6 Ladies and red velvet cake

Three weekends ago, my sister in-law (let's call  her Lady #1), asked me to make a red velvet cake for an 18th birthday.  She said the birthday girl loved budgies and that it would be great to have that represented on the cake.

I loved the pastel colours on this cake!

Cute yellow budgies, aren't they?

The celebrant's mum, Lady #2, brought leftover cake to a second gathering the next day.  Lady #3, who was at that gathering, got to taste the cake and she loved it.  She emailed me to order another red velvet cake for her husband's 50th birthday the following Sunday.

The cake top was rather simple but I think the red velvet cake crumbs brightened it up.

A few days later, I received another email, this time from Lady #4.  She asked if, by any chance, I made a red velvet cake for someone's birthday the past weekend.  I told her about the 50th birthday.  Apparently, Lady #3's sister in-law, Lady #5, is her workmate and  Lady #5 brought cake to work the Monday after the birthday and she got to eat some. Lady #4's daughter's 4th birthday was coming up and she thought of having red velvet cake (again) and cupcakes for the party (which was last Saturday).  

The 4th birthday party had a princess theme.

The birthday girl wore a Cinderella costume. 

Used the vine from the Wilton pattern press set to make the decorations for the side of the cake.

The matching cupcakes.

In an entirely separate incident, a 6th lady ordered a purple yam cake from me for Sunday (yesterday).  Funny thing, it turns out, Lady #5 and Lady #6 are best friends. When she told Lady #5 that she ordered a cake from somewhere and was picking it up, Lady #5 asked where.  When Lady #6 mentioned our suburb, Lady #5 said, "That's Corinne, isn't it?  You should have ordered red velvet!"

Confusing???  To tell you the truth, I don't even know most of these ladies. It's such a small world.  It just amazes me how word gets around. And  I'm just ecstatic to know how my humble cakes speak for themselves.

Red velvet seems to make the world go round, doesn't it?

Gifts

My dad and mother in-law share the same birthday.  Both of them are celebrating milestones this year, on the 27th of September - my dad is turning 85 while my mother in-law will be 70.

It's always difficult to think of what to give people who are at this stage in their lives.  Certainly, material things are the least of their needs.

I decided to make two special rosaries from kits I purchased from this online shop. What I know for sure are that both celebrants to-be, both prayerful persons, will appreciate these rosaries and be able to use them.  With carpal tunnel syndrome on both of my hands, I struggled quite a bit and had to stop every couple of beads.  Still, I managed to finish the two rosaries in a few hours. Not a bad job (though not all my loops were as rounded as I used to do them).

For my dad, I chose sapphire glass beads, pewter crucifix and center with blue stones.  I  had the back of the crucifix engraved with 'DAD' and the date of his birthday.

For my mother in-law, I used mother of pearl beads with matching gold pewter crucifix and center.

I gave my own mother a similar rosary a couple of years before she passed away in 2009.  When we laid her to rest, she held that rosary in her hand.  Although I know that the rosary is just buried under the ground and most likely all rusty by now, I still feel that my mother has brought it with her to heaven and she is always praying for me.

I wish I could fly back home to give the rosaries personally, especially to my father, but circumstances do not allow me to do so at this time.  My husband will though, as he has been planning his trip and reunion with his family for some time now.  I will be asking him to bring them for me.

So...that's about it for now.  For those who have been anticipating the release of my travel wallet pattern, I am embarrassed to admit that I have not quite done it yet.  Promise....I'll get to that soon.