Delicious Lemon Cake by Barefoot Contessa

Ina Garten rocks.  Ina's lemon cake rocks.  I'm very picky about what goes into my recipe book but this one passed my test. 

Barefoot Contessa's recipe - click here

My tweaks:
I omit the glaze on the top.  I found it to be too tart.  I still add the lemon juice/sugar mixture after its finished baking.  A cake soaked with sugar and lemon?..yes, please.

Who doesn't love a blueberry and lemon combo?  I measured out a cup of blueberries, gave them a good rinse and dusted them with flour.  I added the blueberries to only one loaf pan.  I left the other loaf pan plain ole lemon.

Lemon Cake at High Altitude:
Living at 5,280 feet has some challenges.  Add 1/4 c more flour (3 1/4 c) and decrease the baking soda by a tad.  I scooped out 1/2 tsp and then sprinkled about an 1/8 to 1/4 back of it back in the box.  How's that for science?  I typically bake at a higher oven temp but these loaves turned out great at 350.

Hippity Hoppity Easter is on its Way!

Happy Easter!
I hosted a brunch for my friends yesterday and I'm sad because I didn't take any pictures of my table or the brunch dishes. :(  Oh well.   It was a BEAUTIFUL day out - couldn't have asked for better Easter weather.  Hope you enjoyed your day with friends and family!

Easter Brunch Menu
Asparagus Gruyere Tart (app)
Potato, Sausage and Spinach Casserole
Fruit Salad
Raspberry Streusel coffee cake (from a friend)
Bell Pepper Quiche (see recipe below)
Daisy Ann Cake
Mimosa's! (of course)

Easy Quiche Recipe
1 C combination of whatever ingredients you want. I chose: yellow onion, red bell pepper and green bell pepper. Coarsely chopped.
4 eggs
1/2 c - 1 c of milk
salt & pepper
1 c of shredded cheese (I chose mild cheddar)
1 9in pie crust (I used Pillsbury pie crust).

Bake in a 350 degree oven for ~40 minutes.

Needle felting project.  Cute little chicks.

Purchased this vase from Home Goods for $12!  Thought it was cute!

A bunny PDF file I found on Pinterest. Print and frame!
I can't find the link to share - sorry!  

My grandma painted a wooden egg for all the grand kids for many years.  Since we're all grown up now, she paints them for the great-grand kids. It's a beautiful tradition.

My new obsession.  The Easter bunny brought a Maileg mini bunny. I think I like it more than my daughter.

Kept the flowers simple.  Three different vases with pink tulips.  Set against a white table cloth and white dishes- it looked great!

Tissue Paper flower and bunnies cut out of paint samples from Home Depot.  I took all different shades of blue, cut out a bunny and glued on a pom pom for the tail. 

Bunny Burlap Banner.  Love.