Birthdays, Gatorbone Style

Here we are at Gator Bone. Lon, Lis, and I. We have had the very best day. Lis says she has been well-cared for. 

SWEET POTATO CAKE

2 sticks butter

1 1/2 cups brown sugar, tightly packed

2 eggs

2 tsps. vanilla

3 sweet potatoes, baked and peeled and mashed

2 tsps. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

2 Tbsp. grated orange rind

1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger

2 tsps baking soda

2 cups flour

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 chopped pecans

1/2 buttermilk

Mix up as you would any cake. Bake in two large layers at 350 degrees until a toothpick comes out clean.

Frost with a caramel icing. 

CARAMEL ICING

Melt a stick of better, add 3/4 cup brown sugar. Cook, stirring frequently until sugar is melted. Add 1/2 cup of milk and 2 tsp. vanilla. Let cool. Beat in enough confectioner's sugar to make of frosting consistency. Add 1/2 cup pecans and mix well.

Frost cake.

Decorate however your heart desires.

Add candles. Sing Happy Birthday. 

Eat on the back deck with the frogs croaking around you and the lightening bugs flickering above you.

Celebrate the day you were born.