Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Time for Summer: Key Lime Pound Cake


Nothing says summer like Key Lime! I was in the mood for something sweet so last week I made this delicious Key Lime Pound Cake. Being from the south, my favorite cake ever is always pound cake, but the added key lime flavor made this fave even better. The recipe is from Southern Living and I found it on Pinterest. Another reason to keep Pinning!

Key Lime Pound Cake

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. lime zest
1/4 cup fresh Key lime juice

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat butter and shortening at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-inch (12-cup) tube pan.

Bake at 325 for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10-15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack.

(See http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/2011/03/key-lime-pound-cake.html for more details.)

Drama Department Banquet: Bravo!

Last night we attended the annual NHS Drama Department Banquet. This is always a fun event because the students run the whole thing and present awards to their peers in a very entertaining way. It was especially delightful last night because Ashlyn won multiple honors. We are so very proud of her hard work this year! She follows in her brother's footsteps and we are proud of both of our talented thespians!

Best Actress in a Play, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, New Dance Captain for 2012-2013, All District Cast for One Act!

Newly Elected Jr Rep for Thespian Society and Former NHS Thespian Pres.

Three Winners!
Best Actress in a Play & Best Supporting Actor in a Play

The Banquet was only one part of the experience. The night before,  pastry chefs took over my kitchen!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Bubby Got a New Car!


After four wonderful years driving the purple, yes purple, Rav 4... Austin moved on to a new car. He is the proud owner of a pretty stylin' black Subaru. Way to rock the new car, Austin!

Smarties, You Betcha'!

Big congratulations to Ashlyn and the other newest inductees into National Honor Society! It takes a lot of hard work to be part of such a prestigious organization. We are so proud of you!
Way to go, Ashlyn!

Yay, Ash & Cory!

So proud of both Elliott kids!

MeMe & Ash

Ash & Da Boys!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Prom: Then and Now

Tim & Lori 1986: KHS Prom

Tim & Lori 1986: KHS Prom
High School Prom is such a memorable occasion for many of us. Tim and I attended each other's Proms when we were seniors. I know... that was a long time ago.




















We celebrated with Austin his Junior and Senior Proms as well. It was such fun to meet with all the families of the kids going to Prom and take pictures of our beautiful kids.

Austin & Jocelyn: 2008 NHS Prom

Da Boys: 2008 Prom



























This weekend, we hit another milestone. Ashlyn attended her first Prom. She was gorgeous! We loved all the excitement that came along with the big night. There were hair appointments, manis & pedis, dress hemming, makeup shopping, on and on. Loved every minute of it! It is definitely different having a daughter go to prom instead of a son. Way more involved and lots more money! Totally worth it.

Ashlyn and her adorable date, Cory and their best pals Adam & Madison met at our house first to take photos. There were family members and friends everywhere snapping photos. So much fun! Then we were off to the high school to meet with 20 more kids and their families to take more pictures. The laughter and joy was priceless. They went on to dinner and Prom and came back to our house to recap the evening with us before heading home. Watching your kids grow up is tough, but seeing them so very happy makes it much easier. Knowing your kids have wonderful friends and they let you in on the fun too makes this "letting go thing" less painful. Thanks Austin & Ashlyn for letting your Dad and myself be part of your big nights! We love you so very much and the memories we have together keep us going when we know you have to grow up.




I just think this is the sweetest picture ever!


Pic by Bailey Jones: Bly Amour Photos

Picture by Bly Amour Photography

The return of Kitty!

The Theater Department Gang


Monday, April 9, 2012

Easter Sunday 2012

It was a blessed Easter for sure! I got to spend the whole weekend with my family and loved every minute of it. The tradition around here is new Sunday outfits to wear to church, Easter baskets..no matter how old you get to be, and an egg hunt. The weather this year was beautiful and Mom had a yummy meal for us to enjoy. Her banana pudding this year was magnificient as always!



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Saturday, April 7, 2012

Easter Fun Begins


Easter is my favorite holiday. I know that may seem strange to some but I love the bright colors, time with family, Easter baskets, and of course the reason for the season. To kick off this year's festivities we had a little Easter Egg Decorating Party at our house for a group of Ashlyn's friends. Some of the kids had not dyed Easter eggs in years. Tim and I enjoyed hanging out with such outstanding peeps.


I was really pleased with my latest cake pops.. chicks and eggs. The gang requested cake pops and I tried to make some that were Easter perfect. Everyone seemed to love them.


Thanks to Pinterest.. I made my own Bunny Bait with popcorn, pretzels, Rice Chex cereal, M & Ms, and melted white chocolate.