Grandma Howlett's Crazy Cake

2 C sugar
2 eggs
1/4 scant C cocoa
3/4-1 C shortening
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 3/4 C cake flour
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 C hot water
1/2 C milk

Place all ingredients in a bowl Beat 3 minutes. Bake 25 minutes in 350 degree oven.

We lived next door to my grandma, Ada Smith Howlett, my last two years of high school. I remember my Mom making this recipe: She'd mix the dry ingredients, then make indentations for the wet ingredients, then stir them all together. Simple, but mmm!

Grandma Howlett's Playdough

Here's a recipe my mom has used for years for the kids. The alum - used in pickling - is a natural preservative, so this playdough lasts MUCH longer than most. We have made it LOTS of times, including for school projects. The kids love it!

Mix together:
3 C flour
1/2 C salt
1 Tbsp alum

Mix together then combine with dry ingredients:
1 3/4 C boiling water
3 Tbsp cooking oil
Food coloring (20 plus drops)

Knead together like you would bread dough until all ingredients are well blended. Store in a sealed container or resealable bag in the refrigerator for up to six months.

Mom H's Egg Nog

When we have fresh eggs, (eggs fresh from hens in the yard or neighborhood,) we like to make this drink my mom used to make when I was a kid. Non alcoholic, of course!

The recipe is for one serving. I ask how many people want some, and make it in the quantity of those having some.

1 egg
1 C milk (any kind you want, thick or thin)
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 T sugar (to taste)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Dash nutmeg

Blend this together on high for one minute, and enjoy!

My mom had a huge family and so she'd thin things out frequently.  Here is her recipe for a whole blender jar full:

6 cups milk (the eggs will froth up a lot)
2-3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 C sugar (to taste)
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash+ nutmeg

It would be a lot skinnier if I made it that way, so maybe I'll try her recipe today... :)