Yesterday we celebrated her first birthday with some friends. Classic “covered in cake” pictures were taken of course – more of those later, but first a recap:

First we let the older kids decorate some brown wrapping paper on the table to make a homemade “tablecloth” – this idea was just genius and I plan to make it a family tradition!

We had spaghetti and homemade garlic bread for dinner with some delicious salad. My friend actually grows lettuce in her backyard and was thrilled to put some of her abundant lettuce to good use. I just got some great new dishes from Oneida’s Chefs Table collection which I’ll be reviewing soon – we got to put them to the test at the party and I was very impressed with them. But enough about dishes, let’s talk about babies who aren’t babies anymore!

She’s basically a toddler now and had a blast playing with all the big kids. MM and his friends were delighted with her birthday presents so she had to put up a little bit of a fight to play with them – this did not phase her one bit!

This was actually the same candle I used on MM’s 1st birthday cake. I love that I was able to use it again for BB. I suppose I really don’t need to keep it anymore, but I’ll confess I washed it and put it away again. Maybe I’ll buy a zero one day and add it to their 10th birthday cakes.

Dan the Man made my family’s semi-infamous seven minute frosting. It’s a family favorite but not for the weak of heart! This frosting requires a good bit of time spent mixing constantly over a double boiler (seven minutes approximately). This might not sound like all that big of a deal, but trust me, it’s a work out. Around five minutes in, Dan says his back was starting to hurt and he understood my family’s pain.

We’ve been making this frosting for as long as I can remember and I’m glad he was up to the task and made it for BB’s first cake experience. I know I just talked about the pain of making this frosting, but if you haven’t had it before, you really should give it a try. I’m pretty sure that all the calories you’ll burn making the frosting probably counteract the ones you’ll consume when you devour it. At least that’s what I tell myself when I’m licking the beaters (and the bowl, and the plate…). Dan, Dan the Culinary Man would compare it to the consistency of a meringue but still soft and spreadable obviously. BB would tell you it’s delicious and please can she have some more?

Seven Minute Frosting

recipe info

• makes 24 servings, 34 calories each

ingredients

• 2 egg whites
• 1.5 cups sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/3 cup cold water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

directions

1. In the top of a double boiler combine sugar, cold water, egg whites and cream of tartar. Beat with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds.
2. Place over boiling water (upper pan should not touch water). Cook, beating constantly with mixer on high speed about 7 minutes or till frosting forms stiff peaks.
3. Remove from heat; add vanilla. Beat for 2-3 minutes until it reaches spreading consistency.