Tuesday, December 30, 2008

My Birthday's Cake.


Yesterday was my birthday. And I felt great about it. Actually instead of feeling down at the end because I was one year older I felt relaxed and 5 years younger?
I am going to share my secret. My day evolved in different layers. First J. made my breakfast, then he was completly in charge of the kids for the day. I went to the famous Glen Ivy SPA . On the day of your birthday the entrance is free.
And I was so lucky that the weather was warm enough to just relax on long chairs nearby the floating pools while reading my Body and Soul Magazine.
I used the sauna, the steam room, the pools, the Club Mud...For lunch I sat under the palm trees with a delicious Citrus and Shrimp Salad for only $ 14.
At the end of the day ( I stayed from 10.30 am to 3 pm), you take a shower with a complimentary exofoliant and you shower with products from the SPA.
I felt completly relaxed, and quiet.
When I came home J. was working with the kids on some wrapping paper decoration for my gift ( a Cookbook) and then later they bake my birthday cake. A yogurt Cake.
He got the recipe from the famous
Chocolate & Zuchini

Gâteau au Yaourt

- 2 eggs
- 250ml (1 cup) whole milk plain unsweetened yogurt (if you use two 125ml or 4oz tubs, you can use them to measure out the rest of the ingredients)
- 200g (1 cup) sugar (you can use an empty tub of yogurt and measure the equivalent of 2 yogurt tubs if you used the 125ml or 4oz kind)
- 80ml (1/3 cup) vegetable oil (or a bit less than 1 yogurt tub)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or 4 yogurt tubs)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla paste/extract
- 1 tablespoon light rum

Preheat the oven to 180° C (350° F), line the bottom of a round 25-cm (10-inch) cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides. In a large mixing-bowl, gently combine the yogurt, eggs, sugar, vanilla, oil, and rum. In another bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Add the flour mixture into the yogurt mixture, and blend together -- don't overwork the dough. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean. Let stand for ten minutes, and transfer onto a rack to cool.

I had some frosting left from my Yug Log they used it and decorate with whatever was available in the fridge and the pantry for a festive Birthday' Cake.
I open other presents from my friends: Japanese lovely blue spoons, thank you Kumi. A lovely blue satin purse for my bag, thank you Joanie and a cute necklage/ earings duo from Stephanie. Thank you all.
It was a wonderfull birthday, may be the best thanks to my husband and my wonderful and my friends. I feel lucky.

4 comments:

Laurie said...

Oh Happy Birthday Celine!! What a wonderful day and a treasure of a husband to bake you a wonderful cake with the kids. I didn't know Glen Ivy admitted birthday girls free, that is great to know! I am going stir crazy with the kids home from school and really need a coffee and croissant out with a friend. Lets do it soon! :)
Ciao and a big Birthday hug to you! :)

Anonymous said...

Greetings and Happy Birthday from the team at Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa! We're so happy that you were able to give yourself the gift of relaxation for your birthday and we thank you greatly for sharing your spa experience with your friends and family. If you're looking for an 'excuse' to come back soon, spa admission is 2 for 1 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from Jan. 1 - Feb. 26! Hope to see you again soon!

Dewi said...

Happy Birthday to you and have many many more....

Cheers,
Elra

Mammabellarte Rita Reade said...

Ciao Celine,
checking out your blog with Eva Trethowan and guess what? we have the same b-day, Dec. 29th. Also Eva was telling me about a post that you did about them....we are looking for it. Ciao