READY, SET, GO!
I just printed out my boarding pass, so the trip is getting more real by the minute! And, La Chef has emailed to wish us an excellent trip and to confirm the first class together. I feel breathless.

Yesterday, colleagues had a sendoff for me and two other colleagues--one of whom is heading off to open a satellite office in New York, the other to continue her work as a cofffee-shop mogul. We were presented with a cinnamon flavored chocolate cake decorated with icons for each of us: the Empire State Building on one side of the cake, the Eiffel Tower on the other, and a steaming hot cup of coffee in the middle!

In the spirit of sharing good food and good wishes, here's my first posted recipe. It seems fitting that it should be an American recipe for an American standby: chocolate cake!

EXCELLENT CHOCOLATE CAKE
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup cocoa
2 eggs
1 stick soft butter
2 cups boiling water

Combine all ingredients except the hot water. Gradually mix in the water, stirring to a thin batter. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

EXCELLENT CHOCOLATE FROSTING
2 sticks soft butter
2 cups powdered sugar
4 packets Nestle soft chocolate

Mix the ingredients together with a beater til smooth. Spread over cooled cake. Bon appetit!