I'll be Marie Antionette... only without the sad ending.

Last weekend one of our good friends had a birthday, and while he insisted he was going to buy his birthday cake from a bakery, D. and I protested that that was ridiculous, that we would bake him one. We are quite decent bakers and find any refusal of our baked goods as an affront on our domestic goddess-ness (that is clearly, er, in development).

He was set on Red Velvet. We used this recipe, from Smitten Kitchen, the same website from which my sister made this torte for my birthday which I made for G.'s birthday. It's one of my favourite websites for fancy desserts. While we were making his cake, we realized something about boys.

It's a well known saying that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but when it comes to cake, boys seem to have a very specific kind they like. A friend from high school's favourite was German Chocolate, A. was way too excited about his Red Velvet cake (though ours *did* turn out exceptional), and C. and G. agreed Pineapple Upside Down cake was their choice. D. and I don't have this sort of dedication to one particular cake. Cake is cake, and while I do prefer certain types (mmm, vanilla frosting), all cake is good.

Next on my list of kitchen capers? Just what my friends ask for.

William Blake

What is it about best friends that makes them so irreplacable and miss-able?

‘And throughout all Eternity
I forgive you, you forgive me.
As our dear Redeemer said:
“This the Wine, and this the Bread.”’


Thank you.

Yesterday was trouble. Friday night, and I'm utterly exhausted in every way. And quite randomly, at a time when I was minding my own business (aka being self abosrbed), a lady I know comes up to me and says, "It's alright. You'll get through it. We've all been there, and it all comes out alright in the end." I was stunned, because I hadn't shared anything with her (though she could probably witness the struggles that happen with the children.) This woman has been through more than I could ever dream of enduring; It was encouraging, because sometimes I can be a great fatalist.

AND I got to talk to one of my best friends for the first time since being in England. She's amazing. She even let herself be late to a party by 45 minutes just to be there for me. :)