Sorry this is a day late, we have been without internet for 4 days UGH!
Today like the last 30 years has started off with a pancake & sausage breakfast to support our local Rotary Club. Let’s just say I would rather just donate money than actually attend and that is all I will say about it. My in-laws have been going to this event since they moved here in the late 70’s and we, I mean they just cannot break from tradition. I do say this lovingly.
I only added a few nuts and I was too distracted and ended up cooking it a little longer than I should have. It was still very moist and yummy!
Later today I will be having family over for Linner, late lunch early dinner as I have called it for many years. It is I think the first year that I didn’t hide eggs for the kids. Which is kind of funny since they really are not “kids” anymore 21 & 23; but they always insisted that eggs be hidden. When they were little I used to do a treasure hunt all over the house and yard for them depending on the weather. I have a feeling if my daughter was home; she would insist on me hiding some for her and her brother to find.
Another tradition we started many years ago was we played four square in the driveway on a huge course with one of those huge plastic balls you see in those bins at the grocery stores. We have had some crazy games over the years, not only on Easter, but I think that is when it started. We have had marathon games lasting 6-8 hours with everyone playing at some point from as young as 4-5 to as old as 70-80. It would get pretty crazy at times but always full of laughter. I do definitely miss playing with my brother, may he rest in peace. Our main goal was to get him out of the servers’ box not sure how but he had a knack of always being in it.
Yesterday while out getting stuff for dinner I picked up a bag of used golf balls so that we could smackem’ down the driveway; the 3 of us sent all 48 through the woods and down the 1000’ driveway. We do this periodically, afterwards we walk the driveway hunting for the. Alex mentioned that we should have done this for a hunt when they were little. Dad and I could send the balls down the driveway and then send the kids out to find them, whoever found the most would win a prize. Excellent idea why didn’t I think of that! This year I think we were only 14 shy of the 48 sent. Not too shabby!
Today’s menu not unlike many others will be Ham, not the spiraled one, I’m probably on the short list who is not a fan all the ones I have ever had have been so very dry, I go for the monster shank or butt ones, always juicy. Smashed roasted baby potatoes, steamed zucchini and summer squash and I am going to make carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
Have a wonderful day doing whatever it is your family does on this beautiful (this year) Spring Easter Sunday!
Carrot Cake – Cream Cheese Frosting
4 Eggs
¾ Cup apple sauce
¾ Cup vegetable oil
2 Cups Sugar
2 Tsp vanilla extract
2 Cup AP flour
2 Tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
½ Tsp Salt
2 Tsp ground cinnamon
3 Cups grated carrots
Optional
1 Cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350’ grease and flour 9×13 pan
In a large bowl beat together eggs, sauce, oil, sugar and vanilla. Mix in flour, soda, powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. If using nuts fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. then turn onto a wire rack and cool completely.
½ Cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional
1 cup chopped pecans
Make frosting: in a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You can also stir in some chopped pecans in this if you would like. Frost cake once cooled.