Cake

 

Another birthday today, as Evie and Martha's Daddy just had a significant one. I hope he was well pleased with Ireland's win this afternoon. Not a bad way to spend a birthday.

Evie is pictured above waiting for the first of her birthday cakes but then, she's always waiting for cake. The two girls made their Dad's birthday cake today, their favourite, Chocolate Guinness Cake. For Dave's birthday tea this coming Monday I will be attempting to emulate the delectable ginger cake served at Angel and Cathal's wedding party last week. I did have the opportunity to speak with the baker but she gave nothing away apart from the fact that she used three times the amount of ginger she'd normally use. Luckily our birthday boy is a big fan of ginger and as his tastebuds have been slightly impaired by his recent brush with the dread virus, three times the usual amount of ginger will likely be the right amount.

I'm not sure if Martha didn't think that having to bake her father's cake was an imposition akin to forced labour but I assured her that she needed the practice as I am expecting her to bake my cake next September. For I'm never making my own cake ever again. If this does not happen there will be a soup course served instead. And, as everyone knows, soup doesn't work with birthday candles. 

Better Late Than Never

Monday is the day when Zoe tends to her vegetable garden and I make supper for everyone. When Martha was old enough to appreciate birthday celebrations I'd make a cake on the Monday closest to a birthday. It's lucky that none of our birthdays fall in the winter months as that's when Zoe takes a break from gardening.

Martha's birthday supper should have been two weeks ago but then they all got Covid-19 and had to isolate. Luckily Zoe was symptomless so could continue working. She can do her job from home so that wasn't a problem. Today was her first day back at the plot and Marthas delayed birthday celebration. She asked for enchiladas and Chocolate Guinness cake (Nigella recipe) and I obliged. No expense was spared with just one exception - I recycled the extra-long candles from Robin's cake. (Dougie's Goodies, delicious.)

Evie's birthday is next. Thank goodness Martha was quick about blowing out those candles. We'll get another turn out of them yet.

 

 

Bert's Birthday Cakes

Bert's birthday cake is traditionally served on Zoe's gardening day which is the day I make everyone supper. This has been going on for some years now and there are photos to prove it. It doesn't matter whose birthday it is for everyone gets to eat cake.

Back then Martha would always get involved in the blowing out of candles. She has since learned to hold back.

The icing had to be pink as Martha informed me that it was Bert's favourite colour. Evie is beginning to take an interest in the proceedings. She always liked cake.

Bert is wearing his best birthday boiler suit. 

1919. Martha can now be depended upon to present the birthday cake.

2020. Best cake ever but social distancing put quite a damper on the celebrations. Martha and Evie were not happy that they could not help blow out candles.  

Is it just me, or is Bert getting smaller?
 

Your Drafty Foot

Holders of the title Most Beautiful Baby in the world, nos. 1, 4 and 5

That was the story I told Evie today on her mum's birthday for when Zoe was born I thought her the most beautiful baby in the world. Then when Katy came along she was the most beautiful baby... and so on and so on as Hannah, Martha, Evie, James and Emily duly made an appearance.

Evie got it. Every baby is the most beautiful baby in the world to the people that love it.

Happy birthday, Zoe. Hope you've had a lovely day.