Recipes from Friends: Lynn's Crusty Pound Cake Recipe (perfect for strawberry season!)

Our lovely friend Lynn WMy friend Lynn W from Birmingham is a wonderful cook and loves cooking for a crowd. Lynn is always entertaining and her brother always raves about her cooking when they have a family event. I think Lynn's cooking is his favorite part. Lynn's a wife, mom, grandmom, music lover, and also a very talented photographer... an all around amazing woman I am proud to call a friend.

Since it is almost strawberry and peach season down South, I asked Lynn to share one of her favorite classic recipes with us. This one is perfect warm right out of the oven or with fresh berries. Let me tell you, you are going to love this recipe! Her Crusty Pound Cake is very simple to make, so you can whip one up this weekend and you won't have to spend hours in the kitchen. Substitute this pound cake for those spongy cakes you usually get for Strawberry Shortcake. You can even grill it! Butter both sides and pop it on the grill to toast. Add fresh berries, some whipped cream and you've gone to heaven on a plate!

LYNN'S CRUSTY POUND CAKE RECIPE

1 ½ C butter, softened

3 C sugar

6 eggs

1 Tbls.  vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

3 C all-purpose flour

½ tsp. Salt

Cream butter in a large mixing bowl.  Add sugar gradually.  Add eggs, one at a time.  Add flavors.  Combine flour and salt.  Slowly stir dry mixture into batter.  DO NOT OVERBEAT.

Pour into greased and floured 10 inch tube pan.  Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 1 hour and 25 minutes (toothpick will come out clean).  Cool in pan 15-20 mins.  Remove from pan, and cool on cooling rack.

Now, Lynn suggests if you want a lot of crust, to make the recipe in a 13 x 9 inch pan instead of the tube pan. Use the old-school toothpick method to check doneness if you use a different pan. Insert a toothpick in the center of the cake, if it comes out clean, the cake is done.

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Martie Knows Weddings: Cotton Candy Tree & Candy Table Ideas

We did this adorable cotton candy tree and candy table for my sweet friend Kristina's wedding. I was looking through the images and I realized I had not posted this fun idea for a wedding or birthday party or a centerpiece for a candy bar or candy table buffet.

COTTON CANDY TREE HOW-TO

Decide on a color for the candy. You can readily find cotton candy in lots of colors- even at the dollar store and Wal-Mart! Kristina's wedding colors were blue and green so she opted for blue cotton candy. There are lots of online stores for cotton candy with tons of colors and cheaper prices.

Get tiny glycine envelopes or plastic treat bags from the party store or hobby store. Make up labels with your name, monogram, or a photo and affix them to the bag. Oriental Trading Company has the clear mini-treat bags $1.99 for two dozen.

You'll need a tree branch for the arrangement. A manzanita branch works well. I got branches from the yard... but hobby or floral supply stores have several different types.

Secure the branches in a tall vase. You'll need something to really weight it down. The "trunk" part of the branch needs to be pretty long if you are going to use a tall vase. We used river rock in the base for weight and filled the vase with water. Be sure to push the tree to the center of the table so children will not be tempted to pull on it. You should not use a glass container if the party is for kids. Use a plastic vase or a sand pail filled with sand (add a little water to wet the sand for weight) for a kids party.

Tie the bags of cotton candy to the tree with matching ribbon. We also tied several pairs of mini craft (not pointy) scissors to the tree so guests could snip the cotton candy.

Under the cotton candy tree, we put glass bowls, cylinders, and vases filled with different candies along with mini Chinese take-out boxes so guests could take home a treat from the couple. Easter candy is out so now would be a good time to find an assortment in the stores... but the day after Easter, all of the left-over candy will be 1/2 off! 

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Weekend Cocktail: Reata Restaurant's CF Cherry Limeade Recipe

Have you ever been to the famous Reata Restaurant in Ft. Worth, Texas? I love Ft. Worth and when I'm lucky enough to go, Reata is my first stop for their world-famous cowboy cuisine. I crave their Cherry Limeade and the Jalapeno and Cheddar Grits, the Tortilla Soup, and of course, the Chicken Fried Steak... or any other steak, for that matter. A double dose of Texas awesome! My friend Mike Micallef of Reata said I could share this recipe with all of you who can't pop into the restaurant for this perfect summer libation. Warning: once you try it, you'll crave it, too! Happy weekend! Enjoy!

CF Cherry Limeade from Reata Restaurant in Ft. Worth, TexasReata Restaurant's CF Cherry Limeade

2 ounces cherry vodka

1/4 ounce Grenadine

1/4 ounce Rose's Lime Juice

2 ounces sweet and sour mix

2 ounces Sprite

Ice cubes

Lime wheel and Marachino cherries for garnish.

Put all the ingredients into a glass filled with ice. Stir well. Garnish and enjoy!

Love cowboy cuisine? Buy Reata's cookbook on Amazon.com to get all of their amazing recipes or book a reservation at one of their restaurants: Reata Ft. Worth or Reata Alpine.

Make your own cherry vodka:

Infusing vodka is not complicated. If you don't want to buy a special cherry vodka, you can make your own! Take two cups of pitted fresh cherries- I like the darker red ones for this because the flavor is richer- and put them in a pticher. Add 1/8 teaspoon sugar. Take a wooden spoon and mash the cherries into the sugar until juice begins to appear. Then, pour two cups of good quality vodka over the top and let sit undisturbed for at least two hours. Longer is better.... more flavor. Strain the infused vodka into a pitcher or bottle. Keep in the freezer if you don't use all of it.

How to make your own sweet/sour mix:

The key to many great cocktails, this sour mix is also simple to make. If you are like me and don't like the stuff they put in the bottle variety, just make your own! With margarita season around the corner and Cinco de Mayo coming up, you'll want plenty of homemade sour mix on hand.

Makes 8 cups

3 cups water

3 cups sugar

2 cups fresh lemon juice

2 cups fresh lime juice

Make a simple syrup by combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar disolves. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. Then, mix the syrup, lemon juice, and lime juice in a pitcher and chill. You can make this up to three days in advance. Really helpful for a big party or event.

 Try more weekend cocktail recipes from Martie Knows Parties:

Belfast Lemonade

Martie's Pomegranate Lemonade

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

Firefly Vodka Lemonade

Pomegranate Margaritas

Classic Margarita

The Pink Pony

Eco-Friendly Party Idea: Plant Some Fun by Hosting a Garden-ing Party!

Need a great party plan for SPRING? This one can be used for so many different occasions. A GARDEN-ing Party or Planting Party is one of my very favorite party ideas. It is not only fun- my number one criteria for a party- but it's also a great way to get kids and adults in touch with growing vegetables and eating healthier. No matter if you want to plant veggies, flowers, or trees; hosting a planting party is fun for all ages. And the benefits will grow and grow!

When my nephew turned seven, I wanted to do something "educational" for his birthday. I was completely shocked at his response from the garden tools and vegetable plants and seeds that were his present. He started screaming at the top of his little lungs. "Okra! I got okra! And tomatoes! I got tomatoes!" He jumped up and down and squealed with delight. After he planted them, he would call me almost daily with a progress report. As the years went by, that kid would always plant a garden and grow tomatoes, peppers, and of course, okra. I've never forgotten that birthday:))

When the weather starts to get warm, most of us are ready to dig in the dirt, plant something, or freshen up outdoor space after a long winter. Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (the last week of April in most states) are coming up. And don't forget Mother's Day is May 8th. Wouldn't it be wonderful to make-over your mom's patio or yard with some colorful new plants or a few vegetable plants?

Many schools, youth organizations, and neighborhoods are growing community gardens. But if you don't have that movement happening in your area, start one! You don't need a lot of people at first. You can start small. Ask a couple of neighbors to participate and split the cost and the responsibilities of maintenance. There are some great sites with information on community gardens including tips on everything from getting started to funding.

• American Community Garden Association
• Urban Harvest
• ABC News Article

Any occasion is right for a planting party: a best friend's birthday, wedding, bridal shower or wedding party at your house, your kid's birthday, neighborhood party, family reunion, or community garden day. You really don't need a reason to host a planting party. It's one of those do-good, feel good types of parties that I love! Here's the how-to:

INVITATIONS & GUESTS

Think old-timey barn raising-- remember when neighbors would help a family build a barn? Friends would show up with tools and the barn would go up. This is the same premise. Invite friends to come build a garden. If it is a community garden, you'll need to form a committee and divvy up the planting and chores. For the party above, the host provided lunch and the guests provided the plants for her birthday presents. After a few hours of planting, guests had a lovely lunch on the patio, completely freshened up and ready for spring!

THE MENU

Salad in a Jar: Make these ahead for an easy and healthy lunch for party guestsIf you are hosting the party at your house, you'll provide the food and drinks. If you are surprising someone with a garden or yard make-over, then you'll also provide the food... my salad in a jar is perfect for a quick lunch on work day. You can prep in advance and store in the fridge or a cooler until it's time to eat.

A big dispenser with chilled water, lemonade, and/or Sweet Tea (I'm from the South where Sweet Tea is essential) will keep everyone hydrated and happy. Plus, the serve-yourself option always makes bartending and hostessing duties easier. Or, if you don't have a large dispenser, fill up a tub, wheelbarrow, or large planter with ice and chill your favorite beverages. I personally like the wheelbarrow because you can move it around easier--- important if you are in the sun. As the sun shifts, you can move the drinks into the shade so the ice won't melt:)Planting party survival kit with Advil, band-aids, gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, etc

SUPPLIES

I always have a "survival kit" made up for any outdoor party. It includes everything we might need: bandaids, wipes, sunscreen, bug spray, bandanas, hats, visors, tools, etc. You get the idea. Keep it where guests can find it so they can stay cool, comfortable, and prepared to be out in the elements.

DECORATIONS

Look at the pretty decorations from our own Garden-ing Party! I used lots of garden supplies for the decorations that everyone was able to take home after the party including these colorful ceramic toadstools from JJ Potts. Find more more cute garden accessories and supplies from the great folks at Plow and Hearth and Gardener's Supply. I also found some adorable watch and grow planting pots at Oriental Trading Company. I think they make perfect party decorations and they are functional!

Burlap table overlay, paper and melamine plates, and plastic margarita glasses are cheap chic!Too cute toadstools made in the USA from JJPotts

ENTERTAINMENT

Everyone loves to work to music! Make a party playlist of your own favs; whether your gang likes old-school or pop, make a playlist of tunes to run the length of the party. Or skip the music and let the gossip and girl talk take center stage!

If you need more information or ideas for your own planting party, I've got tons! Just message me from my website and I'll respond!

Happy planting.... happy SPRING!

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Irish Beer Cheese Fondue

Perfect for St. Patrick's Day parties, this beer cheese fondue is made with Irish cheddar and Guinness, the stout Irish beer. Your friends will loooovvee this recipe. And once you have it made, you can leave it on low in a crockpot or fondue pot and forget it! Best of all, it's self-serve; you just need to make sure you have enough because your guests will scarf this down. Seriously, it might be my new obsession. And don't worry if St. Patrick's Day is long past, this is a wonderful starter for a party, an appetizer for a dinner party, or a nice dinner for two in front of the fire.

Use Irish cheddar and an Irish stout like Guinness for a full, hearty tasteGuinness Beer & Cheese Fondue

Makes about 2 1/2 cups, enough for an appetizer portion for 8 guests

Serve with a brown hearty bread or French baguette cut into cubes

2 lbs cheddar cheese (Irish cheddar, like Kerrygold, is great. Find it at most Whole Foods stores.)

1 1/2 cups Irish beer, like Guinness stout

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dry mustard  (like Coleman's)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Dash cayenne pepper

salt and pepper to taste

In a 2 quart fondue pan or heavy pot over medium heat, warm 1 cup of the beer until bubbles slowly rise to the surface. About 5 minutes. While you are waiting, mix the cheese, cornstarch, and mustard and toss together. Add the cheese mixture to the hot beer, a handful at a time, stirring until all the cheese is melted and the fondue is smooth and bubbly, adding the other 1/2 cup of beer a little at a time to thin the mixture slightly, stirring constantly. Add the salt, pepper, cayenne, and Worcestershire. Stir well and transfer to a fondue pot or lower heat and let the the mixture slowly bubble. Dip chunks of hearty bread, veggies, or fruit into the mixture. Warn guests that the mixture will be hot and do check the temperature from time to time. 

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