Recipe & Funny Story for Mother’s Day

What do you do when your dad’s birthday falls on or near Mother’s Day?

You celebrate big time!

Dad worked on the railroad for the majority of his life. He was proud of his conductor’s uniform.

Dad was born on May 12, 1926. He was one of 11 children.

I don’t know if my grandma had parties for each of her children on their birthdays, but I’d guess not often.

As Dad married and had a family of his own, we celebrated birthdays.

One of his favorite desserts was Carrot Cake. I found a vintage recipe from 1983 and made it this weekend with fantastic results.

Dad and Mom are gone now. As we approach the weekend when we would have honored both of them – Dad for his birthday and Mom for Mother’s Day – I am anticipating some tricky moments as this will be my first Mother’s Day without Mom.

Dad has been gone for nearly two decades, but we still miss him.

When memories become too much, I will choose to focus on their godly characters and love for me, even before I was born.

In addition to the recipe for Carrot Cake, I’m sharing something personal in honor of Mom.

Years ago, she told me a humorous story about her childhood. We were sitting in my kitchen and I just about fell off my chair laughing.

It has been published multiple times and I’m always so happy for Mom’s sake that people enjoyed it.

I hope this story and recipe brings a note of cheer to you on this special day.

**

As told by Evelyn Joan Archbold Brewer (she is on the left in the photo above):

When I was eight years old in 1938, the preacher at our church in Ossian, Indiana, made a surprise announcement: “The person who brings the most people to church next Sunday will win a prize.”

My mind raced around the word “prize.” What if he was giving away a doll?

At recess the next day I looked for someone to invite. A new girl in town, Joyce Kincaid, seemed like a prospect. I wasted no time meeting her and asking her to come.

The next day she said she could go. I asked Joyce if she needed a ride. She said, no, her parents would bring her.

On Sunday morning I dressed hurriedly, eager to get to church and see my friend. Upon arrival, I had a delightful surprise. Not only Joyce, but also her parents and five brothers and sisters stood outside the church waiting.

I could almost feel the doll’s porcelain features under my fingertips!

The preacher’s sermon seemed to last forever. Finally, he closed his Bible and asked all the visitors to stand, introduce themselves and tell who had brought them.

Joyce’s father said they were new in town and that I was the first person to ask them to church. When asked to stand, I did so, blushing profusely.

The preacher welcomed all the newcomers. I wiggled in my seat. No one had brought more than eight people, so the prize should be mine.

But you could never tell with grownups.

“We thank our visitors for coming today,” the preacher said. “We commend every person who took the time to invite someone. One person has done more than what was expected. The Bible would say she has committed her work unto the Lord.”

Guilt overcame me. I hadn’t thought about God when I asked Joyce to church. I only wanted the prize.

“Joan, would you come up here, please?”

I had won! The preacher nodded to someone at the back and I almost clapped my hands to hurry them along. With my back turned, I was unable to see what was brought in. I began to suspect something was amiss when the boys on the front row began to snicker.

My excitement changed to horrified disbelief, when “the prize” was set before me.

The preacher laid a kind hand on my shoulder. “Unfortunately, our prize probably isn’t something a child dreams of winning,” he said.

He was right. Twenty-five pounds of flour had never entered my mind. 

The congregation laughed, and I made my way back to the pew. I wasn’t crying but wanted to. Understanding, Joyce squeezed my hand.

My parents couldn’t afford to buy me a doll, but I got over that. More importantly, Joyce and I became best friends and stayed that way throughout school.

We lived near each other for many years and got together occasionally to chat and laugh about the “pile of dough” that brought us together.

**

Carrot cake

2 c. sugar

1.5 c. vegetable oil

4 eggs

2 c. flour

1 t cinnamon

1 t salt

2 t baking soda

3 c. carrots, grated

½ c. nuts

Cream sugar & oil together.

Add eggs, beating after each.

Sift together dry ingredients.

Slowly add to wet mix.

Add carrots & nuts.

Bake in 2 9-inch greased and floured cake pans at 300 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

May add Cream cheese icing:

8-ounces cream cheese

1-pound powdered sugar

1 stick butter, melted

2 t. vanilla

Beat until smooth & creamy.