Fresh Strawberry Cake

While strawberries are in season, it's a great time to make a fresh strawberry cake! Have you ever had the seasonal favorite at Nothing Bundt Cakes? This is a great copycat recipe. I had never made one before until Keely requested it for her birthday this year. She thoughtfully asked that I make a gluten-free version so that Max could enjoy it, too. One would never know. This recipe is definitely a keeper!

Fresh Strawberry Cake

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces fresh strawberries, diced
• 2 1/2 cups regular flour, divided (Substitute Cup4Cup if gluten-free.)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
• 8 ounces plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt pan (I use Bakers Joy). 
2. Gently toss the diced strawberries with 1/4 cup of flour. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, sift together the remaining 2 1/4 cups of flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the lemon zest. Set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, use a mixer to cream together the butter and sugar for approximately 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Alternate beating in the flour mixture and the yogurt, mixing just until incorporated. 
5. Gently mix the strawberries into the batter.
6. Pour the batter into the Bundt pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 60 minutes.
7. Allow to cool at least 20 minutes in the pan, then remove from pan and cool completely. 
8. Prepare the icing by combining the remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and the powdered sugar. Drizzle over the top of the cooled cake. (Note: Next time, I'll be adding a cream cheese icing. Then it will really be a Nothing Bundt Cake copycat!)

Recipe adapted from A Spicy Perspective.

The Birthday Girl

Birthdays aren't just for one day around here. We celebrate at least a birthweek. Then on big birthdays (like the Big 3-0), it's worth celebrating all month long! And that's exactly what I did. All month long, I got to reminisce about what I love most about one of my greatest blessings.

KK and Keely at 30A - June 2019

#30to30 Day 1. I remember so vividly the day you were born. You were seriously the best baby ever! You even slept through the night the very first week. You have always made my job so easy! Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 2. The hair! “Look Mom! That baby’s got a Mohawk!” . It’s still stunning. Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 3. “My not cute. My ‘dorable.” So very true. Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 4. “H I KK LMNOP”  Is it crazy that I still love to hear you say my name?

#30to30 Day 5. You sacrifice so much for our family and it does not go unnoticed. It’s like Steve passed the torch to you for being the glue that holds our family together. Always wise beyond years. Thank you. Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 6. “My not swim like a fish. My swim like mermaid.” I really do think you were a mermaid in your past life. You could stay in the pool all. day. long. I still love hanging out at the pool with you!

#30to30 Day 7. You’re the most nonjudgmental person I know. It’s such an admirable, rare quality. Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 8. I have always loved your sense of fashion. We both know you did not get that from me!  In fact, you should be commended for surviving the high waisted Talbots khacki middle school days.🤷‍♀️ (But I do remember that you loved me wearing my “heel highs”!) Thank you for helping me! Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 9. “I like your face.” Now that’s an understatement! I think you are so so beautiful. But as striking as you are on the outside, you are even more beautiful on the inside. “For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. . . “ This is you. And that’s what makes me so very proud. Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 10. I love your sense of adventure! It takes a lot of courage to venture out into this crazy world, and I love that you do just that. I mean, who else can say they went swimming with a shark ... on purpose! Haha I’m so grateful that I get to be your travel companion occasionally because you’re the absolute best! “Jobs fill your pocket. Adventures fill your soul.” You help remind me of this. Thank you! Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 11. I love how you take pride in everything you do. I hope you will always know how so very proud I am of you. I can’t wait to see what other goals you accomplish! Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 12. No one knows me better than you. Not even myself. You seem to know exactly what to say and when to say it that brings me comfort. I’m also grateful for the times when the best thing you can say is nothing at all. Not too many people take the time to enjoy silence. I’m glad that you can recognize and appreciate those moments. “The cure for anything is salt water. Sweat, tears, or the sea.” I’m so glad we are here. Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 13. I believe independence is such an admirable trait. I can’t think of any other person who could live (responsibly) by themselves during their last few weeks of high school! You have never allowed others to define who you are or what you should be doing. Followers don’t stand out. You sure do! Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 14. You are so generous. Not just with money, but with your smiles, laughter, thoughts, and time. I love that.  Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 15. You really know how to love. Not only do you love others with all that you are, but you also open yourself up to be loved. I really admire that and want to be more like that. One thing I know for sure, though, is I love you infinity. Xxxooo 

#30to30 Day 16. You have always made me so proud whenever I heard how you stood up to bullies. It takes such inner strength to protect those who have been bullied. Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 17. You have amazing writing skills! I can’t tell you how many times I have re-read your blog posts from college. You simply have a special way with words. . . just ask anyone who has ever received one of your thank you notes. I know I cherish everything you have written for me. I still think there is a book brewing inside of you even it is a collection of short stories of all the outrageous things that have happened to you. Haha Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 18. I just loved the day you noticed your hands look like mine. You take such delight in little things.  Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 19. I think one of the reasons you consistently succeed is you’re an “I can” person, not an “I can’t” person. Who else would secretly run through security at an airport on 9/11 to make sure you don’t miss an interview? (Knucklehead. 🤦‍♀️) Your ability to overcome obstacles is pretty unmatched.  Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 20. I have really enjoyed watching you grow to be an amazing cook. I also love that you share your skill by spoiling those you love. Thank you!  Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 21. I love your planning and research skills! I’ll never forget our amazing trip to London, Paris, and Rome. I’m so grateful for all the time you spent in planning it as well as other fun events. You’re so good at it! Xxxooo

#30to30 Day 22. I love that your blood runneth orange! I’ll never forget helping you decorate your graduation cap: “Wild as a mink, but sweet as soda pop.”
So perfect. So you! And I can’t quit smiling whenever I see you in your checkerboard overalls. Your spirit is so genuine and contagious! #vfl 🧡

#30to30 Day 23. Your critical thinking skills are amazing. After watching a movie, we would have such deep discussions. Well, you and Steve would have the deep discussions, and I cherish those memories. I listened well though! Haha. I’m so grateful you got that from him. It’s a rare, special skill. Xxxooo 

#30to30 Day 24. When it comes to having fun, you’re not the one to sit on the sidelines. I love watching you kick butt in corn hole, ping pong, basketball, etc. (I will always be your best cheerleader! ) I also love our own games: spades, poker, Sorry!, and most recently dominoes. Watching you enjoy life makes me so happy!  “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” -George Bernard Shaw. 

#30to30 Day 25. I love how much you love music. I wonder who you got that from?  The excitement you have when Taylor Swift launches a new song is especially fun to watch. Your dressing the part or in theme cracks me up. I also love when I get to go to concerts with you like Eric Church, James Taylor, George Strait, etc. I can’t imagine anyone else I would rather go with because you have the most fun! I’m still amazed that you seem to know the lyrics to every single song of all artists. Every. Single. Song. 

#30to30 Day 26. You bring calm to stressful situations. You simply don’t panic. So, if there is ever an emergency, I would choose you to be by my side. That’s another thing you got from Steve, and I’m so grateful. You live by the Serenity Prayer more than anyone I know! “Accept the things I cannot change, change the things I can, and have the wisdom to know the difference.” Xxxooo 

#30to30 Day 27. You are smart for knowing a well-lived life requires rest, pampering, and time alone to recharge. I hope you always make time for naps, pedicures, and a good soak in the bath tub, especially on a cold rainy night. You deserve such luxury! Xxxooo 

#30to30 Day 28. On this 4th of July weekend, I’m reminded of how patriotic you are and I love that. You would celebrate Steve on Veteran’s Day each year as if it was another birthday. Being at Pearl Harbor on his last Veteran’s Day will always be a favorite memory of mine. Always cheering on the USA in any major sporting event such as the Olympics, Wimbledon, etc, is another special memory. I’m so glad that you have such pride for being born in this amazing country. “God bless the USA”! Xxxooo 🇺🇸️️️

#30to30 Day 29. It’s your birthday eve, and I still have too many things I want to say such as: You really listen when others talk. Really listen. It’s so respectful. Your wisdom/advice is highly sought after and for good reason. You have always been wise beyond your years. You are the most thoughtful gift giver. . . because you’re such an excellent listener. You truly know how to love and show it. You have a beautiful three- point shot! Years later, it’s still fun to watch (and beat naysayers). Haha. You never stop learning. “Life is always under construction.” You are genuinely empathetic to others. You are kind to everyone, all the time. You are so tolerant of others who live or believe differently from you. You’re the best roommate. Even when it’s complicated, you value family. You have a heart of gratitude. You stay active and healthy. Your smile lights up a room. You bring joy to so many lives, especially mine! As I read over this list, gosh I realize I could also be describing your dad. You are his living, breathing legacy. No wonder you’re my very best friend. Xxxooo 

#30to30 Day 30. Oh how I’m glad that you were born! On this day 30 years ago, I became a mom. It remains to be one of the happiest days of my life. I loved you before you were born, on the day we first met, and even more since then if that’s even possible. What a pleasure it’s been to watch you grow into the most amazing woman that you are. I can’t wait to see what your next thirty years look like. I love you with all my heart, Keely. Happiest birthday to you! Xxxooo 

Chicken Parmesan

I must admit, Keely has become quite the cook, and she is fearless about trying new recipes. I love that! She spoils Max with Chicken Parmesan, his favorite, and often serves it to her guests. I'm grateful that she agreed to make it for me and my cousin Fred who was visiting from Texas last week. Not surprisingly, it lived up to its reputation. I honestly haven't had any better. It's sooooo good. 

Keely's Chicken Parmesan

To begin, prepare your chicken by pounding it with a meat mallet. Don't have one? No worries. I didn't either. Instead, we used a large rubber mallet covered with plastic wrap. Problem solvers. That's us. :) Next, season both sides with Paula Deen's seasoning and then sprinkle with flour.

Preparing the Chicken

Now dip the prepared chicken into beaten eggs, followed by a bread crumb/Parmesan cheese mixture. 

A side benefit: this recipe calls for an air fryer, so it's lower in calories than other versions. If you don't have one, this recipe alone is worth getting one! In fact, Keely has said more than once that it's her favorite kitchen appliance. Period. "Fry" both sides for approximately 2-3 minutes each.

Keely's favorite kitchen appliance is the air fryer!

Although the chicken is "fried," the last step calls for baking it in the oven. First, though, top it with marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, a little more shredded Parmesan cheese, and lastly a slice of Provolone cheese.

Once baked, serve it on top of spaghetti covered with additional marinara sauce. Enjoy!

(Note that this recipe can easily be made gluten-free, which is how Keely makes it. Simply replace the flour, bread crumbs, and spaghetti noodles with gluten-free alternatives.) 


Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:

• 3 chicken breasts
• Paula Deen's seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic powder) to taste
• Approximately 6 tablespoons of regular flour (Use Cup4Cup if gluten-free.)
• 2 eggs
• 1 heaping cup Panko bread crumbs (Or use gluten-free Panko.)
• 1/2 heaping cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus a little more for topping
• 1 to 1.5 jars of marinara sauce (Keely prefers Rao's.)
• Italian seasoning to taste
• 3 slices Provolone cheese
• Spaghetti noodles (Use Barilla if gluten-free.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Pound chicken breasts with a meat mallet to the thickness of approximately 1/3 inch and then season both sides with Paula Deen's seasoning.
3. Sprinkle/dust flour on both sides of the chicken breasts (approximately 1 tablespoon for each side) and lightly pat down to make sure it's a light, even coating.
4. Beat eggs in a shallow bowl.
5. In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
6. Dip flour coated chicken breasts into beaten eggs. Transfer breasts to bread crumb mixture, pressing the crumbs into both sides. Repeat for all breasts.
7. Put air fryer on highest setting (mine is 390 degrees). Spray Pam on air fryer basket to avoid sticking. Cook breast for 2-3 minutes, flip and then repeat.
8. Place cooked chicken in a baking dish that has been lined with aluminum foil and sprayed with Pam. Top each breast with about 1/3 cup of marinara sauce. Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top of the sauce and breast. Lightly top with shredded Parmesan cheese. Top with a slice of Provolone cheese.
9. Bake at 450 degrees approximately 15-20 minutes until cheese is browned and bubbly and the chicken breasts are no longer pink inside. (165 using a meat thermometer) 
10. Serve over spaghetti noodles (cooked according to directions) and topped with additional heated marinara sauce.

My Favorite Things 2018

One of my favorite parties of the year continues to be Margaret Ann and Nancy's My Favorite Things. If you're not familiar with this party theme, check out the details here. While some items shared throughout the party might be your typical "tried and true," most are new to me, and I love to get new ideas!

This year, I brought a collection of several items: stainless steel condiment cups that I use for so many things such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, pancake syrup, etc. I also brought my favorite baking cups that are about 4" in diameter. I first found these several years ago and have been using them to make individual cinnamon rolls. They're also great for making muffin tops . . . remember the Seinfeld episode? Lastly, I included four homemade cinnamon rolls to round out my gift. Mmmmm. 

Keely's favorite thing for this year was a metal plaque that read: This is Our Happy Place. She found them when we went on our trip to Vancouver in the fall. It's such a cute addition to her front door!

Although I wasn't able to capture everything, here are some of the other favorite things shared from Thursday night (in no particular order):

• Floating wine glass (Won "Best Overall" award)
• Champagne and Anthropologie candle (Won "BS" award)
• Collection of toiletries (Won "Best Value" award)
• Holiday ornament glitter studs
• Chick-fil-A gift card to buy chicken tortilla soup
• Collapsible water bottle
• Letters to my Mom paper time capsule
• Water color Christmas gift tags from Red Bird Paper
• "Fixin' To" notepad from Draper James
• Salted caramel chocolates from Trader Joe's
• Lip balm
• Convertible gloves that you can wear as mittens from J Crew
• Flannel blanket scarf from Old Navy
• Recipe for grit souffle
• Le Creuset mini round baking dish
• Sugar cane cookie candle from Southern Firefly Candle Co.
• Face mask from Beauty 360
• 1000 piece puzzle from White Mountain
• Hot tamales candy
• Candied jalapeños from the Pepper Palace (Tip: place on top of deviled eggs!)
• Glamorous Wash from Tyler Candle
• Dryer balls from Laura Ashley
• Toboggan by Ann Taylor Loft
• High Beam from Benefit
• Buxom lip gloss and mascara
• Sadie Robertson Scripture Shareables
• Ice Cubes gum
• Christmas cards from Sketch + Co
• Vodka soda
• Haven Honey
• A New Day crew socks

This is still one of my favorite ways to get great ideas for stocking stuffers!

Come On Down!

About eleven years ago, I was keeping Mom company one day while she was recovering from knee surgery. Everything came to a halt when The Price is Right came on TV. She is one of those over-the-top fans of the show. I never realized just how much until I asked, "Wouldn't you like to be there?" She quickly replied, "Oh, that's my dream." Seriously? It happened to be Bob Barker's last season. I knew I had to make this happen. I planned the whole trip, got tickets way in advance, etc. The two of us set out on this crazy adventure. Once there, I quickly learned that the so-called tickets were only tickets that allowed us to wait in line for the "real" tickets. Craziest thing ever. Even though we got to the show well over an hour in advance, that wasn't enough to get in. As you can imagine, Mom was so disappointed. What would it take to get in? Start standing in line the night before. That's right. That's what the others did. I was so shocked, especially given the targeted demographic. So, we joined the craziness and stood in line all. night. long. and were able to attend the next day's show. Dream fulfilled. Mission accomplished.

Last week, Mom turned 80. She really wanted to go back for this milestone birthday. Unfortunately, we couldn't make that happen this time. Keely had the perfect idea. Let's bring The Price is Right to her! I'm all about a good theme, and that's all it took to begin the planning process, starting with the invitation.

Since Mom's party happened to take place on Cinco de Mayo, we wanted to serve Mexican food. While Cinco de Mayo parties are fun, I didn't want it to take away from Mom's theme. How do you combine the two? Start thinking of food labels that used popular The Price is Right games with popular Mexican dishes. Admittedly, this step is my favorite in the planning process. I used similar food labels for Keely's UT graduation party, Hayley's POP! baby shower, Hannah's book-themed baby shower, Natalia's Georgia Southern graduation party, Olivia's Doc McStuffins birthday party, and Lindsey's Cinco de Mayo bridal shower.

We kept the menu pretty simple: tacos and petros . . . but The Price is Right style:

We also had a variety of dips for snacking:

Drinks included:

Cake, cupcakes, and Rice Krispie treats satisfied everyone's sweet tooth.

(Free printables from www.southernmadesimple.com)

Other fun touches included price tag name badges for all of the party-goers as well as a Showcase Showdown game. Congrats to Silas for the win!

Prices from 1938 can be found here.

Silas won $20 (80 quarters in Mom's honor) as well as a BRAND NEW CAR!!!!

The main decoration included a wall-size Mom version of Cliff Hangers. It showcased some of our favorite pics of her 80 years.

Needless to say, Mom was surprised and quite pleased with the party. She especially loved spending the whole day with family and friends. All of us brag about how she doesn't look 80. She's not over the hill---she's still climbing! And we're all very grateful for that. Happy birthday, Mom!

The Birthday Girl

Host and hostesses:  Scott and Tina, Jackie, KK, and Vicke