My mother-in-law, Katie, hails from Barbour County, Alabama. Her family’s home was situated on a plot of land out in the country, somewhere near Blue Springs. A census in 2010 said the population was 96, but it looks like that number is down to 80-something today. I’d like to get down there and take Steevenson to Blue Springs State Park someday. It’s a 103-acre recreation area along the banks of the Choctawhatchee River near the center of town.
The centerpiece of the park is an underground-fed clear blue spring that feeds into a beautiful, sandy-bottomed swimming area. I read that the spring delivers about 3,600 gallons of fresh water per minute and that the water stays a steady 68°F year round. Too cold for me, but I know Steevenson would love it!
Katie was born on the 18th of February in 1936 and counts “reading cookbooks” as one of her favorite hobbies.
I love having her right here with us and hearing stories about all the sweet treats her family made when she was little. They weren’t elaborate recipes, but it seems to me the best ones never are.
She has fond memories of eating her mother’s molasses sponge cake and her grandmother’s egg custard. At Christmas, she said they both baked numerous cakes. Coconut, chocolate, fruit…the list went on and on, and as she shared the stories of them I’m sure my smile did too. 🙂
We made Ashley’s Triple Berry Cake Roll together this past weekend.
Just click through that link if you’d like to see/read Ashley’s instructions. It’s the yummiest dessert I’ve eaten this year and Kevin, Katie, Steevenson and I had so much fun making it.
I’ve heard that “food tastes better when you eat together with your family” but after eating this cake (and my mom’s pesto when we visited her a couple of weeks ago!) I’m certain that it tastes the best when you make it with your family too.
Happy baking!
Layla
PS- Here’s a video of some clips I captured the day we made it! 🙂
My mom’s birthday is February 17th and she owns a large plastic measuring cup like the one you’re using here… although she’s younger than Katie by a number of years, all the similarities in this post just made me smile!😁 (That looks delicious!)
Love the sweet pics of family baking together!
This makes me miss my grandmas desparately! I got my love of baking from them and my mom. I love seeing the baking tools and bowls that Katie uses-takes me back! Wonderful memories.
I made Katie’s Strawberry cake today. So easy and fun to make. The Berry cake roll looks good. The lime cake is next on my list to make. Thank you so the wonderful summer recipes to make and share with family and friends.
I LOVED watching the Instagram story of you all making this. <3
Steevenson is looking SO grown!