Eighty Candles

I called my brother who lives next door, I said "Do you suppose that we should put 80 candles on Mom's cake?" He laughed and said "Sounds interesting..but how would we get and keep them all lit ? " We decided to just position a box of candles in the shape of a big 80. My Dad hosted a small get together to celebrate my Mothers birthday..the big eight oh. Dad sprung for the Ice Cream Cake and he asked me to bake a lemon cake. I also made some rice krispie bars and my brother brought some cookies. Not everyone could attend, we were missing my brother in Oregon and my sister in Minnesota. Neither of our girls could attend, Jen had company and Tricas girls have the flu.

My Mom said it had been a long time since she had a cake with candles on it.

Good thing that my brothers children have offspring that are still mesmerized by candles.

What a crew helping Great Grandma put out the fire! Pictured are six of her great grands..she has thirteen all together.

All of my brothers grands were there, this is Aubrey with her Mom and Great Grandma.

Newest baby Brooke and her Great Grandma. She is still so little, but growing! I got to hold her, she only squeaked a little, no out right screams..she fell asleep. I breathed a sigh of relief!


In retrospect, I probably should have baked my cake in layers and put it on a fancy cake plate..I took a cake decorating class eons ago..I do remember how to do buttercream frosting. But this cake is my Mother's Mother's recipe and it was never on a fancy cake plate it was always in a cake pan with a cover.. it was one of my Grandmas favorite recipes.


Lemon Cake


One package of Lemon Cake mix, I use Pillsbury


One can of Wilderness Lemon Pie Filling


2 eggs


Mix together. The batter will be thick! Put in 9x13 pan that has been oiled and floured. Bake 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. After it has cooled prepare the frosting. Pour some powdered sugar in a bowl..add some lemon juice..mix it up well..not to thick not too runny..pour it over your cake..enjoy!


This cake instantly transports me to a sunny kitchen with huge windows on the old porch..the long narrow white table under the windows filled with African Violets and Geraniums brought in for the winter. The smell of freshly brewed coffee..and a red and white checkered oilcloth covering the kitchen table. All these memories in just one recipe:)