Vegan cake: Check out Natalie Slater’s Bake and Destroy blog and cookbooks.
We’ve always tucked a $20 bill into a graduation card for any local kid we know is graduating grade school or high school, if it’s a family we greet. But one person’s $20 is another person’s $50 or another’s $100. If my D16 were so gifted, she’d be surprised and then write a thank-you card. I bet she’d use such money for a special pre-college trip to a big mall she’s had her eye on. That would be a great treat for her.
Best vegan cake–post punk kitchen chocolate pumpkin!!! Their chai snickerdoodles and PB blondies are amazing too. These only use conventional ingredients and no weird egg subs.
@ItsJustSchool my mother-in-law is actually using one of her tried-and-true cake recipes. I’m not sure what will be in the frosting. It’s vegan but not healthy. Grandma just doesn’t roll healthy cooking. 
Crazy Cake
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups cold water
Directions
Sift flour, sugar, salt, soda, and cocoa together into a 9 x 13 inch ungreased cake pan. Make three wells. Pour oil into one well, vinegar into second, and vanilla into third well. Pour cold water over all, and stir well with fork.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes, or until tooth pick inserted comes out clean.
Because D wanted chocolate and coconut, she is replacing one of the cups of water with coconut milk and using coconut extract instead of vanilla. She will also be making a round layer cake, so mixed in a bowl before adding to the pans.
@readingclaygirl sending good wishes about your arm. I had a mole removed from my upper arm a year ago and it hurt way more than I expected. But then about a week later, it just stopped hurting sort of suddenly. So hang in there!!
Thank you @fretfulmother
Revisiting an old topic, those with super skinny sons, any suggestions on where to find a good fitting blazer? So many look like he’s wearing his Dad’s. I want to get him a nice navy one for school next year.
Is there a store near you that will do alterations? An inexpensive blazer can be made to fit very nicely. Otherwise try J crew outlet on line. They carry slim fit and everything should be 50% off this weekend.
Jos A Banks has a slim fit and Men’s Warehouse has a slim and and ultra slim fit
For my S, the Jos A Banks only needed minor alterations and the ultra slim at Men’s Warehouse needed even less. Jos, A Banks had what we wanted in the store (a rarity) and Men’s Warehouse was easy ship, easy returns.
Good Luck!
@CAMidwestMom - agree with @MuggleMom - DS is thin (probably not supper skinny) but, we bought him an ultra slim suit at Men’s Warehouse- reg $600- on sale for $199. If you have one near you- look for deals- I think I’ve been getting emails about a Memorial Day sale.
Thanks, perfect! We do have a Men’s Wearhouse and also a Jos A Banks very nearby.
It would be easy to make vegan icing. I’d use the Wilton recipe and substitute margarine for the butter and use almond milk instead of regular milk. It wouldn’t be as good as using real butter, but the consistency would work well for icing or even decorating, and it would taste fine Wilton recipe: 1/2 cup of shortening, 1/2 cup of butter/margarine, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 2-4 tablespoons of milk. You can double, triple, etc. as needed.
@CAMidwestMom Macy’s , Express. My son would be mortified that I disclose this , I actually bought him a size 20 Ralph Lauren blazer in the Boys Department
OOPS! I forgot the main ingredient! You also need a pound of powdered sugar! Slinking away now…
@carolinamom2boys my DS also had a size 20. It is the perfect bridge size between boys and men’s. It is a shame we cannot all gather somewhere as it no longer fits.
Not for blazers but perhaps helpful, Lands’ End has some “young men’s” sized items that come in slim (or by specific waist size).
This is what I get for being a gossip monger! I just spent 20 minutes on the Class of 2017 thread trying to find the dirt. All I read was smart, caring, funny parents supporting each other. THEN, I come back here and re-read correctly that 2119 is where all the drama is. Ha! I will now be removing my nose from other people’s business! :^o
I would hope that there is not a 2119 parents thread yet.
@sseamom, for those not “in the know”, not just ANY margarine, Earth Balance is the go-to vegan margarine.
Showing my ignorance here, but I thought ALL margarine did not contain any animal products?