Vintage Lemon Cake Roll & Some Homemade Lemonade....

After a gloomy start to the week, our Summer days came back with a heat wave. Boy is it a hot one. We are also continuing our Summertime 1940's lessons. One thing we have been enjoying is reading some books on the subject. We went to the Library and borrowed a whole stack on life in the 40's, Wartime and more. As you may or may not know.....I am a hands on kinda teacher. The best way we find to learn is doing things "Hands On". One of our favorite things to do is bake. We also need to bring a dessert over to our new friends home....So we had to find a recipe that was frugal yet delicious. And well....Since we are studying the 1940's, why not bake something that would have been made during that time.

We found the perfect recipe by a lady who grew up in the 40's....

The recipe was her mothers. She remembers her mom making it way back when. 

Perfect.... We had everything on hand too. Even better. Despite the heat,

 we turned on the oven to bake...Daring, I know.

Here is the recipe:

Vintage 1940's Lemon Cake Roll

Ingredients for spongecake:

3 eggs

1 C. sugar

3 Tbl. water

1 C. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

14 tsp. salt

Filling:

1 C. sugar

3 Tbl. all purpose flour

1 egg slightly beaten

3/4 C. water

1/4 C. lemon juice

Directions:

• Line a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with waxed paper. Grease the paper; set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs for 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar; beat for 2 minutes or until mixture becomes thick and lemon-colored. Stir in water. Combine dry ingredients; fold into egg mixture. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
• Bake at 375° for 12-14 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
• Invert onto a kitchen towel dusted with confectioners' sugar. Gently peel off waxed paper. Roll up cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool completely on a wire rack.
• For filling, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar, flour, egg, water and lemon juice. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature.
• Unroll cake; spread filling evenly over cake to within 1 in. of edges. Roll up again. Place seam side down on a serving platter. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 10-12 servings.

It turned out, not only gorgeous, but delicious. 

We made one as a taste tester for the family.

 ( it passed )

As another one will be made for our hosts this weekend.

 Freckles did an excellent job in the kitchen. I am so very proud of her. I truly believe baking with your child is a wonderful experience. And of course it helps to know how to make things, especially for a young girl who will, Lord willing be a Mama, caring for her family and making meals and baking goodies. It comes in handy.

We decided also, since it was a very hot afternoon and we have an abundance of huge lemons from the tree, we would make some good old fashioned lemonade. Surely this is also something people enjoyed for many years, even the 1940's. So, we made a little party out of it. Just me and Freckles.

There are many recipes you can find for making lemonade...Surely you can't go wrong with this timeless, refreshing beverage. I brought out some coordinated linens and dishes and used our Blue Ball Jars for our glasses. It was a special afternoon, in the heat, sipping on lemonade and nibbling on this sweet lemony dessert. It truly was the perfect Summer activity.

The best part was just being with my daughter. 

I pray one day she will look back and have fond memories

 of these times we spent together. I know I will forever cherish them. I would love to encourage you to have a day like we did with your kids...Kids of all ages can help out with baking and making lemonade. With just a little imagination, setting a table for you and your children for a special afternoon will make everlasting memories. So, get the lemons and the baking pan out add a little sugar and a whole lotta love. You won't regret it.

Jelly Rolls are and were popular all over the world. There are different names for them in each Country. I tried to find more of an origin and timeline...A jelly Roll was probably more of a European thing...I could not find a date as to how long ago they were being made...Yet, I am for certain they were popular in the 30's and 40's. You can make them in different flavors with different fillings. They are quite easy to make and will serve a crowd. I love how something so simple with little ingredients can please a bunch of people. You can find many recipes on line, 

just search for jelly roll recipes.

Have A Wonderful Weekend.

Creamy Brazilian Lemonade...

I know this may look like a carafe full of milk.
 It's not. It is a lovely carafe full of Brazilian Lemonade. Have you ever had it?
 It is a wonderful creamy blend of sweet lemon and lime.
 Our new favorite Summer drink next to sweet ice tea.

 

Here's the directions for this delightful drink.
***
Brazilian Lemonade
***
2 large lemons and two limes
 6 cups water
1/2 or 1 cup granulated sugar
( I used less sugar...Sweeten to your taste)
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
 14 ice (cubes plus more for serving)
Mix all ingredients.
Enjoy.

 
Happy Summer.

Weeks End Glance....

We had a good week this week...I accomplished a few things which is always a good thing. Mr. Darling is busy, busy going back and forth to San Diego for his Summer internship, the kids and I went to the beach with our sweet gal friend Marilee. It was a great day watching them play in the waves..I even got a little kitty snooze in...The sound of the ocean relaxed me, just wish I could have brought it home with me.

I worked on this cute little patchy scrap piece and will be quilting it next week, making it a sweet throw pillow to sell. My mind is set on doing shows again. I haven't done art shows in years...so I have lot's of work ahead. I'll keep you posted.

I found this cool yellow shadow frame while thrifting, so added my print to it...So cute...
This will be for sale too!
 
Then I worked on a couple collage pieces to add to my shop.
The houses above and this darling Daisy Gal in full bloom. Precious isn't she?

Drinking lemonade...
Cause it's Summer time!!!

Oh yeah, my apricot tree is ready and bearing fruit...Yay!!! I made apricot jam and cherry jam to add to my strawberry. My friend will be coming over next week while I give her jam making lessons...Plus we're making a trip out to the blueberry fields to pick ....Maybe I will turn that into jam too! Yum!!!
Stay tuned for this fun tutorial I will be sharing...
Using cute bandanna's!!!

Oh, if you live nearby and have a pool & wish to have us over..
.We'd be more than happy to hang out with you
Freckles is praying for it!
 Tee Hee...Hope your having a fantastic Summer!!!

When Life Gives You Lemons....Make Lemonade...

Hello friends!!! Hope all is well with you...It has been a bit gloomy around our parts with a chill in the air and some rain showers...Yet, doesn't bring me down.....I have plenty of sunshine in my home and lot's of citrus from my parents and friends to make lemonade. I love the citrus season...It gets me in the mood for warmer weather and sunshine & picnics. For now we picnic indoors and fill our sweet lemon pitchers full of lemony goodness. The past few years I have slowly made a collection of these sweet vintage lemon and orange juice pitchers. Each one was less than $2.00 each.  Which is pretty darn good considering.....
They are from, a starting bid of $12.00-$24.99 on Ebay. I have two 2 qt. lemon carafe pitchers & one 2 qt. orange carafe pitcher and one citrus tankered pitcher with handle....I guess these are hard to find. But I found them all thrifting through a couple of my fave shops. Not in a day...but over time.

 
I just love how they look filled with lemonade or water....
they are so pretty.

 
There are several on Ebay now, if your interested in having some for your own....
Or start hunting thrift shops and garage sales!!!
Hope y'all have a great week, whatever the weather may be.
 Lemonade sure brightens any day!!!

Joyfully At Home & Orange Brownies.....

The night before our fieldtrip to the Citrus Park I made up this simple batch of orange flavored brownies using a recipe by Paula Dean. The morning of our trip we had the delightful little cake like brownie or shall I say Orangie...with a glass of orange juice and a maderine cutie to start off our morning.

 
I ponder many times what a blessing it is to be home really, I am joyfully home...schooling my children and being able to share with them everyday, their milestones. It truly has flashed before our eyes...My son was in public school for the first two years of his schooling, in which I regret,yet must have faith that it was for a purpose for that given season. We had always wanted to school at home but didn't have the guidence or go about at the time. We finally decided we would just do it...I was a stay at home mama anyway...surely it was my calling to teach our children at home. Why in the world would I want some stranger teaching him. Let alone steal the time I should be with him. Freckles was just a wee baby at the time...Which worked out just fine. Homeschooling turned out to be the right fit for our family in which we have swore to homeschool all the way. My son is already going to be graduating next year and off to college. I can't believe how quickly time has slipped. I feel so blessed to share my days with them through each moment...Even the days where I fail...I wouldn't trade it for the world, even our son says the same. Staying home caring for my family, loving, praying, cooking, cleaning, & teaching has fulfilled me, which may be hard for some people to understand or swallow. Homemaking & homeschooling has been the most rewarding part of my life thus far. I may not get paid with dollar bills but really I do...I get paid every day with the warmth, the hugs, the kisses, the moments treasured, the giggles, the talks, the joy they bring is like sunshine to what may seem to be dark days....even the tears. That my dear friends is far more precious than silver, gold or rubies combined. I have a job... a job that was ordained to me a job that surely is not complete. This is the job I love...
a job of being joyfully at home.

Well these are just my thoughts anyway.
 I didn't forget to leave you the
 recipe for the orange brownies here.
Enjoy!!
Thanks for listening! (reading)

Linked to: Homemaking Link Up

Sunshine From The Sowing Box

Did I tell you that we are experiencing Spring/Summer like weather here in our area? WOW! Everywhere I look there is snow except here...California has snow, but it's all in the mountains...We got up to the high 70's today...last week was hotter! I decided...Heck, if we are going to have this sort of weather I might as well make some projects that will fit the season. I dug out my vintage sheet stash from the sowing box and chose some happy sunshine colors. I have been using these sheets in quilt projects and pajama's for Freckles. She loves the light weight flowy feel of the fabrics. Perfect for warm weather.



If this isn't bright and happy I don't know what else to think! I got to cutting and planning. Since it is also Citrus season with all the yummy oranges and lemons growing I decided to make a couple things for her to enjoy. As a school project we have been doing citrus studies and projects plus went on an educational fieldtrip this weekend which I will share in the next couple of days.

 

I put together this quilted scrappy shoulder bag using
 the sheets and a couple misc. fabrics.
 It is so cute!

 

But wait...there's more... I decided to sew a
 sweet sunshine skirt to go with the shoulder bag.

I found this sweet tutorial for this very Sunshine Skirt!
 Perfectly sweet and easy too!!!
Freckles wore her new skirt and shoulder bag today...
It was perfect in this warm weather!
 On another note.... I started working on a Waldorf inspired doll for Freckles too! She had always admired them in the Magic Cabin catalogs...But we can't spare the amount of money they ask. So I am trying to put my spin on making one that represents her with Freckles and all!

Doesn't she look happy?
Wishing you a Happy Sunshiney day!!