Walnut Bread, Pineapple Brownies and Pão de Ló

I don't know about you, but I have been craving sweets like crazy, lately...!!! I love baking, and when times are busy (when are they not busy...??!!!), I fall back to fast, time-tested, family favorites!! I have, at one point or another, published these recipes, but I thought I would bring them back for those who may have missed them. Trust me, they are truly delicious, and take so little time to whip up!! A funny story happened shortly after I published one of my recipes... One day, while visiting a local antiques show, a woman stopped me in my tracks, pointed at me and said "Pineapple Brownies!!!".  I nodded and said, yes, that was me... She quickly called her husband and proceeded to tell him that I had been the one who had shared the pineapple brownies recipe. To my complete surprise, he placed his hands around my shoulders, leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek!! I still giggle when I think about it!!

YUMMIEST WALNUT BREAD EVER

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (I just place a handful of walnuts in a sandwich bag and whack it with a rolling pin!)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the ingredients until blended. Pour batter onto a greased and floured loaf pan and bake for about 1 hour or until inserted toothpick comes out dry. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Yummy!!

PINEAPPLE BROWNIES

1 3/4 cups flour

1 3/4 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple (with juice)

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour onto greased brownie pan. Bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes. When cool, frost with powdered sugar or cream cheese icing. For extra flavor, add a small amount of pineapple juice to icing.

PÃO DE LÓ

(a portuguese recipe)

4 large eggs

same weight in sugar (about 1 cup)

same weight in flour (about 1 cup)

1 tablespoon baking powder

Separate egg yolks from whites. Beat yolks with sugar until creamy in consistency and color. Add flour and baking powder. Beat egg whites until they peak, then gently fold into the mixture (add a little bit first, as the mixture might be thick, then add the rest). Cook in greased bundt pan at 350 F for about 25 minutes. Enjoy!

A leap of faith...

This picture remains, to this day, one of my all-time favorite pictures...

The way my daughter looks at the enormity of the challenge ahead, while listening to her older sister's words of encouragement really touches my heart...

It summarizes one of the most important life lessons I strive to ingrain into my children's soul... 

"Take a moment of pause when faced with life's major decisions, open your heart to the voice of those who truly want you to succeed, then have the courage to take a leap of faith knowing you have worked hard to achieve your dream..."

Maybe I can follow in their footsteps....

Le Cirque de Tarte

I can't tell you how exciting it is to see my friend Cindy's magical vision come to life... Everywhere I turn, something truly stirs my senses, it reflects a combination of love of the old with a bohemian, gypsy-like spirit, whimsical and fun!! Tarte is a store located in Aurora, OR and is open every third weekend of each month. If you have not been to Aurora, you are in for a treat! It is a quaint little town with lots of antique shops, a huge architectural salvage center and a quaint museum... A do-no-miss destination!!!

A dream home in the spanish countryside...

 A little french inspiration from my favorite go-to decor site is just what I needed today... The surprise is that this gorgeous home, reminiscent of a centuries old french country farm is actually brand new... And it is not in France, it lies in the breathtaking countryside of Spain...!! Enjoy the European inspiration!!

 

My booth at Farm Chicks and a few creations...

As promised, here are some pictures of my booth at FC... Now, looking back, I wish I had taken more pictures, but, as you can see, there were early shoppers already in!!

 Here are some of my creations that I did not have time to share before...

... And here is the only picture I have of myself at the show (taken with my phone)...!!! Not the best quality, but it will have to do!!!

As for the lone treasure that came home with me from Farm Chicks...? Here it is! I love, love, love it!!! It will be a great addition to my collection of countryside paintings...!!!