There are No Coincidences

On Black Friday, in a tremendously long line, we pondered how the Friday after Thanksgiving would be in New York City. We imagined trampling crowds of people fighting others for good deals. Not expecting ever to really find out, we dismissed the thought. Today, there is an article in the newspaper about a man who was trampled and killed by mobs of Christmas shoppers on Long Island upon opening the doors of Wal Mart. This is just another of many occurrences as described in Grandpa Davey's article, Answers.

Ponder this: People used to "Step on You to See the Who". Now it's hoards of Wal Mart shoppers looking for the best deal from China?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wessie

We have much to be thankful for and want to say thanks to all of you for visiting our website Rocky Mountain Kids Korner. Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving from Grandpa Davey, Marlene (Sweet Mom) and M & E.

After posing for this picture, Wessah said he felt silly dressed up as a pilgrim, hissed, and then pulled off his hat.

The Past is History, The Future is a Mystery, and The Present is a Gift!

Have a wonderful day!

Triple Chocolate Pecan Drop Cookies and Coca-Cola Cake

Triple Chocolate Pecan Cookies

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, M, E, and I have started our holiday baking. Here's a scrumptious recipe for the Triple Chocolate Pecan Cookies we baked this morning. Scroll down for the famous Coca-Cola Cake Recipe that I got from The Coca-Cola Company.com. Happy Baking and let us know how you like the recipes.

Triple Chocolate Pecan Cookies
1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup pecans, plus additional for garnish
11-ounce bag white chocolate bits or chocolate bark

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugars. With an electric mixer, beat until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low and add the egg and vanilla. Gradually add the dry ingredients and then mix in the chocolate chips and pecans.

On baking sheet, drop by tablespoon, 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake 8 - 10 minutes. Let cool on waxed paper. Once cool, melt white chocolate in microwave in 15 - 30 second bursts.

Dip cooled cookies in white chocolate and garnish with pecans. Let white chocolate completely set before storing.

Enjoy!

Cola-Cake Recipe

Cake:
2 cups sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups small marshmallows
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup Coca-Cola®
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
3 tablespoons cocoa
6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
1 box (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, sift sugar and flour. Add marsh- mallows. In
saucepan, mix butter, oil, cocoa, and Coca-Cola. Bring to a boil and pour over dry
ingredients; blend well. Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk just before adding to
batter along with eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well. Pour into a well-greased 9-
by-13-inch pan and bake 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and frost
immediately.

To make frosting, combine butter, cocoa and Coca-Cola in a saucepan. Bring to a
boil and pour over confectioners' sugar, blending well. Add vanilla extract and
pecans. Spread over hot cake. When cool, cut into squares and serve.

*The cake recipe was contributed by Lee Avery Catts to "Atlanta Cooknotes"
published by The Junior League of Atlanta.

E in the News!

A local magazine has published E's "Rural Winter Scene". Congratulations!

Where are M & E?

M and E

M & E write some darn good adventure stories. Some of you have asked where they've been since their last article, "Too Much to Bear", where they encountered a real live bear right here in the neighborhood. Between schoolwork, projects, and extra-curricular activities like Shooting Sports, 4-H, and their Nature Journal Club, they've been pretty busy. They could use a little encouragement to get them started on another article. Leave your comments and let them know how much you like their stories. Even if you don't like Adventure Stories, we want to hear from you too. Let us know what you think today!

Cataracts

I love to teach using videos to round out the lesson and make a lasting impression. Hope you've read the current article on This and That at how we arrived at watching this video. Most modern cataract surgery uses laser to close instead of suturing, but this video shows an example of the curved surgical needles addressed in my article Cataracts. If you're squeamish about eye ball surgery, I guess you'd better pass. While you're here, please vote on your favorite RockyMountainKidsKorner column. The survey is on the right! Thanks!