Belated Birthday

Two weekends ago, on a rainy afternoon, we celebrated my nephew's 2nd birthday. I can't believe he is two already. Seems like just yesterday I said "Hi" for the first time at the hospital. Sigh, I miss the time when he was just a few months old and he had no choice but to lie quietly next to me. Now he lies next to me when he wants to hear the story about "rocketship go moon" for the hundreth time. Anyway, the boy had a grand old time being the centre of attention. Aunties fawned over him, friends snapped pics like papparazzi, it was a lovely and relaxing day. Sis baked a poppyseed buttercake with a tea party theme. She modelled a rather obese version of my nephew's favourite animated character, Gromit. I guess it was appropriate as Gromit looked like he ate too much of everything that was on the table. The cake was deliciously soft, moist and buttery. I'm so glad there was leftovers so I could polish it off over the next few days.

There was macaroni with cheese and cookie cutout quiches for the kids. The big kids had assorted canapes, mini beef burgers with swiss cheese and mushrooms, mini crab burgers with wasabi mayonaise and roe, oyster shooters and more. I think I had three crab burgers and one beef burger. They were just so darn good! I would've had more but I figured I really ought to be good host and let the guests eat too. Mum also ordered some agar-agar from a friend who uses natural ingredients to colour the jelly. Red from beetroot and blue from the clitoria flower. I particularly love the picture of the teddy bear agar-agar in pale blue. There is something about it that I find irrisistably adorable. Sis also made some fudgey cupcakes from Nigella's recipes. It was far too sweet so she made a bitter chocolate ganache laced with brandy to balance the sweetness. The result was a R-rated cupcake that was rich, dark and sinfully luscious. Even I had trouble finishing one cupcake which says a lot really. Happy birthday lambchops!