Before getting into the cooking, let me take a minute to thank the Rockdale Kiwanis for allowing me to join them last Monday for lunch at the Always Banquet and Conference Center out in Milstead. I had to work for my meal by talking to the wonderful group; the topic was reading,. I hope you all know about the work I do with literacy groups around the country.

For more information about my work, visit my Web site, www.curtisaikens.com. The invitation to speak was extended by Dee Baggay. Thank you, Dee, I had a blast!

Now for food, the lunch was served buffet style. There was salad, mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted turkey and chicken, plus biscuits and cake - four types of cake! - for the sweets! All made by the woman that oversees the kitchen at the center, one Donna (Houseworth, which is what I knew her as in school) Thomas. The woman can bake cakes, she tells me anyone can order Cakes from her, but to always call ahead. Her number is (770) 922 -513. Also, if you need a place to hold an event, call the same number. The cakes were out of this world good. No, they were great, with homemade frosting - the Death by Chocolate! Donna promised to bring some cake by the Market yesterday. She stopped by, but forgot the cake. I called her and said "I am coming to get my cake."

The Rockdale News was well represented at the meeting, with me speaking and Annette Godwin in attendance, and she may have written a little about Kiwanis for an upcoming story. I know she took several pictures. If you know someone of a business that needs to advertise, make sure they call Annette!

Today, the Peach Pie contest is going on until 1:00 p.m. over at the Rockdale Co. Extension office, at 1400 Parker Road. I Hope to see you there.

There's been so much talk about cake, how about we try this recipe:

Red Velvet Cake
Ingredients
1 1 / 4 cup butter
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar
2 ounces red food color
2 cups sugar
2 1 / 2 cups flour
1 cup buttermilk
1 1 / 4 teaspoon vanilla

Method
Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time, mixing well. (Mix soda and vinegar). Combine flour and cocoa. Next, mix half the flour-cocoa combination to the creamed butter. Mix well, adding buttermilk mix. Add remaining flour mix. Mix in soda-vinegar, along with vanilla and red food coloring. Mix well. Pour into three greased and floured cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 28 to 30 minutes.

Frosting
Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese
1 pound powdered sugar
1 cup chopped toasted nuts
1 stick butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Method
Allow cream cheese to soften, then cream it with butter, slowly adding sugar while whipping, whip in vanilla and add nuts (Remember to add nuts only after frosting has formed). Mix well to spread nuts throughout.
Also, don't forget to allow the cakes to cool before layering and frosting.

For more fresh ideas visit www.marketconyers.com or www.screamingfresh.com