Oh Shit Chocolate Cake...or How I Gained Two Lbs This Weekend!

This recipe is one of those that you just cannot make that often...because it goes straight to your...well you know! My mother designed it originally and now I've made it gluten-free. I think I have a bit of refining to do yet but it's good enough I thought I'd go ahead and share it today. It's not slightly indulgent...it's totally indulgent. And, just fair warning, don't eat four pieces in the course of a weekend or you really will gain at least 2 pounds. As my husband, Andrew, says..."It's gluten-free not glutton free!"

Oh Shit Chocolate Cake (as in oh shit that's good, and oh shit I ate too much!)

Sift together:
3/4 c millet flour
1/2 c corn starch
1/2 c tapioca starch
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 1/2 c sugar
1 c cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Add:
2 eggs
1 c milk
1/2 c oil
1 T vanilla

Mix well at medium speed for 2 minutes and then add 2/3 c boiling water (coffee would work well here too.) Pour into well greased and floured bundt pan.

Filling:
8 oz cream cheese
1 egg
1/3 c sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 c chocolate chips (I like dark or semi-sweet)

Mix first four ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop filling in center of pan all of the way around. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes on a rack, then remove from pan and let cool completely. Top with cream cheese frosting and chill.


Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/2 c butter (at room temperature)
8 oz cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 2/3 c powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla

Mix well.

Dog Shit 101 or How to Become the Crazy Neighbor Lady!

Many of us want to rid the world of injustice. Although we'll probably never be caped crusaders over dog shit. You know how sometimes you do something stupid and then wonder what possessed you to do said stupid thing? Hi, I'm raising my hand, really high!

We moved in about a year and a half now ago. I've known neighbor A's dog was shitting in neighbor B's yard for about a year. Now, for some reason it didn't bother me when I didn't know neighbor B and it was obvious they didn't give a crap (get it, ha ha) about their yard. They literally never mowed. The grass was waist high (oh man I'm good). But, now I know neighbor B and I know they eventually want to put in edible landscaping. Dog shit and edible landscaping do not go together, just in case you were wondering.

I hadn't seen the little, yappy dog for a while so I figured the owners had a clue. WRONG! I just hadn't been getting up early enough. Wednesday, I got up at 6:30 am. There is yappy dog, shitting in the yard. It's a clear view through the fishbowl (our living room window is 100 x 70). I run outside in my robe and flip thops yelling, "Whose dog is this?" See, told you it was "How to Become the Crazy Neighbor Lady." I've tried following yappy dog before, and had narrowed down the possibilities for the owners. I went up the alley (across the street) and sure enough the dog went right to the door I thought it would. The owner opened the door and I, being the crazy neighbor, yelled "Your dog is shitting in other people's yards." Notice, I was careful not to say my yard, 'cause I didn't have a leg to stand on. The startled woman just looked at me and said, "Ok." At least that's what I think she said.

Today, I went and told neighbor B what I had said. It's not my business but thought I should let them know in case neighbor A decided to yell at them. Turns out, neighbor A is likely to be moving soon. Boy do I feel silly. At least I didn't likely cause WW III in our neighborhood since I have cats that go outside. Be my luck to have someone, "Your cats shit in other people's yards!"

And, just to show how big a problem this can be, check out this article on DNA testing of dog shit in Israel. Seriously people.