111 degrees outside...

...so I'm obviously anxious to get out of town tomorrow.  An extended Scott reunion and my only food duties are 2 desserts.  Breakfast, lunch, dinner - all taken care of.  Is it pathetic for that to be my prime motivation to go??!  Oh how the heat zaps my appetite {and my will to feed small humans}.

But let's pause on the 2 desserts for a moment.  Sugar cookies are done.  A perfect secret recipe that I'm sworn not to share.  Earthquake Cake (found on allrecipes last month)?  Quite shareable.  And richly, gorgeously delicious...don't let the cake mix base fool you.

Earthquake Cake

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package German chocolate cake mix
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 3 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

1. Prepare cake mix as directed on package. Pour batter over coconut and pecans in pan. In a saucepan over low heat, melt cream cheese and 1/2 cup margarine. Stir in confectioners' sugar until mixture is smooth. Spoon cream cheese mixture randomly over top of cake batter.
2. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool and serve from the pan. Tastes even better after it sits overnight.

***

I know we've been gone so often lately, but a weekend away feels needed.  Somehow.  Azh has been sick, the sun hates Jim, the boys have been restless, and I'm suddenly in the midst of two big changes. 

1.  I was asked to serve as a counselor in Primary. 

2.  I *may* be teaching part-time starting in August.

The Primary calling has me enormously excited.  But the high school teaching prospect is more like a roller coaster of ups and downs.  The opportunity slipped into my life so easily and feels so right, but my nerves are already screaming their doubts.  It has been SIX YEARS since I last taught.  I have THREE children, LOTS of laundry piles, and MANY hobbies (which I know will have to take a backseat...is it too, too terribly selfish to voice this as a concern??).  On the upside, my classes only meet two mornings a week, I LOVE the ladies of the English department, and this is a welcome financial blessing.

So with the surprises of this week, my vacation reading list has obviously altered considerably.  Some of these books will undoubtedly return with earthquake chocolate besmudged pages.  And when I turn to those marks mid-semester, it will undoubtedly make me smile. 

Let the ride begin.  

Comments

[Neighbor Jane Payne]

Good night! Great Scott! (my favorite) Hell's Bells!

Have fun reading....and figuring things out....and reunioning...and not cooking.

[Vella]

Enjoy your vacation. I can't imagine the joy I would be feeling knowing I didn't have to make meals for a few days. Live it up. And I think you will find slipping back into the classroom one of the easiest adjustments ever. You are a born teacher.

[amberly]

what an exciting possibility! any student would be blessed to share in your passion. enjoy your weekend away and please eat some earthquake for me!!

[Kim]

What exciting changes! Going back to teaching sounds like it will be good for you on a personal level, and sometimes we moms need a little of that. Good luck!

[Jill S.]

I'm quite sure humans weren't meant to exist in 111 degree temperatures...I know my DNA can't live in that heat. It's a flaw for sure.

Wow, an opportunity to teach twice a week sounds rather perfect (except for the 3 kids, laundry, primary calling and hobbies part) but I'm sure you'll make it work and end up being energized by the thrill of it and the literary goodness!

I love serving in primary and think it is the most awesome place to be!

[Summer]

I hope you are having fun in Alpine and enjoying some cooler weather! And I totally understand the hot weather issue. When I give my kids their baths, we turn the water on the coolest it can go, and it still comes out hot! And say goodbye to washing any laundry on cold! The Earthquake cake sounds divine. And congrats on your new calling as a counselor in Primary; you'll do great! And I hope you really do get to teach high school English. You are so creative and talented, and I know that the subject of English is just second nature to you (you're a gifted writer...I love reading your blog). Good luck with all of your upcoming endeavors!

[jenny c.]

I wish I would have been able to leave for the 4th. It always seems so ick around Arizona this time of year. Congrats on all your up and coming callings and potential job!!

[Price Cream Parlor]

I hope that you find some peace and comfort while on your vacation!! Lots of changes! Primary children are lucky to have YOU!!! If something found you and feels right - just might be what you needed - even if only for a moment of time.

Can't wait to see/hear all about your trip!!

ps - thanks for the recipe!!! Trying that out this week!