The cake was a hit!
There were soooo many birthdays this week. I feel like I have been perpetually partying. And it wasn't even my birthday 😉
It was a lovely day for Mister Lovee. He stayed home from work, but had a few fires to put out at the office via telephone. Then, our friend came over and they played guitars for a while (Mister Lovee actually plays upright bass in his band, which you might recall. But he also plays guitar, piano etc.)
It was lovely.
(No, he does not know about the mug shot yet, gulp. And yes, he does peek in, and even leaves a comment sometimes (funny man). Double gulp.)
The cake was scrumptious. Try the recipe, if you like carrot cake. It was way decadent. I halved the orange extract for the frosting, and halved the nutmeg in the cake batter.
For some reason too much cinnamon or nutmeg reminds me of mothballs.
Is that silly?
Do you find that as well?
This cake was sublime. I had a tiny slice.
I like sweets in small amounts, too much sugar gives me a ghastly headache (I can't have soft drinks or anything like that). I prefer a meal, to dessert. Unlike many others in my family. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE to bake, and love anything sweet related. I am lucky everyone around me loves eat to what I bake. There is something I find so comforting in baking. And cooking for that matter.
I love to cook too.
Although in summer, there is rarely any cooking or baking.
It is just too hot.
The heat here this week has been incredible.
My Mom and I were walking out of a shop yesterday, and I said, oh what lovely hot wind.
I was being sarcastic.
It was like having a blow dryer on you all day.
On the hottest setting.
Yumm!
But the heat, mixed with water and a hair of shade, makes for plants growing huge. The gourd vines are headed up the trees in several places in the garden. I just adore that! I still have a handful of huge gourds from last year.
I think one of my fave spots is where the gourds crawl up the trees and the foxgloves hover…
So pretty.
You know, it is during these very hot days with no rain in sight, while I tend my tiny lawn -sprinkling new lawn seeds by hand. Then going back little by little, covering the seeds with soil, then watering every day – That I wonder if I am insane, for keeping such a huge chore list in the garden.
Then, through the towering flowers, I spy the reason for a tiny lawn….
A cool spot for my babes.
Doing it for love is all that matters to me…
And they do love it so.
With that I shall exclaim –
Happy weekend friends!!!
Time to soak in the garden bath, for sure!
Your cake looks beautiful and the inside looks amazingly delicious.
I am quite the opposite dessert for me always! I think I got that from my grandmother, she had quite the sweet tooth.
I remember seeing a Betty Boop cartoon when I was a kid and she made a layered cake and I always, always, always wanted to grow up and make layered cakes after that. Hee hee. 🙂
Your flowers are so pretty. And sleeping in the grass (on a blanket for me – and probably being squished by the dog and kitties) sounds divine.
Vanessa:
The cake looks lovely. I am like you though, a little sweet goes a long way! I would much rather have biscuits and fried green tomatoes than a piece of cake. However, I do love baking for my family.
Today is my oldest son’s birthday and I am in flour up to my elbows. I’ve just finished making a homemade chocolate cake…now I’m onto the pie crust for 2 huge homemade Chicken Pot Pies…then…biscuits! I’ll be exhausted by the end of the evening, but my family will be happy and have full bellies! What more can I ask for?
I know how important that bit of cool, green lawn is to our little fur babies that live in the desert! We also have a pool for our baby too. Although, when we are at the peak of summer, he’s usually indoors.
Love and cheers:
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
So glad the cake was a hit! It certainly does look yummy. Those foxgloves are gorgeous! How sweet to maintain a tiny little lawn for your furboys. It has been sooo hot here, too, but that’s just par for the course during the summer months in North Texas. You have a lovely soak in that garden bath and may it be the start of a weekend sublime!
So glad Mr. Lovee had a wonderful birthday. Your flowers are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing them with us. Have a nice weekend! Twyla
I usually prefer a meal to dessert as well, I am a savory type of girl, but I too like to bake! I don’t do it too often, but I still enjoy it much. Do you not have air conditioning in your abode to make it cool for baking? It is so hot here I could not imagine not having a/c. We didn’t in our apartment back in Oregon and it got over 100 degrees in the Summer. I could tolerate it there, but it definitely wasn’t as hot as here! I do love the heat, it is just nice to have a respite.
Anyway the cake is drool worthy, and your flowers are lovely and pups adorable, as per usual! I am glad Lovee had such a nice birthday!
Those are the prettiest fox gloves I have ever seen!
Vanessa you have worked vigilantly to design a bit of heaven in the Arizona desert. I wish to jump into your pictures to enjoy your magical world every time you post. I can see your furry ones, Mr. Lovee and your gardens are in such loving hands. I am in awe of your foxglove, so large and what beautiful colors.
Please, how Mr. L could be upset with U after such a lovely birthday cake! 😉
Foxgloves? What a peculiar name!
Pleease send me some of that warm warm wind! Here it’s back to being 10 degrees C / 50f again and rain 🙁
What a lovely cake 🙂 Glad it was enjoyed.
I’m not into excess sugar myself, in fact I rarely eat anything in excess, but sugar in particular. I’m more into salty things or…cheese 🙂
Such pretty foxgloves!
Oh, Vanessa-
Your foxgloves are so pretty! They’re just perfect. It’s silly, but I LOVE to imagine a little fox in a waistcoat putting on a pair of these. He’d probably have a pocket watch, too.
Mister’s gonna KILL you! I hope it’s a nice death of tickling or something.
Also, the cake was so simply and beautifully decorated. I like those silver balls….are they called dragees? Dragoons? Something French with an accent? A friend of mine made an amazing cake for New Year’s Eve 2000—-it was a round orange cake ball (like the NY Time’s Square ball) completely covered with white icing and those silver balls. Best cake EVER.
Aww.. sounds like fun. Although, your blog header? It made me think of McArthur Park. You know. “Someone left the cake out in the rain.” Don’t ask. I have no idea why. The cake looks darn good! And the dragees. My husband refers to them as dangerous, edible b-b’s. Sounds like a lovely non-party. :o)
Tra-la. Have a wonderful weekend, Missy.
Kathy
I am having a terrible time commenting this weekend but now that I have gotten this far let me say a Happy Birthday to the lovely Mister!
Yay, CAKE!!! =D It is truly lovely!
You’re not insane for wanting a bit of lawn for your fuzzy sweeties to flop on. ^-^ And your flowers & vines are so beautiful. A real treat to look at! A garden like yours lives in my dreams… I can’t wait until I can have a house & a garden. ^-^
Cooking & baking are truly acts of magic! In them I find comfort, fulfilmet, happiness & FUN! I’m glad you share in this wonderfulness. ^-^
Madly dashing about, getting things ready for the tea party… I simply cannot WAIT! =D
XOXO
Vanessa your cake is L.O.V.E.L.Y!!!
happy birthday to Mr. Lovee
did you find my blog???
i’m still not on your list of
tea partiers yet… 🙁
happy happy week!
~victoria~
Hurray! I am so glad Mr Lovey had a wonderful birthday and that he liked his cake, too. 🙂 I love baking AND eating what I create! LOL Such a dangerous thing! Your garden is looking as lovely as ever! Our foxglove has bloomed, too – the purple find. I’m really in love with them. They are such magical flowers!!! 🙂 And your sweet furry babies seem to enjoy the tranquility of your garden – which is the most important thing. All the hard work does equate into love. 🙂 Hope you had a magical day! xoxo Theresa
Oh Foxglove – my fave! Lovely flowers. And carrot cake – another fave. My mother makes the best carrot cake with raisins, walnuts and pineapple in it – so moist and lovely. Glad your Mr. Lovely enjoyed his cake and birthday. Best birthday wishes to him!!
Aww belated birthday wishes to your beloved! Lucky man with such a lovely cake (you have inspired me to bake a carrot cake at our French tea shop tomorrow!) and great to see your fur babies doing well and enjoying your beautiful garden 🙂 x
I used to do all kinds of fun art and crafts with gourds I grew- the hard shelled kind. They were so much fun to grow!
Awwwww, LOVED the last photos of the flowers and sweet pets! And I’m amazed your flowers are so lovely with those kinds of temps and no rain! You are doing such a great job at your garden! 🙂 See you soon for all the fun. Got all my rings on my fingers, bells on my toes, and cute childrens toy tea sets on my blog just waiting for the event.