Project Water Feature

Our backyard is our haven: a place to relax, to watch birds, to enjoy the changes of seasons. For a long time we have been talking about putting in a water feature. Last year we spent a lovely day in Tallahassee helping Rob and Traci do just that. After our stop over at Cousin Elsie's house in Knoxville, we started discussing putting in a fountain or something in our own back yard. We had enjoyed sitting in Elsie's spacious screened porch, listening to the trickle of water, and watching the birds play in the fountain.

When we mentioned at Sunday dinner recently that we were in the planning phase of project water feature, my mother reminded us that we were supposed to get one of the syrup kettles from the farm. For those of you who do not know what a syrup kettle is, it is a 60 gallon round cast iron kettle whose original purpose was to be used in cooking down sugar cane juice to a thick cane syrup. We never cooked out syrup on the farm where I grew up. Our recycled kettles were used as cow watering troughs.

Cast iron is not light weight. Fortunately, Philip and Judy were here for lunch and Philip volunteered to get Billy to help fetch the kettle from Mama's place. Billy has a handy trailer which helped make the job easier. Last Thursday the three men put the kettle in place and Klep's job began.

All projects require at least one trip to either Home Depot or Lowe's. Since this was basically Klep's project, we headed to Lowe's Friday morning to get an electric pump, electrical boxes, and switches. He was recycling old hose for the circulation of water and an old pump which was originally connected to the windmill as the device to deliver the water.

Friday afternoon he worked on the old pump and painted the hose to match the kettle. Saturday he put in a good amount of digging time. By Saturday afternoon he connected everything and used an extension cord to be sure things would work correctly. Monday he did the electrical work, we closed up the ditch, filled the kettle, set out the Endless Summer Hydrangeas, and enjoyed sitting on the back porch in the late afternoon listening to the water flow into the kettle.

Cost of the project:
Transportation: 2 helpings of friends
Kettle and pitcher pump: 0$
Pump and supplies: $28.00
Installation: 4 ibuprofen
Finished Project: Priceless

The Cake

Birthdays are big things at our house. No, we don't give big expensive gifts or plan elaborate parties. They are big in laughing and sharing and eating cake. Normally, the birthday extends over about a week. This birthday of mine was no exception. Now I gave up years ago on expecting to be pampered. I actually feel pampered enough most of the time just because, in my estimation, I am adequately and fully loved by a whole lot of people that I call family. It doesn't much matter who bakes the cake as long as the cake is baked. It matters that I have people I love to share it with.

The first birthday cake was cut last Monday. The last was cut yesterday. This is one that I had been mulling over for awhile. Saturday I put it all together. My inspiration was the Mounds candy bar. Since I have discovered that there already is a Mounds Cake, I have yet to name this cake. For now it will be 2010 B's Birthday Cake #2.

Recipe:
1 cup butter
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups CAKE flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 can Goya Coconut Milk (13.5 fl. oz.)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Filling:
Chocolate Ganache
1 12 oz. bag chocolate chips
1/3 cup cream or canned milk
1/4 cup butter cut in slices
1 can Conchita Grated Coconut in heavy syrup (17 oz. can)

Directions: Thoroughly cream butter. Add sugar until fluffy. Combine dry ingredients. Combine coconut milk and eggs. Alternate the dry and wet ingredients beating mixture as you go. After all are combined, beat for 1 t0 2 minutes.

Pour into three prepared cake pans and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Remove to racks to cool.

Prepare Ganache by combining chips and milk and heating in microwave at 50 per cent power for 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk until smooth. Incorporate butter and cool.

Place first layer of cake on plate and top with half of the grated coconut in heavy syrup. Pour half the Ganache over the coconut.

Put second layer of cake and repeat using the rest of the coconut and ganache.

Place top layer on and frost with Fluffy whipped frosting. If you want to make your own frosting, fine, but I love the fluffy white that comes in a can.

If your cake cracks like mine did, insert a few long skewers.

Chill in the refrigerator until everything sets up nicely.

After the cake was ready Saturday, Klep and I considered cutting it down the middle and devouring it. We managed to hold off until Sunday dinner when we shared it with my mother, Philip, and Judy Smith. Anne came in shortly after and had her slice. Today a hunk of it has headed south with her leftovers.

So, my birthday season is over. The next one in our family is August 5. How can I top the three tiered sour cream pound cake (two batches of batter) and three batches of cream cheese frosting that I did for my mother's 85th birthday? This will take some pondering!