TIME WARP

To attend a reunion or not?  Why do we go? Just to have fun and to reconnect!

Southwest High School

I spent a great deal of time with some of these people; my formative years through elementary school, junior high and then through high school.  I learned who I wanted to be and who I did not want to be. I learned a lot about myself while I was being educated through the school system. I had fun with my friends back then and I have had fun with the reunion committee these days.

I'm not the person I was as a child and teen. But, I'm also not the person I'm going to be as I get much older. However, it has been interesting to see who I have become so I would love to see who my classmates have become too.

Back then, I was so shy; I had zero self-confidence. That has changed a little.  Sometimes I have confidence, but I am still quite shy in a large group or until I get to know you.

The reunion committee members have talked about the regrets we have in the way we dealt with a classmate. I would like to think that I was a friend and not a tormentor. I know in my elementary school years I wasn’t as kind as I should have been. Lesson learned.

In school, I had my first crush and my first heartbreak. I learned who I could trust, who I wanted to hang with and who wanted to hang with me. I experimented with a few things, which would be a big surprise to some people today. I had so many questions when I graduated. I still do not have the answers. 

I look at my yearbook and some of the things my friends wrote. Oh, my!  What some people wrote in my yearbook! Was I actually there? I forgot I used to work in the office at school. How could I forget that? I forgot faces that went with the names and the names with faces until I looked at the yearbook. 

Fun, wet, field trip. Sue didn't think it was so fun, did she?
Where are you Sue Hill Plaxco?

Some foggy memories of fun times I shared with some of my classmates are coming back into view. Little flickers come to mind. I hope that I can share some happy memories with my classmates when we get together at the Southwest High School class of 1974 reunion!

Here's the link for all the details. If you haven't signed up to attend, it's not too late!

http://sw74reunion.com

SCOTCH CHOCOLATE CAKE

Most people love chocolate and I am one of those people! This cake is a treat that has been handed down to me from my dear, sweet mother-in-law Kathy Schroeder. She taught me so many good things through her loving example. She was one of those do-as-I-do people that I was blessed to know and love! 

Back to the cake...Joel requested that I take this to the cousin family reunion we recently attended.  So if you would like to try this recipe, here it is!

The well-loved and often-used original recipe card.

I measure out all my ingredients and then mix them in the order listed above. You'll notice I use Saco powdered buttermilk. I keep it on hand in the refrigerator for baking all kinds of things. (Did you read my blog about buttermilk cookies?)

Measure out the ingredients you will need.

Bring the first ingredients to a boil over medium heat.

Place the first four ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add the flour and sugar. I use my small electric mixer at this stage. Stir in the buttermilk and soda, then add the salt, eggs, and vanilla and beat well. Pour into a greased and sugared baking pan. Yes, I said sugared! When I bake cakes and sweet breads I always dust the pans with sugar instead of flour. Guess I have a sweet tooth! 

Grease and sugar the baking pan. Yes, this is the original Ware-Ever No. 918 baking pan I was blessed to inherit.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.  My pan is 15x11, but you can bake this in a 9x13 pan. Check for doneness as it will probably take a bit longer to bake in a smaller pan. Remove from oven and then prepare this frosting:

Place the margarine, cocoa and milk in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and then the powdered sugar. Mix until no lumps of sugar remain. Pour this mixture over the warm cake. Let it all cool and and then ENJOY sharing with your family and friends!

By the way, I will bake for you on request...if you ask nicely!