12 April 2007
Yesterday was my mom's birthday. The perfect excuse for creating elaborate and miniature cakes!
The cake was just a basic chocolate sponge that I made by saying, 'Let's see, a cup of flour, hm. . . one egg. . . quarter cup oil. . . this and this and this. . . some milk. . . some more milk. . . better put more milk. . . ' Not a very scientific method for baking cakes. It was good, if a little dry, which gave me the perfect excuse to make cake-bread pudding with the (copious) leftover bits.
I made buttercream frosting for the first time, and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say my life would be perfect if only I could top everything I eat with buttercream. I melted some chocolate and poured it into the same cutter I used for cutting the layers of cake, and once it hardened again I placed it on top and sifted powdered sugar over it. Finished it off with a homemade chocolate truffle. Perfect.
I surprised my mom at work with the mini cake and some flowers and coffee from Starbuckses', which should have been enough on its own to get me into the child hall of fame, but I also made some proper presents:
She had requested a small quilt, since I made one for my dad for Christmas, so I complied and threw in a matching totebag to boot. My favourite part is the patchwork handles on the bag:
My mom chose The Vegetarian (and Indian restaurant) for her birthday dinner, which I consider a big triumph for my efforts, as my birthday has been the only day I can reliably coerce both my parents to eat at my favourite Indian establishment. A birthday just isn't a birthday without a good curry.
What a cake ;)
And I love colours of your quilt+bag.
posted by Christelle at April 12, 2007 04:22 PM
The cake looks wonderful! and I agree, buttercream is most definitely the way to go. Yum!
posted by Taryn at April 12, 2007 04:33 PM
Love the quilt + bag! The cake looks divine. I really need to get a scalloped biscuit cutter.
Any chance you'll share the name of your favorite Indian establishment with those of us in your neck of the woods??
posted by Dana at April 12, 2007 05:16 PM
Dana -- Well, it used to be Udupi. Now that it's become Nala Pak, I haven't decided whether I prefer it or The Vegetarian.
posted by Anna at April 12, 2007 05:34 PM
you are such a good daughter! :) the cake is lovely... the chocolate truffle + sugar on top is such a good detail. and the quilt and bag are gorgeous... love the colors.
posted by amisha at April 12, 2007 06:22 PM
It was a wonderful birthday! Beginning with the new SNOW on the ground, to the FREE Caribou Coffee certificate because it was my birthday, to the mid morning surprise of colorful fresh flowers, MORE free coffee and a delightful cake with a delicious truffle - all of which was delivered by THE BEST DAUGHTER IN THE WORLD!!! Dinner was also excellent, even if the paneer was a little squeaky. And then of course, what can I say about the handmade quilt and bag? Perfect! I love and cherish every gift created and crafted by hand from my child. Love you much!
posted by Momma at April 12, 2007 07:18 PM
Beautiful quilt and bag! Love the color scheme!
posted by Ellen at April 13, 2007 12:49 AM
The cake is so pretty! Oh and the quilt with the tote bag is just gorgeous.
posted by Oiyi at April 13, 2007 03:23 AM
Wow -- love those handles. Will definitely have to file that idea away for the future. And the chocolate! And to top it all off -- a wonderful note from your Momma!
posted by Thimbleanna at April 13, 2007 04:27 AM
what a lovely quilt+tote and such a perfect cake. i hope you all had a fabulous time celebrating your mommy's birthday!
posted by connie at April 13, 2007 12:38 PM
Yup, I think that definitely qualifies you for the child hall of fame.
I especially love the matching totebag with the quilt. What a clever idea!
posted by sara at April 13, 2007 02:13 PM
My mum would LOVE you! She is still waiting for her half finished christmas present from me! But I find it impossible to be creative in someone else's home (can't get creatively messy) and without my things (always need that elusive coloured thread, or bead or size of needle).
Your little cake is ultra cute!
I took my mum for a belated mother's day shopping trip (using her purse) which she loved. Went to Concrete Wardrobe and she loved all the knits... I hadn't been in since hte day we went together - that was such a lovely day. I even tried to persuade her to go Japanese for lunch, so I could relive the day (same weather and everything) but she wasn't bold enough for that.
I have a new dog! Her name was Tia, but Linda, the co-owner, has decided to call her Lucy, and amazingly she seems to resond to it like it was always her name. There's a pic on my blog. She's lovely.
posted by cally at April 17, 2007 06:33 PM
i love the colors and fabric you chose for the quilt, and the bag is adorable.
posted by jen at April 27, 2007 06:26 PM