In the last few years I have the opportunity to get to know a lady in my ward.
Her name is Melba Davis.
She has taken to my kids, and the kids to her.
Every once in a while, we will take a treat and go for a visit.
One day I took her some Zucchini Bread.
It's been a favorite recipe of mine.
It's from this book:
(Out of print....mind you!)
It's also a sure fire to make a friend!
Well, the next week she commented on how delicious the bread was!
And something about, "her recipe was never that good!"
Until, the Sister sitting next to her leaned over and siad, "Don't believe her. She wrote the Lion House Cookbook!"
Well, come to find out....she wrote 3 Lion House Cookbooks!
She also worked in their restaraunt, "The Pantry," for over 20 years!
And...she had not been back since she retired, over 10 years ago!
At Christmas our gift to her was a lunch outing to The Lion House.
This week we went.
As a side note:
When Ava found out that she was going to the "Lion House" for lunch. She became very upset. Tantrumming and screaming that she did NOT want to go.
Come to find out...she thought we were eating lunch with REAL lions!
Yikes.
The food is always great.
However, the best part was watching her visit with people she knew.
Who just completely adore her!
We had a really great afternoon.
As part of my own history (A-hem.)
See the Sand Stone Lion above the window?
Hanz Heutlinger carved that Lion.
The original Lion was detroyed by the elements 10 or so years ago.
I grew up in the same ward as Hanz and have some great memories of him.
Also, my mother was a student at BYU, in Interior Design, when she was asked to be a "go to girl" for
Ted Dansie. He was the Interior Designer who designed the interior the Lion House. Upon completion, they asked my Mom if she wanted to be the "first bride" to have her reception there! Which she did!
(As children, we always thought my Mom was the designer for the Lion House.)
You can see the influence of this experience in everything my Mother designs.
I noticed this, more so, this past trip as they allowed us to walk through and take a little "tour."
(Which they usually don't allow.)
What a great day.
Lion House Zucchini Bread
3 eggs
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
1 c. oil
3 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
3/4 t. cloves
1 t. nutmeg
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
2 c. peeled and grated zucchini
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 c. raisens (optional)
Beat eggs; gradually beat in sugars, then oil. Combine dry ingredients. Add to first mixture alternately with zucchini. Stir in vanilla, nuts, and raisens. Pour into two greased and lightly floured loaf pans (8x4x3). Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees F. Let stand about 10 minutes and turn onto wire rack to cool.
* Here's how I change it up a little:
I add 1/2 c LIGHT brown sugar and 1/2 c. DARK brown sugar
After putting mixture into loaf pans I like to sprinkle a little "Raw" sugar on top. It's delicious.
ENJOY!
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