Someone was in the kitchen this week mixing up a cake. Not just any cake. A birthday cake. I wasn't supposed to be in here, peeking. . . let alone snapping pictures, but I couldn't resist. After all, the blog must be fed, and besides I could smell the chocolate all the way down the hall. But then, I had to endure an entire day of waiting until it was finally time to taste it. I'm telling you, Grace's real-life cakes are as amazing has her miniature ones. She went through all of my recipes and settled on this Cocoa Cake. It's a simple recipe that never fails. But somehow it always taste better when she makes it.
Especially iced with Espresso Frosting:
Dissolve coffee crystals in warmed cream and set aside. In mixing bowl combine; powdered sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Stir in the coffee-cream mixture and vanilla; beat until smooth. At this point, adjust consistency if necessary (add more powdered sugar if too thin or cream if too thick), then add the butter and whip until it reaches a fluffy spreading consistency. Makes about 2 cups frosting. Try not to eat it all before you get the cake iced. It's REALLY good on brownies too I found out. 
I must be getting old. Birthdays make me so nostalgic lately. If you grew up in the Los Angeles area you may remember Sheriff John's Lunch Brigade and the Cartoon Time show that debuted in 1952. This was one of the TV highlights of my youth. My favorite part of the program was when he did the birthday announcements and dedicated birthday wishes to kids born on that day. To celebrate he sang the Birthday Cake Polka:
"Put another candle on my birthday cake, were gonna bake a birthday cake. Put another candle on my birthday cake. I'm another year old today."
There was this huge birthday cake on a carousel, decorated with thick frosting, candy, and lollipops with "Happy Birthday Brigadiers" on the side, and it rotated while he sang. But the craziest thing of all was, he'd mention the location of where the birthday girl or boy should go look to find their presents. Like he'd say, "Happy Birthday to you Suzy, I think you'll find a nice surprise waiting for you under your bed." Wow, did that impress me. I actually thought (being a gullible kid) that he was looking right through the TV screen at us. Unbeknowns to me, this information had been provided by parents weeks beforehand and was written on cue cards. But still it was that personal touch that made a deep and obviously lasting impression on me. If you too just happen to be feeling nostalgic for old-timey shows, check out these on TV PARTY and TV ACRES for some great campy ones.
Happy Birthday! I hope your wish comes true!
Posted by: Pam | September 21, 2006 at 10:31 PM
Happy Birthday! The cake looks wonderful! What a talented daughter you have - little cakes and big cakes too! I hope your niece is doing well and that the new meds work wonders. Sending good wishes your way!
Posted by: Jackie | September 21, 2006 at 10:53 PM
Happy Birthday from another gal who grew up watching Sheriff John. :)
Posted by: Lynn S. | September 21, 2006 at 10:55 PM
Happy Birthday Dear Vicki. I hope your wish comes true too and I will add a star for Jinny to those I wish upon tonight.
Posted by: Mrs.Staggs | September 21, 2006 at 11:26 PM
Happy Birthday and many miracles!
Posted by: Kristy | September 22, 2006 at 02:59 AM
Happy Day to you..and may all your wishes come true.
xo
Posted by: Dawn | September 22, 2006 at 04:21 AM
Happy birthday to you! That cake is making my mouth water. I will keep your niece in my prayers. My husband and I both have friends with CF. My friend died in his 20s, but my husband's friend is almost 40 and doing great.
Posted by: heidi | September 22, 2006 at 04:33 AM
Happy birthday Vicki
I hope it is full of lots of love snd chocolate. Clarice
Posted by: clarice | September 22, 2006 at 04:44 AM
Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You!!!
I have a package for you, but would you send me your snail addy- I lost my address book in the move. (I'll find it ten years from now I'm sure, in some place odd.)
Jenny is in my family's and church's prayers.
XO
Posted by: lk | September 22, 2006 at 05:39 AM
happy birthday!! Grace's handiwork always impresses, but I'm PARTICULARLY impressed on this one, having just survived my own birthday cake making adventure. The request? A strawberry cake. (Obviously, one of those childhood-nostalgia thangs going on.) I broke down and did it ALL - every BIT of it - by box and can and can NOT BEGIN to tell you how nearly inedible it was. Mysteriously, and presumably BECAUSE it recreated something from childhood, the birthday boy LOVED it. ICCCCCKKK. I'm hiring Grace next time. :)
Posted by: Cris | September 22, 2006 at 06:18 AM
Happy Birthday, dear one! Good thoughts for your niece are on the way...
Posted by: Alicia A. | September 22, 2006 at 06:20 AM
Where I come from it was "Buck Barry and the Buck-a-roo Rodeo Show". Yes, I was a loyal 'buck-a-roo'!
Happy Birthday, and may your birthday wish come true! It must be especially difficult for her to be a nurse at a time like this. CF is a cruel cruel disease. And well she knows it.
I picture my future including a scene where I awake in Heaven to a rousing chorus of "SURPRISE! You're Dead!" and wondering exactly how that happened without my even realizing something was wrong with me.
Posted by: judy | September 22, 2006 at 07:25 AM
Happy Birthday, hugs and prayers! Hope all your dreams and wishes come true.
Now, if they only had cute stuff like that on tv for kids nowadays!
Posted by: madmommy | September 22, 2006 at 08:57 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Sending you lots of Love, Fun, Health, and Happiness this year!!
Very Happy to hear Jenny is having a better day!! We will continue to send great thoughts and energy her way! She is in our prayers!
As for "AMAZING GRACE" my goodness!!! Why can't we live next door??? What an incredible gal!! I am so honored to own some of her amazing work!! I truly hope to keep in touch ....I MUST know what she will end up doing as a "grown up" ..lol...she is bound to DAZZLE!!! what a talented sweetheart!
Have a great day!!! lots of love, xoxo Jenny!!
Posted by: Jenny Holiday | September 22, 2006 at 09:49 AM
Happy Birthday Vicki! Oh man, I wish I knew it was so close when we got together, shoot.
Yes, a miracle for Jen would be the best present EVER.
Posted by: Toni | September 22, 2006 at 10:49 AM
happy brithday a little bit late -- i hope it was wonderful! any cake left? ;)
Posted by: laurie | September 22, 2006 at 02:56 PM
Happy, happy birthday to you! I'd sing but you really don't want to hear that!! What good news about Jenny. I will keep her in my prayers.
I watched "Romper Room" when I was little. The hostess would look through her magic magnifying glass and say something like "I see Rob, and Kate, and I see you Julie". I remember holding my breath, just waiting to hear if she could see me today. Oh, what funny memories!
Posted by: Paula | September 22, 2006 at 02:58 PM
Happy Birthday and I hope your birthday wish comes true, your niece sounds a like a wonderful person with tremendous courage. I hope she realises how much good ripples out into the world just from her positive attitude to all that she has to contend with.
Posted by: Rowan | September 23, 2006 at 12:22 AM
Happy Birthday Vicki. :)
Posted by: Linda | September 23, 2006 at 05:13 AM
Love the cake!
Posted by: rachel | September 23, 2006 at 07:37 AM
Hi Vicki, hope you've had the happiest of birthdays!!
Posted by: Pam Kellogg | September 23, 2006 at 11:44 AM
First, Happy Birthday to you! The cake sure does look yummy. And I hope you have a wonderful weekend too. And I didn't know about your niece till now as I've been so busy that I haven't been able to visit everyones blog like I wish I could, but I'm so glad to hear she is doing better and I hope that it's all good news from here on out for her.
Posted by: Gina | September 23, 2006 at 01:23 PM
your blog is so pleasant + comforting.
happy birthday!
Posted by: mod*mom | September 23, 2006 at 05:01 PM
Peeking out of lurkdom to say... happy birthday!!! Best wishes and all that! And saying a prayer for your niece and your whole family. Hugs.
Posted by: *jenny | September 23, 2006 at 08:11 PM
sending birthday hugs and wishes for many more miracles!
Posted by: mrspilkington | September 23, 2006 at 08:14 PM
happy birthday to you!
hope you have a fantastic one
(with a cake like that,
who wouldn't????)
:)
Posted by: gkgirl | September 24, 2006 at 09:14 AM
Hi, I have been looking through your lovely blog, it is just amazing, I love vintage stuff, as you can see at my blog too. Thank you for a lot of inspiration! I will put you among my favorite links! :)
Posted by: Hulda | September 24, 2006 at 03:24 PM
Happy Birthday girly! Your daughter is so amazing to do that for you! Family= LOVE!
~cheers~
Ang
Posted by: Angie | September 24, 2006 at 09:13 PM
Happy Birthday wishes for a wonderful year for you and prayers for your niece's total recovery!
Posted by: Von | September 25, 2006 at 09:41 AM
Happy Birthday !!!!
Praying for that miracle as requested - love Julia x
Posted by: weirdbunny | September 25, 2006 at 04:07 PM
Hope you have a fantastic Birthday!!!!
Cheers!
~Catrina
Posted by: Catrina | September 25, 2006 at 05:00 PM
Uh-oh, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late - for a very important date!
I hope you had a wonderful birthday - Grace's cake sounds delicious (what a sweetie she is, baking for her mom).
Continuing to send prayers, good thoughts and well-wishes to your niece.
oh - and yes! I watched Sheriff John nearly everyday growing up. Thanks for bringing back some fond memories! Now I'm going to check out those links (what a sweetheart you are - giving out such presents when it's YOUR birthday!)
xox
Posted by: tinker | September 26, 2006 at 12:39 AM
I'm anxious to try the espresso icing.
Happy Birthday to you--what a wonderful gift you got from your family!
Posted by: Tabitha | September 27, 2006 at 02:03 PM