Twenty & Beyond!

Eighteen minutes after midnight, on the morning of January 9th, 1999, baby Grace was born.  One of the most striking things about her was her jet black hair, as her predecessors (brothers & sisters), had all been born redheads!

Jane, Sherlock, Richard, and I were thrilled to 

have a baby sister in the house, and she became our joy!

Since I was just 4 years older than Grace when she was born, she naturally became my BFFL, partner in crime, fellow traveler, dance partner, singing companion, and overall the best thing since soft spread butter in my life!

Grace has grown up to be a lovely young woman who cares deeply for those around her, and is a blessing to us all!  When there is a job to be done she gets right on it!  She is a talented writer - a lifesaver when I think we are stuck on something we are co-writing!  Grace is also an extensive reader; taking after her brother Sherlock, (and she's very good at reading out loud to us and even does voices on occasion:)

I couldn't have asked for a better sister to share life with!  I love you, Grace!  You will always hold a very, very special place in our family which no one could ever replace!  Happy Birthday!!

Katherine ~

Cake Castles

Introducing a new series of posts you will be reading in the future (whenever Katherine makes a cake) called.....drum roll, please.....

Here today is the first of the new year!  And today's creation is, drum roll please....(Drummer- What? I just did a drum roll!  Me- Never mind that, just do it)...............

~New Years 2019 Cream Tart~

      Now, what is a Cream Tart?  It is essentially a sweet tart dough baked into the shapes of whatever you'd like, such as letters, numbers, and hearts, and then layered with frosting.  (I decided on the number 19 to commemorate our upcoming 2019th year as I was taking this to a New Year's Party).  And for the top you, again, pipe another layer of your frosting and then decorate with flowers, candies, macarons, and anything else that creativity strikes you with!  Here are some examples from dear old Pinterest:

      Have you fallen in love yet??  I've been dreaming about making these for a while now, so as the New Year's Party came around, I seized my opportunity!  Today I made up the tarts (Oh, they smelled so good!!), and the frosting, which is white chocolate cream cheese, ahead of time so that tomorrow, New Years Eve, I could assemble it before we head out for the party and therefore let it keep fresh.  The best part, well, one of the best parts, besides them frosting, and tarts just tasting really good, is that you are supposed to make the cream tart up and refrigerate it for an hour at least so as to let the "cake" become soft!!  Isn't this just getting better and better?  So, now it is 10:01 at night and my tarts and frosting are safely in the fridge waiting for assembly tomorrow.  I'm now heading to my boudoir for the night with Grace (well, she doesn't know she's going yet, but I shall soon impress the importance upon her) and I'll finish this post once I've finish creating my beloved Cream Tart, and have taken pictures.  (Seeing as New Year's is tomorrow night, I probably will not be getting this out promptly what with festivities and "recuperation" after the late night festivities has befallen us, but you never know!!)  Well, what do you know?  Grace has beaten me to it and has alighted the steps to the second floor.  I suppose I should indeed follow.......

     And I'm back....in the future nonetheless, for 2019 has now been rung in!!  And now for the great unveiling of my 2019 Cream Tart.....drum roll ,please.  (Drummer- rolls his eyes, but complies.)

     This was a big hit at the party, and I was told that it tasted like gourmet food!  (How's that for a push to make you go and bake this yourself?)  The tart tasted very, very delicious.  The luscious white frosting softened the luscious layers of tart, and the whole thing was very elegant!  It was kind of rich to have a big piece, so cut yourself a dainty slice when you make this, (Yes, I have faith in you that you will indeed make this.  I mean how could you resist??).   

     So, there you have it!  So, what did you do for New Year's?  Do you have any New Year Resolutions?  I think I would say that I would like to make a point of reading more, both fiction and non-fiction.  Grace, what would you say?  Grace- I would say to slowly compile a draft of an original work, see more plays this year than last, and to read more.  

We both wish you all a very, very, very, Happy New Year!!  

Cheers, 

Katherine