Mom’s the word!

I’ve had writer’s block. It’s not a big deal because other than this blog and a future recipe book I have no deadlines. However, I pride myself in being a decent writer. I used to write poems and songs. For the longest time, I have had a journal that I write in most weeks. I was an English teacher, specializing in reading and writing. But lately, I’m a bit stuck in a strange spot. I find myself forming some bad retirement habits, actually! I have now been retired for almost two years and an unspoken and also unplanned routine is forming and it goes something like this: wake, meditate/pray over coffee, then eat a light breakfast and next, play pickleball with a large group of new pickleball friends. Afterwards I run errands, make lunch, nap and read. Often, but not always I accomplish a chore like gardening, organizing work for church or a social group and writing notes to folks. I resort to housework if I’ve invited someone over or if I can’t stand the messiness! Yes, that is my cleaning schedule. Never fear though because the kitchen and bathrooms are always a priority! But bedrooms? Dusting? Nope. By the way, I love cooking and planning dinner, so that’s not a chore for me, but rather more like a joyful hobby, most days. I confess, I’ve hit a wall there too so now it’s time to write!

I began writing this on Mother’s Day and I miss my mom quite a bit, even though she’s been gone over two decades. Mom died from lung cancer in 2002. I know many loved ones very dear to me that lost their moms even earlier. I was in my 40s when she passed and she was 66 years old. I would describe her as very young thinking and sharp minded. She loved my brother and me and would do anything for her people, which included several siblings and their families, her mom, dad’s family and a large group of friends. I am pondering what exactly is it, that I miss the most about mom. I think it’s just being in her presence, especially with her sisters and mom. I loved to listen to them all banter and kid with each other as they made a meal or sat around a table afterwards. The laughter was infectious!

Now, since this IS mostly a food blog, what do I remember them making? Well, this is a puzzle and other than Thanksgiving and the Christmas reunion dinner, there were no other traditional foods. My mom was a great cook. I imagine they often asked her to make her Spanish Rice with Beef and that recipe is somewhere in the archives of this blog.

Another favorite is her Mississippi Mud Cake so that’s what I’ll write about today! It’s bound to improve my mood and the writer’s block. If nothing else, I’ll devour some delicious chocolate. I hope you enjoy it too. And remember, hug your people, even the ones who seem to have it all together. They need extra attention too, some days. Or a cake! Maybe both.

Love,

Marci

Recipe for Mississippi Mud Cake (Mom’s recipe says “from Marilyn Smith”

As written:

2 sticks butter or margarine, softened

2 tbsp. Cocoa

1 can coconut (think that’s about 6-8 oz.)

2 cups sugar

1 and ½ cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

4 eggs 1 and ½ cups pecans 1 tbsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13 x 9 sheet pan. After it bounces back in the middle, about 35 minutes, remove from oven and cool for at least 15 minutes. Next add a large jar of marshmallow cream. Put in the fridge for an hour.

Then ice with the following, which is a cooked icing: (melt butter, add milk then dry ingredients)

1 box of confectioner’s sugar (about 3-4 cups)

1 stick of butter

½ cup cocoa

½ cup carnation milk (can use regular)

When the icing bubbles and is smooth, take off heat, wait about 4-5 minutes and then pour over the marshmallow topping! YOU will not regret it!