Meals on Heels ~ Lemon Layer Cake & more

A few days after Easter it was our turn to deliver another Bake & Take meal. This time my meal planning started with dessert which is fun. Since we had recently stocked up on lemons for baking this month we had plenty on hand so I decided to use some to make this yummy Lemon Mascarpone Layer Cake as the finale to their meal.  

An eight inch two layer cake seemed about the right size and would leave just enough leftover batter for another small two layer cake for us, which is always a bonus. 

Lemon inside and outside the cakes. It doesn't get better than that. 

Topped off with vanilla frosting. 

I try and bake everything the afternoon of delivery so that it is fresh, hot and ready to eat when we drop it off. Since the cake would need time to cool I mixed that up right after I got the carrots marinating for the carrot salad.

Next were the bread sticks. Once the dough was rising I moved onto the lasagna. 

The two lasagnas were made and ready to bake just about the time the cakes came out of the oven so everything was on schedule. As I usually do, I doubled the meal so our dinner was covered too.

By that time the cake layers were cool enough to start assembling and then I realized I was out of cake boards. Unfortunately, there was not enough time to run out for one so I needed a plan B. Since I was in a pinch I considered using a paper plate and then I had another idea. I asked Mr. Wonderful if he could quickly cut me one from a board in his shop. "Piece of Cake", he said. 

Sure enough, he had a perfect wood scrap and made not only one for this cake but 5 others in varied sizes as well. "Go big or go home" is his motto. After washing and drying the new cake board and covering it with foil I frosted the cake and finished with little time to spare. 

We packed up everything in our cooler on wheels, except for the cake of course, which I carried, and we made our delivery...and on time too.

I love when a plan comes together! 

Happy Saturday!

FOOD for Thought

This post is about a week past due however I decided to share it anyway and what better way to start than with a doodle. As with most holidays, I usually have a wrap-up post to share food, crafts or whatever it may be. 

This years Easter table was set in light pink and navy along with some natural accents. The fresh moss was actually taken off one of our trees which was a fun last minute idea. 

This is our traditional Easter Bread. 

The crumb topping is our favorite part of these loaves of Cardamom Bread. 

Deviled eggs are a must.

I made some with relish and some without and used a sprinkle of paprika to differentiate the two choices which worked well.

Oven roasted asparagus.

Ham, tossed salad and lemon meringue pie.

Also a Pea Salad with cashews and water chestnuts. 

Another wonderful Easter with a traditional family dinner.

Happy Saturday!

Carrot Party Favors

These cute diy carrots were a last minute Easter craft for the dinner table.

They were quick and easy so I was able to squeeze just enough time in the schedule to make one for each place setting. 

The table needed a little pop of color and these carrots were perfect.

Since this project idea developed so late in the game there was no time to run out for candy to fill the little carrots so I went with plan B....popcorn. No butter of course, as it would have soaked right through the paper, and it worked perfect in a pinch. 

These fun carrot party favors were just what the table needed.

Happy Monday!

Happy Easter!

Matthew 28:6

Blessings, 

Happy Day

Another day, another doodle. As you might have guessed, birthdays are on my mind. 

Spring is a busy time for birthdays around here so might as well doodle something festive while thinking about themes and menus and cards and cake. Oh my!

A black and white version is fun too.

Have a HAPPY DAY!

King of the Grill :: DIY birthday card

We kicked off April with a BBQ over the weekend to celebrate the first of several family birthdays this month.

The cards for this birthday boy usually turn out to be golf themed however he also likes to cook and grill so I thought this would be a fun surprise.

The grill and the apron are very basic so they were easy to hand cut however the small heart on the apron was made with a punch. The legs and handles were made from a long thin strip of black paper cut with a paper cutter and the wheels were made with a paper punch. The string for the apron was just some I had in my stash.

As you may have noticed there are two slightly different versions. The first card at the very top of the post is printed with a fancy font. The card at the bottom I hand lettered with a black pen and then used a silver paint pen to draw details on the BBQ. A rubber stamp was used for the Happy Birthday on the apron pocket.

The card seemed to put me in the mood for checks so checks it was for the birthday table too. And, of course, there had to be a hint of golf somewhere.

So there you have it, the first of the April Birthday cards.

Happy Tuesday!

Doodles for your Sunday

Blessings,

More Freezer Meals

We have been busy cooking as always, however, we are now freezing our meals too. 

We have been delivering meals for one reason or another since last fall. Some meals are delivered hot from the oven and ready to eat and others meals are delivered frozen to use when it is convenient. Once meal delivery became part of our routine it was easy to remember to make double and then package up a portion for Meals on Heals or freeze it for our Bake & Take meals.

This was one of our recent deliveries.

A few items were not frozen and delivered fresh instead.

For the most part though, these items were frozen such as these baked beans...

...and bread.

Meals to give away and some for us. It doesn't get easier than that. 

Have a great Saturday!

Happy Friday!

No fooling, it is already April and it is Friday! Time is flying by.

Here is a little doodle to get the weekend started.  

Happy April Fools Day!