Sunday, July 13, 2025

Strawberry shaped cake




Strawberries have been used as symbols of love, purity, and even the Virgin Mary, as well as a symbol for romantic gestures. This “strawberry” shaped cake does not allude to any of this.  Strawberry is a beautiful, delicious and nutritious fruit.  I just wanted to make a cake that looks like this luscious fruit.   It was an almond cake with almond cannoli filling.

Today I focus on hope; to invent it, to insist on it. Hope and aspiration for an end to conflict and violence. While we wait for what happens next in this world let’s hope for peace and justice. Perhaps hope comes with faith in the inherent balance of the universe and/or faith in the Almighty. May tomorrow’s sun bring a dawn of peace on this blue marble, Amen.




 








 


Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Shoebox cake

 




Shoes are essential footwear to cushion and protect feet, however, in this day and age they have evolved into a much complex psycho social phenomenon. Shoes can boost confidence, make an impression of personality and status,  protect feet, and even deliver the little extra support we might need to win a race.  Shoes seriously influence fashion and individual expression and also our outlook.  Beautiful heels can change the whole appearance, alas! with age I can no longer wear heels, so I must content with flats for comfort.

This cake is in the form of a designer shoebox. The cake was a pistachio cake with ricotta icing. The sides of the box and shoes were made of white chocolate.  Yum!




A woman with good shoes is never ugly.” - Coco Chanel




Sunday, February 23, 2025

Rubab Cake

 


The rubab, a stringed instrument,  is the national musical instrument of Afghanistan. It has a deep sound that is very soothing. My brother has one and he loves to play it. I made this cake for his 70th birthday.  We love to celebrate birthdays although getting older is no achievement. Ageing gracefully and joyfully are the most popular, but  I believe ageing thankfully is the key. There is so much to be thankful for. Today I am thankful for my brother who turned 70 with a smile.