Pineapple-Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This recipe was synonymous with Grandma Hale during my growing up years.  If she and Grandpa stopped by on their way somewhere, they'd always bring this for dessert!  YUMMY!  Her birthday is December 23...It would make a fun family history night to make this and talk about her next month!

Pineapple-Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Combine in large bowl:
1 1/2 C flour
1 C sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Add:
2/3 C salad oil
2 eggs
1 C shredded carrots
1/2 C crushed pineapple and juice
1 tsp vanilla

Mix well and beat 2 minutes at medium speed.  Bake in 350 degree oven in a greased and floured oblong pan (9x13) about 35 minutes.  Cool 10 minutes before removing (or leave in pan).  When cool, frost with cream cheese frosting.  If making cup cakes, bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting
3 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar; mix well.  If necessary, add milk to make spreadable.
Optional:  Top with chopped walnuts.

One of my favorite memories...

© 2003, Mike Provard (http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/chicago/gallery/images/chicago-mormon-temple23.jpg)

On Tuesday, I went to the Logan temple in honor of the 21st anniversary of receiving my own endowments.  Going to the temple brought back so many wonderful memories of temple visits with Grandma!  Some of them were for the Hale family annual temple day (in February), and others were because we could.  My testimony of the importance of temple work, and my love of going to the temple can be traced back to my chance to go with her and Grandpa so often after I was married.  Darin had to work afternoons/evenings, so I would go with Grandma and Grandpa.  As a temple sealer, on weekends, Grandpa would sometimes be able to arrange a special sealing session for us to take part in.  Their love of the temple goes back to the beginning of their marriage, involved later weekly trips to the Idaho Falls Temple, and service in the temple as missionaries (Chicago, Illinois Temple) and as temple workers (Idaho Falls Temple and Logan Temple).  I am so grateful for that legacy!

© 2004, Rick Satterfield (http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/idahofalls/gallery/images/idaho-falls-mormon-temple1.jpg)

© 2005, Scott Cannon. (http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/logan/gallery/images/logan-mormon-temple22.jpg)

95th Birthday Announcement

http://news.hjnews.com/milestones/birthdays/article_1f851df5-31a1-58fc-8fe3-03b834ec133a.html

Obituary

From the Blackfoot Newspaper: http://www.am-news.com/content/view/157864/89/

From the Funeral Home: http://obit.nelsonfuneralhome.com/obitdisplay.html

Why?

After the death of my grandma, Lois Reynolds Hale, in March 2010, I've wanted to do something to help remember her. She had such a profound impact on my life, and I was privileged to know her for more than 40 years! 20 of those years were as an adult, and living in the same town! But the time she took to be a part of my life as a child laid the foundation for the special personal relationship that came later. That time included planned and surprise visits to our home, including while we lived in Egypt! She would surprise us and make our beds in the morning, bring homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting in her signature metal pan with plastic lid for dessert, and didn't miss an important event in our lives! Baby blessings, baptisms, temple work, graduations--Grandma and Grandpa were always there!