Birthday bashes

Recently I had my birthday.

My favorite part was Eleanor's gift. A few days before my birthday, we bought mushrooms and I mentioned how much I liked them. Eleanor came up with the idea that she should make me mushrooms and eggs for my birthday---this was her own idea with no prompting from me (although I may have mentioned how well Swiss cheese would go with the omelet...)

On my birthday, she and Daddy went downstairs early to cook. She shredded the cheese and cracked the eggs, Daddy used the stove and chopped the mushrooms. He had to flip the omelet too. They even made my coffee drink for me and sliced some bread. Mmmm, delicious and a very nice present.

A few days after my birthday I had my own party. You know you are a grownup when you get to bake your own cake. I made Red Velvet cake, but without the red (one of my friends is allergic to red dye). I really think it tastes different when it isn't red---or perhaps that is my inability to cook cakes and other things that require accurate measurement. The buttercream frosting failed in every category except taste, which I suppose means it was a success. Eleanor tells me that she heard the noise from the party... She says, "I heard someone say, 'this is great cake!'" We had a good time, not too late, lots of good chocolate, veggies and dip, and conversation. Eleanor is wondering if we played any games---not really.

It was a very "grown up" birthday---special, but low-key. Here's to more like that.

Here's my grandma's recipe for red velvet cake. I made a sheet cake instead of the 4 layers---easier, but not as festive. You should make a buttercream frosting (cook flour and milk, add creamed butter and sugar...).

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c butter
• 2 whole eggs
• 2 TBSP (heaping) cocoa
• 2 1/4 c of cake flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 TBSP white vinegar
• 1 1/2 c sugar
• 2 ounces (1/4 c) red food coloring
• 1 c buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda

Preparation:

Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs. Make a paste of food coloring and cocoa and add to the creamed mixture. Add alternate buttermilk with flour and salt, then add the vanilla. Add soda to the vinegar---it will foam! Then add the soda and vinegar to the mixture, blending instead of beating. Bake 25 to 30 mins. at 350 degrees in two 8-inch greased and floured round cake pans. Cool on racks. Using very sharp knife, or dental floss (yes, dental floss!) split each layer into 2 layers.