HomeGrown LifeStyle

Oatmeal Cake

My oatmeal cake is in the oven cooking. Smells good. It is a family favorite and one of my most requested cake recipes. To make it easier to share, I’m posting the recipe here. It makes a very large cake. I use my lasagna pan which is a little larger than the standard 13″ x 9″. You can use smaller pans, just fill up more than one.

Soak 2 cups oatmeal in 3 cups boiling water

In another bowl mix 1 c. softened butter 2c brown sugar and 2 cups white sugar

Next add 4 eggs. Then I add dry ingredients alternating with the oatmeal mixture. Usually I

add the spices etc and 1 c of the flour mix, then half the oatmeal, mix, another cup flout, mix, rest of oatmeal

mix, last cup of flour, mix.

3 c flour

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t nutmeg

2 t salt

1 baking soda

Optional

1 c nuts

1 c crushed pineapple drained

Mix in optional ingredients, bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until done (which is often longer than 45). Use a well greased and floured 13″ x 9″ pan or larger. (or cupcakes, 3 round pans, etc)

Cool and frost if desired. Cream cheese frosting. German chocolate cake frosting. or simply a spread of cream cheese and crushed pineapple with a little bit of sugar.

Homemade flats – Getting Ready to Plant

My roots arrived a few days ago from Herb-Roots.com Black Cohash, Groundnut, Maypops. I’d originally planned on planting them on our land (20 minutes away). Then I got to thinking, new cuttings need to be kept moist, protecting from animals. Hard to do if I’m not there everyday.

My roots came packed in moist newspapers sealed into plastic baggies. Several of each, especially the passion flowers (maypop). I just wasn’t set up to start roots at home. Few days later the roots are starting to sprout in the newspaper, thus today was plant roots day.

I’d picked up some 1″ by 4″ lumber, 8 ft long to make the rooting flats. I made the sides 24″ with 10.5″ on the ends. My son cut the wood and built the boxes for me with his dad’s assistance. I took an old, torn screen and cut it to line the inside, help hold dirt and still drain excess water. We used wood screws to put it together.

I’d already picked up potting soil on sale earlier this year. I dumped it into a plastic bin, added water, and used this soil to plant my roots. Now to get my seeds started. Next year, I’ll have my gear in place before my roots arrive.