A French-Croatian Lemon Cake

This past Saturday we had lunch at my husband's parents home and I wanted to prepare a dessert for them and I remembered I had a recipe from my friend Nelly. She prepared it for our class a few weeks ago and was kind enough to share her French yogurt cake recipe.

After I took it out of the oven I sprinkled some vanilla sugar for decor.

I call this my first French-Croatian home-made lemon yogurt cake (what a mouthful of a name right?)

It turned out fantastic: moist and not too sweet (I was worried with 3 cups of sugar!) plus I was able to use my hand-picked lemons! The lemon zest gave it a kick. My family enjoyed it with a cup of coffee but you can also enjoy it with a warm cup of tea, or a glass of milk.

And just like my friend, I too will share the recipe with you.

1 cup yogurt (plain or vanilla flavored)

3 eggs

1 cup oil (I used sunflower oil because corn oil is not available here, although I could have used olive oil but that would not have gone well with this cake)

3 cups sugar

1 teaspoonful vanilla extract

4 cups flour

1& 1/2 teaspoonful of baking powder

1 teaspoonful of rum-aroma

grated lemon zest (1 large lemon)

1 packet of vanilla sugar (A Croatian product, but you can easily substitute and mix your own) or you can omit it from the recipe.

Sift the flour and baking powder(to make the mix more fluffy) into one bowl. In another bowl, whisk all the other ingredients then combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and slowly mix, then pour into a greased loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes at 350 Degrees. Time of baking may vary depending the type of oven you have. I'll advice that you set a timer at 40 minutes and then check to see if it's done (insert a toothpick in the center, if it's clear then it's done otherwise you need to bake it a bit longer).

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Not quite the Rocky Mountains but this will do

With an elevation ranging from 5280 to 14,000 feet the Rocky Mountains are no match to Mosor Mountains 4393 feet, but I'm content with just viewing these snow-top covered mountains to reminisce of beautiful Colorado, my previous home state.

And just as quickly, I recover from the Colorado Rockies home-sickness feeling when I drive towards home and this view comes into sight.

AH, Home sweet home!

Disclaimer: I was not behind the wheel when taking these pictures.

Through the eyes of a child

A hat or potty training?

Friday ~Finding Beauty is a weekly event on Claudia's blog Dipity Road. Participating blogs are asked to post a photo of whatever they like on their blog, that touched them in some way and made them feel, see, or appreciate a moment of beauty in their lives.


My beauty is my 21-month old daughter Beli who found her potty training pants but decided she wanted to wear them as accessories instead. I bought them several months ago under the persuasion of my mother to slowly introduce the idea of potty training but I don't think she is quite ready!

Late for an afternoon tea party

Living by the beach has ONE disadvantage. You're farther away from the city. For example, if you want to walk into town from Znjan, it takes about 45 minutes, longer if you have a baby on a stroller. This leaves me with the option of driving. But in doing so I'm missing out from discovering the delights of hidden spots and wonderful markets within and around the Diocletian Palace. As was the case today when invited to a juice bar in town and I had no idea where it was!

This cute dog also seems lost.

Did you know the Dalmatian dogs are from Croatia, more specifically the island of Korcula? Just a random fact I learned from my Croatian study book.

As I said, I had no idea where the Tonik Juice Bar was located but my friend reassured me it was easy to find. As instructed, I walked through the end of Riva, behind St. Frane church, up a small street (can't remember the name) then turned left and there tucked away in a small corner, is the best juice bar in Split.

I walked in and was greeted by the sweet aroma of fresh strawberries, oranges and bananas. Not only do they offer fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies but also tea and coffee. I ordered a strawberry smoothie for Beli and I.

Beli quickly made friends and she was even allowed to talk to customers on the phone.We are definitely coming back for their friendly service and great variety of juices. If you want to know its location click here otherwise you will get lost if you follow my directions.

Something "Blue" to Share

This weekend we were invited by my husband's brother to meet his friends who had arrived from Civitanova Marche, Italy and were staying in Split for a few days. They had heard many wonderful things about our daughter from my brother-in-law that they were eager to meet her.

I was delighted to meet Dahlia, her husband and their daughter Katia, who greeted us in Italian and said she had a gift for Beli. Katia only seven years old was very patient with Beli as they tried assembling the smurf windmill.



Remember the Smurfs? I still have a small collection from when I was a kid.

Seeing these little blue men brought back memories from my childhood in Mexico. In fact, I remember a cousin of mine telling me that the smurfs were "evil." She said they came alive at night and walked around scaring small children by pulling their feet when they were sleeping. I'm not sure where the story originated from, but I never did believe that tale.


Playing with the pitufos.


Couldn't resist a picture of her little hand.

I'm recycling the gift bag, it's too nice. Don't you agree?

At home I located the town of Civitanova Marche on my world atlas. I would like to visit our new friends sometime soon. I learned it's located about 40 km southeast of Ancona. Which means we can travel by night on the ferry from Split and be there first thing in the morning!

Did you have a special toy/collection which takes you back to your childhood?

Friday Night At the Museum In Split

Sarcophagus of Hippolytus and Phedra



Last night the city of Split hosted the NOC MUZEJA '10, which translates to night at the museum, from 6pm to 1am you could visit any museum in the city free of charge.



We chose to visit the Archaeological Museum only because a friend of my husband invited us a few days earlier saying his band was going to be playing there. At the time, we had no idea that it was Museum Night.


Could this have been a Greek Goddess?





I noticed this was the only sculpture with its head intact.




Oh wait, that's my hubby..



We enjoyed live music by the band Lite Motive. I love their costumes. Don't you?



Unfortunately our time was limited, our babysitter (grandpa) was anxiously awaiting our return home, otherwise we would have visited other museums.



The banner at the entrance of the museum.



Afterwards we joined our friends and walked downtown to the Pizzeria Galija, known as having the best pizza in Split. It was my first visit and I was not disappointed, the pizza was excellent: a crispy crust with the perfect balance of cheese and tomato sauce.

I would recommend you stop by and check it out next time you are in the city.
Address: Tonciceva 12
Phone: +385 21 347 932

Sunshine in Split

For the past few days it has been raining in Split. With many hours spent indoors, I had the opportunity to organize some photos I took this summer. I love the vibrant color of the Bugambilia flower.

Did you know that although its name refers to the French region Bouganville it is native to America? Makes me wonder how it made its way to Croatia.

These are photos from around our neighborhood.

This morning instead of rain we saw a beautiful bright Sun. I couldn't help but smile. I think I will go out and capture some more photos.

By the way, I wanted to share that I'm a new auntie! Mi hermana menor tuvo su tercer nino y peso mas de 4 kilos! Felicidades hermanita. How I wished I was in Iowa to meet that little bundle of joy.