Monday, October 17

Home, sweet, home

This past week/weekend, I had the privilege of going back to Illinois for a few days. And what a great few days it was! Usually, when I go home I get a rush of nostalgic feelings and thoughts. Driving down the country roads bring me back to lots of good memories. Smells, sounds, sights all can trigger things that have managed to slip my mind.

Something I often think about is how much I appreciate genuine people. I appreciate the farmers, the hard working blue collar people, the simplicity of the area. Not that where I am from is such a completely foreign place. But it is different. It's simple.

I spent time sipping coffee with mom and grandma. Spent time with my brothers. I met a new baby cousin. I went to my rival high school football game to watch my cousin cheer. I saw familiar faces and lots and lots of corn.

Every time I go home, I also feel the pangs of how much I miss being with my family. For me, there is nothing that replaces them. I miss them dearly and I miss seeing them on a bi-daily basis, or at least having the option. Family is so deeply routed in my soul.

One of my most favorite times is consists of coffee, cake, mom and grandma. There is nothing that beats great conversation, great coffee and unbelievable cake! You just never know where the stories and laughter will lead. This time, they managed to lead us to digging through the attic and pulling out my grandmother's wedding dress. So cool. I just love hearing her stories.

 Oh yes, and talk about cake. This is a new favorite recipe. I made it with pumpkin and it was incredible. My grandma made it with sweet potatoes and it was just as good. If you like pumpkin, this is a must!

Pumpkin or Sweet Potato Cake
2 cups pumpkin or sweet potatoes)
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon allspice or cloves
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder

Combine all the ingredients together. Bake in a cake or jelly roll pan for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and frost with icing.

Icing
3 oz cream cheese
1 ¾ cup powder sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
¾ stick soften butter
1 tablespoon milk
Mix until spreading consistency. Spread over bars.

2 comments:

homeawaits said...

I'm with ya on wishing family was closer. It's been on my mind often.

kristyn ellen said...

Oh my goodness, I have to go get more pumpkin puree today! I'm going through it so quickly with all of these pumpkin recipes.

It hurts to miss family, but it is so good to have family that you would want to miss! I try to remind myself of that. Then I eat chocolate.