Michael’s Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Instructions

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   Beat sugar, margarine, vanilla and eggs together in large mixing bowl. Addflour, sour cream, cocoa, baking soda, salt and beat for 1 minute until smooth and well blended. Fold in zucchini, chocolate chips and nuts. Spoon into 9"x13" pan. Bake at 350F for 35 to 45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

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   Canned Laughter Once month a television crew from the local station, KORN-TV, arrives at the Inn, accompanied by “Aunts” Ivy and Millie, who are local media celebrities. They like to use our library to tape some of their TV programs. The library has wide-plank wood floors, tartan-patterned wallpaper and one whole wall of book shelves. Over the fireplace are framed eighteenth century hunting scenes. There’s a leather sofa and plaid wingback chairs with good reading lights that are comfortable enough to invite you to curl up with a good book, but straight enough to keep you from falling asleep. It’s a very masculine-looking, “lord of the manor” sort of room which makes an interesting backdrop for these two grey haired ladies’ “fireside chats.” Aunt Ivy and Aunt Millie are good friends who have agreed to disagree on everything. If one likes hot weather, the other prefers cold. If one votes liberal, the other votes conservative. If one is logical, the other is chaotic. If there are two sides to anything, these two will find them. And they’ve made a name for themselves by playing “point-counterpoint” on their program. “Canning” TV shows always reminds me of my Grama and the crock of pickles she inevitably had aging in the “Summer kitchen” out back, and the jars of jams and relishes that were lined up on an old hutch. Michael and I both grew up in a climate that had short Summers, followed by what seemed to be an interminably long, cold and snowy Winter. Therefore, the growing season was short, and the depths of January were always brightened by savoring the fruits and vegetables which had been carefully nurtured in June, July and August. So, we don’t mind the heat when it comes. We like to say that we are storing it up for the Winter, the better to melt the snowdrifts that stand between us and our dormant garden. for “putting up” fruits and vegetables, the better to remember the Summer growing season. There are other reasons as well. What you prepare at home and serve has less salt and sugar, and relies more on the natural tastes and textures than does “store

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   bought”. The natural flavors, especially of jams and sweet preserves, are usually more satisfying, so a little goes a long way. nectarine and an apricot. Apple trees with many varieties are there too. There is also a farm garden, which produces abundant quantities of beans, cucumbers, fresh herbs, tomatoes, the ubiquitous zucchini, corn, squashes, and more. We have raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. And we can pick wild blueberries down the path by the barn. Here are some of our favorite “canned sunshine” recipes.