I had occasion this week to make a birthday cake for my love, Jay. He requested a lemon layer cake, just like the one we had for our wedding, almost 19 years ago. I set to work in the morning as soon as the kids were off to school. I put on my stripy red apron, turned up my Edith Piaff pandora channel and started grating lemons. I couldn’t have found a better way to combat a dull winter morning than making believe I was in Paris in the springtime, inhaling the citrus fragrance as I frolicked in the baker’s dust. I was quite transported.
The cake I made was mostly from Smitten Kitchen who always steers me right when making something new. (I made the frosting from another recipe which is a basic butter frosting.) Her’s is a three layer cake but I decided to make mine a 2 layer and made a few cupcakes for the littles with the left overs. I could hardly wait to try one and as soon as the lemon curd was ready I was ripping into a cupcake myself. Oh my goodness, homemade lemon curd is ah.mah.zing. The cake is rather wonderful too. I think this might be my new go-to cupcake recipe.
And today is Valentine’s Day! The kids have all their hundreds of cards to deliver to their little classmates. I strung up a haphazardly made garland in the kitchen. Jay and I have a date night tonight of dinner followed by a night at the theater (The Importance of Being Earnest). I’m so excited to have this time with Jay. It’s been ages since we went out.
Last picture is a progress report for the Business Casual sock KAL I’m doing with Kelly at Celtic Cast-on. I’ve actually finished the first sock and am into the second. I find as I near the end of the first sock I wonder how on earth I’ll find the staying power to start the second as I feel I lose steam, but as soon as that first sock is finished and on my foot I am rushing to cast on #2. I really like knitting socks. Must find kiddie sock pattern next me thinks.
So this was my Making Winter post. I hope you will join me in Making Winter 2013 by showing us what you have been doing to make Winter a little better and warmer for you. Click on the link below to join in.
Kate
/ February 14, 2013That cake looks delicious!!! It’s so nice that you get some time with your husband tonight! Have so much fun!
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Kate :}