June is Dairy Month

Since we live in dairy and berry country, this is a good recipe to make and feel as though you are supporting the local economy. Supporting local business is a great way to justify all the fat in this cake. It tastes really, really good and it is a pretty cake. Lastly, you are supporting the local farmers. This cake is a win win! Please read the instructions prior to just throwing everything in a bowl, you'll need to mix the first three ingredients and then hold back one cup for the topping.

Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Coffee Cake:
2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup sour cream
1 egg
1 tsp. almond extract
Filling:
1 pkg. 8 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup raspberry jam
Topping:
1/2 cup sliced almonds
In a large bowl, combine the flour and sugar, cut in the butter using a pastry blender until mixture resembles course crumbs. Remove 1 cup of crumbs and set aside. Add the rest of the cake ingredients and spread in a 2" springform pan.
Combine the cream cheese, sugar and egg. Pour over the batter, spoon the jam over the filling. I just glob it here and there and I do have the edge here because my Mom makes the best raspberry freezer jam in the world. Next, crumble the one cup of course crumbs over the top and then sprinkle with the almonds. Bake 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes. I use one of my smaller sprngform pans so the cake is higher and takes longer. Loosen ring after 15 minutes. Enjoy!

So Many Parties, So Little Time

We have been very busy this week on the graduation party circuit. It is fun to see the kids so happy to be finished with school and excited about the future. Happy parents too. So many great photos to see and so much yummy food to eat. Last evening we went to Kai's party, and had a nice time.
This morning I went to a bridal shower brunch, it was at the beach, there were peach bellinis and it lasted into the afternoon. The shower was for my friend Doreen's daughter, Malorie. Shelly and Krista gave the shower and I was support and mini van transportation. I made the raspberry cream cheese coffee cake that I made for Mother's Day. I'll be posting the recipe soon.

Doreen, MOTB, Malorie, The Bride and Kelsie, the little sis

Some quick retail therapy on the way home with Shelly and then on to a family reunion BBQ with my cousins. My cousin, Nancy and her husband Ed are visiting from Pennsylvania. It was so nice to see them again. My cousin Landen was the only "girl cousin" missing. My cousin TJ was the only "boy cousin" at the BBQ. TJ just loved being called the "boy cousin". He was a good sport and got in on the photo session. Like he had a choice. As we were leaving we started talking about a cousin shopping trip to NY City. "Girl cousins", that is, oh and TJ's wife, Shannon gets to come along too. Oooh, it would be a fun trip. What happens in New York City stays in New York City. Woo hoo!

Glad Grads

It was such a nice ceremony at LCHS last evening. An excellent speaker, good, good kids, proud families, beautiful music and just a sense of the glory being given to God. Some of the grads sang, 'When Peace Like a River', I would not have thought of that as a graduation song but it was so beautiful. Some light hearted moments and some serious. Their class gift was to Relay for Life in Curt De Haan's name, a teacher and classmate, Jason's Dad, Curt is fighting a battle with cancer now. One hundred and four kids ready to change the world!

8th Grade Graduation

Last night was Max's 8th grade graduation. First photo is of Max and Jaz, the class speakers.

Classmates looking handsome.

Max and Tess. Next year Tess will be a sophmore and she tells me she can keep an eye on Max in high school. Tess is a family friend and I'm sure she'll try but I think I'm a bit scared...I hope LCHS is ready for Max.

I Fell Over

I promised more party pictures but I fell over and slept this afternoon for 2+ hours. Anyway, these two aunties deserve a prize for driving from Seattle and George, WA for the party. Thanks Laura and Marie.

Thank you to Shella Flora, this is just an example of the flowers, they were gorgeous and everywhere.

Notice Max in the reflection, he avoided the camera all day and then in the evening when I am try to snap a few pics of the flowers I can't get rid of him. So junior high. He better get over that behavior, since he will be considered high school as of Wednesday.

What is a party without cake? It does need to be gone though because it is temptation on the counter. I love cake! We had chocolate with vanilla filling and a white cake with strawberry filling.

Graduation Week

There were many parties yesterday and lots of guys coming and going. Should be a fun week for us. Max's 8th grade graduation on Tuesday and Sam graduating from high school on Thursday. We get to go to lots of parties and ours is done. We have some leftovers so I am just going to coast right through the week...

I'll be posting more party pics later!