Joe serves in the Young Men's and every year they put on a big scout auction to raise money for camping supplies, weekend campouts, scout camp and High Adventure activities. We get some pretty amazing stuff donated like cabins at Brianhead and Breckenridge, vending and soda machines, sand dune four-wheeling trips, gourmet dinners, date nights with couples in the ward, boat outings on the lake, yardwork, tutoring sessions, designer purses, helicopter rides over Las Vegas, show tickets, and baked goods. One such baked good this year was a nice big German Chocolate Cake.
Joe absolutely loves German Chocolate Cake. That's what he always orders as his ice cream treat at Cold Stone or Marble Slab. I'm not sure if it's the chocolate, coconut, and almonds (his preference) or that he thinks he is truly a German born in the wrong country. Anyway, one of the Teacher's grandmothers made the cake and her own daughter started bidding on it so Joe knew it had to be incredible. They got into a bidding war along with another friend of ours. My husband is very determined, especially when it comes to food so obviously he wanted the cake at any cost. The cake cost us $40. After bringing the cake back to our table, my friend came up and offered to pay for half of the cake if Joe would share it with her. Joe said he would see after we got it home. He had a slice when we got home and went crazy over how good it was. All the oohing and aahing while he was chewing and swallowing made me laugh and he was so stingy with it! I only had one bite! He had another piece before he went to bed, for breakfast the next day, as an after-work snack, and as dessert after dinner. The cake was completely gone in 3 days all eaten by my husband. When Julie asked him for a small slice to try, he told her, "Sorry, it's all gone!" She was in complete shock.
So instead of the annual Chocolate Pudding Cake that he always wants on his birthday, I asked sweet Mary Mohlman if I could have the recipe. She laughed because I told her that Joe talks about that cake all the time and loved every crumb of it. She admitted that she only makes it maybe once a year because it is so time-consuming. Then she asked when Joe's birthday was and said that she would make one for him as a surprise. I was excited because I didn't have to do it myself (after all, it probably wouldn't have tasted or looked the same) and offered to pay her instead. Of course, she wouldn't take any money but said she would have it ready for his birthday in about 3 weeks.
The weeks went by and I didn't know what to do. I hadn't heard from her so I didn't know if she had remembered the birthdate and I couldn't ask her about it because she had offered this incredible service without any rewards herself and it would be completely tacky if I asked how it was coming. Then the night before Joe's birthday, her sweet husband showed up on my doorstep with the cake. I answered the door and he just grinned at me. I was so excited. Perfect!
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| Joe ordered a new remote control airplane for him to fly at the airfield just up from our house. It was also my gift to him ;) |
Clark gave him a bey blade to join in the boys' battles. Jake got him a Chargers beanie.
The beloved German Chocolate Cake. He sure was excited to see this baby when I pulled it out!
Happy Birthday, Babe! Love you so much!
