Beautiful Spring! Just a Little Cooler.

The weather is cooler with breezy days, but so nice! We are having a few cooler nights (in the low 40's) which are still enjoyable with a coat on - after all, it is still winter!
I bought a Dr. Seuss t-shirt for AA, all about reading anywhere. Her friend Isabel had one, saw on Facebook, so had to get one for AA.
I will READ on a boat. I will READ with a goat. I will READ on a train. I will READ in the rain.
I will READ with a fox. I will READ in a box. I will READ with a mouse. I will READ in a house.
I will READ here or there. I will READ anywhere!!!!!

From Facebook:
AA recently had a small foot issue with her golf shoes. She wore DAWGs golf shoes since she was 7 (they look like Crocs, same material feel). DAWGs do not carry a size 4 (between Girls and Womens), so I ordered a size 5 for her a few months ago; too big even though the measurements line up closely to a Youth size 4. With her "small" foot issue, I challenged Daddy-Caddie to take her shopping (not a favorite task for either). Voila!! A new pair of Nike golf shoes in size 4 from Dick's. We still recommend DAWGs, they are excellent children golf shoes.

These are her Dawgs. They have Women's sizes, so maybe she will try them again.

Wednesday, I took a day off from work to go have my shoulder checked (Ginger dog yanked it twice over the past few months, pain not going away!!). We enjoyed taking a short road trip to Maggie's Herb farm. We bought tomato, pepper and herbs; won't be able to plant outside until the end of March. For dinner we decided on AA's favorite Mexican Tijuana Flats.

Maggie's always have pretty displays of veggies and flowers in a wide variety of eclectic pots.

Our orange tree at home, blooming and smelling wonderful!

Azaleas are blooming!

While AA and Ford were golfing, I found a recipe for Irish Soda Bread, made it spur of the moment. Went great with Ford's chili.

Ford baked a cake (used a box mix for base) for the OPE Spring Fling, earned an hour of volunteer time!

Double chocolate with homemade Buttercream Frosting (funny - no butter in this recipe!!)

Friday: Ford and AA had fun at the OPE Spring Fling. It was scheduled as the annual fall festival but Hurricane Irma made the spring the make-up date. AA ran around with her "squad" for 2.5 hours (with a runny nose). 
Our OPE Volunteer time obligation is completed - with Ford's three hours at the OPE library (book fair), the cake and half an hour clean up. While I was off work last Fall, I managed to get in several hours too.

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE
1 box devil’s food cake mix
1 small box Jello instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups mini chocolate chips

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
1 cup shortening (Crisco)
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a very large bowl, mix together everything except chocolate chips. Batter will be thick. Then stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour batter into cake pan of choice (I normally use two 9-inch round pans). For cooking time, I use the cooking times on the back of the cake box as a guide. Then I do the toothpick check, and if it’s not done, I check on it every 5 mins after that. It usually takes around 45 mins for two, 9-inch round pans.
BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
In a mixing bowl, cream shortening until fluffy. Add sugar and continue creaming until well blended. Add salt, vanilla, and whipping cream. Blend on low speed until just combined. Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.