Berea Art Day May 30th 10 am - 5 pm

The annual Berea Art Walk is combining with the Berea Fine Arts MayFest to create the Berea Arts Fest this year.  The event will be held on May 30th from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.  The Art Walk will be held in the Triangle, Berea's downtown area.  Visit local Berea businesses to meet the artists, hear music and more!

The MayFest can be enjoyed at Coe Lake behind Berea City Hall.  Meet and see the work of established artists.  No matter your taste, you will find something to love!

Cool off afterwards with a decadent custom frozen yogurt treat at Berea's coolest new downtown business, Igloo's Frozen Yogurt.

Memorial Weekend Remembrance May 24th & 25th

In its usual fashion, the City of Berea, OH does it better than most.  Of the Memorial Day events that are being held around the Greater Cleveland Area, Berea, OH remembers our nation's fallen with a reverence and tribute that the occasion deserves.

On Sunday, May 24th beginning at 1 pm, the tribute begins with St. Paul Lutheran Church conducting the “Of Faith and Freedom Cantata” at Coe Lake Gazebo.  From the City of Berea website: This beautiful tribute to America includes an orchestra, chorus and readings by Berea veterans and civic leaders. Participating members represent many churches and organizations in this area. The performance is free. Rain location will be St. Paul Lutheran Church, 276 E Bagley Road.

On Monday, May 25th the observances continue as the American Legion Post 91 conducts remembrances beginning at the Adams Street Cemetery at 8 am followed by services at Woodvale Cemetery, immediately following.  

Berea's Memorial Day Parade will begin on May 25th at 10 am.  Because of construction at McKelvey Park, the ceremony will be held on the Berea Triangle.  

Habitat for Humanity Drive May 16th 9 am - 12 pm

Even if you can't swing a hammer, you can help.  Spring cleaning or preparing a home for the market often reveals a treasure trove of re-usable household items or building materials that can be donated to be put to good use.  

Habitat for Humanity is seeking donations of construction and rehab materials to help improve housing in our area.  The city will hold a drive from 9 a.m. to noon at the Service Center, 16099 Foltz Pkwy, on May 16. 

Needed are sinks, vanities, kitchen counters, electrical/plumbing supplies, furniture, refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwaves, doors, freezers, air conditioners, countertops, lumber, tools and gardening tools and supplies.

Chocolate Cake... The Breakfast of Skinny People!

When I was little, the morning after our birthdays, we were allowed to have birthday cake for breakfast.  Mmm… so decadent!  When I grew up, I added pie to the “ OK for Breakfast” list as usually it included fruit.  Sounds healthy, right?

I recently read an article that cited a study which said that women who ate sweets for breakfast lost more weight than women who ate a healthy breakfast.  They don’t know why that is, but I love, love, love this study!

In that spirit, I am sharing one of my favorites.  My uncle passed on this recipe that, not surprisingly, is very guy friendly, also.  It is easy and fast to whip up for unexpected guests or as a last minute dessert idea, or, well… for breakfast!  It is one of the best chocolate cakes I have ever tasted.  It is rich, dense, moist and chocolate-y good.  And I always have all the ingredients, so it can be made on a whim.

Here’s the thing: I have played with this recipe and thought, I am sure I don’t have to really make the holes and alternate the liquids.  I mean, what difference would that make?  And if I make it in a round cake pan and made two so I could stack them, that shouldn't matter, right?  Wrong.  Make this recipe exactly as directed or you won’t be as pleased with the results.  I am not sure why, but it is so. Some things, like why chocolate cake for breakfast works as a diet food, are just a mystery!

Wacky Cake

1 ½ c all purpose flour

½ tsp salt

3 TBS mounded, cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp vinegar (I use balsamic)

5 TBS canola oil

1 c water

1. Put dry ingredients into 8 x 8 baking pan and mix until well blended.
2. Make 3 holes and add liquid, alternating each hole.
3. Pour water over all and mix well.  Make sure to get the corners and sides of the pan.
4. Bake at 350˚ in preheated oven 30-40 minutes.  Test for doneness by poking toothpick or wooden skewer in center of cake.  If it comes out clean, cake is done.  Do not over bake!
5. Cool on wire rack.  Do not remove from pan.  Ice as desired.  Serves 9-16 depending on cut sizes.

Mocha Icing

½ c unsalted butter

3 TBS mounded, cocoa

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp vanilla

3 c confectioner’s sugar

3 TBS milk, warmed

1 tsp rounded, instant coffee crystals

1. Warm milk for 45 seconds in microwave in a glass measuring cup.  Add coffee crystals and mix until well blended.  Cool.
2. Whip butter to slightly soften in mixing bowl.  Add cocoa, salt and vanilla and whip until well blended, scraping bowl as needed. 
3. Add sugar and mix on low to incorporate.
4. Increase mixer speed to medium and drizzle in milk mixture, 1 tsp at a time until desired spreading consistency. 
5. Spread icing on cooled cake. 

 Enjoy!  I will be seeing you on the beach in your bikini!!  

© Michelle Stanifer 2013.  All rights reserved.