bad planning & a little cake inspiration

On Monday, it will be my birthday and I like to make a fuss about such things. Last year I had a lovely picnic in the park outside our apartment with all my friends and I made chocolate vegan cupcakes (pictured to the left) and a beautiful baked alaska. This year, all birthday planning fell apart because I simply forgot that it was my birthday (I know, the horror!) and I ran out of time to get some fabulous party or get-together organized. Also, on Monday, Cornelius will be busy launching a huge web project that he’s spent the past couple of months working on and I have a bowling tournament in the evening. Another wrench in my plans is that many of my friends are out of town vacationing or having babies – obviously, they didn’t take my birthday into consideration when planning out their lives! I do have plans for a bar and bike party (with the wonderful idea stolen from The Messy Cucina!) in June as a co-birthday party celebration with my friend, Dan….but that’s in June. What’s going to happen this month?

While I have no plans yet for some kind of birthday revelry or beer bash blow out (ha!), I do have a few ideas on what kind of cake I’d like. I’ve been doing a bit of blog-hopping and I’ve settled on a few contenders, tho the cake on the cover of the Martha Stewart Baking book, sure looks tempting too! So many ideas, so little time.

• The alluring combination of brown butter & rhubarb at Orangette.

• How can one go wrong with my favorite chocolate/coconut combo at Chocolate & Zucchini.

• My love of beer and chocolate is combined into a delicious cake at Kitchen on Clarendon.

I usually end up making my own birthday cakes since Cornelius is pretty hapless in the kitchen. One year he did try making me a birthday cake but it ended up horribly and he doesn’t like to talk about it. Maybe this year we can make a cake together. Or, I can sit and watch him (a fruity drink in my hand) and guide him through to birthday cake bliss!

29 comments to “bad planning & a little cake inspiration”

  1. 1
    Ivonne   May 5, 2006 at 10:23 am

    Well Happy (early) Birthday wishes! Hope you get to celebrate in style!

  2. 2
    clairehelene7   May 5, 2006 at 4:53 pm

    I’ve been lurking for a while, but I wanted to wish you a happy early birthday! All the cakes look great– please post about your winner!

  3. 3
    hag   May 5, 2006 at 2:23 pm

    Happy Birthday! I think you should make that guiness chocolate cake and gather whomever you can and make yourself a little party! Then when everybody comes back or has that baby..you can celebrate again!

    I am going to try that Guinness cake of Nigella’s…it sounds decadent!

  4. 4
    tanvi @ now craving   May 5, 2006 at 4:16 pm

    Definetely go with chocolate- its your birthday! Heh.

    By the way, the frosting color on those cupcakes is gorgeous!

  5. 5
    Michelle   May 6, 2006 at 6:44 am

    Happy early birthday! I hope it all goes well for you and as a great present I hope you win the tournament! If I was there, I would make the cake for you!

  6. 6
    kickpleat   May 6, 2006 at 11:04 am

    Thanks Ivonne! I’m keeping my fingers crossed 🙂

    Hag, I think the Guiness cake is looking pretty good too!

    Thanks Tanvi, I also fell in love with the colour of those cupcakes. So pretty!

    Thanks for delurking, Clairebear!

    Oh Michelle, that’s the sweetest thing 🙂

  7. 7
    Darlaing   May 7, 2006 at 11:50 am

    Happy Birthday! I hope you post about the bike tour, you will have so much fun!

  8. 8
    Samantha   May 8, 2006 at 9:11 am

    Yay, happy birthday! I hope you have a good birthday, and good luck in the tournament.

    My best friends next door both have birthdays this week, and their dog’s birthday is also today). I’m going to make them a cake for dinner on wednesday, and am wondering about making their dog Calvin a treat for today.

    Anyway, have a great day!

  9. 9
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  10. 10
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  11. 11
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  12. 12
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  13. 13
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  14. 14
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  15. 15
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  16. 16
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  17. 17
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  18. 18
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  19. 19
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  20. 20
    s'kat   May 8, 2006 at 9:54 am

    No matter what you end up doing, have a fabulous birthday! My vote is for the strawberry tart!

  21. 21
    Alanna   May 8, 2006 at 2:46 pm

    Hey – so today’s the DAY! Hope it’s wonderful … however it’s celebrated.

  22. 22
    Rachel   May 8, 2006 at 4:03 pm

    Happy Birthday!

  23. 23
    eviedee   May 8, 2006 at 4:19 pm

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I really enjoy reading your blog! 🙂

  24. 24
    tanvi @ now craving   May 8, 2006 at 11:15 am

    As it’s Monday today, I can officially say, Happy Birthday! Hope you have a fabulous day 🙂

  25. 25
    Rorie   May 8, 2006 at 11:20 am

    Happy Birthday! Hope your day and cake are fabulous!

    PS – the bike/bar plan sounds swell!

  26. 26
    Bean   May 9, 2006 at 12:41 am

    Happy Birthday 🙂

  27. 27
    Tanya   May 9, 2006 at 11:20 am

    Happy Belated Birthday!
    Hope it was really fun, and you had a yummy cake to enjoy!
    I vote for the Guinness cake. I have been eyeing that one myself, and will be making it for my brother later in the month!

  28. 28
    Chloe   May 9, 2006 at 1:34 pm

    Happy Birthday! Mine was on May 5… fellow taureans! 🙂 What do you end up making?? The all looked good!

  29. 29
    Megan   May 9, 2006 at 2:26 pm

    Oh those cupcakes! Now I’m hungry.

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