OOPS!!! Sorry I didn't know that about Jan. 1 being "everybody's" birthday, if a specific date isn't given. Oh well, Happy Birthday, whenever it is. :>) Mwoods, your statement about each year bringing "joy, laughter, and some tears" is so true. None of us ever knows what's ahead for us. But, as my DH says, "It's been a trip, but I wouldn't change any of it!"

I brought panforte - first time I made it and I over-baked it a little, but it got gobbled up anyway, and these old favourites: Spice cake 850 g (30 oz) flour 850 g (30 oz) dark brown sugar (this can safely be reduced to 700 g (25 oz)) 2 1/2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp cinnamon, ground 1 tbs ginger, ground 1 tbs cloves, ground 1 tbs nutmeg, ground 660 ml (22 fl.oz) sweet brown ale (Egils Malt if you can get it) Mix all the dry ingredients well together and then mix in the ale. Pour into an oven pan or 2 loaf pans and bake at 175°C (350°F) for about an hour. Very good with or without butter. -- Devil's Cake with Angel Créme Icing Ingredients: 1 3/4 cup flour 1 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp salt 2/3 cup milk 1 tsp baking soda 2 eggs or 1 egg and egg 2 yolks (if you're making Angel's créme icing) 1/2 cup dark cocoa 100 g margarine/butter (soft) 1 tsp vanilla essence Mix together the dry ingredients. Add milk and mix well. Add eggs, soft margarine/butter and vanilla essence and mix well. Pour into two cake pans and bake at 175° Celsius until firm (usually 25-30 minutes). Remove gently from pans and cool. When cold, spread one half with icing, sandwich the halves together and spread with Angel Créme Icing. To this basic recipe I added about a cup of chocolate chips. The chocolate gives the cake an extra rich chocolate flavour and moistness. Englakrem - Angel's Créme Icing: 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup water 2 egg whites Boil water and sugar together until a clear syrup forms. Cool slightly. Be careful not to burn. Whip the egg whites until they are stiff and form peaks. Continue whipping and pour the warm syrup very slowly into the egg whites. Continue whipping until mixture is cold. This créme should be quite stiff. Spread on the cake and decorate with chocolate shavings.

Anele...with all you have going on I am so pleased you found this thread and sent your wishes. Thank you ! DH is a special guy. If it weren't for him I know I wouldn't be meditating and that has led to so much more as far as my piece of mind....which he then benefits from. A win/win situation for sure. I am so glad to hear from you and look forward to news of the new little girl when she arrives. c

I hope each of you has a truly happy day. H a p p y B i r t h d a y ! Shirley