butterfly cakes

Throughout childhood, my birthdays were celebrated at home with my family. I never had a birthday party with friends from school or neighbourhood children, though I attended many. I'm not exactly sure why, but I don't remember feeling at all deprived. I was quite content with a homemade cake with candles, presents, and a dinner menu of my choice. I did miss having loot bags, but I received plenty at other children's parties.


Not having children of my own, I'd be curious to hear how kids' birthdays are celebrated nowadays. I know that some in Toronto become elaborate affairs, with parents spending as much as a thousand dollars or more on catered events with hired entertainers. I've helped out with a few of Sara's and Annie's birthday parties, which usually consist of a craft session at the dining room table (masterfully orchestrated by my sister), outdoor games where everyone gets a prize each time, and then pizza and cake.


I'd especially be interested in hearing about special foods that you tend to have at your children's birthday parties. Yesterday, Helen taught me how to make butterfly cakes, which is apparently a common treat at children's birthday parties in England. From what I can tell, a butterfly cake is basically a muffin-sized white cake with the top sliced off and cut in half. A dollop of buttercream icing is dropped on as filling, and then the two cut halves of the top are arranged to resemble butterfly wings half-raised.









Absolutely no nutritional value, I'm sure, but very yummy.


Hot and humid at the cottage; we're spending a lot of time in the lake. We paddled canoes to Adaskin's Bay yesterday afternoon. No moose, but we did see ducks, a blue heron, two adult loons with a youngster, and a beaver. It was Alec's first time in a canoe.




Today's Blatherpic:


- Helen's Action Man feeds a chipmunk.


- Butterfly cakes for Helen's birthday.

Feel free to suggest a daily poll question.


Today's Poll:

Do you tend to see your birthday as more a positive or negative event? Choose 'Yes' for positive, 'No' for negative.