cake update

So last night the cake was very popular, it must have been the perfect choice to go with a nice taco dinner. I watched as everyone dished up their own BIG pieces, then had seconds, some of them thirds! Three small pieces left, I'd be OK...unless... what if someone ate them for breakfast! I would fix a breakfast so wonderful, so filling, no one would ask for the cake. Whew, it worked!
But all this talk of cake has made you crave it, or at least wonder about it (Jamie). So here's the recipe:

CHOCOLATE PRALINE CAKE

In heavy saucepan, melt together: ½ Cup butter ¼ Cup whipping cream 1 Cup brown sugar

Pour into 9x13 pan. Sprinkle 1 C. chopped pecans evenly over caramel mixture. Prepare devil’s food cake mix as directed on package and spoon carefully into pan(s), beginning around edges first. Bake at 325 50-60 minutes. Cool 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Cool. Serve with whipped cream.

vacation

I baked my favorite cake this morning. It is to serve at our family dinner tonight (my son and his family usually join us for dinner on Sundays). I chose this recipe ostensibly because I happen to have cream on hand (not usually in my frig, but a necessary ingredient for this particular cake). But I really chose it because tomorrow begins my vacation! Tomorrow morning I will see my loved ones off to different destinations leaving me alone in the house! Nearly five whole days to do what I want, when I want; to eat what I want, when I want (hence my favorite cake--perhaps for breakfast every morning with the daily crossword puzzle?!?). You may think that I won't know what to do with myself. Oh, I know! I have grand plans for long walks, good books, knitting... Except for taking the dog to the vet one afternoon and bringing in the mail for a neighbor, this week is all mine. I feel like doing something wild and daring (my daughter reminded me not to get a tattoo). Maybe I will finally get up the nerve to buy the roller blades I've had my eye on for several years now. Maybe I will settle for cake for breakfast every morning. I hope no one has seconds at dinner tonight... but wait, even that is OK, I will just make myself another cake!

New Dresses

The navy polka-dot was fabric from Grandma's stash; the dress was to fit the pattern for adjustments, but it worked well (after two re-dos) and she wore it to the NHS induction ceremony in May. We used the same pattern for the white dress she needed to be a junior escort for high school graduation (the top 10% of the junior class served as escorts to the seniors at their graduation ceremony---she ranks #3 in her class, what a girl!). The eyelet jumper is a cooperative design of our own. It turned out lovely and there was enough fabric left to make a matching dress for her niece. (which two-year-old Mia refuses to wear...)

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day to all of you Dads out there! Hooray for you and all you do to provide for, protect, and preside over your families. To those Dads who tell made-up bedtime stories, who enjoy playing catch with their little ones as much as watching the big game, who go to parks and zoos, camping and fishing; who teach the joy of hard work and the satisfaction of a job well-done, who are not afraid of dirty dishes and diapers, or of shedding tears; who admit your mistakes and forgive others of theirs, who listen more than lecture; to you who are doing your best to keep your priorities strait, to you for whom each child is a precious treasure and their mother the best thing that ever happened to you: you're doing great, Dad!

hackeysack

Custom order hackey sack for Colby College soccer team in Maine

Quilt, receiving blanket, booties

"Noah's Ark" quilt, receiving blanket, and booties for baby Noah Hemphill

Watermelon Memory

We had our first watermelon of the season last week, bringing a flood of memories of summers long ago. I cannot eat watermelon without remembering a special moment the summer I turned nine. We had gone to Brigham City, Utah, to visit my uncle Reg and his family. My aunt served us each a big slice of watermelon on a plate and we all sat around the big dining room table to visit and enjoy the special summer treat. Using a fork, I carefully cut around the heart of my slice, intending to save that sweet center to eat last. My little brother saw an opportunity and quickly snatched that center piece of my slice and popped it in his mouth. I was quite stunned and didn't say a word. But the look of disappointment was on my face and without saying a word, Uncle Reg cut the center of his slice and placed it where my center had been. His gesture was kind, his smile warm and genuine. I managed a smile back and a timid "thank-you". Little did he realize the impact of his actions that told a little girl, "You are important to me, I care about you, I love you!" I have many uncles, all good and wonderful men, but that day, Reg became my favorite. Kindness is never wasted, especially on a child.