More of Our Weekend Goings On

It was hot here--hot, hot, hot. I'm so jealous of those of you who are feeling fall coolness already--hopefully it will arrive here soon. Meanwhile, we headed to the beach on Saturday and it was lovely and cool there. I was picturing playing in the sand with the boys but Dieter insisted on jumping in the surf. He's a beach boy, that one. Sunday called for staying inside in the air-conditioning and Dieter and I made this Buttermilk Pound Cake. Yum! It turned out great, and although there was a little breakage at the base, I'd say this was the best luck I've had with any cake in my bundt pan (maybe because I often make "light" pound cakes? This one is by no means light). It's very sweet, has a slight hint of tangy buttermilk, and the crust is sort of crunchy--in a good way. It would actually be great with some tart fruit, maybe strawberries, to cut the sweetness.

Buttermilk Pound Cake

1 cup butter (no substitutes) -- softened
3 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar -- optional

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour and baking soda; add alternately with the buttermilk and beat well. Stir in vanilla. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar.

Dieter was really into the Eric Carle books this weekend--we read them all. I love how Eric Carle's "Very" quartet is about to the human condition. According to the author, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is about hope, The Very Busy Spider is about work, The Very Quiet Cricket is about love, and The Very Lonely Firefly is about belonging. And I love the simple writing and beautiful illustrations and how they capture my child's imagination as well as mine.

I would love LOVE to visit here. Alas, it's only a dream, but maybe someday. Who knows what's possible in the future. Meanwhile, maybe we could make some of the caterpillar cookies shown in the video (here). I hope your weekend was restful or exciting, as you like.