Summer is half way over…so hard to believe…and I have not even crossed Summer picnic off the “Bucket List”.   But the adorable picnic baskets in my feature selection have put me in the mood…even if we never make it off the porch!

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Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

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Kelly at Under a Texas Sky – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

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Wait…How can it be the middle of Summer already? Didn’t school just finish for the year? Remember when Summer felt endless…or at least long enough to feel really really bored of unscheduled routines and wide open days? Simpler times I guess. Ice cream trucks, fireflies, community swimming pool, all day bike rides and balmy nights playing tag…these memories are treasured…perhaps a bit rosier than the reality, but treasured just the same.

Summer does allow for more free time. And more free time, at least for me, means more time to track down those antique treasures just waiting to be discovered. Treasures that bring to mind simpler times…just like my remembered Summers of a past time.

A Jadeite seltzer bottle..Summer ice cream sodas.

A vintage cracker box and antique plaid cake holder…Summer picnic lunches.

A beautiful vintage cross-stitch sampler…keeping busy on the porch on a warm afternoon.

Or perhaps preparing for the upcoming school year.

Maybe the magic of summer truly is a state of mind. Even a modern entertainment device is best enjoyed in an old fashioned rocker with a refreshing drink.

inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim Wednesday. Home and garden. Waste not. Dagmar’s house. Style showcase. Grandma’s house. Vintage charm. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Thursday favorites. Share your cup. Morning cup of joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. Fresh market faith and family. Sunday at home. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Saturday shuffle. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze Me smell good Sunday. Over the moon Funtastic Friday BFF Open House

Everyone wants to hang out on my porch! Happy to be featured at the following great blog parties!

Inspire Me Tuesday@A Stroll Through Life

Home and Garden Thursday@A Delightsome Life

We are jumping into summer fun with both feet…how about you? Not sure, try my featured Italian Ice Recipe…perfect for these hot days!

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Jerri at Simply Sweet Home – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

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Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

Penny at Penny’s Passion – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

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Is it possible to improve upon perfection. At one time, my answer would have been a firm and immediate no…but now, I’m not quite sure. What has brought about this change of heart? To start at the beginning, I had this wonderful scrumptious butter cake…yes the very one featured in the blog post. It was the cake for which dreams are made. But maybe, possibly, could I add a touch…a really big touch of…wait for it… chocolate? Yes I could and yes I did…the verdict…the perfection of perfection!

The Usual Cast Of Characters

2 sticks butter, melted

1 pkg chocolate cake mix

3 eggs (one egg for bottom cake layer THEN two eggs for filling layer)

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup cocoa powder

16 oz confectioners sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

The Steps to Glory

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees (325 convection) and prepare a 9-inch by 3-inch round cake pan OR 9×13 dish. (I have heard a bundt works as well!)

2. Combine the cake mix, 1 egg (you will use the other two eggs elsewhere), and 1 stick melted butter (1/2 cup), and stir until well blended.

3. Pat the mixture into prepared pan and set aside.

4. In a stand mixer on medium speed (or using a hand-held mixer), beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs and the cocoa powder.

5. Lower the speed of the mixer and add the powdered sugar. Slowly add the remaining 1 stick (1/2 cup) of melted butter. Add vanilla and continue to beat the mixture until smooth.

6. Pour filling over cake mixture in pan.

7. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. (check at 30 minutes with 9×13) Be careful not to overcook the cake; the center should still be a little gooey when finished baking.

8. Let cake partially cool on a wire rack before cutting into pieces.

Served wonderfully with Red, White and Blue!

inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty.Made by you.Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday.Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Party in your PJs. Wednesday blog hop. Home and garden. Waste not. Dagmar’s house. Grandma’s house DIY. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Thursday favorites. Share your cup. Morning cup of joe. Home matters sweet inspiration best of the weekend. Create bake grow. 5 Things Friday. Fresh market. Faith and family. Sunday at home. Snickerdoodle happiness is homemade. Saturday shuffle. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me. Smell good Sunday. Over the moon. Your whims Wednesday

Everyone loves a Peaceful Sanctuary…so excited to be featured at…

Smell Good Sunday@Jay Tried and True

Morning Cup Of Tea@The Cottage Market

Thursday Favorite Things@Marilyn’s Treats

Grandma’s House DIY@To Grandma’s House We Go

Make it Pretty@The Dedicated House

I hope your 4th was as exciting as a fireworks show…or as relaxing as a bike parade!

The blog party is looking for hostess! Come join our team!

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Maisy at Becoming Alice – FB | G+ | Pin

Sheree at Stage Presents – Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst

Lisa at Condo Blues – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

Penny at Penny’s Passion – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

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My country, ’tis of thee,Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims’ pride,

From ev’ry mountainside

Let freedom ring!

inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty.Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk of The town. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Home and garden. Waste not. Style showcase. Grandma’s house. Vintage charm. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Thursday favorites. Share your cup. Morning cup of joe.Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. 5 Things Friday. Fresh market. Faith and family. Sunday at home. Snickerdoodle happiness is homemade. Saturday shuffle. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday.DI&DIAmaze me. Smell good Sunday. Over the moon. Dagmar’s house

your whims Wednesday

Everyone is fond of flowers…grateful for the features

Freshly Cut @ Katherine’s corner

Share your Cup@ Have a cup with Mrs Olsen

If you have a minute please pray for my City Of Annapolis…How do you wrap your head around brokenness of our world? 

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Maisy at Becoming Alice – FB | G+ | Pin

Sheree at Stage Presents – Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst

Lisa at Condo Blues – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

Penny at Penny’s Passion – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

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You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

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