Living Real - A Special Christmas Gift for You

This episode concludes our first season of the Living Real Podcast. And my, what a year it has been! Shout outs to all who've had a hand in helping to bring our podcast to life, and to those who've been my guests. Everyone was amazing!

In this episode, you'll hear straight from me, your host and Editor-in-Chief of Living Real Magazine. I'm speaking about how to see past the obvious of 2020 and focus on what God has accomplished even in the midst of suffering. He is ever faithful, ever present, God with us still - Emmanuel.

Wrapped up in this podcast is also a gift for you! Three of my own piano arrangements of some of my favorite Christmas carols are included for your enjoyment, recorded in my living room.

1. Go Tell It On the Mountain

2. Carol of the Bells (arrangement inspired by Jim Brickman)

3. Silent Night/Jesus Loves Me

And finally, I promised the recipe for my Mama's Chocolate Pound Cake! (My favorite for any season of the year.) See below.

May your family experience the comfort & joy of Christ as you celebrate His birth this Christmas season!

From our heart to yours, a very Merry Christmas! 

Keeping it Real,

Melanie

My Mama's Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe (Junelle Cook)

Ingredients:

3 Cups Sugar

2 sticks of butter

6 eggs

6 Tbs. unsweetened Hersey's cocoa powder

3 Cups flour

1 Cup 2% milk

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

1 teaspoon of vanilla

Directions: Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Cream sugar and butter in a stand up mixer. Add eggs one at a time, blending well after each. Add cocoa. Beat well.

Alternately add flour and milk. Beat well.

Add salt, baking powder, and vanilla. Beat well.

Spray a tube cake pan with Baker's Joy. Pour batter evenly into the tube pan.

Bake for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Cake is done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Remove cake from oven and allow to completely cool in the tube pan before inverting and removing cake.

ENJOY!