Lemon Butter Cake with Simple Lemon Glaze

I'm not above using a cake mix.  In fact, two nights ago I was really in the mood for lemon cake.  So, I got out a white cake mix, added some lemon zest and juice - presto.  Lemon cake.  I made it into a loaf shape and drizzled it with a glaze.

After I cut into a piece, I thought... this would make a nice new blog header for spring.

So, today, with only a few slices of the original cake remaining I needed to make another lemon cake for my photo shoot.  I was planning to make another quick white-cake-mix-turned-lemon-cake-loaf, when I discovered that I was out of cake mix.  No big deal, I thought, I'll just whip up a cake from scratch - I had everything I needed.
  

 

Let me tell you... the homemade version was hands down the better cake.  It was like slicing into a baked stick of lemony butter.  It probably didn't help that I helped myself to a big slice when it was still warm from the oven.  It was dense, but light - and just the right amount of lemon.

Please, treat yourself to a homemade cake.  It really took me hardly any time at all.  I bet you already have everything in your pantry...

Lemon Butter Cake

makes 1 medium loaf size cake 

New! Printable Recipes, here.

1 stick of butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk

2 lemons, zested & juiced
1 teaspoon vanilla

.......

1 lemon, zested and juiced

1 1/2 cup of powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350.

In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Cream together butter and sugar for 3 minutes.  Add eggs.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt.  In another separate bowl, combine milk, lemon juice, zest and vanilla.  Add half of the wet ingredients to the butter sugar mixture, mix for 5 seconds, then add half of the dry and mix for 5 seconds.  Repeat with second half, ending with dry ingredients.  Pour batter into loaf pan - I like to line mine with parchment paper.  Bake for 35-40 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean.

For glaze, mix together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.  Pour over slightly warm cake.  Top with lemon zest. 

I made some cupcakes for Emma - she helped with the glaze and did the sprinkles all by herself.

New Addition to our House | Driving me nuts... I need your help!

 

We purchased our new house because it was in our favorite neighborhood, had great curb appeal and enormous potential.  As I've mentioned a thousand times before, we plan on doing a substantial addition to make the home bigger and more open.  We're in the process of meeting with architects and contractors in our area and starting to really think about what we want the addition to look like, feel like and how we want it to function to suit our lives.

I'm discovering that there are so many things to consider.  It seems like once I have a good vision of what I want it to look like, I see a photo of another interior and I change my mind completely.  The big debate is whether to do it open and airy (think Barefoot Contessa's barn) or cozy and warm (think wood paneled room, stone fireplace hearth room with big leather chairs).  I'd love to find a way to do both... maybe open floor plan with warm and cozy finishing.

I was so amazed at the great ideas offered up last week on recommendations for our bedroom, that I am now seeking your advice on this giant project.  Any tips you have on doing an addition - are there things you wish you would've thought about when you did your house?

I've been doing a little sketching on my computer of various layouts.  By the way, this is my test for architects and contractors when we're interviewing them - I show them my sketched ideas.  I want to see how frightened they are by a client that has many ideas and wants to be very, very involved : )

Here is what our house looks like now :

If you are new to the blog, you can see photos of our house here : http://www.jennysteffens.com/housetour.html

And here is what my vision (for the moment...) is : 

As you can see, we'll be refinishing the existing garage space into a guest suite with full bath attached (an idea from our neighbor's home!) and adding an attached 2-car garage.  We'd also like to extend the foyer area by 3-4 feet so the entrance is more open.  We'll add a 12 foot addition and combine the existing dining and kitchen areas into the new part to create one large room with designated areas for kitchen, dining and family/tv.  

 

(image from ForTheLoveOfAHouse.blogspot.com)

I'm envisioning a center stone fireplace with a table (either long or round - depending on the day/occasion) and french doors on either side opening up the patio.  I love this photo from For The Love Of A House - her cozy table in front of the fire has been my main point of inspiration.  You must visit her blog... the entire house is stunning.   She blends light and open with cozy perfectly.  Our kitchen will have very similar finishings (I think) - painted cabinets with marble countertops. However, our room will be quite a bit larger and more open, so I want to be sure I'll be able to create that same cozy factor...?

Notice how her ceiling is normal height.  Our ceilings will be 8ft because that is what they are in the rest of the house and we will be adding rooms above and a basement below... so, I do know that we will not have the grand vaulted ceiling look in our new addition.  I would like to add the beadboard ceiling and beams, though to add some interest and breakup the large room (which will end up being 28ft x 22ft).  Any other ideas are welcome!

Here are other inspiration photos I've gathered... I'm keeping them in this Pinterest board.  If you find something you think I'll like, pin it and add the #tag #JennysNewAddition. 

BHG.com

I love this kitchen.  The stained wood island, marble and painted cabinets remind me a lot of my sister's kitchen - all of the things I love.   I think the wood adds some of that 'cozy' factor.

 

houzz.com 

Open.  Our seating area would not be nearly this size.  I'm picturing two over-sized loveseats facing each other with a big ottoman in the middle. 

 

 PhoebeHoward.net

 

PhoebeHoward.net 

Me, being the symmetrical-all-lined-up nut that I am, loves this kitchen.  

Long island, long table.  Perfect clean design, but not cold.

 

And then... I love this warmer tone.  Is it too refined?  Do you picture it with a cozy sitting area?  Not sure!

 

Love all of the finishings here - I will definitely be keeping my brass pulls for the kitchen.   I shared this photo last year and it is still amongst my favorites... I guess that is the test!

Here are things I need your help on :

Mudroom?  

Pantry?

Storage ideas?

Desk spot in the kitchen?  Built in?

Layout - should their be more separation?

Please share links and ideas - or links to your own pinterest boards!

Our New Bed : Pottery Barn Upholstered Ivory Linen Bed

So, you know how I've been talking about how I'm going to post photos of our new refreshed bathroom?  Well, yesterday we received a delivery and I became distracted, and now you are getting to see photos of our new bed instead.  Furthermore, now I feel like I have officially built up the bathroom reveal to be much more than what it actually is... I feel like I need to add a little ta-da to it so it will live up to expectations.  So, I'll leave you in suspense for one day longer.  Or a couple... there is still some touch up work and caulking to do, artwork to be hung (and selected...), etc.  

Back to my newest distraction.  Our bedroom.  I am not posting this to show off what great design and styling I have accomplished in our room, but to ask for some input.  The new bed (Raleigh Upholstered Camelback from Pottery Barn) was delivered yesterday - upholstered in ivory linen and is so comfy and cozy.  I really love it - it makes the room so comfortable.   Now that the bed has arrived, I am at a loss what to do above the headboard.  Thoughts?  Also, we are starting to look for a new dresser and night stands.  I'm at a loss for what I want.  I start by thinking I want classic pine, then I think, what about something more modern?  Or rustic?  Painted or wood?  Antique walnut or something more fresh?  So, it is in your hands.  I'm looking for help with the artwork and the furniture... the overall styling.  Right now I feel like it is a blank slate - which is nice.  It is light and refreshing, but I feel like it is missing a little style.  Insights, links to sites and random ideas are all welcome.

I'm thinking I need to re-paint the chest... maybe just cream to match the trim?  

 

I have made some adjustments to the dresser we inherited from Mike's childhood room - I added some trim and base board to give it more structure, darkened the stain a little (it was more of a lighter reddish oak with mission style pulls) and added brass pulls (DIY post on this later) so I could live with it a little longer.  Actually, it looks better in person - not as much red shows through in real life, but it is just getting us by for the moment.

Does anyone have any ideas about how to decorate around and above the TV?  Should I just do tall lamps on each side?  Or try to do artwork all around?  Do I need to put something light (runner, basket...) under the TV to break up the dark TV on the dark dresser?

My decorating assistant.  

Again, the dresser that is looking much more 'red' in this photo than in real life.  It is more of a deep, neutral brown.

Ducking out of the shot.  So cute, my little Emma.

This table moved up here when the Christmas Tree went up in the living room... it will be going back down when we can replace it with a set of night stands.  If we ever find some we like!  Can't wait to hear everyone's ideas!  I'll be sharing some inspiration photos that I find and that are shared with me.  Stay tuned! 

And, don't hold your breath for the bathroom update - caulking and touching up paint doesn't sound fun at all!

My Birthday Weekend | Comfort Food & Pot Roast Recipe

Last weekend was my birthday weekend - that's right, weekend.  Our trip to Seaside was my real birthday gift (along with a new fancy camera lens), so my only request for my actual birthday weekend was to spend a cozy weekend in lounging around and feast on comfort food.

Photo Note : So, even though I got a new fancy lens for my birthday, I forgot to have it with me most of the weekend - sorry!!  I think after vacation I was sooo photoed out.  But, I am sharing my phone photos that I posted on instagram mixed with some of my 'real' photos from my birthday dinner.

On Saturday (my actual birthday), Mike and I got to sleep in (a real gift these days!), made biscuits and gravy (talk about a comfort food weekend...) and I lounged on the couch and drank coffee with the fire roaring.  What a glamorous life I lead!  Isn't it funny how you good it feels to indulge in the simplest things sometimes?

When Emma got home from her sleepover we took her sledding - my birthday seems to always be either sun or snow.  Did I mention that we have a 1ft+ of snow?  It greeted us when we got home from vacation last week.  She was so-so about sledding and the snow in general, but loved to be pulled in the little tot sled we borrowed from our neighbors. 

(instagram photo)




Mike and I enjoyed a late night dinner at home after Emma went to bed - seared filets with a reduced wine and mushroom sauce and truffle mashed potatoes.  Mike said, "I love that you can go in the kitchen and just whip this up in 20 minutes without even going to the store."  Exactly.

(instagram photo)

 

We finished the weekend with a good ole Sunday night family supper at our house - Braised Pot Roast, Chive and Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Orange Braised Carrots and Parsnips, and "homemade" bread (my favorite - frozen rhodes bread dough).  Everyone repeatedly asked me if I'd rather go out for my birthday dinner, but there is nothing I like better than to cook for everyone at my house. 

Braised Pot Roast

3-4 pound Chuck Roast
2 teaspoons of sea salt
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 teaspoons of black pepper
1 yellow onion, quartered
2 cups of beef broth
2 tablespoons of liquid smoke
2 tablespoons of worcestershire
2 teaspoons of onion powder
2 teaspoons of garlic powder

Coat the roast with salt and pepper on both sides.  In a large dutch oven, sear the roast on both sides for about 3-4 minutes per side.  Remove the meat from the pot and sear the onions for 3-4 minutes.  Add beef broth and stir the pan with a wooden spoon, releasing all of the brown bits.  Whisk in the liquid smoke, worcestershire, onion powder and garlic powder.  Add the roast back in to the pot.  Cover and cook in the oven at 200 degrees for 8 hours (or more).  

Remove the meat from the pot and place it a shallow serving platter (or baking dish) covering it with foil.  Put the pot on the stove-top and boil the sauce for 15 minutes until it reduces and thickens slightly.  Pour over the roast and serve. 

The onions searing... love my Staub!

After the roast had cooked for 8 hours, I turned the oven off and let it sit in the oven with the bread that was rising.  The warm oven was the perfect spot for the bread.

Here is my "homemade" bread... made from store-bought frozen bread dough.

 Chive and Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes served in a pie dish, one of my favorite ways to serve things - I think they are sooo under utilized as serving pieces.

 Orange Braised Carrots and Parsnips - a favorite from my Month with The Barefoot Contessa (featured at the dinner party).

After receiving a texted photo (left) of Emma enjoying her first Oreos dipped in milk last week, my mom decided to make a "dirt cake" for dessert (above).  Huge hit with Emma.

I'm hoping this is the last of our cozy snow weekends... I've been potting daffodils and hyacinth all around the house to encourage the weather!

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup from Nine and Sixteen

I hate to admit it, but I don't read a lot of blogs.  Terrible, I know!  It seems like I just can't find more than a handful that I can remember to keep up with.  One that I never mess is Tessa's Nine and Sixteen.  I'll bring up her name in conversation with my husband like she is a personal friend, "Tessa posted about her son's school talent show today and it was the sweetest thing I've ever read.  Ever."  And, he knows exactly who I'm talking about.

When I started reading her blog my perspective on blogging changed.  She is real in her writing.  She shares her life in such an honest (but not tooooo open and out there) real way that has encouraged me to write in a more personal style.  Her family's lifestyle seems to be of a comfortable, but thoughtful one with home-cooked dinners, plenty of projects and special quiet moments.  She says things like, "When my boys are grown they'll probably say their mother was always in the kitchen {and her closet and car were a disaster} and she read me the best stories."  I love that.  

Tessa shared this recipe for  Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup last April.  When we were on our way back from Seaside last week to our blizzard struck home, I was thinking about this soup and knew it would be the perfect light and fresh, but warm and comforting soup I needed.  Everyone in our family loved it - even Emma.  I loved that everything was the perfect size for her.  It was not too lemony, just enough to bring a freshness to what is otherwise a chicken and vegetable soup. 

Thanks, Tessa!  Here is link to the recipe for Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup on her blog!

The soup is garnished with roasted lemon slices.  If you have never tried cooking a lemon, I highly recommend it - they seem to transform.

Seaside Part III | Beach Day

Finally, a beautiful day at the beach!  This is the last post about our trip - enjoy!

 

Mid-morning nap.

Very busy.

Dada, wait for me!

Tomorrow I'll be back to sharing recipes and house things!