Hello, everyone! I had the best birthday, I felt so loved and received so many nice gifts. I ate out three times. Ya’ll made turning 59 not so bad. I told Jacob last night there is only one thing that could make my birthday better and that would be if Loren was pregnant. He said, maybe next year. There is hope. Turning 60 may be the big one. My husband would say now you’re actually in your 60th year of life. That being said, I’ve decided to make some decisions for the 60th year of life. Sort of like I do on New Year’s Eve.
The first one is I’m going to lose weight. (Not going to happen but I like saying it.)
The second one is I’m going to try to visit friends and family more (My family is saying “ugg” right now as they read this.) Since losing my oldest brother Jerry, I feel like I need to be with family more.
The third one is I’m going to fly by the seat of my pants more. If someone wants to go do something, I’m going. No excuses, just grab my purse and head out the door.
The fourth one is to get organized. (Not going to happen but I like saying that, too.)
The fifth one is to make the three E’s have a family game night once a week. Ella would be jumping with excitement. The other two, not so much.
The sixth one is to do more good deeds. That’s a start. I will let ya know of my progress.
Speaking of good deeds, one Saturday night when I was young and running around I saw this guy that I knew and he was walking. He had one crossed eye. That doesn’t have anything to do with the story, but thought I would throw that in. So being my nice self, I stopped and asked if he needed a ride. He hops in and before I knew what was happening, he was hanging out my passenger car window and at the top of his lungs, making siren sounds like a police car. What in the world have I got myself into? Needless to say, I was trying to get him to his destination and I admit it went a lot faster with a police siren coming from my vehicle. I never gave that guy another ride. It’s funny now, but I was about to croak.
I think about things that I have done and most of the time it was not my doing. I can remember when I was a teenager a couple was hitchhiking by our house on 71 Highway and of course, my mom ends up talking to them. Before it was over I was driving them to Waldron. Honey, they could have knocked me in the head or something, geez, mom.
Chuck Hopkins stopped and asked a guy in Little Rock for directions and the guy jumped in the truck. Chuck was looking for the Clinton Library. Obviously, the guy didn’t know where it was and had Chuck going in circles. Well, finally Chuck had to pay him to get out of his truck. It’s a miracle we are alive. The good Lord watches over us.
This week’s recipe comes from Sue Moore. Nothing I like better than a good German Chocolate Cake.
GRANDMA’S GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE
4 oz. or 1/4 pound package German’s Sweet Chocolate (you can get this at Walmart)
1/2 cup water
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 cup butter softened
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Melt the chocolate and water on top of the stove and let cool. Cream butter, sugar, and eggs. Beat well. Add cooled chocolate and water. Add flour, salt, soda, buttermilk, and vanilla. Mix well. You can make this in three 9” round cake pans in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30-35 minutes. I would check it before then because my oven cooks faster than some. Add the icing below on top and between layers.
COCONUT PECAN FROSTING
1 cup sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup butter
3 eggs
1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
Beat eggs and add milk, sugar, and butter. Cook on medium heat for about 12 minutes until it bubbles and begins to thicken. Stir constantly because it can burn easily. Remove from heat and add nuts, coconut, and vanilla. Mix well and let cool. Spread on top of cooled cake.
