THE OLD WAYS

 Is it a boy or a girl?

I never had a “Birth Plan”.  No one asked what position I preferred for delivery. I just went to the hospital and climbed into a bed.   

Here's Nicole!

With her dad

With her sister

With her grandmother

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The editors of The Norton Anthology of Literature by Women tell us that it was in the 18^th century that male physicians banished birthing stools. 

Now I’m told that lying in bed is the worst possible position.  

So the old ways were the best!  Well . . .  maybe not the notion that you should put a knife under the mattress “to cut the pain.” 

         But you might want to try some Groaning Cake.   J

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GROANING CAKE

        Based on Ami McKay’s book The Birth House

1 cup molasses

½ cup milk

½ cup softened butter

2 eggs

½ cup raisins

1 ¾ cups flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

1 ½ tsp ginger

¼ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp ground cloves

·        Preheat oven to 375.

·        Butter an 8x8 inch pan.

·        In a small mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and spices.

·         Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl and beat in the eggs.

·        Beat in the molasses and milk.

·        Stir raisins into the mixture.  (I tried grated apples but they didn't contribute anything to the flavour so I'm recommending the other version in the book -- raisins.)

·        Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and mix well.

·        Transfer the batter to the baking pan and bake for 35 to 45 minutes.

·        Top with Cream Cheese Icing.

CREAM CHEESE ICING

1 8 oz pkg softened cream cheese

¼ cup softened butter

1 cup icing sugar

½ tsp vanilla

·        Beat cream cheese with butter.

·        Beat in the sugar and vanilla.

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P. S.  Marilyn found another and very different version of Groaning Cake on birthbliss.wordpress.com.