Spring into Mother's Day!

Photo by: Celeste m. Photography

Citrus Pound Cake

Ruth Cousineau

Gourmet  | January 2008

Yield: Makes 8 servings

Active Time: 20 min

Total Time: 3 1/2 hr (includes cooling)

Homemade pound cake hits all the right notes—it's buttery, rich, and immensely satisfying. This version is classic, with hints of lemon and orange, perfect with afternoon tea
.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sifted cake flour (not self-rising; sift before measuring)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature 30 minutes
• 2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• Garnish: confectioners sugar for dusting

Preparation

Preheat oven to 325°F with rack in middle. Butter an 8 1/2- by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Mix together sugar and zests with an electric mixer at low speed until sugar is evenly colored, then add butter and beat at high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

Beat in eggs 1 at a time at medium speed, scraping down side of bowl frequently, then beat in juices and vanilla. At low speed, mix in flour mixture until just incorporated.

Spread batter in loaf pan and rap pan several times on counter to eliminate air bubbles. Bake until golden and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Cool in pan on a rack 30 minutes, then run a knife around edge of pan and invert cake onto rack. Cool completely, top side up.

*celeste m. Additions...

I added frosting 

1 small lemon juiced, a drizzle of milk, a sprinkle of sea salt, a few cups of powdered sugar. Mix until it is thick but still able to drizzle. I did the white first, saved half then added two drops yellow coloring and went over the top.

Than I mixed chopped citrus peel with white sugar. And sprinkled it on top.

Cooks' Note:Cake improves in flavor if made at least 1 day ahead and can be made 5 days ahead and kept, wrapped tightly, at room temperature.

I probably over cooked it a bit because I'm a bit old fashioned and like to think it's done when I smell it:) so watch your time!

Here you can see a close up of the top!

I love taking photos outside of food:) this is my little bistro table on my porch. I love to have coffee here! And what a gift, flowers from my yard!❤️

How pretty are these vintage plates... They were my grandmother's!

Hope you enjoy!

Xo

Celeste❤️

P.s. Just a cute little song from the celeste m. Music cafe:

http://youtu.be/wyinJyWUhas

We are getting fresh with tulips!

Good morning! And welcome to another chilly, but sunny day in Cleveland!

I hope you found some wonderful, easy ways to get you through this cold snap from yesterday's post.

Today in our celeste m. Studio it's all about flowers...

Tulips to be exact. They are one if my favorite fresh cut flowers. And they just scream "It's spring!" 

One reason I love them is that there is very little prep work when you get them home. I owed a floral business and worked in the floral industry and prepping roses with all the leaves and thorns it literally a pain.

There are so many varieties (3,000 to be exact) of tulips and the colors are endless. When you bring them home cut an inch off the bottom with a sharp knife... No scissors, it bruises the stem. Then pop them in water. The tulips actually will keep growing so you may find yourself trimming them as the week goes on so they don't take over your house. You can change the water every few days to make them last longer.

Tulips symbolize imagination, dreaminess, perfect love or a deceleration of love. I also recently learned that tulip bulbs are edible and can be used in the place of an onion when cooking... I think I will stick to sweet Spanish onions though.:)

So while we wait to spring to come in Cleveland treat yourself to a bouquet of tulips. It will put a smile on your face to wake and see them on your nightstand. I found some really beautiful and inexpensive tulips at Trader Joe's.

Even if you are not fond of fresh flowers pick up a sweet little arrangement of silk flowers to brighten a spot in your house.

And don't forget your entryway! What a wonderful greeting to all who enter! You can buy door wreaths at every craft store pre-made or make your own with a blank grapevine wreath and some hot glue!

Enjoy this glorious day...treat yourself and others well. Remember to find time to make your own sunshine:)

All my best,

Celeste xo ❤️

A favorite from celeste m's music cafe:

"Go outside" by the Cults

http://youtu.be/vWnGQPOQLhw

 

A whole box of happiness!

What a weekend!

There is something so exciting to me when I entertain! I love it all, from searching out what I will make, shopping for ingredients, decorations, flowers and planning the meal.

I love bringing people together and spoiling them! I know that we don't slow down enough... Take time to just talk and visit... Unless it a holiday, but holidays are stressful in their own right. I like to celebrate just any old day! Build a fire, brew an endless pot of coffee and watch everyone sink into the sofa, read the paper and just wallow in the day! Like my dear friend Kristen said "It is always like a mini vacation day!"

When I hear that... I know I accomplished my goal!

Of course there is always fun to be had too! We play soccer, basketball, go for a walk with everyone. It's so interesting when you walk as a group to watch who gravitates to eachother. Ry gave us all a clinic on his skateboards! Everyone tried out the longboards and loved it! the boys have informed me that i will be needed my own board, aparently I'm kinda a board hog!:0 

Hint, hint, mother's day is coming and a certain someone is having a birthday soon! 

We are casual here... Don't want to get out of your Jammie's? Don't! We go barefoot and hats at the table are no worries for us! Kick your feet up on the coffee table and chill!

This sweet boy was up way to early for a teenager and is always such a great helper! Here he surprised me with a flower. Get in line girls... They don't make them like him very often:)

And because I have the best people in my life that are so helpful, I actually got to enjoy my morning run and my coffee and magazine after, in the sunshine before everyone came to our barefoot beachy brunch!

So chose carefully the people you let in your life. The most wonderful people know how to be good to others. Stay far away from those who take more than they give. They will take all of your kindness and just sit around waiting for you to give more. When you treat others well, you are worthy of being adored! Wait for it!❤️

And I got to wear my billabong surfer girl skirt! So that made me happier! Treat yourself and others well and always try and leave everything and everyone better then you found them!

All my best!

Celeste xo ❤️