Raspberry Lemon Pound Cake

So, I finally got around to posting a recipe!

It's not like I haven't been cooking.

It's just that sometimes by the time I'm finished making something,

I have exerted all my energy and lack any motivation whatsoever

to make my dish look cute, take a picture, and then blog about it.

But I had the energy with this one!

I love pound cake.

In fact, I'm eating a piece right now as I type this.

I probably love it so much because it doesn't taste like a sugar overload.

Plus, when you have extra eggs just sitting in you fridge, it's a great way to use them.

Here's my recipe for Raspberry Lemon Pound Cake.

Raspberry Lemon Pound Cake 

Adapted from Martha Stewart

 

1 pound (3 1/4 cups) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon coarse salt
4 sticks softened unsalted butter, plus more for pans
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

zest from 1 lemon
9 large, room-temperature eggs

1 cup fresh raspberries (or thawed frozen)

 

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

 

2. Combine all-purpose flour and salt in a bowl.

 

3. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer on high speed until pale and fluffy (very important for you to mix it till it's very fluffy), for 8 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl. Reduce speed to medium, and add vanilla extract.

4. Lightly beat eggs, and add to mixer bowl in 4 additions, mixing thoroughly after each and scraping down sides. 

 

5. Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture in 4 additions, mixing until just incorporated. 

 

6. Add the lemon zest and beat a few more seconds. Then fold in the raspberries.

 

7. Divide batter between pans. Tap on counter to distribute; smooth tops.

 

8. Bake until a tester inserted into center of each cake comes out clean, about 65 minutes. Let cool in pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes before icing.

Lemon Icing:

2 cups powder sugar

juice from 1 lemon

pinch of salt

1. Mix icing ingredients together until smooth. Add more sugar if it needs thickening.

 

21 Week Update

How Far Along:
  21 Weeks

Size of the Baby:

  Baby is the size of a Pomegranate!

About 10.5 inches and 12 ounces.

Maternity Clothes:

I found some old/new clothes at a clothing swap

that a few friends and I had on Saturday...

and the few items even fit over my growing belly!

Weight gain:
Hehehe...well, I'm starting to pack on the pounds now.

I'm up a total of 12lbs.

Sleep:

One thing that has changed since I became pregnant...

I have to sleep with the window open.

Pretty much throughout my whole life, I have been a literal ice cube while I sleep

(ask Micah, I'm not exaggerating),

but now I find that I get so overheated at night

that I have to sleep with the window open

and a cool breeze blowing on my face.

(remember...I live in Montana...and it's winter...

and the cool breeze is actually arctic air that's probably around 10 degrees).

Best Moment of the Week:

I had to have another quick ultrasound,

so I was able to hear our little girls heartbeat again!

 

Movement:

I was able to feel her kick from the outside!

But unfortunately whenever Micah tries to feel she stops kicking.

Food Cravings:

I was finally able to eat eggs for breakfast... scrambled eggs!

It's been months since I've even been able to tolerate the smell eggs

and now I can eat them every morning!

Gender:

Still a girl!

Belly Button in or out:
In, but I'm beginning to notice that its getting flatter.

And, on a side note...

I'm now realizing that getting that belly piercing in my early twenties

(why oh why did I do that) was not the best of ideas. 

 Wedding ring on or off:
On

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Nope

What I miss:

I still miss coffee.

I would even be happy with a good cup of decaf,

but I read that coffee blocks vitamin absorption, so I've even cut out decaf.

What I am looking forward to:

I am looking forward for winter to be over,

so that I can sit outside with my big pregnant belly and soak up the sun!

Nursery:

Nothing new from last week.

 

Bed Rest Update:

The results of my last ultrasound came back

and the "complication" that had me on bed rest was no longer visible! 

That is a huge answer to prayer!!

So I think I will change this catagory from "bed rest update"

to "ways I've been relaxing".

My Week in Instagrams

Happy Saturday!

 

Best Dressed - Oscar 2013

Who was your choice for best dressed at the Oscars this year?

Mine was Jennifer Lawerence.

Her dress was, hands down, the most amazing thing ever.

The color, the cut, the fabric...

even the backwards necklace that hung down to her waist.

It just screams "old time Oscar royalty".

All Photos via: This is Glamorous

And of course, that graceful fall she took while accepting her award...

Dress still looked amazing.

Current Crush - Spiked Arm Candy

I am slightly obsessed with these spiked bracelets

that I seem to be seeing everywhere!

 I recently received some birthday money

and I am debating between two different options...

1. Buying some much needed items for the nursery, like this or this.

2. Buying this awesome Stella and Dot Spiked bracelet!

Oh the choices the choices.

What would you do?

HATCH Collection

I'm not quite there yet, but pretty soon,
I'll be in desperate need of some more maternity clothing.
And if I could have my dream maternity wardrobe...
it would probably be from Hatch.
Seriously, some of the most stylish maternity wear I have seen.

20 Week Update

How Far Along:
  20 Weeks

Size of the Baby:

  Baby is the size of a Banana!

Maternity Clothes:

I think it's about time to buy maternity jeans.

I can barely tolerate my belly bands.

Weight gain:
Gained another pound this week, so now I'm at a total of 9lbs gain.

Sleep:

Sleep has been a bit better since last week.

It's so crazy how one week I can be miserable,

yet the very next week I'm able to sleep much better.

I still toss and turn throughout the night from one side to the other,

so Micah doesn't sleep much. (hehehe)

Best Moment of the Week:

A stranger noticed (and commented) on me being pregnant!

I guess that means I'm showing. :)

 

Movement:

Little baby is still moving around in there.

But Micah has not been able to feel it from the outside yet.

Maybe in a few more weeks?

Food Cravings:

I'm not craving anything specific but there is one big change...

I'm hungry ALL THE TIME!

I swear, the moment I finish eating something,

my stomach starts growling again.

But the sad part about it is that nothing really satisfies me.

Sure, my stomach will stop growing,

but I don't leave feeling like what I just ate was amazing.

Gender:

Were having a girl!

Belly Button in or out:
In

Wedding ring on or off:
On

Anything making you queasy or sick:

The smell of cooking bacon still gets me at times.

What I miss:

Coffee. This was the first week where I really wanted a cup.

What I am looking forward to:

I'm really excited to start collecting baby things...

especially girly baby things!

Nursery:

We finally got it cleaned out and now we've begun the process 

of arranging the stuff we have collected so far.

I've started putting baby clothes away into the dresser

and Micah has been hard at work on repainting our changing table.

I'll post pictures when it's all finished!

 

Bed Rest Update:

I finished another book, The Looking Glass Wars.

I wouldn't waist your time reading it, it was kinda stupid. :(  

Now I've started reading the Anne of Green Gables Series...

I can't believe I never read these as a child!

My Week in Instagrams

This week was a good week.

Mostly because I can finally start to work on the nursery

since we know that we are having a little girl!

As I type this, Micah is working away at repairing

an old changing table that we found at an auction.

Just a little white paint and a few small "Jenn touches"...

and it will be just perfect!

Happy Sunday!

Team Pink

Bring on all things feminine,

were having a girl!

Disney Princesses

Ballet Recitals

Barbies and Paper Dolls...

This is going to be so much fun!

And Micah is going to be wrapped around her little finger.

 

Coral & Tusk

For the past couple weeks I have been working on a very cute Baby Registry on Amazon.
I love the fact that Amazon practically carries everything
and if there is something you find that you just love on some other site,
like Pottery Barn Kids (oh how dangerously cute their stuff is),
with just a click of a special Amazon Button on your toolbar
you favorite item can be automatically added to your amazon wish list.
Virtually letting you register for anything on the web at all!

Speaking of registering for anything...
I am LOVING the site Coral & Tusk!
I just might have to add a few items to my baby registry list.

19 Week Update

How Far Along:
19 Weeks

Size of the Baby:

  Baby is the size of a Mango!

Maternity Clothes:

In the past I have tried to wear something "cute"

when taking my weekly pregnancy update picture.

But today I thought to myself: "Forget that!" 

Let's be real for a minute.

My everyday attire looks a little something (okay a lot) like this...

Yoga pants, stretchy tee, wet hair in a bun, and minimal make-up.

Weight gain:
Since two weeks ago, I'm up to a total of 8lbs.

Sleep:

My hips are killing me.

Every morning my hips are throbbing so much from sleeping on my side all night

that it takes a couple hours for the throbbing to go away.

Any suggestions?

Best Moment of the Week:

Micah and I were able to do a few fun things this week...

 1. We went to a YWAM Staff Dinner

and I was able to wear a new Maternity dress that I bought.

2. Micah and I cooked a yummy dinner together for Valentines Day.

3. Micah and I were able to go to attend a "How To Host A Murder" Church Party,

which was a ton of fun and even though there were over a hundred people at the party,

each table of 8 played the game separately.

Here's a picture of Micah and I...

Movement:

YES!

I notice the baby moving now

at certain times each day.

Food Cravings:

Popcorn... very salty popcorn.

Gender:

Two more days till we find out!

Belly Button in or out:
In

Wedding ring on or off:
On

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Nothing new this week but I can finally eat chicken again!

What I miss:

Sleeping without being in pain all night.

What I am looking forward to:

Finding out if our baby is a boy or girl...

and then buying the cutest outfits.

Nursery:

Still looks like a mess, but were making progress.

And thanks to my talented friend Kelly,

I have my first piece of art to hang on the nursery wall.

Bed Rest Update:

I officially got the order from my midwife that I need to start "building up my strength"

after being on bed rest practically this whole time.

So what were her orders?

Take a walk around the block once a week.

I think I can manage that.

My Week in Instagram

This past week was my Birthday.

I will refrain from telling you my age, because it still shocks me when I think about it,

but lets just say that I'm old enough to have already considered botox

(and I'm not joking in the slightest).

 But Micah did treat me to a wonderful homemade breakfast, some awesome gifts,

and dinner out with friends to one of my favorite restaurants.

Happy Saturday!

My Obsession with TV Chefs

My obsession with the Food Network and the Cooking Channel started a long time ago.
I was house-sitting for a friend who had cable and got so sucked into these channels
that I literally spent hours upon hours watching one chef after another teach me how to cook.
I said to myself: "When I get my own house, I must have these two channels".
So, of course, we have both right now... I love it and I've learned so much.
But because I have this little obsession,
which has caused me to veg out for way to long in front of the TV
only to find that I'm really not cooking anything, just watching cooking(!)...
Well, I had to put some limitations on my TV Chef viewing.
I allow myself to only record a few shows that I am absolutely in love with.
One of these shows that has become a recent favorite of mine is...

The Little Paris Kitchen 

Here is a little blurb about the Chef of The Little Paris Kitchen:
"For the last year, this unconventional Cordon Bleu-trained cook (Rachel Khoo) and writer
has run the smallest restaurant in Paris from her charming little flat.
With only enough room to serve four guests,
it is here that she has perfected her special twists on classic French dishes...
Over six episodes, Rachel produces everything from simple suppers
to sumptuous patisserie and beautiful gourmet dinners."

Now I am just dying to get my hands on one of her cookbooks!

17 Week Update

How Far Along:
17 Weeks

Size of the Baby:

5 inches. Baby is the size of an Onion!

Maternity Clothes:

Still living in my maternity yoga pants (as you can see in the above picture).

But I'm shocked to see how my maternity yoga pants make my butt look huge and saggy.

The things one puts up with for the sake of comfort.

Weight gain:
Gained a half a pound. So now I'm at 5 1/2  total weight gain.

Sleep:
I haven't had to snack in the middle of the night this week,

but I feel like I wake up every hour to change positions.

Best Moment of the Week:

I was able to go on a women's retreat this weekend.

It was such a wonderful change from being at home most of the time

and I was able to catch up with many friends that I haven't seen in a while.

Movement:
I felt a small pop (kinda like a bubble popping) on Friday!!!

Such and exciting feeling, but I haven't felt anything since.

Food Cravings:

Brownies! I was craving them for days, yet I was too lazy to make them.

Thankfully my friend Mary made some for the Super Bowl... I was in heaven.

Gender:

I can't wait till February 20th gets here.

Belly Button in or out:
In

Wedding ring on or off:
On

Anything making you queasy or sick:

I found out the hard way that the baby does not like pizza.

This makes me very sad because it use to be one of my favorite things to eat.

What I miss:
During the women's retreat I wanted to join my friends in the Hot Tub.

I had to settle with just putting my feet in.

What I am looking forward to:

I am really anxious to feel more movement.

Nursery:

I found the cutest onesie set at Target that I just couldn't pass up!

Bed Rest Update:

Finished the book Rebecca (so good!).

Now I'm on the hunt for a new book... any recommendations?

A Great Expectation Wedding

I found pictures of this beautiful Great Expectation Wedding

on the talented Ginny Branch's Blog and completely fell in love.

And here is a magical 8mm video of the amazing wedding photo shoot.

Great Expectations | Super 8 Film from Chris Dekmar on Vimeo.

Before Midnight

If you grew up as a teen in the 90's, like me,

then you no doubt remember this movie...

Who could forget Jesse and Celine

and their one day romance that made every teenage girl

dream of one day being stuck in a record closet with Ethan Hawk.

 Am I right Ladies??

And then there was this sequel 9 years later,

where they spontaneously meet again.

Well, guess what...

they're back with their third film, Before Midnight.

Here is my dilemma...

I loved the first film, but I hated the second!

 So I'm plagued with the questions...

1. Will I even like the new movie?

2. Are the heavily wordy philosophical debates,

that are the signature behind this movie franchise,

even appealing outside of the 1990's.

3. Has my age and life experiences caused me to respond

to these "heavily wordy philosophical debates" with:

"No ones got time for that. I have dishes to do."

These are the questions I ask myself while I'm on "pregnancy rest".

I know, quite sad, but I've clearly ran out of things to do.

Winter

Isn't it true?
Watching the snow fall softly to the ground
is always so calming. 


Image Via: Tumblr

16 Weeks Pregnant

How Far Along:
16 Weeks

Size of the Baby:
Baby is the size of an Avocado!

Maternity Clothes:
Bought a few comfortable items from Old Navy:

Maternity yoga pants (such a comfort saver!)

Two cardigans (one shown in the pic above)

Weight gain:
Still at the 5lb marker.

Sleep:
Waking up at 3am to snack has began to be pattern.
And my dreams have been getting crazier...
no joke, I had a dream that I gave birth to a cat last night.
Not a cool dream at all.

Best Moment of the Week:
Micah and I went to a movie!

We saw "Silver Linings Playbook"... it was great by the way.

Movement:
Still not yet, but I am constantly waiting and hoping that it will be soon.

Food Cravings:
Fruit Leathers (in all flavors)

Pop Tarts (I finally caved and bought the real ones)

Fish Tacos (On the way to the movie

I made Micah stop and buy some at Taco del Sol

and they were amazing!)

Gender:
November 20th!

And, as of this week, we want to find out!

Belly Button in or out:
In

Wedding ring on or off:
On

Anything making you queasy or sick:
Chicken and Eggs are still out.

And now Bacon has started to taste sour to me.

What I miss:
To be honest, I would really love a glass of wine.

What I am looking forward to:
Feeling movement is still #1 on the list,

but I am also dying to know if it's a boy or girl!

Nursery:
Made some progress on removing all the xmas deco,

but we still have one more load to put in storage.

As soon as that is done I have a few "projects" for Micah to do on the Nursery.

Bed Rest Update:
Now that I'm feeling better, I've been able to enjoy reading again.

So far I finished "Between Shades of Gray" and I've started on "Rebecca".

My Week in Instagrams

It feels so good to be Instagraming again.

Or maybe I should say, it feels so good

to be feeling good enough to Instagram again.

And do you see that I'm posting food!

Yep, I've been cooking and slowly getting my appetite back.

Maybe one of these days I'll get enough energy to blog a yummy new recipe.

This week I was able to cook a two things...

Bean Stew with Fried Potatoes.

My mom use to cook this for our family when I was younger, 

and my grandma cooked it for my mom,

and my great grandma cooked it for my grandma... and so on and so on.

So, I think it's safe to say it's a family recipe and super delicious.

Cinnamon Pork.

My favorite Indonesian dish.

Well, let's be honest... it's the only Indonesian dish I have tasted,

but it's delicious none-the-less.

And it makes your house smell amazing when your cooking it.

 

 Have a great weekend!

Peter Rabbit for Gap

 From the moment Micah and I decided that we wanted a baby,

I knew that the Nursery had to have a Peter Rabbit Theme. 

I love Peter Rabbit... I love any Beatrix Potter Character.

And when I saw that Baby Gap has recently released

a Peter Rabbit inspired baby clothing line,

I knew I was in trouble. Like, serious financial trouble.

If we decide to find out early if our baby is a boy or girl, it's gonna be bad.

Because I already know what my first purchases will be...