Channeling a little Dylan there I must admit.
But if you've come here expecting a post about legalizing marijuana, I'm afraid that's not what I'm talking about today. Marijuana does need to be legalized, just so you know where I stand, but that's a post for another day. I hope. I've been begging College Boy to write it for years but so far no luck.
Nor am I referring to the kind of stones that you cast metaphorically, or even the type you actually throw physically, like in the story The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. Although thought provoking, I have to admit that I am still traumatized by that story and I read it about 100 years ago. Feels like yesterday any time I think about it. Gives me the heeby jeebies.
Stone, rock, bigger than a pebble, smaller than a boulder. That kind. Only with a message.
You have probably heard of the Kindness Rocks Project. It started on Cape Cod in my home state of Massachusetts and caught on literally worldwide. It's about inspiration. Rocks are collected, painted pretty colors and designs and a motivating or uplifting message is added. The stones are then left in public places for people to find. College Boy had been out walking and found one with the most simple of messages. He brought it home and left it on my desk in the kitchen. And let me tell you, it works. Because that rock absolutely made me smile.
The next day I was baking,
Lemon Lime Ricotta CakeBut if you've come here expecting a post about legalizing marijuana, I'm afraid that's not what I'm talking about today. Marijuana does need to be legalized, just so you know where I stand, but that's a post for another day. I hope. I've been begging College Boy to write it for years but so far no luck.
Nor am I referring to the kind of stones that you cast metaphorically, or even the type you actually throw physically, like in the story The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. Although thought provoking, I have to admit that I am still traumatized by that story and I read it about 100 years ago. Feels like yesterday any time I think about it. Gives me the heeby jeebies.
Stone, rock, bigger than a pebble, smaller than a boulder. That kind. Only with a message.
The next day I was baking,
when I looked over at the desk and the rock wasn't there. I was a little sad, but figured maybe it had been given to someone else to make their day and remind them to smile. After all, that's the whole point of the project, sharing the love, passing it on. But I have to admit that I was sad to see it go.
Later that day I headed out front to water my plants and guess what I found in the planter? Can you see it there? It wasn't gone, just strategically placed to give me another smile.
The next day I walked out the front door and there on the little decorative display I have out there was the rock. Someone could have taken it, sitting there by my front door, but I know I would have felt as though they needed that "smile" more than I did.
It sat on my desk in the kitchen for a few days and then, when I thought maybe it was done being moved around, there it was out on the back deck.
I have to admit that every time I see that stone, especially when it's not where I expect it to be, it makes me smile. Each time I stumble on it is like seeing it for the first time. It continues to amaze me how a single word painted on a rock can be so effective.
PS: We all need a little more Baking In A Tornado, right? The BA50 website is featuring one of my recipes today. Stop by and check out July 4th Signature Cocktail: Frozen Berries and Cream!
Lemon Lime Ricotta Cake
©www.BakingInATornado.com
©www.BakingInATornado.com
Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
1 box lemon cake mix
1 cup lemon lime soda
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp lime zest
15 oz ricotta
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon Greek yogurt
1/2 tsp lime zest
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp lime juice
1 TBSP lemon lime soda
3/4 cup powdered sugar
Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt pan.
*Beat the cake mix, 1 cup of lemon lime soda, eggs, oil and 1/2 tsp lime zest. Pour into prepared bundt pan.
*In a separate bowl, whisk together the ricotta, sugar, yogurt and remaining 1/2 tsp lime zest. Carefully pour onto the top of the batter.
*Bake for about 45 minutes or until the center of the top springs back to the touch.
*Cool for about 10 minutes. Remove to serving plate and allow to cool completely.
*Whisk together the lemon juice, lime juice, remaining 1 TBSP of the lemon lime soda and powdered sugar. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
*Store, covered, in the refrigerator.
What a cute idea and a delicious looking cake. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shari, hope it made you smile!
DeleteWhat a beautiful, uplifting thing to do! And what a fantastic traditions!
ReplyDeleteLOVE THIS!!!
I know. I can't wait to make one myself and put it out there, I just hate that I won't see who picks it up and how they react to it.
DeleteI saw a painted rock in the crevice of a tree trunk yesterday. Wonder if the rock was part of this project? If I find another one, I'll know. What a great idea! Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI bet it was. Hope you find another one.
DeleteI am a member of Northeast Ohio Rocks. The kids and I painted rocks and hid them a few months ago. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you did it, Cathy. I know how cool it is to find one, can't wait to see how much fun it is to leave some.
DeleteWe are so blessed to have boys! I love that your son did that for you! Your cake is beautiful, too!
ReplyDeleteHe can sure get on my nerves but every now and then he does something to make me think maybe I'll keep him around just a little longer.
DeleteI have found two rocks and rehid them. It's fun! Actually, I thought you were going to make a cake out of stone fruits. Very cool for the rehiding of the smile rock.
ReplyDeleteLove the whole "pay it forward" aspect of this project, glad you put the ones you found back out there.
DeleteReading the title, then looking at that cake, I thought you might have been referring to a different kind of stoned! :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, I might be guilty of pushing you in that direction.
DeleteI like the idea of the stone rocks project. I also like the style of your post today. Slowly leading readers up to what the post is really about, by hinting at what it's not. I might have to try that sometime. Celebrating the small things today. Like having a roof over my head:)
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to see how other people write, isn't it?
Delete