All I Want Is Cake

Birthday time.

Last year, same as the last few, I asked for gift ideas. The reply was a reasonable sort of all I want is a cake...

It's never quite as simple as that.

After hours had been spent researching favourites on-line, such as music, films and fashion, I decided that for this 21st birthday, it had to be more than just memory building. So it had to be all three. Preferably homemade.

Aladdin is the film for my little princess. So it would have to be Jasmin's palace. There's a lot of information out there. Did I have grief in planning etc? Well, imagine giving birth :). I remember nothing.

She wanted a chocolate cake because she hates icing coated cakes. So my usual covering and decorating with fondant was out.

I made two cakes; a palace needs size and height. A Madeira (it's firmer) for the base because it had a lot of weight to hold and for the top, my normal sponge that I knew everybody loved.

During the decorating I encountered the usual sort of problems to deal with, such as leveling.  Otherwise everything proceeded smoothly until I tried making the pillars. Neither the sponge or the Madeira wanted to be manipulated.  They had to be small, yet big enough to hold the (chocolate-coated xmas baubles) minarets. I tried baking in egg cups but they refused to come out. Shaving bits off? Nope, the stuff crumbled. 

Becoming frustrated I admitted defeat and decided to make do with the most reasonable ones. As I spread the chocolate ganache, I may have eaten a bit here and there. Towards the end I used tooth picks etc to not only position but also hold the pillars up. 

From start to finish, including taking the cake down to London, took around four days. Disclaimer; my memory isn't brilliant so it could have been more.

The fun part was eating the left over carpet. While I'd like to say I made the figurines, I reckon the truth would out.

Those of you who know me, know that I'm a great exponent of the old ways. Cards made by hand, clicking those knitting needles, looping and twisting cottons and wool with one hook etc.  Things that use up time, to me are very meaningful. After all, what is the most valuable thing you can give anybody? It shows that you care.

It was worth spending weeks on this cardigan for her. I can only crochet but am hoping to learn to knit. The look on her face said it all. Plus the gratifying 'you made this?' And 'Will you make one for...?' from others was rather reassuring.

We took her to see The Lion King and she loved it. I enjoyed it. She wants to see it again this year. I don't. Hm...

It's just a matter of weeks before birthday time and I have no clue on what to do!