A Texas Family Gathering

After a week of extremely cold temps in Tennessee, it was such a welcome relief as we flew into Texas and greeted by temps in the 70's.  This really made me ready for spring to arrive.  As soon as we made it to mama's, she had food on the table and most importantly a carrot cake waiting to be devoured.  Mama just happens to make the best carrots cake I have ever eaten.

Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cup oil

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon lemon extract

3 cups grated carrots, do not use pre-grated as they are to thick.

1 cup toasted chopped pecans

Directions:

Toast pecans in a 350' preheated oven for 6-7 minutes.  Let cool and chop.

Mix all ingredients together, including toasted pecans.  

Spoon batter into a tube pan that has been sprayed well with baking spray.  

Bake in a preheated oven at 350' for 1 hour.

Icing Ingredients:

1 (3 ounce) package Philadelphia Cream Cheese

4-5 Tablespoons concentrated frozen orange juice, thawed.

1 pound box powdered sugar

Icing Directions:

Mix all ingredients together to spreading consistency and spread on cooled cake, pooling any leftover in the middle.

The buttercups were already in full bloom around the lawn.

After a full day of shopping we met up with brother Bob and his family.   

Stone-Me-brother Bob-Mama

Mama with one of  her grandsons, Brandon.

 Brandon, who just happens to be the most handsome young man in Navarro County.

Nephew Brandon-Me-Bob

9 out of 10 youngsters get their greatness from their Aunt.  Thats right, uh-huh.

Brandon-Me-Brother Bob.  

My brother has the best sister in the world, just saying.

Jonathan-Great Aunt Bee-Nolan

You can't wrap love in a box, but you can wrap a person in a hug.

 Mama with Nolan

 The charming Heather

Me-Jonathon-Mama-Stone

Our last day of visiting before we returned home was at my nieces house.  Jennifer of http://jenniferwillardphotography.com was kind enough to give me some photography pointers.  There is no way my pictures will ever be as great as hers, but with the few tips maybe I can become better.

Konnor-Me-Mama-Stone-Shane-Jennifer-Ashtyn 

He's just so adorable...

Konnor