Darlene is Sweeter

13 Sep 2010 1 Comment

by dwilsonprice in Helping Others

Darlene Lewis believes Red Velvet Cake to be the sweetest dessert ever created. Her family and friends believe she’s even sweeter.

Darlene is surrounded by three wonderful men; her husband Travis Lewis, and two adult sons Darrice, and Grover Price. She is also grandmother, daughter, sister, minister, and friend.

She was born in Roanoke, Virginia, and graduated from Phillips Business College. Darlene is an ordained minister with the Bread of Heaven Ministries. She donates countless hours to feed the hungry through the non-profit organization Feeding America Southwest Virginia. Her company Just Moving Incorporated provides toys, clothes, and school supplies to children in need. She continues to be a blessing in the local nursing homes where she prays with and for the residents.

Her mission has been to positively impact the lives of others through ministry, teaching, and employing those in need. Darlene and her husband started their grassroots business Just Moving Incorporated in January 2003. She worked endless nights, and weekends to make that dream a reality. Darlene strives not only to assist young men and women with securing employment she encourages them to find their purpose in life. “The biggest obstacles for many of the men was that employers viewed as unemployable this was in large part due to their past mistakes. Many of the men needed assistance with how to fill out a job application correctly, had no form of identification, no transportation etc.”

Darlene’s friends and family members state that she is there when you need her. During hurricane Katrina, Darlene and her husband loaded up their truck and transported food, water, and blankets to those displaced by Katrina. She believes we are here to be of encouragement and help to one another. Simply because we are all children of God and should love others as he loves us. “God will always be the source of my  inspiration. With him leading all things are possible. Allow him to lead you as well.”

I can now say undoubtedly that Red Velvet Cake may be sweet, however Darlene is definitely sweeter.

Sweet Thoughts:

Henry Ford; I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn’t need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about.

Martin Luther King Jr.; All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.

Food Network, Paula Dean

Grandmother Paula’s Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 ounces red food coloring
• 2 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon vinegar

Icing:

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 cup melted marshmallows
• 1 (1-pound) box confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter, beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition. Mix cocoa and food coloring together and then add to sugar mixture; mix well. Sift together flour and salt. Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Blend in vanilla. In a small bowl, combine baking soda and vinegar and add to mixture. Pour batter into 3 (8-inch) round greased and floured pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from heat and cool completely before frosting.

Icing:

Blend cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl. Add marshmallows and sugar and blend. Fold in coconut and nuts. Spread between layers and on top and sides of cooled cake.

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