* If using minute oatmeal, chop it up in small pieces before soaking it up in hot water. Mix oatmeal and boiling water and let cool. Cream shortening with sugar and eggs, add rest of ingredients along with oatmeal mixture. Beat till smooth. Bake in 8x12 greased pan at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Frosting: Mix powdered sugar, butter and milk and boil till thick (about 6 minutes). Be carefully it doesnt get too hot and burn on the bottom, you must continue to stir constantly. Add coconut, pecans and vanilla.