We Are Family

We had a very fun church activity tonight. Our family arrived precisely 19 minutes late and the ward family feud was already underway. We found our way to the last available table to set up our family display. We put out: our SLC Olympic 2002 blanket (representing our Utah roots and regular visits), Disneyland scrapbook, baby pictures of the kids, princess crown & accessories, Luigi, & Lego Star Wars fighter. I also wrote a mini summary for each family member.

We passed the first round of fun questions about ward members and went on to play the orange pass game. Jacob, Jessica, Jon, & I lined up. It's the silly game you play where you can't use hands and have to pass the orange from neck to neck down the row. This is a GREAT game to play with families because you aren't afraid to hug real close.

The sweetest part of the deal was that each family shared a family treat. Talk about delicious choices. I was partial to the chewy chocolate chip cookies & the candied popcorn - YUMMY. We decided to share our family favorite that we call Poppy Cake. It's become tradition for us to bake it up every Christmas and share with our friends.

I've decided to share the recipe just in case you can't wait until the holidays. We actually bake 6 loaves at a time during December, but I usually mix it in batches of 4 loaves because that's what fits in my mixer.

POPPY SEED BREAD (4 loaves)
4 c. sugar
6 eggs
3 c. milk
1 1/2 c. oil
1 T. butter buds
1 T. almond extract
1 T. vanilla extract
1 T. baking powder
1 T. salt
3 T. poppy seeds
6 c. flour

I add it all to my generic Bosch mixer and give it a whirl. Truth is that I actually use my powdered milk & powdered eggs with no problem. Spray 4 loaf pans (I don't even flour them). Bake about 50-60 minutes (depending on how deep your pans are). Cool for about 10 minutes in pans. Remove from pans & cool completely.

ORANGE GLAZE (I like it thick. You can adjust the oj to your liking. Covers 4 loaves)
3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. orange juice
3/4 t. vanilla extract
3/4 t. almond extract
3/4 t. butter buds