A Very Very Chocolate Birthday

Today is David's birthday! I am so thankful that God saw fit to bring this precious man into the world, and then blessed me with the privilege of spending my life with him. To celebrate, we did something that I think probably qualifies me for wife of the year: we had chocolate cake for breakfast.

David hearts chocolate. I used to think I didn't like chocolate, but have come to realize that I just don't like milk chocolate. It is so watered-down and flavorless, it's like, why bother? But dark chocolate...dark chocolate is... so... delightful... so...very...good.

So.

Anyway.

I found this recipe for Hershey's Especially Dark Chocolate Cake with Especially Dark Frosting, and gave it a go. And the verdict? I didn't know chocolate cake could be like this! So good. So very, very good.Take a gander:

Ada approves of cake for breakfast

Kid-tested, Roxy approved.

Here's the recipe:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with "ESPECIALLY DARK" CHOCOLATE FROSTING. 10 to 12 servings.


1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2/3 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter, Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

Happy birthday, baby!

The Great Countertop Adventure

And the answer to the question in the last post is C. New countertops for Lindsay! My in-laws came this weekend to assist in countertop replacement/child corraling. This is what I took away from the project: My father in law is awesome. Jorge Grande is an engineer/computer programmer/financial whiz/gentle spirit. He has three patents--one for double-stuff brownies, one for instant grits, and one for a tampon dispenser. Cool, huh?

But Jorge Grande's true calling, I think, is as a teacher. He is unfailingly patient. The man does not get mad. And while I tried to stay out of the hair of the wonderful men replacing my fugly countertops, I did manage to overhear some quiet conversation between the two of them, and as I listened, I realized: JG was teaching my husband how to do the project. Gently, patiently, guiding him through the steps, and stepping in when the project called for two, or when Rex (that's my husband's new Blog Name. Did he need one? I dunno. But I gave him one. Rex.) was getting frustrated and need a little help. I think it is rare for anyone to be so very patient, or to value teaching over getting-it-done. And in so doing, he has taught Rex not only many skills, but also how to be a teacher himself.

Case in point, one day while we were still dating, Rex and I were walking on the campus of the college where we met, and we came upon a girl who had a flat tire. She was dressed for work, in black pants and dress shoes, and I'm certain she expected Rex to change the flat for her. Instead, though, Rex told her to get out the tools, and to get down on the ground to put the jack where it needed to be. She looked at him, confused, and did what he said. She did not want to, but she ended up changing that tire on her own, with Rex's guidance. I asked Rex about it, later, cause it took a lot longer than if he'd just done it himself. He said she might not run across nice people like us next time she had a flat. I LOVE HIM. But I know that he learned that attitude from his dad. People of integrity. So refreshing. And they are my family. Blessings.

Anyway, I know you want to see pictures. So here they are. I can only give you a hint of what the new countertops look like, because we have not yet tiled the backsplash. More pictures when that project is done.

Ada poses one last time in front of ugly countertops.

JG imparting some sort of sage home remodeling advice.

My trashy lawn.

Where power tools go to die (literally, we had to get a new skil saw in the middle of the process).

Sneak peek! Aren't they beautiful? And note my new faucet, deeeeep white sink, and hot water dispenser. Mmmmmm... I kind of want to go lay on it all right. now.

P.S. My mother in law is great, too. She quilts, bakes, sews like nobody's business. Plus she is the most faithful of my blog readers. But more on her later...