All's well that ends well.

If you recall from a previous post (Recycling with Mom), my Mom asked me to bake a cake for their anniversary party. Well, not just any cake. She wanted to recreate their wedding cake. I told her I could do the baking and have everything ready, as long as she would do the decorating. She's much better at it than I am!

I used the basic white cake recipe from Wilton's website. I have never baked six layers at one time before, but it worked perfectly. I was able to chill them and trim the tops level. I had a nice crumb coat of butter cream on the three tiers and had them all packed up and ready to travel.
Then my dog got sick. We were supposed to leave that night to help set up for the party. Coco ended up having surgery, but was able to travel the next morning. Thank goodness the vet was able to help her so quickly!

We assembled the cake before the party. I wasn't thrilled with the way the butter cream set up. It was perfect the day before, but after chilling and warming up to spreading consistency, it sort of separated. Mom insisted it was perfect and added the finishing touches. She made roses ahead of time and we topped it off with the cake top from their wedding.
It was a wonderful party. Guests arrived from all over the U.S., Canada, and Finland!



Mom and Dad dancing.


Family photo - Dad, Mom, Chris, Me, and Maggie

All's well that ends well.....and I'm so glad that my running buddy is recuperating! My favorite trail just wouldn't be the same without her.

A Prairie Home Companion Anniversary

A Prairie Home Companion Cast Photo (photo by Dana Nye)
FROM LEFT: Fred Newman, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, Garrison Keillor


Garrison Keillor (photo by Brian Velenchenko)

We're celebrating our 20th anniversary by going to see the live broadcast performance of "A Prairie Home Companion" at Blossom Music Center tonight! Host and producer Garrison Keillor will be relaying the News from Lake Wobegon, with special guests Jorma Kaukonen, and Robin & Linda Williams (whom I recognize from the movie).

Listen-in LIVE tonight at 6:00 PM EDT. Visit PriairieHome.PublicRadio.Org to find a station in your area, or for information on how to listen ONLINE. And don't forget to sign up for the newsletter from Lake Wobegon while you're there.

"That's the news from Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average."

I think I'll bake a rhubarb pie!

20 Years Ago Today.......

Plato said "At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet."
A poet I'm not. I am quite grateful that our love has lasted. We are blessed with good health and two beautiful and loving children. Happy Anniversary to my best friend forever.

"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice; But for those who love, time is not." - Henry Jackson van Dyke

Recycling with Mom

My parents just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 16th! We're planning a huge celebration for the end of June. Mom and I have been buying decorations and making plans. When she asked me to bake a cake, I said I would, of course. I'm not very good at cake decorating, but somehow have become the cake baker for all the family birthdays and get-togethers. I can bake a good cake, but writing 'Happy Birthday Mom' with a few sprinkles is a far cry from recreating their wedding cake!! She has agreed to help me with the flowers and the final decorating, so I'm sure we'll be able to pull it off.

We couldn't find a picture of their cake, but she did bring over the original cake top that they used. She had fixed it up and added some fabric to the dress and it was used for her sister's wedding cake in 1971. We found a gold "50" and some new flowers. The base was pretty delicate and part of the back came off when we took the old veil off, but she covered it up with new tulle. Mom was thrilled with the way it turned out. It is beautiful. She is so excited now, too! I just hope I can get the cake to look as nice as the top. It's a great feeling to reuse something that has so much meaning. (And thanks Mom, for modeling for me. Sorry I cut off your head! This new shawl is the perfect color for her too.)