Cabin, Day 8,9,10

 

 

For three days I have watched my husband dig a ditch by hand.  He has been lucky that our grandson was able to dig the longest part with his tractor.  Unfortunately there are places that it just wouldn't fit.  I think I have mentioned about all of the rocks in this lawn.  The first part of the ditch, no rocks but the beautiful maple tree has many roots as hard as rocks!  I watched Mike Filer and Dick take turns with a sledge hammer driving a heavy 2 inch spear though about 2 feet of massive roots and dirt all wrapped tight.  What back breaking work to be in a ditch swinging a sledge hammer in high heat and humidity.  The had no intentions of giving up and thus another job thanks to a great friend was accomplished!  Now the electric service can be run under ground, through the roots to the cabin.  The old saying, had I known then what I know now............I'm not so sure there would be a cabin.  Every step of the way getting this thing built has been with difficulty. From gas lines, rocks, tree roots, you name it we have faced them.  Each day I think (to myself) it has to get easier and each day there is another dilemma. 

  

Thank heaven for little boys that grown into great men.

Kirk knows how to dig a clean ditch!

Mike on the right, Dick on the left and that damn beautiful Maple Tree in the middle.

Getting the labels off wine and beer bottles.



Hoping this crazy plan of mine looks ok.  My thought is stringing lights in each bottle from the back side in the
garage.  It will look worse before it looks better. 

It is tough watching the husband work so hard.  There are just certain things I can not do. Many have asked, why are you doing this project?  The answer I give is because he can, he can't set still, he loves to work, there is no slowing him down or telling him to take it easy.  So, that being said would you believe he is already talking of a second cabin?  We shall see if I can win the war on that idea!

My little window project is just to keep me busy rather than set and watch Dick work.  I did not realize how many bottles it will take so I am on hold for a bit.  I have a beautiful piece of iridescent glass (from my stained glass window try) that will go in the middle of the bottles.  I hope, still working on a plan to fit it in.  I'm sure in the middle of the night  it will come to me.  I do my best thinking in half a sleep.

The treat request today was a chocolate cake with Marcia's frosting recipe.  I have been making it for 42 years and it is still our favorite.  It does not have an overly sweet sugary taste.  Just a delicious mildly sweet vanilla flavor.   Dick likes the Hershey Cake recipe because it is rather heavy and very moist.   Nothing fancy, just a simple ingredient cake.  I bake mine in a 9 x 12 pan.  Never have been one to like putting together a double layer cake.  This cake is like the Pennsylvania Whoopie Pie recipe but in cake form.  So much faster than baking each little round. 

 Hershey's chocolate cake

Butter, for the pans

2 cups granulated sugar

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pans

3/4 cup Hershey’s Cocoa

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup mild vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

• 1. Position a rack in the middle of the oven and crank up the heat to 350°F (180°C). Generously butter and flour two 9-inch round baking pans, tapping out any excess flour.
• 2. In a large bowl with a wooden spoon (surely you have one, yes?), stir together the granulated sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• 3. Plop the eggs in the center of the cocoa mixture and pour in the milk, oil, and vanilla, and, using a handheld electric mixer (oh c’mon, surely you still have one of those, too?!), beat the ingredients on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in the boiling water. The batter will appear to be wicked thin but fear not, that’s just the way this recipe works. Pour the batter into the prepared pans, dividing it evenly.
• 4. Bake the cakes for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert the cakes onto the wire racks, remove the pans, and let them cool completely.

We like the cake stored in the refrigerator.  It almost makes the frosting taste like
a combination of ice cream and frosting.

The Frosting:

4 tbsp. flour
1 c. milk
1/2 c. Crisco
1/2 c. butter
1 c. granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla

Cook together flour and milk, stirring constantly, until thick like custard. Refrigerate until very cold. Then cream together Crisco, butter and sugar until no longer grainy. Add flour mixture and vanilla and continue beating until very smooth and creamy.

I try very hard when writing a blog not to bring sad times, opinions of others or things that are on my mind to the blog.  The last 6 months and especially the last 3 have been quite trying and what is in my thoughts is most troubling.  You see it has made me question a few and what I would do if in their position.  I can only hope it would be in my strength to do what could be done to help someone.  To give the person peace and satisfaction to end his deep wants and concerns. One man's quest to find out who he is with no strings attached and no motive or agenda to ruin another's life.  Just the chance to know at the age of 40 who he is. There is also another reason, the search for medical answers.   He is a successful business man that is caring and has done so much for others less fortunate.  His family is just as honest and good as he is.  It is easy to say "pass it on" but can you do it?