Thursday, July 9, 2015

Strawberry ~Lavender Cream Cheese Pound Cake~








Oops..I meant cream cheese not sour cream..:)





I would love to go back to Bleu Lavande and see what's changed under the new ownership..but it was quite a trek..
Provence felt closer for some reason..but we went after the Lavender Days~
I have a small amount of lavender growing here..small amount..I wonder why mine never takes like the above pics?
Must be the soil..
Anyway..I do have some of the edible kind..and I still had about 1 1/2 cups of strawberries..from our berry picking day..so I decided to make a Strawberry Cream Cheese Lavender pound cake..I invented part of it..the lavender part..and a touch of almond in the icing..
the rest I gleaned from Food .com..and instead of a Bundt.. I halved the recipe and made a loaf..because that's what I wanted;)

La Recette~ this is it halved..

1 1/2 half sticks of butter softened (I used the Trader Joe one I brought back from Vermont..love their sticks♥)
1/2 pack of Cream Cheese..room temp..(I used my cute Trader Joe one..love their packaging)
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs room temp
1 1/2 cup of sifted flour
some edible lavender buds to taste
1 1/2 cup strawberries..sliced..some whole..the wee wee ones..
Beat cream cheese and butter until homogenous..add sugar..beat till pale and fluffy..add eggs one at a time ..beating very well after each addition..
Add flour..mix well
Fold in berries..
Put in your prepped pan and bake in a pre-heated 325 F oven for ap 1 hr and 15 minutes..
Let cool..remove from pan.. I added a glace of powdered sugar..almond extract..and icing sugar..not much..
adorned w/ fresh Lavender sprigs and lavender pearls~
This is a cake for someone who likes a very moist dense cake.
The berries and the cream cheese add the moisture.


In the shade..Goddess of Oy~ Solomom's Seal,Ferns,Heuchera,Hostas,Filipendula, Bleeding Hearts,Sweet Woodruff(ground cover..)..to the right..not shown..Hydrangeas..Phlox..Gooseneck,Hostas..a Diablo Ninebark..all these things are prolific in shade..
The fancy Clematis..that gets wilt unfortunately..you can see it....is Josephine..a real can~ can girl..she is in sun in a front entrance bed..Geranium Rozanne blossoms at the same time..great combo..sedum is there..more hostas.. Shastas..white astilbes..I pack it in..
That curving entrance bed is so much better than it was a few years ago..I ripped out a lot and started over..and everything loves it's place now.
Just gotta figure out Josephine and her wilt:)
I took a photo w/ Waterlogue ..different angle a bit of that bench in the shady garden..wanted to see..if Waterlogue can help a novice..
I like following along..albeit it's like copying..just looking up at my Ipad and down at my paper..I enjoy trying to do what they do.It gives a novice an idea of where to actually put lights and darks in foliage..
If you feel like relaxing w/ a paint brush..paints and paper..pull out your Ipad and Waterlogue;)


PS ..the reason I show what I try and paint..is to encourage you to try and have fun..I have been pleased w / very few of what I have painted..a few birthday cards..some watercolors and oils of the boys..that's it..maybe one or two things from 10 yrs ago..
I think if I show you novice..it's not intimidating...and you may try and find the peace I find in painting♥

Bon weekend!

PPSS  Terry made the Marie Custard Cream cookies ..flawlessly!:)


59 comments:

  1. Happy weekend to you too! The lavender cake looks like one I'd enjoy if I weren't watching my calorie intake. '-)
    The watercolors are charming, Monique. I'm going to try some of the pens. I love to play around and pretend I can actually paint. You are an inspiration with your pretty examples. Perhaps someday I can paint like you.

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    1. Dear Sarah..I would aspire to paint like anyone else but me..:)
      I am pretending! Make Believe..

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  2. That Clematis is outstanding...I have never seen anything like that before...and your painting is glorious...
    I tried to paint a few years ago...no good at all...think I need water colours and proper paper...
    You are truly an inspiration!!
    I think I might just make that cake!! IS 1 1/2 sticks around 1/2 cup??? or more??
    Is the Lavender just a garnish???
    It looks so moist and delicious...I guess any fruit would be awesome!!
    Happy weekend to you too Monique...we are off to the cottage in the am...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. I thinkit means 3/4 cup:)

      Here is the full recipe for a Bundt..

      http://www.food.com/recipe/strawberry-cream-cheese-pound-cake-165844

      A Bunt would be lovely..and I think blueberries..would be great..cherries especially w/ some almond flavoring..
      Enjoy the cottage!

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    2. PS Linda...I just added in the recipe that I added edible lavender buds to taste..I put very little in this one maybe 1/2 tsp..

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  3. Linda said what I was going to say. I have never seen such a beautiful clematis. I love your bench and the way you pack it all in when you garden. Helps keep the weeds down? I've always wanted to do that too, but all the billion oak leaves get trapped in all my beds. No one makes more beautiful food than you Monique. Cream cheese pound cake is a favorite though unfortunately, I love cake. I love your paintings and especially that you get so much joy from it. Have a wonderful weekend. I think the summer will be over before we know it.

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    1. It does keep the weeds down..a lot..they suffocate..but I have a few invincible,prolific weeds that I cannot control..I think I will take pics of them..
      And do a post just on my annoyances..some I can just pull and out..so easy..others.. no kidding I would need a truck w/ a hitch and rope.
      I know summer will be over before we know it..I can tell by what's blooming and the height of our corn fields!

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  4. Absolutely beautiful:)
    J'aime beaucoup:)😊

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  5. I must try your cake, it looks so yummy and hubby would love it. I have some strawberries in the freezer ready to use. You must do a Watercolor paint tutorial on youtube. I love your style! Do you have any of your watercolor prints for sale? I'm looking for dried Lavender and haven't found any yet but I'll take those fields of Lavender!!! Beautiful!! Have a wonderful weekend :) xoxo

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    1. You..know how to make me smile and think Oh my gosh no:)
      I paint so stiff not loose..this one I followed..the waterlogue..you are an artist! You don't need waterlogue Bev.

      Amazon.com has edible lavender:) I just looked for you:)

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  6. Did you paint the little pot of lavender? I had read that Montreal has a commercial lavender farm in a book called Lavender by Tessa Evelegh. The still life photos by Debbie Patterson remind me of yours. The Maine farm had lavender lemonade & ice cream. Their rows were closer together than the ones above. What brand is the water brush? Yes, peace in painting, no matter what our experience...

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    1. I did..but look how closely I tried to glean from Waterlogue..
      I must look into that book Rita.The commercial lavender field we went to and know of is in Stanstead QC..outside of Mtl..Bleu Lavande..a beautiful outing! Right about now I would think..
      http://bleulavande.com/

      Rita I follow a lovely blog...the family went on a trip..and a lovely Miss Rumphius quote was found..

      go see..

      http://kellehampton.com/2015/07/enjoying-summer-in-east-lansing.html

      I thought of you right away..and our book:)

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    2. There does not seem to be a brand for this set of piston waterbrushes..they are on EBAY..if you wish I can send you a link? 3 sizes..are bigger than my waterbrushes.. packaged separately.

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  7. Ce pound cake avec la douce saveur de lavende et celle fruitée de la fraise doit être un vrai régal !

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  8. Je suis de garde à la maison ce weekend et vais préparer ton gâteau. Il est magnifique ! Quant à tes aquarelles, je les adore aussi ...
    Bisous
    Hélène

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    1. Tu es si gentille.. je crois que dans cette maison..un ange y habite.
      Emouvant pour moi de voir tes billets autour de la maison:)♥

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  9. Are those lavender chocolate chips? I have never seen anything like that. As usual your cake is beautiful! We picked a ton of strawberries from our garden yesterday. Most have been frozen and a few went into a dessert. Loving the piston waterbrushes. I have never seen anything like that. Love the idea of referring to waterlogue for painting tips also. You are a wealth of ideas! Also loving your garden pics. You live in a bit of heaven on earth I think! xoxo

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    1. Your gardens are heaven on earth!
      They are lavender pearls.. like dragées..but more oval..and lavender..
      The piston waterbrushes..will send you the link!
      You would put them to their highest and best use..:)

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  10. Yes. Yes. Yes. You always inspire me and especially make me want to bring out my paint to play! The waterlogue idea is great! I need to try that myself. =) The lavender pound cakes are so beautiful... the scent of lavender always makes us feel a smile in our souls! blessings ~ tanna

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    1. Brushing our hands against it:) And it is so pretty in a garden isn't it?

      I had at first thought I would trace w/ Waterlogue..ut I prefer just gleaning..looking up..at the screen and then looking down at my paper.
      I don't think you need Waterlogue to paint:)

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  11. I remember that bench from gardenbuddies days with your angel. Things have filled in from what I remember. I am sure you have much more experience with the clematis but if you can spray, Debbie Fisher (also from gardenbuddies early days) has this info on her website http://www.silverstarvinery.com/care.asp. The lavender fields are so pretty and the pound cake may be made some time soon. It is so pretty with the lavender. I had fun yesterday making those cookies and Jerry gave a thumbs up. I am sure the rest of the family will approve today when they visit. Have a great weekend and enjoy the pound cake.

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    1. I will go look..:)
      You have a great memory..that bench has been there since we have,I had it at our other home..see all the lichen growing on it?
      The wilt is highly unattractive..:(
      Have a great weekend Terry....don't forget to let me know how the recipe works with your other stamps:)

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    2. Will do Monique. They were a hit with the family.

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  12. A really great pleasure to read you and to see the pictures...and the field of lavender ! Christine

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  13. Love reading your posts Monique. Always inspiring. The links are special too. Enjoyed learning of Kelle Hampton. Your painting and baking always make me happy. Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Her blog is so special..those kids♥ the pics:)
      Thank you Penny:)

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  14. What a beautiful looking cake! It sounds delicious too. Those pictures of lavender fields tugs at my heartstrings.

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  15. Could you hear me gasp?
    Love love yr lavandre
    And the Waterlogue! Perfection

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    1. The Waterlogue..:) Well the Mini Ipad..is because of YOU..You..you:)
      You were showing us how to paint with it..and well you convinced me and it did not take much convincing!
      Thank you thank you thank you!

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  16. I love your watercolors, Monique. You have a knack for capturing the essence of your subject. I'm having fun playing with Waterlogue too. It does some lovely things to beach photos.

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  17. I finally had to dig out the two edible lavender plants I had - fine for a few years and then they died. I don't use it all that much but when I see a beautiful recipe like this - I wish I had it again. Such a moist and delicious-looking pound cake! You know, I've never seen a lavender field. It must be intoxicating to see and to smell. I have Blue Light which looks very much the same as your clematis. It's doing well this year but I don't think I saw a bud on it last year. There are times when I want to rip out all of the Group 2s! Wasted garden space :) I don't think I've ever seen a piston brush for watercolor. Mine are all growing mold :) Bon weekend, M!

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    1. I dislike group 2s also.I have never been lucky w/ them..Give me 3's and ones any day!
      Get your brushes out..you are soo talented nana..
      I thought this loaf was pretty too:)
      You never forget a levender field.Never:)

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  18. That poundcake looks amazing! I have two lavender plants...no idea if they are edible or not....hmmmmm...the brush looks fabulous too!
    Bisous xo

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    1. I know some are and some not..they taught us that at Bleu lavande:)
      It was so interesting!

      X

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  19. Such a wonderful pound cake. It looks beautiful and I bet with those ingredients, it's heavenly. You can't go wrong with cream cheese and strawberries/ We have tons of lavender around here, but it already bloomed. Enjoy the weekend.

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    1. Hope you have a peaceful weekend Linda after everything you have just been through...

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  20. Oh! That cake sounds deliciously perfect! Perfect combination, especially with almond extract. I'm oddly happy to see the Goddess again, in all her drama:) -and your lovely watercolors and lanes of lavender : SUMMER!

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  21. The lavender field, the cake, the watercolor - it all makes me happy.
    Another lovely post, Monique.
    Amalia
    xo

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  22. I have tried baking with edible lavender a couple of times, but the strawberry lavender combination sounds heavenly!

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  23. You either like lavender in baking..coking or not..I do!
    The almond kicks it up nicely also..

    Such a pretty day here..bet Ontario is the same!

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  24. Your strawberry pound cake looks almost too pretty to eat, love the lavender on top. So beautiful........

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    1. I loved reading about your happy visit:) So good after everything you have been through...

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  25. Everything is lovely as always with so much beauty to absorb. What I remember of southern France were the lavender blue fields for miles around. This lovely pound cake reminds me to visit our local lavender farm before the season is over.

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    1. I spent some time yesterday looking at past White Dinners in Mtl..looks so lovely!

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  26. Something about the mix of nutrients give more flower than leaves... sun and shade too. Shade gives less flower and pretty fluffy leaves!

    As always it all looks amazing. My big experiment this year is angelica. I just didn't want to spend a fortune on imported French candied angelica root and it looks so beautiful. It's fabulous in my absinthe!!

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  27. I simply love your watercolors, Monique. Did I ever mention my grandmother did watercolors? Also chalk...which I think was a big thing back then. I think art and needlework were much encouraged in that generation, everyone tried, not all were successful. She was. I have several pieces of her work, as does my sister. She was quite good. Unfortunately, that talent did not get passed on.
    This is a lovely lavender pound cake....moist and looks so pretty with the fresh strawberries.

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    1. Thanks Barbara! Do you ahve any of her watercolors?My mom did oils and pastels..what I would give to see her art supplies and touch them!
      We're having Florida weather here;)

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  28. We have a row of lavender planted in our small garden, being inspired by the gardens of the French Chef Raymond Blanc. They too are small little plants, but they are surviving and the colour is lovely. This cake looks so tempting. I love a layer of simple glace icing, it's definitely under-rated. And your scattering of lavender on the top just completes the fresh, summer look of this cake. May I have a slice?

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  29. I make the same cream cheese poundcake. It is the best! Next time I make it I'm going to try it with the lavender and strawberries. Oh my.

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