The Birthday Girl

Yesterday was mom's 89th birthday!  I think it turned out to be a a happy celebration for her.  Her day was filled with cards, flowers, hugs and many phone calls.

I decided to fix Cuban Black Beans and Rice and Ham Croquettes for her birthday which is a favorite of Chris and Jackson my family.  (They both ate a lot of rice, salad and garlic bread.  Ha!)

For her birthday cake I made another family tradition.  My grandma Kelly's Date Cake.  This cake has always been my favorite.  My mom used to make it for me on my birthdays.  I never have made the cake myself.  I thought I had the recipe in my file but didn't so I pulled it from mom's file.  When I started to make it I had mom there adding advice on things not written on the card and I suddenly realized the recipe was handwritten by Grandma Kelly.  It was a sweet moment as if the three of us were there cooking together.  (Big Sniff).

A well worn recipe.

Here is a picture of the cake.  It looks rather pitiful in this ugly pan.  But the taste is divine and that's what matters.  I cheated and used cool whip instead of "real whipped cream".  It really is much better with the real stuff.

It's very light, full of dates and walnuts and lady fingers on top.

It was a fun time and even Rosie joined the celebration.  She likes party's.

Chris and Carrie were here and I could kick myself for not getting a picture of them but they looked fabulous as always!  And they won first place in the biggest Poinsettia contest!   Isn't it beautiful!

It was a very Happy Day.