♥ Blueberry Lemon Streusel Coffee Cake

BlueBlueberry Lemon Streusel Coffee Cake

Crumb topping

1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar...
1/8 teaspoon salt
Zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup ( 1/2 stick) butter, cubed, at room temperature

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and lemon zest. Add the butter, using a fork or your fingers to cut in the butter until
it is reduced to the size of peas. Loosely cover the bowl, and place it in the freezer while you mix the cake batter.

Cake

6 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
3/4 cup plus 1/3 cup sugar, divided
Zest of 1 large lemon
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen, divided
Crumb topping, chilled
Juice of 2 lemons (about 6 tablespoons)

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.

In the bowl, using a mixer, cream together the butter, three-fourths cup sugar and lemon zest until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Stir the flour mixture into the bowl, a third at a time, alternating with the buttermilk, until both the flour mixture and buttermilk are evenly incorporated into the batter. Gently fold 1 cup of the blueberries into the batter.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan and distribute the remaining blueberries evenly over the top of the batter. Remove the crumb topping from the freezer and sprinkle it over the berries. Bake the cake until it is lightly golden and firm on top, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through for even baking. 

Lemon Glaze                                                                               

In a small saucepan, combine the remaining one-third cup sugar with the lemon juice and whisk until blended. Heat the pan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid thickens to a syrupy consistency, 6 to 8 minutes. (The glaze will bubble while cooking and may need to be removed from the heat to check that it is the proper consistency.) Remove from heat and set aside in a warm place.

Remove the cake from the oven and drizzle the warm glaze over the entire cake. Cool to room temperature. The cake will keep at room temperature for 2 to 3 days, covered in plastic wrap.

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♥ Mom's Southern Coconut Cake

My Mom's favorite cake was a coconut cake. She taught me how to make it when I was young and I never missed a year that I did not make it for her on her birthday. It is now my favorite cake to make and always a success! People love my Sout...hern Coconut Cake. I just made it this past weekend for all of you.....


Mom's Southern Coconut Cake 

1 and 1/2 (3 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
5 eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
4 ounces sweetened shredded coconut

Buttercream Frosting:

16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 box confectioners’ sugar, sifted
6 ounces sweetened shredded coconut for for topping

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line each with parchment paper. Grease paper and dust with flour.

Mix butter and sugar on medium-high speed of an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add extracts and mix. The mixture will look a bit lumpy.

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Turn the mixer on low speed and add dry ingredients, alternating with milk, in three parts. Mix just until combined. Fold in coconut.

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Smooth the tops of each. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until tops are browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 30 minutes. Then, remove from pans to finish cooling on wire racks.

Frosting:

Using an electric mixer on low speed, combine cream cheese, butter, and extracts. Add confectioners’ sugar and mix just until smooth.

Spread frosting on first layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides. Sprinkle top and sides with coconut.

Photography ©Welcome Home

♥ Welcome Home Casey

           Casey

 

Hello everyone...meet Casey. He was supposed to die today. But his hopes and dreams of finding a new friend came true this afternoon. I believe every living thing comes into our lives or crosses our path for a reason and it is so well plan...ned in advance. Here is Casey's story.

On the first day of every month for the last year, I have been driving about 40 miles up North to the No Kill Advocacy Group to drop off these big 50 pound bags of dog and cat food along with a check for any of the proceeds that come in from the sale of my books. But I have been feeling a little under the weather for the past few days so I decided to wait until I felt a little better and had more energy to lift all those heavy bags.

Today my brother stopped by to ask if I needed anything while he was out shopping. I told him that it would be most appreciated if he could load those big bags of food and take them to the shelter for me. He said he was going right by there and wouldn't mind doing that for me at all. So he loaded up the bags and I handed him a check for the proceeds from the sale of my new cookbook, made out to them.

These are such good people who are so dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats who are put to death while waiting for a friend to come find them. They appreciate whatever you can do to help and so I am always happy to do whatever I can. I was especially eager to present them with this big donation as I had never donated that much before. Those of you who bought my new cookbook made that happen. I usually say hello, hand them the food and the check and stay and chat about all the good things they have done. I never go back to the kennels where the dogs are waiting because I can no longer bear to see them or hear them cry. I always feel happy when I am there and sad when I leave.

I went on about my day and then a few hours later there was a knock at my door. It was my brother who had come to introduce me to his new life long friend Casey. You see the SPCA had picked up Casey after someone spotted him on a 5 lane highway dodging cars. He was scared and hungry and lost. His fur was long and dirty and so matted that he couldn't see. So they cornered him and put him in a cage to transport him back to the kill shelter.

No one claimed Casey. It had been 150 hours and today was the day that his time at the kill shelter was over and his life would end. But that wouldn't be. Because today also just so happened to be that day each month that the NO KILL group goes to the SPCA and rescues dogs that are no longer welcomed there....like Casey. He was the only one scheduled to die today and so they took him back to their facility and gave him a bath and a haircut and all his vaccinations. They checked him out and gave him a clean bill of health and started calling around to find him a foster home.

So in walks my brother....he told them he was there to drop off a check and some food for the dogs and cats. They told him to have a seat and someone would be out to help him unload the bags. He said he heard one of the volunteers on the phone talking about this little dog named Casey and how badly he needed a home. He said he listened for a few seconds and then this overwhelming feeling came over him that said, "stand up and go over to the counter and ask if you can adopt the dog."

He said he began to argue with himself that he already had a dog that he had adopted three years earlier and that he didn't need another one. But he said the conviction was strong and didn't leave. He began to fight with himself and had this hilarious internal dialogue that kept going back and forth. "I don't have the time for two dogs." "Dogs are expensive." "Dogs demand far to much time and energy and I have more than I can handle with one dog."

He stood up and heard himself say, "where is this little dog Casey?" "How long is the adoption process?" "I'm in a hurry but maybe if it wouldn't take too long, I might consider adopting another dog."

They brought Casey out on a leash and he took one look at my brother and broke free to run to him as if he had known him forever. He looked up at my brother as if to say, "where you been?" "What took you so long?" And it was love at first sight. They were meant to be.

My brother brought him straight to my house to tell me what he had done and to introduce me to his new friend. Later he called to tell me that when he carried Casey into his house to introduce him to his other dog, it was an instant friendship and they have played all afternoon until they were exhausted and both snuggled up side by side sound asleep.

The No Kill Shelter decided to waived the adoption process and all the fees in exchange for the chance to save Casey's life. I snapped this picture of this newest member of our family for all of you to see. Click on the photo and feel the love. This was meant to be. It was well planned out and it played out perfectly. Casey was supposed to die today but instead he will be loved more than he could ever imagine for the rest of his life.   Welcome Home Casey. Welcome Home.

 

Story and photography ©Welcome Home

♥ Black Tiger Swallow Tail

Black Tiger Swallow Tail

Look what was sitting on my deck this morning. He was laying very still and he let me take his picture before he flew away. This is a beautiful Black Tiger Swallow Tail and he is so handsome. Click on the photo and look at his two red dots on his lower wings. Butterflies develop what are called "eyes" to scare their predators.

Photography ©Welcome Home

♥ The beautiful Monarch Butterfly

The beautiful Monarch Butterfly

"If nothing ever changed, there wouldn't be butterflies."

♥ Perfect Home Fries

Perfect Home Fries

2 tablespoons bacon drippings
2 tablespoons butter

5 medium/large red potatoes, diced

1 small sweet yellow onion, diced

1-2 teaspoons seasoned salt

 black pepper to taste

Melt bacon grease in heavy skillet (I use my cast iron skillet) until it begins to sizzle. Add the butter. Carefully add the potatoes and onion to the skillet.

Sprinkle the salt and plenty of black pepper over the potatoes and stir gently until all of the mixture is coated in the grease.

 Cover with a lid and cook for 25-30 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender. Turn up heat to medium high and brown potatoes until brown and crisp. Continue to stir potatoes every few minutes or so to prevent burning/sticking.

If you don't have bacon grease on hand, fry 5-6 bacon strips until crisp and drain on paper towel. Use the grease to fry potatoes and if you'd like add crumbled bacon to recipe.

 

You can also add green or red peppers, sausage, cheese or anything else you desire to this dish.

 

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♥ Fresh Panko and Coconut Crusted Tilapia

Fresh Panko and Coconut Crusted Tilapia

4 tilapia fillets (or any other firm, white fish, such as cod)
1/2 cups coconut cream or milk
½ cups almond meal, ground almonds or almond flour
1 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
salt and pepper to taste
Old Bay Seasoning

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together Panko and coconut, salt and pepper and set aside. Pour coconut milk in shallow bowl for dredging.

Pat and dry fish fillets. Sprinkle both sides with a pinch or two of salt and pepper and just a light sprinkle of Old Bay. Dredge fillets first in coconut milk and then in panko and coconut mixture. Turn to ensure everything is coated well. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Spray a baking pan with non-stick spray and carefully lay the fillets on pan. I also use parchment paper to cover my pan before baking fish. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes until fish is white and flakes easily in the center.

NOTE: Coconut Cream or Milk is found where they sell ingredients to make mixed drinks at your grocery or liquor stores.

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"Life's Lessons...What God Would Have Wanted Me To Know By Now."

 As I get older each year, I find that I think a lot about my past. I often wonder if I've truly learned any lessons from past experiences in my life. I decided to ask God what are some of life's lessons that he would have wanted me to learn... by now. And God replied.....

"I would have wanted you to learn that it's important to hold hands and cherish the moment, for some day that person will not be there again."

From My Book, "Life's Lessons...What God Would Have Wanted Me To Know By Now."

http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/195682-life-s-lessons

♥ YELLOW TIGER SWALLOW TAIL

From my garden...

"It's the end of the world," said the catepillar. "It's just the beginning," said the butterfly.

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♥ Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake

Another one of my favorite dishes to make. I love my pasta in a rich creamy alfredo sauce. This sauce is wonderful and I use it with different types of pasta. I might add shrimp and linguini or Italian sausage and penne pasta. I like to change it up from time to time for a whole new look and taste. This time I used chicken and rotini pasta. It is delish! Don't forget to click on the photo for drool mode!

Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake

1 lb spiral pasta (cooked according to package directions and drained)
2 cups of diced chicken breasts (I use Tyson Grilled chicken strips or I use a rotisserie chicken)

1/2 cup parmesan cheese for top
2-3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese for top
Alfredo Sauce

½ cup butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups heavy cream
¼ teaspoon white pepper
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
¾ cup mozzarella cheese for sauce

Boil pasta as directed and drain well. Return to pot but off the heat just to absorb excess liquid.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic, cream, white pepper and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir often. Add parmesan cheese and simmer the sauce for 8-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and become smooth. Add the mozzarella cheese and cook until smooth.

Combine chicken with the cooked pasta, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir in alfredo sauce. Pour the mixture into a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Mix together the 1/2 cup of parmesan and the 2-3 cups of mozzarella cheese. Cover top of casserole with the cheese mix and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cheese has melted and starting to brown.

Recipe and photography ©Welcome Home