Thursday, October 25, 2012

baby shower cake

This is one of the most fun cakes I have ever made; and so cute. The baby is made of fondant, and no we did not eat it. The carriage was a carrot cake with lots of nuts. 

Baby showers and other social events to celebrate the impending or recent birth are popular around the world. They are commonly "women-only" social gatherings. Traditionally, baby showers were given only for the family's first child, and only women were invited. The original intent was for women to share wisdom and lessons on the art of becoming a mother. Traditions for baby showers vary worldwide.
  • In Brazil, a party called "chá de bebê" (baby tea) is offered after birth and is often a "women-only" event.
  • In Chinese tradition, a baby shower, called manyue () is held one month after the baby is born. Due to the lack of advanced medical technology in ancient times, the high infant mortality rate prompted families and friends to celebrate if a baby survived more than one month after birth.
  • In Costa Rica, a baby shower party is called té de canastilla ("basket tea").
  • In northern India it is known as godbharaai in western India, especially Maharashtra, this celebration is known as dohaaljewan, and in West Bengal and Orissa it is called saadh. There is music played, and the expecting mother is decked in traditional attire with lots of flowers and garlands. It is a very affectionate and fun-filled event for most of the expecting mothers since they are on the threshold of motherhood and entering a new life.
  • In Islam adherents are required to perform aqiqah of newly born child. This involves sacrifice of sacrificial animals. The meat is then divided in three equal parts; one for the poor and needy, one for relatives and friends which can involve inviting them at home for a feast, and finally the last part is utilized by the household itself.
  • In South Africa, a baby shower is called a stork party, and takes place typically when the mother is about 6 months pregnant. Stork parties are usually not attended by men.
  • In the United Kingdom, this is called wetting the baby's head, and is a more common substitute to a baby shower. Wetting the baby's head is traditionally when the father celebrates the birth by having a few drinks with a group of friends.
  • In Nepal baby shower is called Pasni. In is often done to the boys in 6 month of their birth and it is done to the girls in 5 months of their birth. People give money and other gifts during the baby shower.


Thanx Wikipedia for the interesting info.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Eye Hospital Fundraiser

This was for a fundraiser for an eye hospital, held in New York City. LRBT stands for Layton Rehmatullah Benevolent Trust which funds for several free hospitals in Pakistan.  The trust was founded in 1984 by two successful businessmen: the Late Graham Layton, an Englishman who become a Pakistani citizen and by the Late Zaka Rahmatulla. Upon his death, Graham Layton left his estate for the benefit of LRBT. The Spirit of LRBT was:
All treatment is totally free so that no man, woman or child becomes blind just because he/she cannot afford the treatment.- Treatment is appropriate, state-of-the-art. Charity should not mean second-rate treatment.- There is no discrimination due to gender, caste, ethnicity, language, religion or sect.- Patients are treated with compassion and dignity.


Today there is a nationwide network of 17 purpose-built hospitals, with state of the art equipment and 39 Community Eye-Health Centres/outreach clinics in all the 4 provinces of Pakistan. 

The cake was a chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling. I wanted to make something representative of the event in NYC with a pretty reference to the eye--- Eye of Horus in this case.