“I am a happy camper so I guess I’m doing something right. Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.”
― Henry David Thoreau
December 17th, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVzIGMqRznk
What a difference writing with a clear head! My spinal cord is relaxed, the twins cakes are complete I’m ready for a Saturday of Chucky Cheese and a small tribe of children drooling, ducking & most certainly, wailing! Getting to know my sisters little family of five: my sister “Mary Cleo to the Shabaz," the 2 year old twins, Lily & Logan, the 3-month old enfant, Kylie (or Nugget as we affectionately refer to her) and finally, Kevin (her husband – say no more Scotty), has been an unforeseen luxury, a generous gift, a blessing in disguise resulting from this whole fraudulent acquisition of my San Diego businesses. Tonight, I play the role of babysitter – diapers plastered with mucky poo to change, mouths chirping in fascist aggravation to be fed, toy’s dispersed throughout the modest Westminster labyrinth like an upturned jigsaw puzzle box . . . I love these kids and absolutely can’t wait to strap on my shit-kickers, dig out my Uncle Scotty Cowboy hat & lasso up some childhood imagination!
Yesterday was a day for tears. Tears shed for someone else’s pain . . well, a bit of my own in remembering Mo and Sammy’s loss of his only son . . but for all said purposes – the untouchable, unthinkable, unequivocal losses sustained by a parent outliving their child are nothing that I can quite relate with. Comforting a friend in need, I will act out my role in neighborly custom, probably drop-off some home-cooked meals for Robin & Gayla, offer my condolences and let them mourn at their own steadfast pace. I have nothing else to offer at this time – the tragedy still fresh to their thoughts as a smashed jack-o-lantern before the day of Halloween.
Prayers will be appreciated, memories will be savored and rivers of cobalt tears of tomorrows not had will no doubt, flow endlessly; but today, in my own circle of Disney-matic life, I hold dear the celebration of these two little tikes, a lioness & cub’s birthday party of laughter, partial skim mozzarella cheesy pizza, unfathomable calories consumed in the form of these twin tower cakes (I’m still twitching from last night’s cake bake session - the copious amounts of sugar coercing through my every blood vessel . . I finished at 1:30 am)
Food for thought, When is the last time you actually baked a birthday cake? Really, what better of a gift for your spastic sister-n-law, your devoted single-serving friend or that rotten crab-apple of a wicked witch neighbor across the way? A Nordstrom’s metallic silver gift-wrapped, Visa snaffled expense, down to the very last minute rush . . . purchased by necessity, expectation, compliance . . . hell, at least you didn’t cop out albeit a $50 gift certificate from Bed Bath & Beyond! A cake, your efforts regardless of their Duncan Hines plagiarized torte variation, is a much more of an authentic birthday present . . more than any forfeited American dollar bills at least. I implore you to pick somebody’s upcoming big day and dream up the extra effort to create some virtuous confection draped in a sheath of almond praline buttercream, scharfenberger dark chocolate ganache, or even settle for some pre-manufactured, overly sweet confectioners sugar frosting – your reward will gain you pounds of sincere appreciation.
with Culinary Blessings,
Here is a recipe for Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
*Now this isn’t exactly the recipe I use (a more French based variation that requires a bit more attention) but will suffice for nearly any occassion
Ingredients:
• 1 pound box (about 3-3/4 cups) powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 - 4 tablespoons milk
• Add a touch of sauvignon blanc, orange blossom water, imagination
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl and mix until combined. Add more milk if necessary for spreading consistency.
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