From The Apron Strings Kitchen: Joann’s Easy Blueberry Pound Cake

My upcoming release, Joann, is book five in the Apron Strings book series. The series is connected by one cookbook, Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book. As it changes hands, each character’s story is a new novel, one for each decade from 1920 to 2020.

Joann had possession of Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book, and tried out a few of the recipes, (you’ll have to read the book to find out how that went!) but she would have used a cake mix now and again. I thought I’d share a recipe using a cake mix and a few other ingredients to make an easy pound cake.

A pound cake recipe using a cake mix, blueberries, eggs, butter, cream cheese.

You will need

1 stick (1/2 cup) of butter, softened at room temperature (May use oil instead.)

8 oz cream cheese, softened at room temperature

a white or yellow cake mix

2 cups blueberries

cooking spray and flour for pans

optional: 1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 325. Spray two loaf pans with cooking spray and lightly flour. You can use a bundt pan instead, if you like.

Soften butter and cream cheese and room temperature. Once soft, bream together at low speed. Add vanilla and mix well. Add eggs to the mixture and blend well. Mix in dry cake mix and stir until lumps are gone. Fold in blueberries. Batter will be thick.

Spoon batter into pans.

Bake in preheated (325 degrees) oven for 40-45 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool for ten minutes before turning out onto a wire rack an let cool completely.

This blueberry pound cake is a huge hit with my family.

Let me know if you try out this recipe!

One cookbook connects them all…
Joann ~ Book Five in a string of heartfelt inspirational stories, featuring different women throughout the decades from 1920 to 2020.

Twenty-four-year-old Joann Kincaid’s life ambition is to one day run the family’s general store in Pecan Grove, Louisiana. It’s 1965 and the times may be a-changing, but Joann’s father is stubbornly hanging on to old-fashioned views about what he wants for his daughter. She’s just as determined to prove she’s a capable businesswoman.

In the past, she entertained romantic dreams alongside her vision for the store but discarded those notions when her high school sweetheart, Nathan, left for college. Now he’s back to reestablish his family’s farm—and a relationship with Joann. She still loves him but isn’t sure she can trust him.

As the conflict in Vietnam escalates, there’s a real possibility Nathan could be drafted. Should Joann pursue her lifelong dream to continue her family’s legacy? Or give Nathan a chance to prove he’ll be her true and committed love before it’s too late for them?

Available May 15th for kindle, in paperback, and on KU at Amazon. Preorder available now.

Writer’s Life: A Research Trip to T. C. Lindsey & Co.

My book in the Apron Strings Series, Joann, takes place in a small town mercantile similar to the Jonesville General Store, also known as T. C. Lindsey and Co. My story originally took place in Texas, but since some of my key characters spend quite a bit of time in Shreveport and near Barksdale AF Base, I decided to scoot it over the state line. Easier in fiction than real life! However, I used the layout of T. C. Lindsey as a template for my fictional store. Seemed a good reason to go and visit this little bit of history.

The store today is a mix of items to buy and historical items.

Lots of jelly, seasoning mixes, and snacks, along with hoop cheese cut to order.

Lots of books, including, gift, cookbooks, and history books.

Scattered throughout are different gift items, T-shirts, overalls, and handmade items.

Upstairs, even more to look at!

This is the upstairs area. In my story, I had the characters clear it out for a small wedding reception.

The research team sat for a spell, studying on checker moves. (In my story the checker table is downstairs near the front. Here it is upstairs where an inventory of shoes line the shelves.)

From the upstairs, you can look out and see some of the downstairs. There’s more room in here than you would expect!

A telephone like the one my character would have used. The store has many unique items. Tucked away in a corner is the old post office.

My story doesn’t have the post office in the store, although I thought about it. In my story, the fictional town I described would have likely had it’s own post office by 1965.

I’m so glad I had help from my “research team” taking photos and video. There was so much packed into this store! You could get lost for days exploring here.

I brought home a T-shirt and some jelly. I hope to visit again soon, this time more for shopping than research. (The research team agreed the jelly is good. It tastes like nonspecific berries and is great on toast, bagels, and biscuits.)

Watch a video from Texas Country Reporter to learn more about the store.

Tell me about the last time you visited an old time store or an out-of-the-way store in the comments!

Author Spotlight~Patti Wolf

Patti Wolf is the author of Beatrice, the fourth book in the Apron Strings Book Series. Her historical novella is set in the 1950s. Patti is also a multidisciplinary writer, producing children’s books, women’s fiction, and poetry.

I recently talked with Patti about her writing and, in deference to the month, Valentine’s Day.

DJS: It’s difficult at times to find the seclusion to let our writing muse flow. Other times, a busy schedule doesn’t allow for much writing time, and authors find themselves scribbling away during odd moments and in random settings. I spent many a day writing at the park, or while waiting in my car for a family member. Tell me, what’s the most unusual place you’ve done some writing?

In my sauna on a cold Wisconsin winter day. It’s there I find solitude. It’s a beautiful place to think as warmth radiates all around. It reminds me of being on a beach in the middle of summer just writing endless as the waves come in. 

DJS: Oh, that does sound wonderful.

DJS: Tell me about your favorite Valentine Day’s memory.

PW: I would say the Valentine dinner I made back in 1985. Everything on the table was in a theme of red. After my first husband died, I was brokenhearted and left caring for an infant and toddler. Some time later, I prayed for months that God would bring a godly man into my life. He did that Valentine’s Day. We married the following June, starting our ready-made family with four children! The next year we had another child, a son. All five children are grown now.

The best Valentines dessert I’ve made was Baked Alaska for that first Valentine’s dinner in 1985. The bottom layer was a chewy brownie, layered with a raspberry sauce, topped with vanilla ice cream, and enclosed with baked meringue. Delicious!

DJS: That sounds amazing. I’ve never attempted Baked Alaska. I bet it was fabulous. Maybe one of our readers would like to try making Baked Alaska?

I asked Patti for her recipe. She couldn’t find the original recipe she used, but she did send this one, a close second.

Easy Brownie Baked Alaska 

Baked Ingredients 

1 box fudge brownie mix or your favorite brownie recipe 

Meringue Ingredients 

6 egg whites at room temperature

1/4tsp Cream of tartar

3/4-1 cup Sugar

Frozen Ingredients 

6 cups strawberry, vanilla or mint ice cream

First things to do:

• Bake brownies and cool
• Spread softened with ice cream on top and freeze for about 2 hours

Meringue Topping:

In medium glass or metal bowl:

• Add 6 egg whites, 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar and whip on medium-high speed until foamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Increase the speed to high and gradually add (slowly) 1 cup granulated sugar. Beat until the meringue is glossy and forms stiff peaks, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Spread meringue over brownies sealing them completely, make decorative peaks at the top
• Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for about 4 minutes or until lightly brownies Store covered in freezer or eat promptly. 

DJS: (In 2023, Patti published Nature Poetry, the first book in a planned series titled Scribbling Spiritual Sand.) How long have you been writing poetry and what inspires you to write it?

PW: I’ve breathed poetry for over fifty years. God’s glorious creation is my inspiration. Some examples of what awakens my poet’s heart are the sound of an owl’s hoot in the veil of early morn and the wonders of a sunrise behind a stand of frigid trees.

DJS: Tell me what you’ve recently published, what’s coming up, and what you’re working on now.

On February 10^th Abigail’s 40 Days, the first in a planned series titled When Pages Turn, will release. Abigail’s story takes place during the forty days which Jesus walked the earth after His resurrection. Though this book is historical fiction, the heart of this story includes wonderful facts from the pages of scripture.

Currently, I am finishing my next chapter book in my series Teddy’s Tales for children aged seven to ten. In A Visit With the King the reader will get to know the great King David. I especially had boy readers in mind as I wrote A Visit With the King.

Of course, I’m anxiously waiting for the release of Beatrice this April, which is the fourth book in the Apron Strings series.

To buy or pre-order the books in the series, visit The Apron Strings Book Series Page on Amazon here. More in the series will be added to this Amazon page over the next few months.

DJS: I can’t wait to see what books you will release this year and beyond! You have so many projects in the works. What keeps you writing?

PW: The heart of my writing is to know that it honors God and draws people into a closer relationship with Him. My characters struggle with life situations just like we do but at the end of their struggles, they find peace from a loving God.

Visit Patti at her blog wolfsrosebud.com or her Facebook group: Patti Wolf Scribbling Spiritual Sand.

Cover Reveal of JOANN Apron Strings Book Five!

Things are getting real, y’all! Joann will be available for pre-order soon. I enjoyed writing this story set in the 1960s. Stay tuned for more about how the book came about, research, and other book related announcements!

Twenty-four-year-old Joann Kincaid’s life ambition is to one day run the family’s general store in Pecan Grove, Louisiana. It’s 1965 and the times may be a-changing, but Joann’s father is stubbornly hanging on to old-fashioned views about what he wants for his daughter. She’s just as determined to prove she’s a capable businesswoman.

In the past, she entertained romantic dreams alongside her vision for the store but discarded those notions when her high school sweetheart, Nathan, left for college. Now he’s back to reestablish his family’s farm—and a relationship with Joann. She still loves him but isn’t sure she can trust him.

As the conflict in Vietnam escalates, there’s a real possibility Nathan could be drafted. Should Joann pursue her lifelong dream to continue her family’s legacy? Or give Nathan a chance to prove he’ll be her true and committed love before it’s too late for them?

Author Spotlight ~ Jenny Knipfer

I “met” Jenny through one of her books, In a Grove of Maples. I picked it up because I liked the cover and the setting of Wisconsin. I enjoyed the read quite a bit and posted about it. Now we are collaborating on The Apron Strings Book Series! Isn’t that neat how her book introduced us to each other? Who knew fictional characters could do that?

I wanted to do a mini interview of each of the Apron Strings authors throughout the year so posed a few questions to Jenny.

DJS: What have you been working on besides the Apron Strings Series? And what do you have coming up over the next few months?

JK: I published a fairy tale romance novel in May of last year—The Regal Pink. Of course, Priscilla is coming up, but I am also working on a Valentine’s short story that will be in an anthology with other Christian authors.

DJS: Sounds like you are a busy bee! Now that winter has arrived, tell me, what’s your favorite thing to do to keep busy on a cold day?

JK: On a cold day, I enjoy doing some piecing for quilting, reading, or of course, writing. 

DJS: Those are some of my favorite things as well! Nothing quite as cozy as a quilt.

A little about Jenny:

Author of Christian historical, romance, and fantasy fiction, Jenny lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken, and their pet Yorkie, Ruby. She is also a mom and loves being a grandma. She has enjoyed many creative pursuits over the years but has found writing to be the most fulfilling

A past children’s librarian and floral designer, Jenny is now retired from work due to disability. Her education background stems from psychology, music, library science, and cultural missions.

She deems a cup of tea and a good book an essential part of every day. When not writing, Jenny can be found reading, tending to her many houseplants, or piecing quilt blocks at her sewing machine.

Keep current with Jenny by visiting her website at https://jennyknipfer.com. Ways to connect with Jenny via social media, newsletter, and various book sites can be found on her website. 

Apron Strings Book Series Scavenger Hunt

Starting on the 19th the Apron Strings Authors are having a scavenger hunt! Come and play along. There will be book giveaways and prizes!

Hop over to the Apron Strings Book Series Readers Group on Facebook to join in the fun.

Because my book is set in the 60s, I made an apron with some 1960s themed fabric, and a couple of tiny bookish watercolor paintings to give away as prizes. Of course the other authors are giving away prizes as well.

Hope to see you there!