………………………Today, Sat, March 2018 is Pansy planting day! Yesterday, Franco and I went to get the Pansies…….flat, after flat, after flat…..just as Jac would have done. Next the pots came out of the garage and the garden statues came out of our sun porch, where I kept them protected from the winter storms. We are a little late this year due to the FOUR NOR’EASTERS we had back to back, to back, to back! Normally Jac would have had them all planted at least a week ago, and I was determined to have them all planted and set up for Jac before Easter Sunday……and they are. I set up the brick porch with the pots, the entryway into the kitchen, and the window sill exactly how Jac would want them. Franco and I began to plant until we were finished. I swept and watered all of the plants, and it looks BEAUTIFUL!!!!……Even the girls came out to join in. Franco and I talked to Jac as if she were here helping us…….I know Jac was right beside me all the time. I also know she would be so happy to see all the smiling faces of the beautiful pansies………..I’m very happy it looks as Jac would have wanted, but I can’t help but tear up to realize another landmark event took place without my sweet Baby………………..Along with Jac’s smiling Pansies………….I know she’s smiling too………………………………………..I love my Jac and miss her terribly……………….
Louis, you have the go power of the Engergizer Bunny! What a lovely way to remember.
crdlb
Oh, Louis, you made Jac so happy with all those pansies, and again this year … what joy you brought her, and to all of us you share with. Jac and I shared a love of the same favorite flowers; pansies, lilacs and daffodils … such beauty, as was Jac. I’m so glad you had Franco to help you make everything so lovely.
I’ve made Jac’s Lemon Cake many times since she shared it, and I am making one for Walter tomorrow … and we will think of Jac and you with love and gratefulness … and plant some pansies this week.
Sleep well, friend.
Dear Cathy, can you please post the recipe here. Jac has so many cook books I don’t know where to look. I would like to attempt making one…..I miss her Lemon cake……I miss all of her cooking………..Happy Easter!
Dear Louis,
Happy Easter! I posted the recipe last night–it is on this page just a little ways down 🙂
Cindy B in California
Thanks
Dear Louis,
Sorry; I was offline for a bit. I certainly would post any of the recipes I have that Jac so graciously shared with us. I’d already seen that Cindy B posted it, with thanks to Cindy. i think it was a bit confusing because some of us called it Lemon Cake, but Jac called it Tante Anna’s cake along with the endearing story of the rivalry between her mother and aunt over the recipe 🙂 My mother-in-law was one of 6 children, and 3 were sisters. Each iron willed and sure their recipe was the RIGHT one … years later, in going through their recipe collections, we found each had THE family recipe for Scottish shortbread, and each was marked “This is the right original recip. Alice/Edna/Mildred’s recipes are not the right ones. LOL, we remain confused as to how to make shortbread 😉 It’s an easy recipe, just follow Jac’s good directions and let us know how it comes out!
Hugs and Love, Cathy
Beautiful pansies and a beautiful story. It brought back a fond memory of my Grandmother Minnie who had a white pique dress covered with different color pansies, Thank you for making me think of her, made me smile.
What a beautiful, loving tribute. I always plant pots of pansies too, their faces are so happy. This year, tomorrow actually, I’ll plant them in memory of lovely Jac. Happy Easter Louis and blessings to you.
Beautiful! !Springtime, a season of new life and hope. I know Jac is THRILLED😊 You did great! Keep smiling dear Louis. Have a happy and blessed Easter.
I love reading your posts. I know Jac is happy that you planted the pansies as she would’ve done. I know she was right beside you as you did this and is smiling as she looks at what you accomplished. Beautiful. Love the pics!
I got teary as I read this, but totally understand. Often as I’m doing mere yard work I know my husband is watching me try to do it just like he would have.
Thanks for sharing. 😊
What a beautiful thing you and Franco did. It will make you happy every time you see them. Happy Easter!
Mary
How beautiful! I always go a little crazy at the garden store! I haven’t gone this year, yet, but my daughter made trip after trip last weekend. Her sunflower seeds are already sprouting. Our azaleas have bloomed and are starting to fade… Your planting has motivated me to get started. Happy Easter, Louis! I was wondering if you would share the lemon cake recipe with us?
Dear Sylvia, between Jac and her mother there is a large antique book case with a chicken wire double door front fill with recipe books. If I find it I would gladly share it.
Dear Louis and Sylvia,
I remember seeing the recipe in your blog, Louis, so in the search bar I typed ‘cake’ and the recipe came right up. I was so happy to get it because Jac mentioned that it is a good cake for Easter. I have wanted to make this cake for a long time, and this year seems to be the perfect time to do so.
Cindy B in California
Tante Anna’s 6 Egg Cake
The recipe I am posting here has been in my family for generations. My Grandmother Marie, had a sister, Anna. Tante Anna taught my mother to be a superb baker. We always called this firm crumbed cake after our Tante Anna. My grandmother was a pioneer in her field of medicine, but not as interested in the kitchen….But!…. She said this cake was her recipe and was annoyed by any other reference!….to keep the peace, around my grandmother, we called this cake the “6 Egg Cake”. Otherwise, we always referred to it as “Tante Anna’s cake”. As you can see, I am still keeping the peace with the title. It is a good one for Easter morning!
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
2 sticks ( 1/2 LB) Unsalted Butter
6 Eggs separated
2 Cups All Purpose Flour…sifted with
2 Teasp. Baking Powder
Grated rind and Juice of 1 Lemon
Oven: 350…in the middle rack
Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl until fluffy.
Gradually add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition.
Sift flour and baking powder and gradually add to egg and butter mixture. Beat thoroughly. Add grated rind and juice and mix well.
With clean beaters, beat the egg whites until dry and stiff.
Fold egg whites into egg mixture and combine gently by hand, using a spoon.
Spoon into pretty cake molded pan (see below) that has been buttered or sprayed lightly with Pam.
Bake moderate oven 350* for 3/4 of an hour. Do not overbake…this cake will get dry.
When cool, invert pan….I always take a knife a loosen the edges and knock the pan before I invert.. Let cake cool more and sprinkle with sifted confectioners sugar.
I realized after this conversation, since I have so many cookbooks, that my children would have no idea where to look for things I make that they like… Sometimes I can’t even remember where to look! I will make Jac’s lemon cake also, in memory of her. I love to share recipes and try new things. I went to Lowe’s this morning and got some herbs, lavender, and Rex Begonias to plant today. I will be thinking of your Easter Egg Hunt, Louis. I know the little one will have wonderful memories of his Uncle Louis.
Sylvia, do you have the lemon cake receipt? If you do please post it. It’s different than the 6 egg cake.
no, I copied Tante Anna’s 6 egg cake. I noticed that this recipe doesn’t have a glaze like you described. I will wait for you to find the one Jac made for Easter, if you can. For Easter morning this year, I made a “Dutch Baby” pancake, and made homemade lemon curd to put on top. It was delicious!
Beautiful 💐
Just beautiful! Traditions are so important to keep. Also, so good to have sunshine. Happy Easter to all
So lovely to continue traditions you made together. My heart goes out to you.
You made Jac very proud and happy, just beautiful. You will both get lots of pleasure from those smiling faces.
The pansies look beautiful and I know Jac was definitely there with you and would approve. I planted my pansies yesterday with the assistance of my helper, my Maltipoo Oscar. I even put some in with my miniature irises {the miniature irises were covered in snow until a few days ago and now they are in bloom). The pansies always look so cheerful and to me they are a sign of hope and the season to come. I wish you a Happy Easter with all the blessings of this Holy season.
How wonderful that you did this Louis. I can remember when I first went on your blog and saw you and Jac in the garden along with your dogs. I thought to myself, that is just like myself and my husband! I’m sure Jac is looking down from heaven and is so proud of you! I find being in the garden, around all of God’s creations is healing. I am going to plant a tree in my Aunt’s honor who recently passed away.
Franco and Teresa are going to get a Cherry Tree and plant it in my back yard for Jac. They are her favorite flowering trees. Lilacs are her favorite flowering bushes. Her othe favorites are Daffodils
A beautiful day for pansy planting with the girls supervising. I’m sure your beloved Jac was right there too.
Beautiful, Louis! Happy, smiley faces! You will get so much pleasure from seeing them and knowing how happy you made Jac, today! Just as lovely as Jac! Happy Easter!