Delightful Summer Lemon Cake

Hello friends,
This week, I (Tiffani) am writing the recipe of the week email for my mom, who is laid up with a bum knee. She twisted it pretty bad yesterday and we're waiting on the Dr. to help us figure out how to fix it; thankfully she is on pain medication and (for now) crutches, so she is in a little less pain. Unfortunately, she is on pain medication so she is a little too loopy to write the ROTW this week. As you think of her, please pray for a lessening of the pain, so that she can get around a little bit better and sleep better. As you think of me, please pray for my ability to do all the stuff around the house I was doing before plus all of mom's stuff... and wait on her hand and foot, all with a gracious heart.
This week in Summer Bible study we talked about a "Friendship Workout." Jennine taught about the twelve "One Another" "stations" (get it, like circuit training stations). One of the stations is "Bear with One Another." I was reminded that the writers of the bible are pretty clear that we are to bear with each other, accept each other and love each other fully and without judgement. Golly, I am not very good at this. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to bear with people's quirks and idiosyncracies when you only seen them occaisionally, or if they are serving you, or if you feel like they are "like you?"
Well, I have been reminded and convicted how much my pride is involved when I (conciously or subconciously) make judgements on people around me - especially those I live with. I don't want to be full of pride. I don't want to complain about my tasks at home - even if its only in my head.

My goal this week is to pursue humility with my whole heart, and to be aggressive about killing pride in my life. My prayer for all of us on this list is that we would all be able to bear with one another, accept one another, and love one another... better.

This week's recipe is for a Lemon Cake that is made from scratch. This was the first cake I ever made from scratch, and I was shocked to realize how easy it is! It's a great summer cake, because its light and tangy with refreshing lemon taste. The recipe calls for a bundt pan, but you could use a 9x13. For those of you who helped with the Casseroles today, this recipe was the original inspiration for the cake we ultimately made.

Hopefully mom is back in the recipe saddle next week. Blessings to all of you, and God's grace as you strive to work out at the "One Another" stations.
Love, Tiffani (and Chris)
Philippians 2:14-15
~~~~~~~~
Delightful Summer Lemon Cake

I originally got this recipe from the “Got Milk?” website (www.gotmilk.com) a few years back. It’s a nice light summer treat made with real lemons.
Ingredients:
½ C. butter (one stick, softened)
2 eggs
2 ½ C. Sugar (put ½ C. aside)
¼ C. Plain yogurt (or lemon or vanilla)
Grated rind of 2 med. Lemons (use a zester or grater to get the lemon zest)
Juice of 2 med. Lemons
2 tsp baking powder
1 C. milk
3 C. flour

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt pan.
2) Beat butter and 2 C. sugar until fluffy
3) Add eggs, yogurt and lemon rind, mix together
4) In a separate bowl, mix flour and baking powder
5) Add the dry ingredients slowly to the wet, alternating with milk
6) Bake until tester is clean (between 45 and 50 minutes-ish); let cool for 5 minutes
7) While cake is resting, stir ½ C. of Sugar into lemon juice until dissolved.
8) Spread wax paper (or something under a cooling rack)
9) Invert cake and remove from bundt pan onto a cooling rack, poke holes in top with toothpick (about 1” deep), drizzle liquid over cake.
10) Cool completely before serving

Serving ideas:
This cake is delicious by itself, but I think you could serve it a few different ways to make it even more special. Consider the following add ons and let me know how you like it!
· Cool whip
· Vanilla Ice Cream
· Lemon Sherbet
· Fresh Raspberries
One last idea…. Use the juiced lemons as a kitchen freshener. Put them in your garbage disposal and they will not only refresh your disposal, but the scent will freshen up your whole kitchen!