Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Kate here with another recipe. Maybe you're like me and are inundated with zucchini about now. Understand I'm not complaining. I'm actually grateful that our zucchini is living up to its reputation. In years past I would pick one maybe two zucchini and wait two days--yes two whole days--before another zucchini was ready. So when I checked the zucchini a couple of weeks ago, I was unprepared for this turn of events.

Not bad, eh?

The novelty is beginning to wear off and I've already shredded, measured, and placed two cup portions into freezer bags and August is just beginning. Even the pigs have feasted on zucchini. This is when it's time to pull out Nate's Grandma's Chocolate Zucchini Cake recipe.

First shred the zucchini. You'll need two cups of shredded zucchini. A hand grater works just fine. I used one for years before I got this attachment for my Bosch. You'll notice I don't peel it. Just give it a good wash.

Combine:

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon

In a separate bowl cream together:

3/4 cup butter or shortening
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla

Add 1/2 cup of milk and 2 cups shredded zucchini. Then add flour mixture to creamed mixture a little at a time until combined. Grease the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.

Pour into a 9 x 13 pan.

Sprinkle with 1 cup of chopped nuts. Here I used pecans, but I've used walnuts and almonds with good success before. Also sprinkle with semi-sweet chocolate chips and either white chocolate chips or like I've done here Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips. There's no specific amount--just do it till it looks purty. Then bake at 350° for 1 hour and enjoy.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Combine:

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon

In a separate bowl cream together:

3/4 cup butter or shortening
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla

Add:

1/2 cup of milk
2 cups shredded zucchini.

Then add flour mixture to creamed mixture a little at a time until combined. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan.

Sprinkle with:

1 cup of chopped nuts, your choice
semi-sweet chocolate chips
white chocolate chips or  Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips

Bake at 350° for 1 hour.

Strike a Pose! Fun Twist on The Wedding Guest Book

Chapter 22: Strike A Pose!

Kristie from Kristie Kreates here with another great 

wedding reception idea.

How fun would it be to set up a "photo booth"

with lots of fun props for people to take pictures with.

Here are a few things that I gathered together as examples.

Depending on the type of props you want,

you can raid your Halloween costume supplies,

hit up the Dollar Store,

borrow things from relatives and friends,

check out the thrift stores, 

there are lots of places to find your props.

Do you want to have a little fancier props,

how about a "red hat society" hat and some scarves?

Maybe you have some musical guests,

find some instruments to include.

There's always the silly stuff too!

Set up your table with whatever props you prefer,

make up a sign encouraging your guests to 

join in the fun.

Here are a few examples

   Depending on your style,

you can make your sign reflect your 

personality or the theme of your wedding. 

And the results?  

Just check out these silly pictures below that 

I took of myself.

A wig and a hat and a silly expression,

you have a priceless memory.

People can have all kinds of fun with your 

photo booth.

See if your photographer can take a few shots 

from a distance.

You might want to provide several 

one time use cameras for people to take pictures with,

or a digital camera set up on a tripod.

How fun would it be to see all these pictures 

when you come back from your honeymoon?

People would love to receive them as a fun 

token enclosed in their thank you note.

You could make a small photo album of 

"My Crazy Family and Friends"

with all the pictures in it.

Looking back at these years later will be such fun.

Thanks for stopping by today for another 

wedding idea.

Have fun!

Learn more about Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things and all of the chapter tutorials here

Key to My Heart Wedding Tip for a Special Bridal Bouquet

Chapter 27 Tutorial: Key To My Heart

Hello!

Kristie from Kristie Kreates here today with another 

wonderful idea for making your special day even more special.

"Key to My Heart"

adds a special touch to your ceremony.

Attach a small lock to your bridal bouquet.

Here you can see it nestled among the flowers.

Add the matching key to the grooms boutonniere.

You can see the tiny key attached to the boutonniere flowers.

For my bouquet and boutonniere I had the florist use a simple

luggage lock and key.

You could use charms that can later be worn on a bracelet or

on a chain as a necklace.

How about adding them to your key chains, so they will be with you

wherever you go.

What a beautiful keepsake and remembrance of your wedding day. 

I'd like to thank Jackie the florist at Tops 239

for helping me put together this bouquet and boutonniere.

Thanks for stopping by today.

I hope you love this special touch as much as I do.

Learn more about Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things and all of the chapter tutorials here