May Entry

Chocolate Oatmeal Cake
Ingredients
1 ½ Cups oatmeal
2 ¼ Cups water
1 ½ cups Flour
¾ Cup Cocoa
1 ½ tsp Vanilla
1 ½ tsp baking soda
2 ¼ Cup Sugar
¾ Cup Crisco
3 Eggs
Directions
1. Sir oatmeal into boiling water, but do not cook. Set aside to cool.
2. Sift dry ingredients into a bowl.
3. Cream shortening, sugar and eggs into another bowl.
4. Add dry ingredients and oatmeal. Add vanilla.
5. Bake at 350 degrees in a 9x13: pan for 30 minutes.
Frosting
5 Tbsp Flour
1 Cup Milk
½ Cup Butter
1 Cup Sugar
1 tsp vanilla or orange extract
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
Directions
1. Cook flour and milk until paste forms. Cool, do not refrigerate.
2. Cream butter and sugar. Add to cooled paste.
3. Add vanilla/orange extract and cocoa powder.


The thing about secrets is that it is important that those keeping silent, know that they should. This past May, we had an early birthday party for my mother-in-law, who came to California before her long RV trip to see her sons and grandchildren. My father-in-law told my husband and me that he wanted to throw her a surprise party, and they decided to do it at my brother-in-law's house, where they would be staying. Everything was good until I got to the party to find my sister-in-law stressed out. Apparently, no one told her or her husband that the party was supposed to be a secret until the very last minute. She and I both learned a valuable lesson that day as she ranted to me when we were alone in the kitchen getting things set up. I learned never to assume and to always verify! While I made sure to stay in contact (we live an hour apart) and try to help out, I never mentioned that it was supposed to be a secret. She also learned that I hide my conflict well, and my relationship with our in-laws was not as rosy as she thought.

Now what does this little story have to do with the above recipe? This chocolate cake recipe is a favorite in my husband's family. I do not know where it comes from, but it is served at his parents' birthdays as well as his and his brother's. They all love it. At this party, instead of a sheet cake, Erin, my sister-in-law, made cupcakes with the beautiful, piped roses on top that she spent hours perfecting, if not days! The cupcakes helped everyone calm down and relax so they could enjoy the party. Food is truly something that brings families together, especially when it is born of beloved traditions!

{{Dropnote:"Rules"}
Recipe Word Count: 131
Essay Word Count: 307
Prompt:*For 's or any friend or family member that has a Birthday Day this month May 2023 please Create a recipe/dessert recipe (or submit your favorite) for my birthday or anyone else's birthday this month and write an (essay/story/whatever.) about Celebrating that Birthday. My Birthday is May 23rd.
{/dropnote}}