Testing a slideshow

As Requested...

1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal (not the quick-cooking)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter cut into 6 chunks
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
2 egss, beaten well
1 tsp vanilla extract

Coconut-Pecan Icing
1/2 cup (1 stick butter)
1/4 sup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

To Make Cake: In a medium bowl, combine the oatmeal, butter and
boiling water, and stir to mix them together a bit. Set aside for 20-30
minutes.

Heat the oven to 350F and generously grease and flour two 9inch round
cake pans or one 13x9 pan.

In a Medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg, and
stir with a fork to mix everything well. In a large bowl, combine both
kinds of sugar with the eggs and vanilla, and beat with a mixer at medium speed
for about 2 minues, stopping to scrape down the bowl, until thick and light
colored.

Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture in 2 batches, beating just
long enought each time to make the flour disappear. Mix in the oatmeal,
stirring and folding to combine everything into a nubby but well-mixed batter.

Scrape into the prepared pans and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes until
the cakes are golden brown and spring back when lightly touched in the
center, and begin pulling away from the sides of the pans. Cool in the pans on
wire rack for 10 minutes. If you have used round cake pans, carefully turn
out the cakes onto wire racks to finish cooling, turn top side up.

To make the frosting, in a medium saucepan, combine the butter,
evaporated milk and sugar and place over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil,
stirring now and then. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, pecans and
coconut. Beat well with a wooden spoon, whisk or mixer on low speed
until you have a thickened, cooled frosting. Spread it between the two
layers and then the top of the cake or spread it over the top fo the rectangular
cake and serve in squares.



Recipe from William and Sonoma Cookbook "Southern Cakes"

Oatmeal Cake and Matching

Here's this month's cake and let me tell you...it's a good one!! I took it into the office for a potluck and got a handful of requests for the recipe. I think next time, I'd make it in a 13x9 pan, just because I'm more about the cake than the icing.

The most exciting news is that the current rumor is that matching for the next batch has begun and we usually start hearing about referral calls 2-3 days after that matching rumor comes out, so maybe Friday??? I think they'll match through 1-4-06, but we shall see. I've sent my request to get fingerprinted again (for the third time!) and have been picking up items here and there for the trip. A lot of things I just can't buy until I know how old Mary Alice will be.

Well, I better post this before I lose power, as there is a wicked storm going through right now and I always lose power!!

Whatever....

Today is the day that we will not mention. (HINT: Month 25 Anniversary)

Latest Rumor Queen Predictions

Here are the latest predictions from the Rumor Queen. My date is 1-16-06, so if you look under Bad Case Scenario, my referral would come in April. If the Horrid scenario happens, I would get my referral until June. I'm still thinking May will be my month. Not sure when the next batch will come out, as Chinese New Year resets the clock. I'm hoping early March will see the next batch.

In the mean time, I'm revisiting daycares, practicing packing and working on completing house projects (new drainfield hopeful next week). Okay, so I'm not really doing the drainfield myself, but I do have other projects on the list, such as chaulking some windows, exterior painting, install Tot Locks on cabinets, install straps on furniture and mulching. I also need to start searching for lawn care maintenance, as there is no way I'm going to be able to keep up with summer lawn needs with a baby, by myself.

Year of The Rat

Smelly does have a distinct similarity to a rat...she's just a little more standoffish. This picture is for you, Rat Lurker!

Thursday, 2-7-08 is the Chinese Lunar New Year. Xin Nian Kuai Le! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy New Year and Many Good Fortunes to you!!

Referrals came out today and they match through 12-27-05. Please keep these babies in your prayers, as the weather conditions in China have caused severe shortages of food, diapers, potable water, electricity and heat. Things sound pretty dire in certain provinces. Half The Sky Foundation has set up a special collection to help fund the cost of diapers, food, coal and water. Prices have tripled in some locations. If you are interested in donating, just click the link above and it will take you directly to the donation page. They are also giving updates to conditions of orphanages through China. For families receiving their referrals from these locations, the heartache is tenfold, as they want nothing more than to jump on a plane and go rescue their baby from the cold. But, all they can do is wait and hope that all will be okay. It's going to be a long wait for them until travel.