Birthdays!

I never posted on Friday because I was madly cleaning my house in preparation for my in-law's arrival.  Saturday was my "baby's" 3rd birthday!  I can't believe she is three already!  She had both sets of grandparents here, as well as a great-grandma and an auntie, so it was good times.   All she cared about was the cake, but once it was time to eat it, she lost interest.  This is mostly due to her ongoing stomach problems, for which she has several upcoming doctor's appointments and tests.  Who wouldn't want to eat chocolate cake with pink icing?  Unfortunately, the cake was a bit of a flop, at least the middle was, which sunk down after baking and had a layer of uncooked goo running through it.  I've never had a problem with this recipe before, but it was the first time in this oven, so maybe I have to alter the recipe for the oven.

February is a big month for us, as it's my mom's birthday on the 7th, my dad's on the 15th and mine on the 26th.  My mom stopped by today and the girl's both sang her "Bonne Fete".  I think for my birthday I am taking the girls to a movie at the library.  Birthday's just aren't that fun to celebrate when you're over 30.

Mike's Favourite Chocolate Cake
I didn't used to like cake until I had this.  It is the best!

1 cup milk
1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
2 cups white sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1 cup cocoa + 2 Tbsp.
pinch of salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2/3 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 325°.  Beat together butter, sugar and eggs.  Add vanilla.  Stir in cocoa , then beat in.  Alternate folding in the flour and milk.  Put soda into boiling water in a separate container and stir until dissolved, then add to batter.  Combine and pour into greased 9 x 13 pan.  Bake for a minimum of 30 minutes up to 45 minutes depending on your oven.  Use a toothpick or cake checker to pierce the centre and determine doneness.  Cool before icing.  To make icing use softened butter, icing sugar, whipping cream and vanilla.  Beat together.  Sorry, I don't have exact measurements for this part!  Bon Appetit!