The reason for my existence

I created this bit of paradise for Easter-slash-birthday celebration this past weekend and even though I was making it for the first time I knew that I had come home. This is what I was made for and created to do. My life is now complete. The tricky part of the whole deal is that the leftovers (and there will be leftovers unless you're feeding a party of 100) sit around the house whispering to you and staring at you with a longing that pierces your soul until you pay it some attention and go visit it (many times a day). So here's the goods. But I'm warning you - severe addiction is not only possible, its probable. (Click on this post's title and you'll be transported to another time and place where you'll get pictures and step by step instructions for making this delightful treat courtesy of Pioneer Woman.)

Pioneer Woman Chocolate Sheet Cake
Combine in a mixing bowl:
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a saucepan, melt:
2 sticks butter
Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa. Stir together.
Add 1 cup boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.

In measuring cup, pour 1/2 cup buttermilk. Add:
2 beaten eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes. While cake is baking, make icing.

Icing:
Chop 1/2 cup pecans finely.
Melt 1 3/4 sticks butter in a saucepan.
Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add:
6 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 lb minus 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Stir together. Add pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.

Easter Weekend, April in MN

Its beautiful outside. Easter weekend finds us pushing the upper 50's, maybe even hinting at the lower 60's, and the sun is the strongest its been yet this winter. Thankfully there are no spring blizzards in the forecast, as has happened in years past (many an Easter that happy spring frocks were worn to sunrise services with Sorel boots and ankle length wool coats, cheery Easter hats replaced with furry mad bombers). Minnesota is finally starting to believe that the promise of renewed life will be realized very, very soon. The theme of this weekend is easy to hear in whispers vollied back and forth in the spring wind. Creation boldly proclaims the awe-inspiring message I fumble: Jesus Christ still lives, death awaits its final breath, we live as Christ does, every day an invitation to re-enact the resurrection work He initiated. My heart is deeply grateful that there is more to this weekend than colored eggs and chocolate bunnies. Let His Church compete with creation in the worship of the One who lives and loves best.