I've spent the last few days re-organizing and cleaning the kitchen. It needed it. I found extra cooking utensils that we really don't use, and since they are taking up precious space in our tiny kitchen, I've decided they can go. I also found some vintage items that I'm just not attached to. I know they belonged to my grandmother and I loved her so much... but they are not her, and they are going, as well. So from the hours of rearranging, washing and taking stock of items in the kitchen, I have gleaned a small pile for eBay. Proceeds will go to one of our online savings accounts. I'm sure it won't be much, but that feeling of gaining space AND a few dollars always makes me feel good!

This particular online account is what I've been using for tiny little checks that come in the mail. A couple of times each week, we get a small check (under $20, usually) of some kind: rebate, Pinecone, medical reimbursement, etc. I have been collecting a few at a time and then sending them off (in pre-paid envelopes!) to the savings account. Ah, the joys of watching the balance go up! Slow, yes, but pretty steady. I guess it's where my "challenge" money has started to go. And I have never kept secrets from my husband, but he doesn't know what I've been doing with those checks. I'll surprise him when it's a substantial amount, send it to our regular savings and start over. So Shh! Don't tell!

Yesterday I baked a quick chocolate cake. I thought I just wanted a treat, but perhaps it was the purging of items that belonged to my grandmother that really set the project in motion. I haven't baked this particular cake in over a year, but it was her recipe. I didn't make the connection until long after it was cooked, frosted and half eaten! I also made sandwich rolls and a delicious batch of macaroni and cheese from a new recipe.

Today, I'm baking more sandwich rolls (so many kids to feed!) and some cookies for the freezer. Pulling chicken from the freezer for dinner. I will have to go to the store for milk (so many kids to feed!), but that's all we need for today.

Gas prices are downright crazy! Glad I can stay home today and work on more organizing and cleaning!

Chocolate Cake
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cubes butter
4 T. coca
1 c. water
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix sugar, flour and baking soda in a bowl. Heat together water, cocoa and butter in a saucepan. Bring to a rapid boil and then pour on dry ingredients. Add buttermilk, eggs and vanilla. Pour into 12" by 18" (like a cookie sheet) pan and bake for 20 minutes at 350.

Icing
1 cube butter
4 T. cocoa
6 T. buttermilk
1 pound powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Bring butter, cocoa and buttermilk to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add sugar and vanilla. Spread hot frosting on hot cake.