Every summer, for more than 25 years, with one or two exceptions, we have taken the family to the beach for a family vacation.  One exception being 2004 when we took the family to Italy, for them to get a better understanding of their roots and meet their Italian family but that’s for a different story! 

Vince, our oldest grandchild was not quite 2 the first beach year and this year he will be turning 31 and that is what was the beginning of our family beach vacations. While we started out renting one house for our then small family group, we are now renting a few houses for a group that at some time during the week will number 21. It is one of the most enjoyable times of the year and the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren look forward to it. It usually is the topic of conversation at Christmas when we are all together.

            WHAT THIS MEANS, OF COURSE, IS THAT OUR ITALIAN DELI
IN DUNWOODY

E. 48^TH STREET MARKET

IS CLOSED FROM SUNDAY, JULY 2^ND THRU SUNDAY JULY 9^th !

With so many of us, we never even think about going out to eat. Each family picks a night to cook, and it is their menu and their music. For 2 years now the grandchildren have decided to take a night. We have never had anything less than a delicious meal.  But the main ingredient is that we all eat together. After dinner and clean-up, it is party and game time.

I like to prepare a few things in advance and since this is the beach and we are on vacation, and we all like to indulge in something sweet for breakfast. I am getting ready to make this little recipe. Wrapped well and frozen it will be ready for a breakfast treat to share.  Gary, our SIL, is usually the egg and bacon maker and as people wake up and meander over to our house for breakfast other things are added to the menu. He is also the 4^th of July chef and prepares what he calls an all American meal. Chuck and his boys organize a meal on the beach night. By 6:00pm the beach is quiet and beautiful, and we just spread out on blankets and beach chairs.

To begin our week, Saturday night as people arrive, we have a very casual dinner of locally purchased shrimp that Charlie will prepare several different ways. For Sunday I will be preparing a few lasagnas that I will freeze along with extra sauce. for our Sunday Family Dinner. The grandkids also requested a big supply of Marble brownies.  So I have a few busy days ahead of me, but so much fun preparing and anticipating.

Our days start early and we are all down at the beach by 10:30 where we stay for the day. 

Follow along and I’ll tell you more about our week.

WARM CINNAMON CAKE

Simple, Easy, Delicious

FOR THE CAKE:

1 2/3 CUPS FLOUR

1 TB BAKING POWDER

PINCH OF SALT

½ CUP SUGAR + 2 TB

½ CUP SHORTENING – room temp

1 EGG

BUTTER FOR GREASING 

FOR THE TOPPING:

3 TB FLOUR

3 TB SUGAR

1 TB GROUND CINNAMON 

PINCH OF NUTMEG

PINCH OF SALT

3 TB SHORTENING

Preheat oven to 400º

Grease a 9 or 10-inch cake pan and line bottom with parchment paper.

It’s best to first make the topping –  by sifting the dry ingredients together and rubbing in the shortening with your fingers to make crumbs. 

To make the cake: Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl and add the shortening, egg, and milk.  Beat for 1 minute with a wooden spoon until smooth and then transfer to the prepared pan. Sprinkle evenly with the prepared topping and bake until well risen, about 25 minutes. The actual time will depend on the size of the pan you use.(The crumb mixture because of the sugar will be very hot so don’t try to test by pressing down with your finger to test for doneness. Sadly, a lesson I learned).

NOTE: This actually is a very simple cake and is best served warm, alone or, possibly, with a side of whipped cream or fresh fruit.

BUON MANGIATA!