At last~Computers and oatmeal cake

What a week or three actually.  This new computer blew its mother board and that had to go away for a long time.  We spent hours yesterday picking it up and having things added back on etc.  Then Alyssa, Beth's daughter, came today and for two hours worked on both computers and she is my new hero, so I'm back.  You probably didn't miss me, but even though I was not on, I was busy in the kitchen getting ready for Labor Day week end .  We are having a blow out party and preparations have begun. I have stocked up on steaks and good heavens, have you priced those lately? Time was you could buy the whole cow for what you pay for a package of four or five New York strip steaks. But, it's a party, so Andy and I think we should do it while we can. We can't take it with us, don't you know.

Alyssa likes my cooking so I made a mac and cheese with all the the left over cheese board selections and along with pepperoni, it made a dish she enjoyed; finished off with fresh peach cobbler with blueberry sauce. Got to keep them happy in their work. She went away full and flush with money. lol

For Labor Day week end I am going to do the corn on the cob in the cooler with a kettle of boiling water poured over the corn and then the lid closed for thirty minutes.  The corn is perfect then and with four or five dozen ears, that is the way to do it for a crowd.

We have been using Georgia's famous onions.  I saute them as shown and use them in many many dishes.  I miss them when they leave us but always greet them happily in the spring.

                  

These onions go well with the steaks.  We actually have two meals at these parties one when everyone arrives around noon and one in the evening before everyone heads home.  September opens the football OSU season and Andy has received his much loved tickets.  This year each of the Cincinnati men get to go with Andy to one game.  Each selected a game that fit his schedule and then he  comes up for the week end.  The wives and I hang out and have a good time.  Now if the OSU football players can stay out of trouble, the year should be a good one for all to enjoy. (That is a BIG IF.)


I am baking this cake at this moment.  The recipe does not give the oven time, so I am starting at 30 minutes.  The topping looks absolutely divine.  Can't wait to let you know how this goes.

Note: Have you tried Trader Joe's sesame honey almonds?  Wow! They are delicious.  I've been using them in our homemade granola, but alone in a bowl...yum.

 

 

Cake Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup boiling water
1 cup oats
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Topping Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups coconut
1 cup pecans, chopped finely (optional - I omit)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
8 tablespoons milk (can use evaporated milk, if desired)

Directions:

Cream together butter and sugars.  Add eggs.  Beat well.

Add in the soaked oats, vanilla, baking soda, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

Mix well.

 Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Pour boiling water over oats in a small bowl.  Allow to sit for 15 minutes.

Pour and spread topping over cake when you take it out of the oven.  Bake under the broiler for a few minutes until top is brown.  Watch cake closely so that it does not burn.

Allow cake to cool.  As it cools, the topping will get thick and sticky ... and will really ooze down into the cake!