Anticipation

I've been away from my favorite city for less than 2 weeks and it feels like years! Tomorrow is the birthday bash at DTR for ..... me! Armi's been baking for two days now - red velvet cupcakes with the smoothest frosting you'll ever taste, and she's tackled my mum's German chocolate cake recipe. I was thrilled to find the recipe card last night - written in my mom's hand and well worn. Armi jumped right in and before I knew it the Kitchen Aid was whirring and the double boiler was slowly set to melting chocolate. She was delighted to have a chance to make a génoise (French butter sponge cake). It requires you to work with three elements and combine them at the right time - a true test for any baker. The smells were out-of-control. Working in the office, researching for both book proposals, I kept getting these amazing wafts of chocolate, melting utter and later, three layers of cake baking in the oven.

This morning when I woke up and went to the kitchen for my nice cuppa (Earl Grey with soy), there were three of the most lovely cake layers I've ever seen. Perfectly round, good height. I had to smell them – ahhhh! Just like my mom made and suddenly I was 12 again. Returning to full adulthood (is it possible, really?) I spent the rest of the day avoiding the kitchen so as not to nibble my way through one cake layer. There must be cake for all! Besides, it would be a sad point in DTR history if the cake stand, cake knife, Mickey dessert plates and birthday candles could not be put to good and proper use. Which reminds me - Someone may want to call the insurance adjuster - there will be 45 candles.