A Note to Dad this Father's Day
Since I moved back from the west coast 20 years ago I've been lucky enough to celebrate nearly everyone's birthday, holiday, mother and fathers' days with my entire branch of our family. In typical fashion we cook too much, make a big mess, set beautiful tables (of course) and celebrate each other with vigor.
We are able to give a little glory to the person we're celebrating at the moment and there is nothing that I like better than to throw a party and give some love to our people.
This fathers day will be taking it down a notch as my husband and amazing father to my boys will not be here and my fabulous step father (who totally and completely understands my artistic brain and all of it's not so typical ways of thinking and connecting with the rest of the world, will be hanging closer to home.
We'll miss them both and will be gifting and cooking for the original guy who put up with so very much from me as a teen. Let's just say that I wasn't an easy kid but I sure did like to have fun! He's the guy that traveled half-way around the world to see me on my birthday, the guy who drives 3 hours to go to my kids' events or to give me a birthday card. He's also the guy that has financed more of my "startups" than I can count. The very first one was money to buy beads so I could sell jewelry at Grateful Dead shows:) yep, that one worked out well;) This picture pretty much says it all and although we've got much more silver (or in some cases less) hair, I still feel this way when you're around.
My dad is the guy who shows up when asked, day or night he's there for you. I'll never forget when the boys were little and John was away. One boy fell with the flu, then the other, and then me. My dad called everyday and I didn't want him to come here and get sick too. Then on a Wednesday morning with all of us toasted from the flu, my dad called and I said, "Uncle, dad, I just can't take care of the boys, I'm too sick. He was literally here 3 hours later getting us back on track.
So here is to you Dad, (aka Mr. Safety) the single most generous, kindest, most non-judgemental person I know. We all love you and can't wait to wish you a very Happy Father's Day.
To celebrate we'll be making this favorite olive oil lemon cake from Modern Honey. It is delicious, light, lemony, and perfect for the season.
- 1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Canola Oil
- 3 Eggs
- 1 1/3 cup Whole Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Zest
- 2 Cups Sugar
- 2 Cups Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Lemon Curd
- 1/2 cup Butter softened
- 1 - 8 ounce package Cream Cheesesoftened
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar may need 1/4 cup more depending on consistency
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Lemon Zest plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla or Vanilla Beans optional
- Lemon Zest
- Blackberries
- Mint
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
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In a large mixing bowl, add oil, eggs, whole milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cream for 2 minutes. In large bowl, add sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir into egg mixture and fold. Spray two 9-inch or three 8-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Place batter into baking pans. If using three 8-inch pans, bake for 20-26 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. If using two 9-inch pans, bake for 30-36 minutes. Cool.
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In a large bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping sides of bowl often. Add powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and lemon zest and cream together. Chill.
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Remove cakes from pan. Spread frosting on top of one cooled cake layer. Place other cooled cake layer on top and spread frosting all over. Garnish with lemon zest and fresh blackberries.
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Optional: Spread lemon curd on first cake layer and then top with frosting.
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Let chill for 20-30 minutes to let the frosting set up.
As a reminder, June also celebrates Pride and we're donating 20% of all profits this month to The Trevor Project, a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people under 25. You can shop all our Pride gear here!
Xo,Sue