Comparison is the thief of joy. I love a good dare. Many of you will remember it was a dare by Francis Schaeffer that prompted me to put the turquoise table in my front yard. A dare to open up my front door and build community right where I live. Behind that dare was a deeply rooted issue I was struggling…
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Sprite Cake
Recently, one of my dearest friends in the world lost her mama. I cried with her for days — via text, phone, and when the time came at the funeral. Conversation has never run dry between us, but even with one of my nearest and dearest friends I struggled to find words. At least the right words. What do you…
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Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream and Oreo Cake
I’ve never had a Christmas without this dessert. If you’ve been around the cafe for a while, you can figure out that is a lot of Oreo Peppermint Ice Cream Cakes. Who knows how long my grandmother (Popa’s mother) made this treat before I joined the scene?!? All I know is it wouldn’t be Christmas without this sweet tradition. Mia…
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S’mores Cake
Oh yeah… it’s as good as it looks. The Littles picked out this recipe and whipped the cake up all by themselves. I can’t think about how fast they are growing or I might polish off the rest of the cake by myself. S’mores cake is a perfect treat to have on hand for impromptu visitors or gatherings at your…
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Maple Blondies
By 6 am on Sunday, Littlest was by my side in the kitchen, sitting “up the counter”, reading recipes aloud. Some mornings were meant to have a pause button. We hosted a little fête that evening and the three girls were eager to make a dessert. It was the six-year old who carefully listed the ingredients checking flour, baking soda,…
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Lemon Rosemary Cake
Sometimes dinner can be cozy and intimate. Like the meal Husband and I shared at The Winding Stair in Dublin two weeks ago. (More on this later). Sometimes the table is elaborately spread with homemade goodness and shared with strangers helping those with unexpected loss and need. Like the Austin Bakes bake sale for West, Texas last weekend. It’s good…
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