Springtime baking for Lemon Lovers

I am slightly obsessed with the King Arthur Flour cookbooks. I have made many things from the three I have, and I have yet to be disappointed. Last week Miss Cutiepie and I made two loaves of this bread for her parent's return. It was a great success!! She loved to stir the mixture, and the bread turned out great as it always does. It just tastes like springtime!! You can easily serve it as a dessert or for brunch as a part of a sweet bread basket. It's absolutely wonderful with strawberry or raspberry jam. Enjoy!

Bread
6 tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup buttermilk or yogurt (I use buttermilk)
1/2 teaspoon lemon oil OR 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Glaze
juice of 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup) - It usually takes me 1.5 or 2 lemons
1/3 cup sugar

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar till thoroughly combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix the buttermilk or yogurt and lemon zest, and set aside. Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt, and set aside.

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture. Spoon the batter into a lightly greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan. Bake the bread in a preheated 350°F oven for about 50 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the bread from the oven, and poke it all over with a cake tester or long toothpick. Whisk together the glaze ingredients, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and while the cake is hot drizzle it gradually with the glaze, stopping periodically to allow it to soak in. Set the bread aside, and let it cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove it from the pan, and allow it to cool completely before slicing. Yield: 1 loaf.

Recipe from King Arthur Flour

Quick beauty question

Have any of you ever used a wax at home hair remover kit? If you have, do they work? Which ones have you tried?

Thank you for your help!!!!

Grrrr....can't find a pic online!

But Meredith Viera is wearing my Lilly Pulitzer coat on the Today Show this a.m.!!! I don't have a pic of it either (it's hanging in my closet now, so maybe I'll snap a pic later). It's a bright kelly green knee length wool coat that is belted at the waist. It's adorable on, and it looks so cute on TV!! She's worn it today for all the outdoor snippets. How cool! If you're home, check it out!

Yea for Lilly making the Today Show this a.m.!!!

What a perfect ending

While I was in MI babysitting, I finished



I can honestly say that this was my favorite of the four. It was such a page turner, and I loved reading about Renesme. Such an interesting plot development. I was incredibly happy with the way she ended the series. It was absolutely perfect!!!! Endings of series are always hard, and I never know if I'm going to walk away still liking the books. Stephanie Meyer did a great job, and I will definitely be excited to re-read these at a later date!

Anyone out there disagree or did you like the ending just as much as I did?

Sunday night dinner

What B and I are having for dinner tonight- I'm so happy!!!

Dear Sweets and Desserts,

I am so glad you are my friend again!! And I'm so glad that God gave someone the most wonderful idea to take the delicious flavors of chocolate and peanut butter and meld them with the luscious texture of ice cream. There really isn't much that is better in the whole wide world!! I promise not to go crazy and I promise to stick with the running and working out, just as long as you never stray too far away again!!

Love, A

Dear God,

Thank you for the strength to make it through Lent. It was difficult, and I almost caved this week three times (there are sweets galore around the house I am staying at). I'm glad I was able to make it through, and I am also glad that the times I was really craving something, instead of complaining about it, I was able to focus on WHY I chose to give up my favorite thing. Really, it did help me to focus on you during this time of reflection and hopefully our relationship is strengthened because of it. Also, thank you for only making Lent 40 days long because I'm not sure I could have done much more!!!!

In Your Holy Name, A

The search for white pants

If you are a size 0, 2, or 4, I'm sure finding white pants isn't a problem (feel free to correct me if I am wrong!), but since I am not one of those sizes, finding white pants is my nemesis!!! Either they are too tight in the wrong places, the pockets show through, there aren't belt loops, they're too see through everywhere, etc. Plus, once I find a pair I like, by the end of the summer, I inevitably spill something on them that just wont come off. I am definitely the body shape that is much smaller in the waist than in the hips and thighs, so if you are built like me...........

I would like to present you with my new perfect fit white pant!!!! The Ann fit pant from Ann Taylor Loft. They are lined so you can't see the pockets, they're appropriate for work, they're just dressy enough but not over the top, and they are a perfect mix of ankle length/capri length. They also have a fantastic deep cuff at the bottom that is a great detail. I tried them on yesterday and bought them on the spot!!!


They're also on sale right now at a great price. I'm thinking about scooping up a black pair as well!!! If you haven't tried them on yet, you really should. I think you will be just as excited as I am!!!

Don't try this at home......

I knew I wouldn't get my full workouts in this week because you can't exactly hire a babysitter if you are the babysitter! She did have gymnastics two days this week, so I was able to work out during those times. Since preschool is on spring break, there was no other "break time" for me in this whole 8 days. And let me tell you, they are LONG days!!

So last Saturday I decided to put her in her umbrella stroller (all 45lbs of her) and run to see how far I got. It was about 3.9 miles though I definitely walked some of the uphills. I did it in 47 minutes. Today we went out again, and I did 4 miles in 46 minutes. My arms are more sore than my legs!! Umbrella strollers are NOT meant for running!! The steering is horrible, the don't do cracks well, and the handles aren't ergonomically correct. BUT both days were major workouts for me, and if I can do this, I can definitely run 6.2 on the 18th!! I'm almost at my last week of training, I've done three 5 milers, and I know that B will help to push me through at the end.

Also, I now give so much credit to stay at home moms. This is hard work people!! Especially when you don't know any other moms in the area to "play" with. And especially when she is a talker!! It's mostly been just the two of us at home for 8 days straight! We have gone to the park twice, gone to the mall, done Build-a-bear, WENT TO SONIC, gymnastics, etc. We also made flower bouquets out of felt to give to each member of her family when they walk through the door. I have to admit, they are pretty darn cute!!

I told her mom the other day that she said to me "I don't like you like I love my family. You just don't understand us kids like my mommy does." Her mom laughed and asked me if she had said "You are not in my heart like Jesus." Apparently that's her way to get back at her mom. I'm still laughing at that!! She's definitely verbal!!

Coverage for the Master's begins this afternoon on USA (just in case you were wondering!)
Ta Ta!!

B's Master's shout out!

So, after reading my Master's post, my husband wanted to let you all know that he doesn't root only for Tiger. He also decided he needed to *edit* my post to include a little more information. Just in case you have a fellow golf lover in your life in your husband, boyfriend, father, or brother (and you could care less), you can share all this info with him and see if he agrees with B!!

Winner: Tiger Woods (Solo second last year while playing on a flat tire- referring to his knee)

Rounding out the Top 5:
2. Geoff Ogilvy (Interesting fact- an Aussie has never won the Masters)
3. Henrik Stenson (big hitting Swede who flies under the radar)
4. Rory McIlroy (English teenager, Cinderella Story, just turned pro last summer, played in the Masters last year as the then-reigning British Amateur champion)
5. Lefty (fan favorite, loves Augusta - fits his game well)

I can see where he's coming from with Geoff and Rory (and I obviously love Phil (aka Lefty)), but I do not think Henrik will win or even contend. Rory is super fun to watch, btw!!!!



Low Amateur (which is important at the Masters, even gets its own trophy during the ceremony at the end): Danny Lee, reigning US Amateur champion from New Zealand of Korean heritage
He is playing really well, so I completely agree with B on this pick.


Total Duds:
1. Trevor Immelman (he'll be too tired after playing host to everything throughout the week as the defending champion)
2. Brandt Snedeker (Tied for third last year at Augusta, playing horribly this year)
3. Greg Norman (just retire, already!)
4. Paul Casey (after winning last week, he'll be too tired to play well)

Feel-Good Story of the Week: Fred Couples (1992 champion, playing well at 49.5 years old).
Freddy Couples is a really nice guy too (just like Kenny Perry)

Now, Ladies, make sure you impress someone with your new found knowledge this weekend. Or you can just watch The Master's in order to see who is sponsored by the preppiest clothing brand!! Brett Quigley is a Vineyard Vines guy, and I think that is awesome (unfortunately he wasn't invited to play in the tournament this year, so you will have to watch for him at other tournaments)! Also, if you are only watching for the cuteness factor, Brandt Snedeker is pretty darn good looking and a Southern Gentleman who went to Vandy!!

Fun Giveaways!!

Hopsy is hosting a great personalized stationary giveaway. You have to let her know your favorite outfit, and, if you win, your stationary will be designed by Ashley Brooke with your adorable outfit on it!! I chose the white BCBG ruffle dress I wore to my rehearsal dinner- it's tres chic!!

KAG is offering an AWESOME Smathers and Branson belt AND keychain. Girls, this is an amazing gift, truly!!! Below are a few of my favorites, but there are just so many amazing choices, I would really be hard pressed to just get one!!!



(This one is birdies and eagles- perfect for a golf lover!!)


Preppy Pink Princess is also hosting a giveaway for her one year blog-a-versary. She's giving away 6 (!!!) A Tierny bangles. So head on over and pick out your favorite colors!!

What we'd wear at Augusta

This Lilly dress (so cute on!) and the gold wedges for the opening party on Wednesday night or for a cocktail party over the weekend. These gold earrings with the aquamarine drop stones would accent the dress perfectly!


Blair would wear these pants, this belt, a white monogrammed button down, and a navy blazer for the cocktail party (with topsiders of course). He won't wear a Lilly tie, but I bet he'd wear this belt!




This outfit is for Sunday. Bright, sunny, comfortable and preppy. Perfect for the golfing world!



For Sunday, this belt, the lightweight linen shirt, khacki shorts, and leather flip flops. Easy and comfy for a long day of walking. He'd want to wear red shorts, but, really, it wouldn't match my yellow dress, and we have to show support for all the players, not just Tiger!!!