Lemon Cake

 

I tried a new Pinterest recipe today for a Lemon Blossom Cake.  Clay is having some work folks over for dinner tonight I needed to try out a cake to take to my job next Thursday so I baked this beauty.  I mixed 2 parts of the recipe by covering the bottom layer with the glaze and then icing the cake also.  I haven't gotten to try it yet, waiting on everyone to get here tonight, so I will have to update this post later.

 

I took this picture after I glazed the first layer.  The glaze was a little thin and too runny, I think I may have added too much lemon juice.

 

 

I brought in some gardenia blossoms and butterfly bush blossoms to bring some garden beauty inside.

 

We aren't really sure if the bees are going to be ok.  We did a hive inspection 3 days ago and didn't see any larvae or eggs.  There were plenty of bees and lots of honey and pollen, we also saw what looked to be a queen cell and lots of drone bees coming and going.  We are wondering if our queen has died and they have made another one, we will have to wait and see.  I looked at the outside of the hive today and there were lots of bees coming and going and there were bees in the super we added on top but they have not filled out any of the new frames.

 

Our magnolia tree grew a blossom this year, we have GOT to get this baby in the yard  in the fall.  

 

Garden Progress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home Again

Stayed the night in Chattanooga, TN after our hike. Found Aretha Frankenstein's on YELP and decided that is where we needed to breakfast this AM. After leisurely stuffing ourselves with omlette and panCAKE goodness we strolled up the street admiring the houses and yard ART. I am scurrying around the house now cleaning up and have decided that breakfast is finally wearing off at 8PM, so I will be having a very late lunch soon.

Spring Has Sprung

It is so exciting every spring to be surprised as the plants that have been hiding away all winter start to emerge. My tulips are in full bloom which happened while I was away. The whole yard came alive in the last few days. Unfortunately that includes the weeds which means I have some weeding to do, and some mowing to contemplate doing. Also the plentiful pine trees have been manufacturing their pollen 24 hours/day and have covered my yard in the yellow stuff *achoo achoo*. If only it was good for something....

I have NO IDEA what this plant is...I got it on sale at Lowe's 2 years ago and this is the first year it has had the weird berries on it. It has silver bottomed leaves and has turned out to be a very fast growing and beautiful plant whatever it is.

Chico is loving the WARM weather. He is very cold-natured. This time of year he comes in all covered in dry grass just as pleased with himself as he can be. I am sure you can tell he was majorly tail-wagging since his tail is all blurry in the pic. Killer update: she is feeling better finally after almost 2 weeks on antibiotics and 5 teeth later. She looks mopey in this picture but I think it is because she is dozing post-lunch and I woke her up. I am so happy she is feeling better, I have really been worried about her this past week!

Strange Walking Partners

I came around the corner on my 4.3 mile walk/jog around the very HILLY neighborhood and saw what I thought was a pair of fake geese by the road. I quickly realized that I was mistaken and the geese hurried ahead of me into the road as if they were racing me. This is a new one for me. Had a wonderful time out in the SUNSHINE this morning! It was the perfect temperature. Cherry trees, pear trees, forsythia, daffodils, TULIPS *my favorite, and all sorts of other springy plants entertained me today.

More grocery goodies. Excited to try the cassava chips flavored with KAFFIR lime!! Also, I got some chips made from lentils and chick peas and flavored with cucumber dill, I couldn't wait and have already tried them...pretty darn tasty!

Breakfast this AM, shredded wheat, raisin bran crunch, banana, and chia seeds with almond milk. Good way to start the day even if my banana was a little overripe.