i didn't advertise it earlier in the week - i was trying to keep it kind of quiet - but Joseph and i have been working out the kinks in a red velvet cake recipe in preparation for my mom's birthday celebration with us today!
(see 'prep work' post....) the first run went well; Joseph made some yummy miniature cupcakes! but i felt they were
too *pink*! (i really do seem to have a problem with this color.) not enough
~velvet~. so, on the second round, i quadrupled (or thereabouts...i am an inexact cook) the cocoa powder.
SHAZAM!
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| Joseph's recipe. |
Joseph and i decided on red icing (in keeping with our killer red-dye theme for this birthday cake) and red hots as extra bling (being a favorite of my mother's). i neglected to purchase candles (no surprise there. i am the kind of cook who will plunge into a recipe with the optimistic assumption i have all the ingredients, only to discover halfway through that i am missing a key element), BUT we had pink candles on-hand! they go
perfectly with the red frosting. obviously, i don't have a problem with the color pink if it completely clashes with all surrounding colors. (actually, i really do think the candles & frosting go quite well together.)
it was time to break out the wedding china!
and my grandmother's golden flatware!
and the fab green plates that i found along the way :)
i even ironed the placemats.
(which is pretty amazing, given my opinion of ironing.)
& time for one of my signature dishes:
baked salmon with butter & dill
french-style beans with slivered almonds
(i love that Joseph read it as 'silvered')
(sometimes i substitute baked asparagus tossed in olive oil & sea salt)
rice variations - wild rice today!
p.s. this makes it sound as if i am some sort of fabulous cook. truth is, i have
no other signature dishes. none. this is the beginning & the end of my culinary prowess. we're not going hungry over here, but nothing else is this pretty.
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| my view of the table. |
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| time for 7(0) wishes! |
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| mmmmm....cake! |
Nana was very happy with the homemade cards from her grandsons!
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| Samuel's colored text card, with a thoughtful message inside :) |
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| Joseph's beautiful paper art in-progress! |
this next photo has, really, absolutely nothing to do with my mother's birthday.
there was an estate sale in our neighborhood this morning, & i was
thrilled to find this
Miss Piggy cardboard doll with interchangeable outfits. it is possible she deserves an entire post. but, for now, i will leave you with this photo teaser.
