I was born on a Thursday in August a number of years ago. In fact, my father, mother and brother were all born on Thursdays. I always thought it must be somewhat significant we were all Thursday babies. I remember a superstitious rhyme which predicts the personality of a child. It goes something like “Thursday’s child has far to go” or if you prefer the 1887 version “Thursday’s child works hard for a living.” Now that saying seems to fit!
Anyway, as I am approaching another birthday, I started to think about the difference between my generation and the younger generation (OH, God did I really say that!) as it relates to birthday parties.
Growing up, my family celebrated our birthdays with my mother making our favorite cake. Rarely did we have a party with friends or even with all the related aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.
Now-a-days, parents throw their kids theme parties with entertainment, pony rides, magicians and maybe an appearance by the Cookie Monster.
The first year that Sal and I were together, he planned a surprise party for me. We had gone to Cape Cod for a few days and on the way back home, he suggested that we stop by my sister’s house. Little did I know he had arranged for my sister to host the party and he had invited all my close friends. He also asked her to make my favorite cake.
No one had ever given me a surprise party before and his gesture touched my heart and made me love him all the more.
Over the years, Sal has surprised me with many beautiful presents both for my birthday and for no particular reason other than he knew the outfit would look good on me.
One of the most memorable gifts was a star mist blue 1956 Thunderbird, a gift for my 45th birthday. The T-Bird was on my wish list of most desirable cars. I remember that right after the T-Bird arrived in our driveway, I took it for a spin around town. It was on a Sunday afternoon and I decided to go to the IGA to pick up a few things.
When I pulled into the parking lot of the IGA, there were just a few cars in the parking lot. However, 15 minutes later I left the store and there were guys surrounding the T-Bird. The car was a guy magnet!
Over the years, I have received many presents, but I will never forget that surprise party. It just confirmed what a special man my husband is to me. My friends all want to know if he can be cloned.
One of the birthday cakes I remember my mother baking was the chocolate speckled chiffon cake.
Chocolate Speckled Chiffon Cake
1 cup egg whites, at room temperature (7 or 8 eggs)
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 ¾ cups sugar
2 ¼ cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup salad oil
5 egg yolks
¾ cup cold water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 squares bittersweet chocolate, grated
In large bowl with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form; beating at high speed, gradually sprinkle in ½ cup sugar, a little at a time, beat until sugar is completely dissolved. Whites should stand in stiff peaks. Do not scape bowl during beating. In another bowl, with mixer on low speed, beat flour, salt, baking powder, 1 ¼ cups sugar, cold water, oil egg yolks and vanilla extract until blended. Beat at medium speed until smooth, scraping bowl often. Fold in grated chocolate; then gently fold mixture into the egg whites. Pour batter into an ungreased 10 inch tube pan and bake 60 to 65 minutes at 350 until top springs back when lightly touched with finger. Invert cake on bottle to cool completely. With spatula, loosen cake from pan and invert on plate. Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting.
Mangia With Micheline 