Monday, September 13, 2010

Texas Cake...a recipe shared by Tucker's Mom, Cathy.


Texas Cake
(Sheet Cake)
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE:
2 cups Flour
2 cups Sugar
¼ teaspoons Salt
4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
2 sticks Butter ( you can use 1 stick of butter and ½ cup of canola oil instead of two sticks of butter and it is just as delicious and even more moist- that is the way my mom made it)
1 cup Boiling Water
½ cups Buttermilk
2 whole Beaten Eggs
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Vanilla
_____
FOR FROSTING:
½ cups Finely Chopped Pecans
1-¾ stick Butter
4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
6 Tablespoons Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 pound (minus 1/2 Cup) Powdered Sugar
Preparation Instructions
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.

In a saucepan, melt butter. Add cocoa. Stir together.
Add boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.

In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk and add beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes. Yes, only 20 minutes.

While cake is baking, make the icing. Chop pecans finely. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together. Add the pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake. Yes, over the warm cake!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Sunny's tummy......

"Hi Everyone!
As you can see, I'm trying my best to keep the babies comfortable and warm.
However, they are so hot and active, I must sleep on my back so they have plenty of
room to move. They have less than a week before they arrive. Activity in the
Nursery is intense and everyone is excited. I will post updates when labor arrives
so everyone can pace the floor, boil water and listen for the babies' newborn cries! "
Sunny

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Snickers visited Mickey and Cocoa......







Hi Mary

Wanted to send some more pictures of the "family". Snickers was back and it was haircuts for everyone. Debbie is getting pretty good at clipping cocker spaniels. So everyone got a haircut and at the end of the day, Cocoa and Mickey were wore out. They are adorable dogs, but Cocoa is still the last one to come in the door and you have to go hunt her down! I am so glad that we decided to get the little male "tonka". He has turned into a real adorable companion for me and of course little Cocoa is Debbie's dog. I shouldn't put it that way, they are both very lovable and friendly. But like all Cockers they are very territorial except when Snickers comes up to play. Hope all is well with you.

Bob Snook

These are Daisy/Weylin kids from their '09 litter.

We bow our heads and remember..........







Friday, September 10, 2010

Miss Lacey Rose......

Playing with Sabrina.....
Lacey didn't get her treat first, so she stomped off to bed awaiting special love and a treat to make her feel special once again. After all, a Princess should be served first!!

More troubles with Verizon/Internet connections...

Thanks to all for the wonderful pictures and stories. I have them saved and ready to post when I'm allowed to once again. Improvement for DSL has limited our sending capabilities by half, which was very poor before. DSL is installed on our road, but no equipment has arrived to hook me up. With new puppies ready to arrive and families awaiting their photos, I am so upset I won't be able to post them on time. Check back. One day soon, there will be a lot to see. All the mommies are healthy and active. I've felt Sunny's puppies kicking and wanting out. Birdie are still quiet as she's the active one. Maggie has a nice little puppy bump, but it could be dinner. Too soon to say for sure puppies are on board. Life here continues to be a zoo. Ad now we have much needed rain. Hope you are all enjoying the end of summer activities.
Mary & Philip

Update: this afternoon I was able to post three sets of pics. I feel blessed.

Jack & Max's Summer

Labor Day cruise
Jack working on his Captain's license.


"What about me?"

Max's first haircut by Dad (great job, Ted!)

Boys waiting for road trip in Mom's new truck.
(Camping is in their future.)

I love my brother! (Jack on left, Max on right.)