A Birthday Cake !!!

Yesterday was a perfect day! In the midst of all the business of getting Christmas preparations made around the house and working with the children of the church to put on a Christmas pageant and trying to clean wood dust and dust bunnies from the corners and mantlepieces and finding the Christmas decorations and, and, and ... the day came to celebrate my birthday!



So, I did what any self-respecting birthday girl will do. I plotted out a day that would let me relax, do the things I thoroughly enjoy, and bask in that 'queen for a day' feeling! I made cake! I roasted a turkey and invited in family! I took adoring phone calls from friends and family! I listened to my daughter sing 'Happy Birthday' into my answering machine! I read the latest good book that sits on my bedside table! I drank some good wine! And I celebrated with intense gratitude my health and happiness! Happy Birthday to me! Huzzah! I've made it through another year !

Now, for that birthday cake ... I'm not one for big layer cakes when there's not a big crowd around to help with the knoshing, so I made myself that old favorite Darina Allen Ballymaloe Mincemeat Crumble Cake.

I 've made it every year at this time, since discovering the recipe! I love my home made mncemeat, but it's so very rich, that putting it in a coffeecake thick batter that can hold up to its heaviness and having it with airy sweet whipped cream is just the finest of seasonal treats! YUM!

I always have it on the same little brown and white plate with a cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. I'm such a creature of habit! Old dog, new tricks ... hmm.

Anyway, I hope someone is inspired to try their mincemeat in a new and novel way. Mincemeat, it's not just for pies and tarts! Take that advice from this tart!

Hit the link for the recipe ... I'm feeling lazy and technology is made for easy links to information! Besides, I'm still celebrating my birthday and doing just what I want! I'm off to decorate the Christmas tree! Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-LA!