Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Happy Birthday, Daddy!


Happy Birthday, Daddy!
You would have been 87 years old today.
Mother would have baked your favorite cake --
Chocolate Potato Cake


Your military days...


Here you are at the beach. You were attending the
reunion of the 7th Armored Division, of which you
were their historian.


Your father took you on many adventures...
such as lowering you down into the Carlsbad Caverns
in Carlsbad, New Mexico... in a basket!
It only led you to many adventures in your lifetime.
WW II, working and living all around the world...
including a trek to the Khyber Pass.


Here you are on the right as an older brother.
You two were always off on an adventure...
Living in a hotel with your parents led to
daring acts of dropping a cat off of a hotel roof
but not before making a parachut for the cat. It was just a trial run because you were going to try "flight" after the cat.
Watching, up close, pole watchers, cowboy and Indian side shows, early days of movie theaters and so much more,
led to only stories your mother would repeat.
It was a great life you had, Daddy. You showed us how to live with honor and respectability.
I miss you!

Chocolate Potato Cake
Temperature: 350 degrees

2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
4 eggs - separate and whip the whites until fluffy
2 c. flour
4 Tbs. cocoa
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 c. milk
1 tsp. EACH: cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg

2 c. hot mashed potatoes (not instant)
1 c. pecans, chopped
1 tsp. vanilla

Icing:
1 lb. powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 egg yolk
3 Tbs. cocoa
5 Tbs. hot coffee

Cream 2 cups sugar with 1 cup shortening. Add 4 egg yolks and cream well. Sift together: flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add alternately the milk to creamed mixture along with hot mashed potatoes.
Fold in 4 stiffly beaten egg whites, pecans, and vanilla.
Grease 3 round cake tins and line with wax paper. Bake for 25 minutes. Frost when cool.

Today I am sharing my recipe at

Visit All the Small Stuff