8-inch square or 9-inch round, to create a thin cake (approx. 1 1/2 inches tall), baking time adjusted.

Source: adapted from Smitten Kitchen originally adapted from AIna Garten

Family Picture - Easter 2013

Baby Silk Cream

Over the last year, I have tried to simplify and purify the things I use on my face and body (skin care products, perfumes, lotions, etc) and what I make available to my family. Once used up, I discontinued any products I was previously using, looking for an affordable, clean product.   If I hadn't used a product consistently over the past few months, I tossed it.  I love how the clutter instantly disappeared.

I wanted to make my own skin care cream with beeswax, coconut oil, etc.., but never got around to doing anything more than putting straight coconut oil on my face. Although the coconut oil was beneficial for my skin in many ways, it dried my face out like no other. The problem?  Skin needs more than oil to remain hydrated and supple. Water is needed in conjunction with oil. 

My sister-in-law Lauren told me about a cream she had just ordered by Tropical Traditions. This cream is pure, using no alcohols, no artificial fragrances, and no petroleum products.  The first ingredient is purified water and the second is Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. I ordered the Baby Silk Moisturizing Cream, and I absolutely LOVE it. Not to mention, it smells dreamy.

Right now, the 4 oz. Unscented Moisturizing Cream is on sale for $12.99 and the 4 oz. Baby Silk Moisturizing Cream is $14.50.  If you are about to run out of your skin care cream or are just desirous of a change, you might want to check out the selection at Tropical Traditions. You can also order lots of other products from toothpaste to coconut oil to laundry detergent to face moisturizer and so on. I haven't tried anything besides the toothpaste and face cream, but given the quality of these two products, I am sure the other products they offer are top-notch as well. 

Biltmore Field Trip

Last week we were given two free tickets to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.  

Hello sister.

 I was feeling a field-trip in the works.
Another homeschooling friend, Viviana, and her three girls joined us since all children under the age of nine get in free.
We couldn't have asked for a better set up.

We got up really early, so as to make the most of our day in Asheville. 

I treated myself to a steamy cup of joe to get the day started.
One tall with a dash of cream, please.

Nothing like the smell of coffee on a trip. 

Always takes me back to family road trips, smelling my Dad's coffee in the wee hours of the morning when 

he'd scoop us up from our beds and carry us to the truck.

Sweet memories.

 I was so excited!

I was also wishing Hugh was with me.

One and a half hours later, after soaking up the beautiful North Carolina mountain views, 

we arrived.

We then hopped in the shuttle van and rode to the "Castle."

The girls were stoked.
As we came around the corner...

Boom.

There she was.

What a beauty

and

a beast.

I was surprised at how interested Laney and Mattie were into the audio-tour. With map in hand, we walked from room to room, each room having its own number. On the player that hung around their necks, they punched in the particular room number, held the player up to their ear, like a phone, and listened intently.  Laney couldn't wait to tell me which room number we were headed to next.  

The part of the house that interested me the most was the servant's quarters area:  the kitchen where countless feasts were prepared, the separate meat and vegetable rooms, the humongous pantry, learning how the washing and ironing was done, etc. I couldn't help but think of it very much like Downton Abbey's servant-ward. Such incredible history held in the walls of that mansion. 

History never captured my attention as a youngster, but it sure has me now.   

After we ate lunch, we encouraged them to run and set those little legs free. 

Front of the Estate
Can you see the five of them down there?

These girls had so much fun together!

Mattie & little J



One of the reasons why I was hoping Hugh could have gone with us, was because the last time we went to the Biltmore, we were on our Honeymoon. In three weeks, we'll celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary.  A family trip would have been a perfect early celebration for us.

Here we were nine years ago, as newlyweds.

And here are our two beautiful children standing 

right in the place we stood, nine years later.

Kinda crazy to ponder how much has happened

in the last nine years. 

So cool.

Off to Antler Hill Village to see the animals and journey through the wine cellar.

Snacking on a little sweet treat

Petting "Holly" the bunny

Wine Cellar Walkway

I did a little wine-tasting, and the girls did a little grape-juice tasting.
Cheers! 

Children's Maze: the girls absolutely loved this maze.
I, on the other hand, couldn't see them at all times, so after a few minutes,
I was ready to head to the next adventure.

The Gardens

On our way out of Asheville, we visited the Haen Gallery, where my brother Clayton
is one of the featured artists in that gallery. He had a few pieces on display.
Quite incredible to stand  in front of your Uncle Clayton's
artwork in a gallery. So proud of my brother.
He is one talented young man.

Top artwork is Clayton's work

We didn't quite make it home in time to eat at home, 

so without thinking twice,

we grabbed a very unhealthy, DELICIOUS Five Guys burger & fries.

No regrets. 

Loved every minute of this day!