40 & 65!! Shhh! It's a surprise!

Last summer, my mom, sister-in-law and I began discussing this wonderful event that was my brother and dad's surprise birthday party. My dad is turning 65 and my brother is turning the big 4-0 in February. What a great opportunity to throw a party to celebrate these wonderful milestones!

I was asked well in advance (thanks Mom) to make the cake for the event. And at the time, I thought it would be just one cake. Perhaps a 3-tiered cake with half of it decorated to suit my brother and the other half decorated to suit my dad. The more I thought about it, the more difficult that idea became. I wanted a cake that would reflect both, but bringing them together on one cake would just look a little too strange for my taste. Instead, I proposed two different cakes. One for my brother, one for my dad. I'd have the opportunity to personalize each one, but also design them so that they "went together" and coordinated nicely. Here's the result:

The baby photos of my dad and brother were actually scanned in at Piggly Wiggly onto edible paper and then cut to fit each cake. (I have to admit, once the cakes were done and in the 'fridge, I giggled every time I opened the door. Seeing their faces look back at me was just too funny...and a little strange!)

My brother's cake was personalized for him. He's a huge Star Wars fan, is a creative genius with graphic design, loves music and bike riding and kayaking, and enjoys books.

My dad has worked in IT for the majority of his life, is a VERY hand guy around the house, served in the Air Force, and enjoys birds, bike riding and books (and probably aliteration).

Neither cake even cake close to expressing who either of them really is (even in a nutshell), but space was limited. I tried to hit the "highlights".

Here's what the cakes looked like at their final destination:

The top tiers of both of the cakes was lemon with lemon buttercream. The bottom of "James'" cake was chocolate with vanilla buttercream. The bottom of "Jim's" cake was a yellow vertical cake with chocolate mousse filling.

After truly being surprised and welcoming their almost 50 guests, here's my dad and brother posing with their cakes. What good sports they were!

I wish you a very happy birthday Jimmy and Dad, and much love!

Lordy, Lordy...

About a month ago, my brother asked me to make my sister-in-law's (his wife's) 40th birthday cake. Just the mere mention of the cake brought loads of fantastic, beautiful, classy ideas to mind because I do know her so well. All of these ideas were to be deflated by his; to make a tombstone cake, all gray and gross, that said, "Here lies Teresa's good years. May they rest in peace." Was he joking? Doesn't matter. He's my brother and I always do what I want, not what he tells me to. (Sidenote: To all of my other clients, I will always do whatever YOU want. Just to be clear.)

I know that Teresa absolutely loves chocolate and her mom made this really great peanut butter frosting that brings her right back to childhood the moment the flavor hits her mouth. THAT was my inspiration. And luckily, I had asked her for the peanut butter frosting recipe a while back, so I already had THE recipe.

I started her cake by making 40 small flowers out of fondant. Although Teresa seemed very "zen" about her birthday, I wanted her cake to be subtle yet whimsicial.

Teresa knew that it was a chocolate cake by the outside view, but I was pleased that she was so surprised by the peanut butter filling. I hope she enjoyed it!

Served with vanilla bean ice cream to, as Teresa would say, "cut down the sweetness", this was a real "keeper". Happy birthday to you, Teresa, my dear sister-in-law!