Days of cake and ice cream
Monday, April 18, 2011 at 7:47AM 
I wanted to pop in to tell you about the weekend we've had. It started Thursday and it was a cracker. I think I've mentioned before that the month of April is a packed one here - in our closely extended family there are no less than seven birthdays in these 30 days. There's friends in there too, so there's cakes left, right and centre, it feels.
That's not a bad thing.
My day is still to come, though my mind isn't really on all that. I'm already feeling full and happy with festivity. There has been the winking spark of skinny candles, and the familial harmony of songs sung. There have been balloons and banners and streamers in ruffled swags.
There was cake topped with raspberries and pistachios, and a scant flurry of nonpareils. Beside a slice I nudged a scoop of ice cream for its company and thought of what a perfect pairing that is; the cool fresh against the dense crumb of a good sponge, the vanilla mixing in with the preserves of the filling in an early spring rendition of berries and cream. It tastes like celebration, and like too much of a good thing, which is to say I was tempted to have seconds.
Over this weekend there's been sun, rain, snow and everything in between. At one point yesterday I watched treetops as they bowed to a point I thought they'd surely break; their budded limbs rocking twistedly back and forth against a dull sky. An hour later I was caught in hail almost exactly the size of the candies that adorned my slice of cake the day before. As I ran inside I was as decorated as dessert, dusted all over with white. There was thunder as it snowed in the afternoon and the lamps flickered like the candles.
Then there were moments when we didn't need our coats; when the sun was out and bright, and you couldn't help but turn towards its warmth. Everything kept changing from moment to moment, just as the light did in these photos I've brought to show you. I was reminded me how magic it all can be - of the extraordinary bits to be found here and there; the awe of wind, the joy in blue skies, the pretty of snow and the peaceful company of rain.
I chose to believe that the blustering gusts will make those branches stronger. That all these showers will indeed bring May flowers, and they'll be beauties.
Only words for now. Here's to the hope you don't mind. I'll be back soon with the recipe for what we're proposing for my birthday - a coconut custard icebox cake. Benjamin and William will be helping, and there's plans to sneak some dark chocolate in between the layers if they don't eat it all first.
Until then friends, I wish you days of cake and ice cream.
Reader Comments (47)
Holy wow, Tara. Do you make those cakes for money? Because you should. Because they're beautiful. Love the frosting/decor. And happy birthday, in anticipation!!
Holy wow indeed! I love the decoration of raspberries and pistachios - so understated but really looks good!
HOLY YUM.
Beautiful cakes, beautiful words.
Those are absolutely stunning cakes -- just gorgeous! I bet they taste as good as they look! Thanks for sharing.
Both of those cakes are absolutely beautiful. I love how perfect the frosting is on the white cake. Also, cannot wait for coconut custard icebox cake, mmm!
Yesterday's weather was crazy!! When I woke up it was hailing like mad!
The raspberry topped cake is GORGEOUS!! that alone would lighten my mood even with the crappy weather.
Holy cow! What beautiful cakes!
awesome, tara. i like your month of april.
the cake(s) looks perfect.
Those cakes are wonderfully perfect and beautiful!!!! Hope you will post the recipes soon!
In our family, May is the birthday month, but I've never seen such beautiful cakes. Love the white cake and how perfect it looks. Amazing!! And I can't wait to hear about the coconut icebox cake even though I'm still not convinced that me and custard are friends (yet).
Amazing cakes. so simple and splendid.
Wonderful cakes! Your icing is breathtakingly perfect - I was just wondering if you would consider posting a tutorial on icing cakes at some point?
These cakes are stunning Tara!
Those both look divine. I actually look forward to birthday season, because it's the only time of year I can justify baking cakes. (Only two of us in our apartment, and I'm the only one with a weakness for cake!)
I'm also an April baby, the 17th to be exact. My cake was pretty outstanding as it involved layers of whipped cream and fruit, but the one at the top with the pistachios and raspberries looks pretty darn tasty, too. Happy Birthdays all around.
Oh my goodness that pistachio, raspberry cake is stunning! Seriously! I can't stop looking at it! So pretty. Love how smooth the frosting is, and the decorations on top are perfection. Love love love.
What a beautiful and simple cake. The deep red, pistachio green and pale cream colors all blend perfectly. I like the faint lighting in the photography. Have a wonderful time with all of your birthdays!
Scrumptious looking, Tara!
I really like the cake stand you used for the chocolate cake, may I ask where it's from?
Magical days you've had -- at least you make them sound that way -- and I smile over my coffee this morning as I read. The cakes are beauties and inspirational as I continue to mull over my niece's wedding cake. I need to practice :).
Your cakes are always so simple, beautiful, inspiring. I have very little aptitude in the baking department but your photos and descriptions always make me think maybe I should just take the leap of faith and try...
hiya kickpleat; the coconut one is actually a pastry cream not a trad custard, so lots more forgiving and easy to handle. here's hoping that works for you!
Thank you, Michelle!
Hello Anon, you're very kind. If you'd like, there are some great tutorials on icing cakes out there - my method is very simple, and classic, with little for me to add to their instructions! This series of videos from Epicurious is a great place to start. If you have any particular questions, I'd be happy to oblige!
Thanks Fareen!
Rachel, we should be neighbours and we can share cakes over coffee in the afternoons.
Thank you for the wishes, Molly, your cake sounds delicious. And happy birthday back to you!
Allison, you made me smile a lot with that one.
snippets of thyme, I'm glad you like the lighting, as there was little I could do to control it! I'll admit, I liked the shadows too.
Dahlia, of all places it was a find at our local grocery store and on clearance! No grand pedigree here, I'm sheepish to say, I was drawn to it's simplicity.
the days have been good ones, I'm lucky for it, kellypea. thank you for the kindness.
Julie, I heartily cheer "go for it!" There's nothing more to these cakes than a bit of practice, I assure you.
That first cake is perfection. The raspberries and pistachios are beautiful.
It is absolutely gorgeous.
Tara, everything you do is art.
Love these cakes.
Gorgeous. Simply Gorgeous! saw these in Flickr and admired them for a long time:)
Happy Bday to all!