Every Barn Christening Requires A Cake In It's Honor

First posts going in.

Can you see his smile?

See, he's watching it grow!

So here's to the new barn.  Months of building has turned one husband of mine into the happiest man alive.  I wish you all could have been here over the last little while.  James has been like a little boy at Christmas.  Every day he's out checking the latest progress, and just watching and daydreaming.  This barn, that was supposed to be a small house for James' other true love,  the boat, somehow magically appeared.  I'm not sure how it all happened.  I can't believe he talked me into all this.  One cold Dec. 12th James tells me we're going to Salt Lake for my birthday to maybe go to IKEA.   Somehow I was hoodwinked in the process and we ended up bringing a new boat home.  I didn't even get to IKEA that day.  And then I was told the boat had to have a "small" home, but somehow we got an enormous barn!!  True.  James is one sweet talking son of a gun.  If I didn't think he was really cute or wasn't fun to sleep with, none of this would have happened.  But it has happened, and we lived, and James can somehow come up with just the money he needs when it is something he wants.  Funny thing!

So now we are official Avonites.  I have been told by one neighbor in particular that I should not live in Avon if I don't have animals.  Where are my horses, piggies, or even a rabbit.  I totally think 2 dogs and kitties should count.  Well now at least I have the appearance of animals.   Isn't that what a barn screams?  But this barn will see no such critters.  I don't do animals.  This barn is housing 1 white Super Trooper, 1 black car, 1 bumblebee boat, 1 Ford blue tractor, and all of James' bikes, canoes, skis, etc. etc. etc........  but no animals. (ok I will admit Lucy and Gus are actually out in the barn right now because of the thunderstorm,  but they're like family.  I get called Lucy quite frequently actually.)

I grew up with horses most of my life, and most of my brothers still love them.  There are 4 or 5 horses that my kids can ride down at Grandpa's house, but that is more than enough for me.  Now this next story is a bit shocking, and vulgar, but just remember I was 17.  Don't think less of me please.  One lovely Sat. I was out riding horses with my cute boyfriend (and it wasn't James shamefully) and we were having a great time.  As the sun was starting to go down, we headed home, and you know how horses are.  Well, I was on one of my Uncle Jack's horses and wasn't too familiar with her.  She knew we were headed home and took off.  I swear it was the Holy Ghost who told me to jump off the back of the horse, but it actually was Josh.  It was so faint and peaceful sounding I obeyed and on my butt I fell.  It was horrible.  I had a black eye, a broken bum, and the ugliest bruises you've ever seen.  I still have the scar tissue back in my right butt cheek that makes me a bit lopsided.  I couldn't walk for a couple of days, and I couldn't cheer lead for 3 weeks.  It was miserable.  After a month or so, you know the old saying, " You gotta get right back on that horse and show them who's boss."  I already new who was boss, and I didn't want to ever get on another horse.  My dad was relentless though!!  He begged, he pleaded, and promised to not leave my side.  I cried, and begged back, but eventually I got back in the saddle.  We didn't even move and I was ready to get off, but my dad wouldn't let me.  He kept telling me to stop titty mousing and get going.  That is when it happened.  The biggest ugliest swear word in the world came out of my mouth.  I had been pushed to the edge.  It was the big old "F" word and it wasn't fart.  I remember the look on my dad's face as his cute little Lisa said the word of all words to him.  I sounded like a trucker he told me, but he immediately helped my off the horse.  He didn't yell, or get mad, he almost reverently helped my down and told me I never had to get on a horse again.  

I didn't.  Until James came along.  I remember my dad saying he knew I really liked James because I went on a horse back ride with him.  Actually he knew he may just loose a daughter over this horse ride.  Nothing but true love would ever get me on a horse.  My dad was right.  I did like James, and I did a lot to impress him.  Most of those things I still do today , but I won't ride a horse.  Period.  End of story.  (and I promise to never say that word again!)

So now I've admitted to the F word, and that I was hoodwinked into a boat that needed a house, but I will say that the barn is mighty cute.  It is a fun place to sleep out too.  We slept out the other night with everyone, and had barn cake to christen the barn for breakfast.  It was fantastic.  And it will never be known as anything but barn cake.  Maybe you could make it for the 4th of July or just a lovely Sat. morning.  It actually could masquerade as a dessert too if you wanted.  Just top it with whipped cream, or better yet homemade ice cream.  Yummy!!  So if you'd like to visit the only barn in Avon that does not house animals come on over.  We'd love to sit out on the porch and watch the grass grow with anyone.  It's beautiful here and we love to have friends.

Barn Cake

(adapted from the Pillsbury Best Muffins and Quick  Breads cookbook)

2 1/4 c. flour

3/4 c. sugar

3/4 c. butter

1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

3/4 c. sour cream

1 t. almond extract

1 egg

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

1/4 c. sugar

1 egg

1/2 c. raspberry jam

1/2 c. sliced almonds

Heat oven to 350' F.  Grease and flour bottom and sides of 9 inch Springform pan.  In a large bowl combine flour and 3/4 c. sugar.  mix well.  With a pastry blender or your hands cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.  Reserve 1 c. of the crumbs.  To the remaining crumbs add powder, soda, salt, sour cream, extract and 1 egg.  Blend well.  You may need a little milk to make it spreadable.  I used about 1/8th of a cup of milk.  Spread batter over bottom of the pan and up the pan about an inch.  

In a small bowl combine cream cheese, 1/4 c. sugar and 1 egg and blend well.  Pour cream cheese mixture into the batter lined pan.  Carefully spoon jam on top of the cream cheese mixture.  Top with remaining crumb mixture and sliced almonds.  

Bake for 45-55 mins or until cream cheese filling is set and crust is deep golden brown.  I baked mine 55 mins. and it probably could have had 5 mins. more.  Cool 15-30.  Remove the sides of the Springform pan and serve in wedges.   You could also bake it in a 9x13 inch pan or casserole dish.  It really was an amazing coffe cake!!