Pound Cakes and Pounding Headaches


I wouldn't put this weekend on the top of the list for 'most happy', 'most peaceful', or 'fondest family moments'. Both Mike and I climbed into bed last night and said a resounding, "I'm glad that weekend is over".
Lots of sibling bickering, lots of whining, lots of 'go to your room' followed by foot stomping up the stairs followed with little ears getting many heart to heart talks from us parents....it was exhausting. And I will say again this morning, I'm glad that weekend is over~
But with all of the frustration (for all of us) there were some glimmers of holiday joy (for all of us).

I finally started in on some holiday baking~
Even Ezra took back to the kitchen after a long hiatus.



























I also got pretty far along on that list of "gifts to make"





































And I took a Sabbath day...(a Sabbath from housework and cooking, not parenting...the nanny called in sick - (I joke ;)

I made two loaves of pound cake this weekend. One for our family and one for our next door neighbors. The recipe comes from Gooseberry Patch and is about as simple as a pound cake recipe gets.
Genuine, Truly Old Fashioned Pound Cake
(Gooseberry Patch Vol.2, Pg 118)

3 C. Flour                                        3 c. powdered sugar
1 t. baking powder                          2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. nutmeg                                   5 eggs
1/4 tsp. salt                                     3/4 c. half and half
1 1/2 c. butter

1. Grease and coat with granulated sugar two 8" loaf pans or a 10" fluted tube pan.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream together butter, powdered sugar and vanilla.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mixture should be light and fluffy.
5. Mix in half of the flour mixture until smooth. Blend in half and half. Beat in remaining dry ingredients until smooth.
6. Pour cake batter into pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 75 minutes (depending on the pan size) or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan about 10 minutes before removing.