Raindrops and Sunshine {SMS}

Who says that it never rains in Southern California?

I woke up early this morning with the intention to bake Sweet Melissa Sunday's weekly recipe before my upstairs apartment turned into an inferno. Today's forecast is 104 deg. F, partly cloudy with humidity of 27%. Should I be baking in this humidity?

When I arose from bed, I opened my bedroom balcony blinds to find that it just finished raining. This kind of weather reminds me of Hawaii. Aaahh...Hawaii.

Raindrops and Sunshine - This morning's breakfast.

Okay, enough day dreaming while eating tropical fruit this morning. Time to get back to reality and baking before the dreaded heat hits me.

Orange trees growing right outside my apartment.

Brief history of the Orange Empire - Where I live.

Although less than 150 years-old, the Orange Empire is surprisingly awash in historical significance. Thanks in part to clever marketing of a unique navel orange, the region played a vital role in luring frigid easterners to Southern California during the past century. But of course, the area's historical roots go back even further, primarily consisting of Native American and Hispanic ancestry.

This Sunday's recipe, Whole Orange-Poppy Seed Cake was chosen by Melissa of Lulu Baker. She has the cutest food blog.

Well, the clouds have cleared. I chose to omit the raindrops (poppy seeds) from my cake & make it all sunshine - California Oranges!

This cake was super easy to make. It turned out moist, fragrant and somewhat dense. The perfect accompaniment to tea, or coffee. I've decided to add this recipe to my Brunch Box of recipes. I look forward to sharing this beautiful cake with family and friends in the future.