The Deen Brother's Pink Lemonade Cake

The Deen Brother's Pink Lemonade Cake


Cake:
Butter for coating pan
1 box white cake mix (18.25-ounce)
3 tablespoons pink lemonade drink powder
3 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Frosting:
1 pound confectioners' (powder) sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
3 tablespoons frozen pink lemonade concentrate
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon lemon zest, finely grated

Cooking Directions

Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottom with parchment or waxed paper; set aside.

For the cake, in a large bowl, stir together the cake mix and lemonade powder. Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions, using the eggs and the oil. Stir the lemon zest into the batter. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the centers of the cakes comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minuets. Carefully turn cakes out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the frosting, beat together the confectioners' sugar and butter until fluffy. Beat in the remaining ingredients until combined.  (My add if the frosting is runny add a bit of confectioners' sugar to stiffen it up)

Transfer one cake to a cake stand or large platter. Using an offset spatula spread the top of the cake with a layer of frosting. Place the second cake on top of the first. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of both layers.  (My add - place cake in fridge before serving - it was much better cold)

Makes 10 - 12 servings.

Our Engagement Story

I have to agree with Hallie/Betty - you just know like"they way you know about a good melon".  I knew I wanted to marry my husband a few months into our relationship.  It took him a bit longer I think?!?

A little over a year into our relationship we were having dinner with my maid-of-honor and her hubby.  They were celebrating their 1st anniversary.  The entire night they kept 'harassing' us about when were we getting married. It was relentless.

Well on the way back to my parents house he proposed at a stop light.  He asked me to and I ignored him because I thought he was just goofing around.  It took nearly the entire ride (30 miles) for it to sink in that he proposed.  Once I believed him I said yes!

please read other engagment stories at Betty Beguiles

Small Successes - June 9

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So here are mine.

When re-reading my successes over the last few weeks they all seem to be the same so hopefully I do not repeat myself too much.....

1. My husbands:  made me Pink Lemonade Cake for my birthday!  It was very good.
2. My kids:  with school being out and having them home all day long they are getting along great!  The boys made a big decision (with our help) to pass on playing baseball this summer.  The league is a city league and it is located in a not fabulous part of town and nearly all the people are covered in tattoo's and smoke.  The environment was not something any of us were comfortable with so as a family we decided to forgo ball and the boys were good with this - if they weren't we would have carried on.  Miss C has been going to dance recital practice (her recital is June 10).
3. Mine: switched my office work time to 7:30 AM to 1 PM and I have gotten to work everyday on-time.  I am so not a early morning person and I like to 'fart' around in the morning so this is big for me.

Now it is your turn tell us your successes at Chocolate for Your Brain

This Week for Dinner

Found this website not sure how ... but I love it.  Each week you post your menu for the week and you can get ideas from others.

Thank you Jane....

This Week for Dinner

here is my menu for the week:

Sunday – steak, hash browns, salad
Monday – Chicken fingers & soup rice
Tuesday – Italian Sausage & pasta
Wednesday – Pizza
Thursday – breakfast (dance recital dress rehearsal)
Friday – Ordering in Italian – my daughters dance recital that night and family in from out of town
Saturday – ribs, corn on the cob, french fried sweet potatoes

Small Successes - June 2

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So here are mine.

When re-reading my successes over the last few weeks they all seem to be the same so hopefully I do not repeat myself too much.....

1. This is my husbands success ... he mulched all the flower beds, removed all the day-lilies I do not like, plant our garden (herb & veggie), and planted hydrangea's for me.  he is AWESOME
2. This is my kids success ... finished up the school year with great grades.  We did have a hiccup a few weeks back but he rallied and got back to As!  The younger two did great also - our school does not give grades until 4th grade so we have a whole lot of checks!
3. My success this past week ... I sat out on the swing in the backyard (admiring my husbands work) and read two books over the Memorial Day Holiday.  I read James Patterson - 10th Anniversary and Elaine Viets - Pumped for Murder: A Dead-End Job Mystery.

Now it is your turn tell us your successes at Chocolate for Your Brain

Welcome June

June is my birthday month.  On Friday the 3rd I will be turning 44 years old.  I remember not to long ago I thought 44 was really old - but you know what you are as old as you make yourself be.  You can be an old lady at 20 something or a young lady at the age of 50, 60 or even 70 ;) .  I definitely plan to be that young lady.

I have to admit that I love my birthday!  I love all birthday's and think that they are the most important day of the year for that person.  It is just YOUR day.  Yes you may share it with people you know and even those you don't but it is YOUR day.

My parent's are the ones that instilled this importance.  When it was your birthday - you were in charge -you choose the meal and what type of cake you wanted.  My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins would come over after dinner and celebrate YOU.  

I am passing this on to my kids.  When it is their birthday - we wake up to a birthday song - presents are opened right away - they pick the meals and activities for the day (as long as school or sports aren't neglected).   Then we have a big party for the extended family.

Small Successes - May 26

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So here are mine.

1. We have survived the 1st week of baseball, soccer, lacrosse, my working out at the gym, my teaching, and hubby's extra work hours.  Tonight we have to be in three places at one time - wish me luck!
2. Took the kids to the first Indians game of the year on Sunday (went to Mass in town and then headed North - that is a big success in and of itself when we travel).  My parents have season tickets and gave us their 3 seats for the game - we had to buy two extra. Tribe won!!! so that was added bonus.  It was hot though - nearly 90.
3. Did not kill my oldest son when he came home with a poor (that is saying it nicely) parent packet on Monday.  He decided that since his tests were open book he did not need to open the book before the test to study.  He did not even bring the books home.  So his grade on both tests reflected that.  I wanted to strangle him but stepped back and realized that this is a learning experience for him.  He realized that he MUST study for each and every test.  I just hope it did not ruin his chance for honor roll this quarter.

Now it is your turn tell us your successes at Chocolate for Your Brain

Small Successes - May 19

 

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So here are mine..

1. Registered both boys for baseball this summer. We are trying a new city league since we did not play with the school this spring.
2. Drove to Cleveland in the pouring rain to celebrate my in-laws 45th wedding anniversary! It was just grown-ups for dinner. We went to Salmon-Dave’s in Rocky River. It was wonderful!
3. This one is for my hubby – he ordered 4 cubic yards of mulch to be delivered last Friday. On Friday and  Saturday he weeded and mulched the front beds, and he started to clean out the side of the house beds. Thank you honey!!!

Now it is your turn tell us your successes at Chocolate for Your Brain

blogger issues

I am unable to access my blog on my home PC.  I can not access the blogger dashboard.  That is one good thing about work - I have access to this world.  That may be the only good thing about work lately :)

Monday Morning Muse....

Well this past weekend seemed to last forever!  but in a pretty good sense.

On Friday, I was asked to babysit my friends grandson.  He is 3 months old.  I have not been with a baby since my daughter was a baby.  I was a bit nervous.  But it is amazing how easily you fall into the rhythm.   He was such a good baby.  He ate, tried to roll around on the floor, slept, diapered change, ate again, and then slept until he was picked up.  My daughter was not happy because she wanted to 'play' with the baby.  I know how a grandparent must feel - I just delt with the fun stuff and then handed him back to mom at the end of the day for the hard stuff.

We also had 4 yards of mulch delivered Friday afternoon.  My sweet hubby mulched the front beds!  The kids played with the hose since it was summer-like in Central Ohio.  I did laundry and cleaned the first floor of the house.

On Saturday - kids cleaned their rooms (with help from mom).  It was a dusting the furniture, floors, and cleaning under the bed type of cleaning.  This is done once a quarter.  Normally they just do a pick up and making bed stuff every week.   While we were cleaning - Hubby dug up the daylilies at the side of the house (we are not fans of  daylilies) to get the beds prepared for new plants and mulch.  Then hubby and I headed to Cleveland for dinner with the in-laws.  It was their 45th anniversary.  So we celebrated just adults at a favorite restaurant of ours (Salmon-Daves).

Sunday - was a day of rest (with a trip to CostCo thrown in).

I am so glad that we had such a great weekend!  I love visiting the family. 

Small Successes - May 12

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So here are mine..

1. Drove to Cleveland and celebrated Mother's Day with both grandmothers on Sunday!  I know that they were happy even though we were stressed and exhausted.
2. Finally did a successful bun for my daughter for ballet.  Took me since August to perfect it but I did.  Thank you goody hair products - specifically the spin pin
3. This week it seemed everyone had a different activity at the same time - we survived!  With the help of friends we were able to get everyone to the right activity on time and with all their equipment in place!

Bonus #1: kept to the meal plan again this week!  this is a huge struggle for us because I usually just want to throw in the towel and eat out.

Bonus #2:  bought gift for the exiting Cubmaster (the day of the last meeting) and they LOVED it!!  I also was able to get my introductory letter to the Pack since I am the new Cubmaster of Pack 50 - what have a gotten myself into.

Now it is your turn tell us your successes at Chocolate for Your Brain

Small Successes - May 5

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So here are mine..

1. Miss C and I went to Cleveland and back on Monday for her twice-year ENT appointment.  Everything looks great!  We love our ENT doctor - hence the 4-hour round trip twice a year.
2. Helped my mom get Miss C's dance recital costume together - she will be too cute!
3. Have created a weekly menu for dinner for the past month and for 80% of the time we have followed it. 

Now it is your turn tell us your successes at Faith & Family

Wednesday without words... sort of

I want to say that I am so thankful for my family!  without all of you I would be lost. 



Great Wolf Lodge Niagra Falls- July 2010



Life....

Sometimes life seems to beat you down.  Sometimes you LET life beat you down.  This is what happened to me over the past week.  I let things just beat me down that should not have...  I let them envelope my life so much that it caused me to get sick. 

Last week I mentioned I was carrying hatred in my heart and this manifested into a migraine that lasted nearly 3 days.    I do get migraines but they almost always get better with my medication.  This one did not.  I realized that I had to let my anger go - so I prayed for myself.  I normally do not pray for myself - I find it odd and like I am begging/bartering with God, Mary, Jesus, Saint (insert a name) and I do not like that feeling.  I think that is why I have a hard time with prayer.

But on Friday morning - after spending Thursday in bed and Wednesday in pain - I decided to suck it up and pray.  Guess what it helped.  It helped me let go of some (not all) of my anger towards this person.  It shifted the anger to sadness.  Once some of this anger left me so did my migraine - it was a mild headache after that and I can live with that.