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!”
My grandmother used to make a one-bowl chocolate cake that she mixed in the bowl and put directly into the oven in the bowl. She called it “Easy Moist Cocoa Cake.” It had no milk or butter (used oil) and it used vinegar and baking soda to rise. Quite tasty, too. No bourbon — she was a teetotaler.
Hmm, that sounds interesting, do you or you mum have her recipe? less dishes the better i say! c
I do. I’ll bring it upstairs and post it in the comments next time I go visiting your blog.
Excellent! thank you.. c
I guess the farm animals are kind of like children…there’s always that ONE that misbehaves!
Your cake looks divine!! Wish I had a piece for my breakfast… Have a lovely day ~ April
Minty wants to be a lap sheep! That’ll be entertaining when she grows up 😉
Oh mercy!! i will have to being a little step ladder! c
Despite the added confusion – Meadow was probably a hot topic of conversation after you left – so success! (but once is enough?) Minty will probably be in great demand – so sweet.
Somehow there’s probably a broad universal lesson for life in this quote ” You can’t train a lamb to be a therapy animal and then wonder why it wants to get into your kitchen.” ( Maybe you should start a list somewhere of “Lessons for life from the Farmy” – a chapter in a book – or a short clever gift book on it’s own…don’t laugh…people love down to earth sayings and scenes,,,it’s comforting in a complex world)
Anyway the cake looks yummy.
Enjoy the day!
I am not laughing, in fact that is an excellent framework to hang the farmy book on. I just need to find the lines. Point them out as you see them Mouse. Sometimes I don’t even notice myself! Love the cars on your pages today by the way!! c
Looking at those sweet pictures of Minty in that woman’s lap actually makes me quite jealous…I want to reach out to pet and hold her! 🙂 TonTon is such a good and obedient boy, I’m sure he wanted to teach Meadow a thing or two about that. Oh, boy, another great cake of yours to try!
No chance of giving The Murphy a try then ….. might surprise everybody? What a beautiful blue Iris! I’m sure the Old Codgers enjoyed the visit despite it leaving you frazzled – those treats were your due 🙂 Laura
The Murphy is a Mama’s boy!! (laughter) I cannot even catch him! It was a nice quiet drive though having two lambs as company for each other. but did not really work out in the long run! morning laura! c
Naughty Meadow! I cna just picture you trying to keep order yesterday. The cake looks delicious and the pasta is one of my absolute favorites. But I am on the Beach Beautification Diet in preparation for next weeks sabbatical to the British Virgin Islands, and am not allowing myself ANY carbs. Now I have a longing. What is the Golden Syrup?
The cake looks amazing! I always love looking at the pictures of the animals on your visits – so nice that you take time to do that!
Scrumptious post – words and cake. I wonder of TonTon’s nose is slightly out of joint because of all the attention the others are getting?
Poor little lamb gallovanting all over the place!
i bet those people look forward to your visits all week long!
Loving your photos – Have a Great Weekend!
Love those dark blue flowers!
But you shouldn’t have shown me the Chocolate Cake. I get all hungry now!
Scrumptions post – words, pics and cake recipe. I wonder if TonTon was finding his nose a little out of joint, with all the attention going to the other animals?
An incredibly heart warming post, Celi. I have just returned Spice the welsh collie back to my mum and dad after a months absence and seen the healing, therapeutic effect she had on them both. Animals are such a blessing. your lambs, and Ton Ton – what a joy. ANd as usual, the pictures are just beautiful.
Thanks kate, there is a very good reason for having animals around, imagine if we had no pets!! awful.. c