Minty had a lovely time at the Old Folks Home. And the Old Folks had a lovely time with Minty.
Taking photos was difficult today as TonTon was being distracted and a bit bossy.
As Minty wandered about getting her share of love. 
Naughty Meadow hoofed it around the hall baa-ing in everyones ear. Especially annoying Ton who had been told to take a break. 
Here Minty fell completely asleep in this woman’s arms and she almost missed her lunch. She was quite happy for Minty to sleep there as long as she wanted, even though that lamb is getting heavy. The chickens did the rounds but I got overly involved trying to stop Meadow from wreaking havoc in every corner. So the camera was not out often. I am not taking Meadow again. She was just loud and naughty.
Minty was, of course, perfect. We came home to pigs in the pool and all the farm work. So it was off with the good boots and on with the gumboots. I swapped out the handbag and camera for the shovel and fork, tied my hair back and got to work. 
Later I was feeling tired and needy. I needed a cup of tea, a sit down on the step and a catch-up Think. I had been sent a wonderful surprise gift of GOLDEN SYRUP the other day and we were having THIS for dinner. One of ChgJohns Bartolini Kitchens Staples which is simple to make and deeply satisfying. All I had to do was pick greens from the garden to go with it. So I thought I would make a cake to go with my cup of tea. I told you I was feeling tired and needy!!
Here it is. The easiest and moistest chocolate cake in my Battered Book.
Mama’s Moist One Pot Chocolate Cake
In a pot (saucepan).
MELT:
- 75 grams of butter (3 oz)
- 2 big spoons of GOLDEN SYRUP,
- 3/4 cup of milk,
- 3/4 cup of sugar,
- a slug of bourbon (this was the needy bit)
ADD
- 100grams of melted cocoa chocolate or 2 big spoons of cocoa,
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
THEN
- 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1/4 cup of milk
Stir. It will be a very wet mixture. Pour into cake tin. Cook at 350 for 35 minutes.
Good morning. This is a very fast unfussy cake to make, it is moist but light. Because it is made in one pot with a wooden spoon, it has the absolute minimum of washing up, which is why it is a good cake for those tired, needy moments when you just want a slice of cake and a cup of tea.
We have a lovely day dawning here. Minty has already slipped under the fence and is waiting with the cats on the verandah for her milk. She is forgiven because she was so good yesterday. You can’t train a lamb to be a therapy animal and then wonder why it wants to get into your kitchen.
You all have a wonderful day too.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
78 responses to “Meadow is not a therapy sheep, ah well, how about some of Mama’s chocolate cake!”
Glad to hear everyone had a lovely time. Including the little pigs that didn’t sulk on being left home but made their own fun in the pool! 🙂
One day i will take a pig! they are so funny in their pool! c
Your adventures with the animals are precious. You really could expand on the day at the retirement home and make a charming book. That’s in your spare time, of course!
Oh dear, clearly Meadow was not happy abut visiting the old folk – may she just missed her Mama.
I LOVE your cake recipe – scrumptious. I may have to succumb and make one this weekend too – purely for research purposes…
Have a beautiful weekend C.
🙂 Mandy
Poor TonTon. Doing as he’s told and there’s Meadow, standing over and taunting him. Minty looks so peaceful in the resident’s arms. Good for the both of them.
Thank you for the shout out. I had a similar pasta for dinner last night myself. A one pot cake and it’s chocolate? This I must try! It’s supposed to be a great day today, Celi. Good morning!
Since you taught me this pasta it is a regular in the house, last night we had it with chinese cabbage and thinly sliced sausage! YUM! c
Good gracious, it’s lucky for you I didn’t read your menu until it was too late to hop a plane and barge right in!
For a second I was confused. When you said “golden syrup,” I pictured the liquid you made from worm castings.
eeeooo! Only you would think of that!! morning! c
It was on my mind this morning because “worm castings” is Squish’s version of potty-mouth.
That must be a typo. TonTon bossy? I’m not buying it. Great photos and great cake.
Funny, animals are just like children, they all have their own quirks and personalities. Minty was born to love be loved.
Poor Ton in time out…awe, whadjado?
I am tempted to run to the kitchen, whip out the wooden spoon and cast iron to whip up this luscious looking cake…yet, I am trying to shed a few (huh) pounds, so I shall just gaze and drool! (and wipe my chin periodically)
Enjoy your day! 🙂
Jess
Yes Minty is the one for sure! Morning Jess. c
I love that cake already. Moist and dense is my thing in that department. Can’t wait to try it. I’m not feeling needy so much as greedy. Minty in the third photo looks content to the point of bliss. What a lovely shot. I have seen human babies with this unfocussed glaze in their grandmother’s arms.
Minty does tend to go into that drifty zone! So sweet.. c
OOOOH looks like a delicious chocolate cake! I’ll have to make that – and it looks SO easy! Yes, I’m sure it will fit into my schedule. Cute little animals…..just darling!
I am so happy you and your darling animals had such a wonderful time 😀
As for this cake my friend, you excel yourself – an easy moist chocolate cake? Dangerous and delicious!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
So love the joy you are bringing to the old folks with your animals Celi! It’s wonderful!
One quick question….where did you get your piggy pool??? The only pools we have around here are from Walmart….sadly the only store around here as well….and it’s a cheap plastic kiddie pool. We sure need something like your pigs have both for our pigs and for our ducks and geese. xo
It is an old toddlers paddling pool that Johns kids have long since grown out of and i found in the back of the barn loft. It is just rigid plastic. I will look in it and find the logo, that may help you.c
That would be great Celi! I haven’t seen anything that durable anywhere around here!
Meadow is a rebel, plain and simple… I bet you could bake that cake right in the pot, as long as the handle was either metal or heat resistant. I’m gonna try it.
Let us all know how it goes please! 🙂
excellent idea! even less washing up! c
It looks like Meadow’s talents lie elsewhere! I think I might start calling my wellies gumboots – you can get your mouth around the word gumboots. Cx
Oops, we clearly all have very different personalites and different aptitudes even at such a young age! But I’m sure it was fun. That cake looks very yummy, like a fudgy one? Mm. I will remember your recipe for moments of need (moist cakes are particularly great for trips away because they don’t get dry so quickly in a tin, I find) but this week I am overbaked. If anyone deserves cake, you do. Can’t you get syrup at all? Just that wretched corn stuff?! Ugh. 🙂
when i can’t find golden syrup i use maple syrup, not the same but good enough really! c
Maple syrup is very yummy. 🙂
The blue hue of those flowers (irises?) is stunning.
I can only imagine how difficult it was to shoot photos AND juggle all those animals, especially that naughty Meadow and moody TonTon. I doubt the old folks even noticed. Or, if they did, you all are now the talk of the home.
yes that is an iris, this is its first year flowering, it is quite beautiful isn’t it and an unusual shape too.. morning audrey! c