Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

Thanks to Heather Ives' rave review, I've received several requests for my Texas Sheet Cake recipe. It is actually my Mother-in-Law's recipe - so she gets all the credit! It is delicious and is a family favorite.

Texas Sheet Cake

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

2 cubes margarine

1 c. water

4 tbsp. baking cocoa

1/2 c. buttermilk

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

In bowl, stir together flour and sugar. In saucepan, boil together margarine, water and cocoa; stir in flour/sugar mixture; then add buttermilk, beaten eggs, vanilla and baking soda. Mix well. Batter will be thin - Pour into a greased 11x16x1 inch pan (I use a cookie sheet) and bake at 375 for 25 minutes.

* Don't use electric mixer!

* Be sure to prepare icing recipe below while the cake is baking - icing needs to be poured over cake as soon as cake is removed from oven.

* I usually double the icing recipe below - the more chocolate the better!! :)

Icing for Texas Sheet Cake

1 cube margarine

4 tbsp. baking cocoa

1/2 c. buttermilk

1 lb. box powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. chopped nuts

Bring to boil margarine, cocoa and buttermilk. Remove from heat - add sugar, nuts and vanilla. Stir well. Pour over hot cake. Cool and eat! YUMMMMM!!

Field Trip with Rylee

Today I went on a field trip with Rylee. It was for all the 5th graders at Ashton Ranch. We went to JA Biztown in Tempe, AZ. It was so much fun! It is a simulated town - complete with restaurants, Wells Fargo bank, UPS store, gym, US Airways, newspaper and radio station and, of course a mall - which is where I was assigned to work! :) The kids were given pay checks and bills to pay. The kids have been preparing for this field trip for weeks. They learned how to fill out checks and deposit slips and how to balance their checkbooks. They were able to interview for the jobs that they wanted. Rylee got the job of Hostess at Papa John's Pizza. She loved it and did a wonderful job. All the kids took their jobs very seriously and it was so fun to see them in this light!

Since I had to be on the other end of town so early, I thought it would be a good idea to go to the temple for the 5:30am session. It sounded like a good idea the night before, but when my alarm went off at 4am, I wasn't so sure! I did get up and made it to the temple just in time. It was a wonderful experience. Why don't I do this every week??

My Tennis Stars

Garrett and Hunter are playing tennis for their high school teams. They are both doing great and are LOVING it! I haven't taken pictures of them yet, but I promise to post some soon.

Valentine's Day Treat

I was supposed to get together with my sisters this week to make some Valentine's Day decorations - but I ended up with pneumonia and was feeling cruddy! My sweet sisters and Mom made this adorable banner for me !

Isn't it the cutest?? I can't wait for next year so that I can hang it up again. Thanks girls!! I think I'll get sick every holiday so that they feel sorry for me and make me something cute again.

Missing Matthew

It has been a difficult week. After many late-night talks, prayers and tears, my oldest child, Matthew, has decided to live with his Dad in Thatcher. Thatcher can provide the good friends, good school and all the wonderful small town experiences that any 16-year-old boy would want. Darren and Sara are excited to have Matthew in their home and I am confident that they will provide all the love and structure that he needs. I will only be a phone call (and a 5 hour drive) away!

Matthew is an amazing young man and I am so proud to be his Mom. He is a bright light and an incredible example in my life. Even as a toddler, Matthew was always concerned about my feelings. He always wanted me to be happy. He is the first to notice my new haircut or a new picture on the wall. He is quick to compliment a new recipe I try - even when everyone else in the family hates it, Matthew will say he loves it and ask for more! He never wants to hurt my feelings. He will be a wonderful husband to some lucky girl!!

During the 3 years that I was a single mom, I depended heavily on Matthew and he never let me down. He was the "man of the house" from ages 5 - 8 and his maturity, compassion and responsibility came through when I needed him the most. As a 6th grader, Matthew would lovingly comb and style Rylee's hair each morning (an extremely difficult task which Rylee never made easy) - I would leave for work before the kids were up and Matthew knew that it was important to me that Rylee look presentable. He did this because he loves me and he loves his siblings.

I know that this has been a difficult decision for Matthew, but we all feel that it will be a great experience for him. The void left in our home will be difficult for me to bear - please excuse and understand my random tears! I love this kid so much and will miss him dearly.

Sweet Rylee

Yesterday, Rylee came home from school with a huge grin on her face. She immediately told me about what a great day she had and that a boy in her class had given her a pair of earrings. She was so proud of the earrings and could not wait to put them on!! I asked her how the boy had given these earrings to her. She answered, "It's a long story, Mom." I assured her that I had time for her long story about the earrings. :) She said, "He gave them to another girl first, but she didn't want them. Then he gave them to another girl and she didn't want the earrings, either. So he gave them to me." She was thrilled with the gift! Oh, to be sweet and innocent!!

Young Women

I have recently been called to serve as the 1st Counselor in the YW Presidency in my ward. I am excited about this new opportunity and experience. I was able to go to girl's camp this past summer and was so impressed by the young women in our stake and specifically in our ward - what a wonderful group of girls! I am honored to be working with them and I can't wait to get to know them better - I know that they will teach me a great deal and I hope to be a positive influence in their lives, as well.

In my scripture study, I came across these scriptures: D&C 6:34 & 36 "Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if you are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." This reminded me that if we built upon the rock of the gospel, we have nothing to fear. I love the Lord's reference to his "little flock" - it is easy to feel outnumbered and insignificant in the world, but he knows us and loves us and we matter to him. As we look unto the Lord in every thought and decision, we will be on the right path. I needed this positive reminder today.