I’m still recovering from being sick. I think it’s sinusitis. Well, that’s just me the non-doctor that I am, self diagnosing, like I do all the time. Saw my kids’ doctor today though, and she said, “Yeah, 7-10 days… it’ll clear itself out. Come back if it’s bad.” Oy, this afternoon, my headache was so bad, I wanted to put my head in a vice and squeeze it.

Despite the sickness, we celebrated Ollie’s 3rd birthday with family and friends, and the kids had a nice little Halloween weekend. Abby was Raven from Teen Titans and Ollie was Pablo from The Backyardigans. I made Abby’s cape with no real pattern. Didn’t turn out too shabby, if I say so myself. I did trace the hood from her Jedi cape that she wore on Halloween when she was two. I couldn’t get it quite right, but I think it worked out. Ollie was going to be Robin, Boy Wonder, but he changed his mind a week before I started working on his costume. Good thing, too. We had just enough time to buy his costume.

Happy birthday, Little Man!! We love you so much…

What’s a tea party without a description or pictures of food? This is what my husband orchestrated…

Thanks to All on the Road Catering…asparagus wrapped with prosciutto, empanadas with caramelized onions and goat cheese with tomatilla dipping sauce, shredded duck with cherry marmalade boats, wild mushroom strudel garnished with green onion, brie and caramelized apples crostini.

These were devoured: ham with brie and mango, turkey with guacamole, and roast beef sandwiches.

Chocolate cake goes really well with raspberry flavored tea. Trust me.

We all had plenty to drink. Iced tea on tap: South Beach Peach, Fourth of July. Tried some “Triple Flip”… really gingery, orange flavored green tea. (I think it’s green tea. Can’t remember.) Even the kids had fun.

We love going to these places where you can paint your own ceramics. A creative way to spend some time, not too expensive, and you get your creation in a week, or so! It’s fun anytime, but imagine a birthday party with about 20 young ladies ranging from the ages of 5 to 8. They had a blast. From other birthdays and outings, Abby has a nice little collection of ceramic from this location. If you’re looking for a place near your home, try here, too. It’s a link to the nationwide Creative Ceramics Studio Association.

This is one of the cutest birthday cakes I’ve ever seen.

Unfortunately, Ollie missed the whole thing. Poor guy.

I read about this in an old Bon Appetit magazine. The author of the article was recalling how her aunts argued over whose chocolate (crazy) cake was better. Why called “crazy” cake? Because of the way it’s made. No eggs, few ingredients that can be found in the pantry, mixed by hand in the pan that you’re baking it in… I LOVE this because it is so SIMPLE!

• 1-1/2 c. flour
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 3 tbsp. cocoa
• 6 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp. white vinegar (I’ve used black cherry balsamic, but it’s a little pricey and the flavor doesn’t shine through like I thought it would)
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 c. warm water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift dry ingredients together in 8 x 8 baking pan. Make 3 depressions/wells and fill with liquids. Pour in water and mix with fork until most lumps are gone. DO NOT beat. Bake for 30 minutes, or check center with toothpick until it comes out clean. If you’re really confident with your baking, the cake is done when the center should spring up if you push slightly with your finger.  Frost the cake with your favorite flavor icing… I like vanilla.