July 26,2010-torrential rains in Corrales, and then this

The Only Birthday Frosting

Mama always gave us our choice for birthday dinner and birthday cake. The dinner would change through the years , I wasn't fussy about the cake(as long as it was chocolate) but the frosting was always the same. I've never liked sweet fluffy frosting, never understood the point of those bakery cakes with beautiful swirls of color that promise what they can't deliver: their creators could choose substance or beauty and made the choice that I would always scrape away.

Lost and Found-The Frangipane Recipe

I have a very haphazard way of keeping recipes.  Some of my favorites are written on backs of receipts, on the side columns of address books, random pieces of paper.... I never seem to learn my lesson either. There is a chocolate orange cake recipe that I can still taste and must be in my possession but I just don't know where.  Its been years and like trying to relive an old love affair by having a new one, the recipes I try, hoping its THE one, just make me sad.
I've gone on like this with my frangipane tart recipe-trying various ones on the net, in books, etc.  Good, but not quite the toothsome, soft center and tan chewy top from my long lost favorite. Then, going through a very old cookbook, out it fluttered-

New Life

I  was out with the dogs this morning when I saw our glamorous local artist Jasmine racing up our hill."New baby!"

Lavender Drying In The Dining Room