Undeliverable Gifts: Christmas 2003

by Beth | Dec 23, 2003 | in the Spirit

Tomorrow’s
the night before Christmas
three dogs in my house
two cats are in hiding
I hope there’s no mouse…

That’s the easy part of Christmas. My food box/Christmas gifts delivery for Lazarus Ministries hasn’t turned out to be as simple as hoped. I’ve made 2 trips to the stated address… or at least what I think is the correct address. It’s a trailer (mobile home would be far to kind to describe it) with a note taped the door from the Sheriff’s department stating that there are important legal papers that need to be delivered. That note was dated last Friday. At least one window is busted out, it seems, but the door is locked. I know that there are 4 children and a single Mother in this household (tho the note seems to be for a male, whose name doesn’t match the others).

I’ve met this woman a few times before. We’ve been helping them at Thanksgiving and Christmas for several years. Previously, I’d take the stuff to her mother’s house. Not much of a house, but it seemed like a safe, loving place anyway. From what I’ve been told, Mother (I guess that would be Grandmother) has died since my last visit. My worry is that the stability has vanished. That I won’t get a return call from my note I left taped beside the Sheriff’s note. That’s these kids are left hanging. I worry about them all. And, I don’t know how to find them.

So – I pray that the Spirit will intercede, that the food and gifts get delivered somehwere, somehow, that the situation is not as bad as I fear. It’s time to remember, Lord, that you ask that I be wiling to help – not that I always succeed. Take care of them, if I can’t.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 c. vegetable oil (I use coconut oil)
  • 2 c. sugar
  • 2 c. flour
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 3 tsp. cinnamon
  • 2 tsp. soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 3 c. raw carrots, grated (I don't measure, but I grate up about 1lb of carrots)
  • 4 Tbsp. hot water
Icing
  • 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
  • 1/4 c.butter
  • 1 (1 lb.) box confectioners sugar
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 c. chopped nuts (pecans)

Method
 

Cake
  1. Blend sugar and oil. Add eggs. Beat well. Add hot water.
  2. Sift dry ingredients. Add to sugar-egg mixture. Beat well.
  3. Stir in grated carrots.
  4. Pour into 2 or 3 (9-inch) or a 9x13u0022 greased and floured cake pans. Bake at 350ºF for 25 to 35 minutes.
  5. Cool cakes and stack with frosting.
Icing
  1. Work cheese until soft. Add softened butter. Beat in sugar gradually. Add flavoring ana nuts. Mix and spread.

Notes

  • Mt family loves a 4 layer cake, so I modify this way: bake in 2 layers; when cooled thoroughly, I split the layers horizontally using dental floss so I have 4 layers. Double the icing recipe; don't add the pecans until after icing between the layers. So u002du002d interior has no pecans, but the outside is covered!
  • Cream Cheese Icing

    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
    • 1/4 c. margarine
    • 1 1 lb. box confectioners sugar
    • 2 tsp. vanilla
    • 1 c. chopped nuts pecans

    Method
     

    1. Work cheese until soft. Add softened margarine. Beat in sugar gradually. Add flavoring ana nuts. Mix and spread.

    Notes

    If I make a 3 layer carrot cake, I double this recipe. But then I have extras! What to do? Make a second carrot cake recipe and make it into cupcakes or a sheet cake and use the rest of the icing on that.
    Or, just be decadent and eat it like fudge.

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    Beth

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