Coconutty

Please forgive the punny title, but this is a nutty story. Yesterday was my husband's 50th birthday. Since we are far from friends and family, and I was unable to throw him a big party, I wanted to make sure he at least had his favorite cake, which is German Chocolate. Most of the ingredients are easily available here: eggs, butter, flour, etc. However, coconut, which is one of the most important, is another story. I checked a few of the larger grocery stores. I was shown coconut milk, coconut cream powder, but no shredded coconut. German Chocolate Cake is not German Chococolate Cake without coconut. So, I did what cooks did before food came in neat little packages. I bought a real coconut. I remember my father using a screwdriver and a hammer to open one up for us kids way back when, so I brought the thing home, got out the tools, and had at it. Coconuts have several soft spots (I think they're called eyes) on one end, which I pierced with the screwdriver, releasing the liquid. Then I smacked at the thing, probably shaking the whole building, finally opening up a small crack, which I prized open with the screwdriver. The scene from Castaway was in the back of my mind as I did this. If I am ever stranded on a deserted island, I hope I have a hammer with me!!
Anyway, I did not end up with shredded coconut, but I managed to chop enough to do the job. I am woman, hear me roar! The cake was delicious, by the way.