Stretched-out birthday

[nlbarber]

I had a very nice birthday on the day (Wednesday)--worked a somewhat shortened day, which would have been shorter had not the computer calendar popped up to remind me of the 3-5 conference call. But the call only lasted 45 minutes instead of 2 hours, and I left when it was over. Went home and joined up with my sister-in-law and the younger 2 kids for an excursion to the zoo, a members-only reception and viewing of the new meerkats and warthogs. Then we headed home by way of Whole Foods, where we picked up a mini chocolate cream pie (my choice) and mini fruit tarts (kids'), and shared those.

Sister-in-law and I, with the 2 younger kids, are about to head to the north Georgia mountains this morning. We're going to wander around "alpine Helen", maybe walk the trail at Anna Ruby Falls, then will go to a dinner theatre tonight for a production of Annie Get Your Gun. (SIL made this her birthday present to me, which she admits is a little down from last year's of a ticket to Avenue Q on Broadway... <g>) Tomorrow morning we'll pick up eldest child at camp, then head home.

Then tomorrow afternoon I'll bake my birthday cake. (I like baking my own cake!) I'm planning a Chocolate Cloud Cake from Richard Sax's Classic Home Desserts. It's a flourless chocolate cake designed to sink in the middle as it cools, leaving a depression to be filled with whipped cream. I was thinking of something more elaborate, like an orange bavarian/ganache/ladyfinger combination in Beranbaum's The Cake Bible, but with limited time to bake the Cloud Cake looks like a better choice. Tomorrow evening will be the official "birthday cake" event, and that should end the year's celebrations.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

Comments

[toraks.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday! (very late...I'm behind!)

[nlbarber]

Thanks!

I can't say anything about lateness, as I go through month-long periods of just not managing to read LJ at all...

[filkferengi]

Sounds like lots of fun! My bridesmaid & I made a daytrip to Anna Ruby Falls last month, when it was relatively cool. It was gorgeous up there. Did you find the bookstore? It was right on the main road. It was 4 or 5 rooms, with a large kids' section. My poor bridesmaid was in shock when I only bought one book. ;)

[nlbarber]

We missed the bookstore. Spent a lot of time in the glassblower's shop, one of the candy shops, and the toy store. We gave the falls a miss as we didn't get off very early--it would have been pretty rushed to have hiked the trail.

[filkferengi]

Did it give you an urge to reread _Shatterglass_? ;)

I'm glad y'all had fun, & you can look for the bookstore next time. It's just before you get to Helen.