Cakes gone wild, Oliver's invites

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Boy does it smell good in here! 2 chocolate cakes have cooled and are packed away, waiting to be iced tomorrow. Two cardamom-pistachio cakes just emerged from the oven, fragrant as can be and cooling now. The leek confit is rewarming, and the tart shell into which it will go is absolutely gorgeous. A successful cooking day so far. During the times of cooking and cooling, I've been working on Oliver's birthday party invitations. He is 100% committed to a Bob the Builder birthday, and these are my first step. Each one is taking forever, making me quite grateful that it will be a small party, but they are absolutely precious. Don't worry, he will get another hand, and the tool stickers for the tool belt should arrive soon.

Cold as get out but a market haul nonetheless

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Just when I thought I couldn't take it any more, the children went to Camp Grandparents yesterday for the afternoon and a sleep-over. What a reprieve! Have I ever mentioned how grateful I am for nearby gramps who truly enjoy the kids and really want to spend time with them? It is SUCH a gift. I slept until 8am and woke up smiling, still high (not literally) from our fantastic evening with friends. Everything was so darn good. I couldn't believe how perfect Foodie Friend's tam-like pot pie tops were. Beautiful. Lobster stew. Aah. And I sure wish I'd gotten a photo of the Huguenot torte but basically it looked like a sinkhole. Not the prettiest dessert, but God, it was good. I will definitely post that recipe. It is easy as get out and really wonderful. Despite the in-the-20s weather today, T and I went to the farmers market as I'd missed it the past few weeks and felt real withdrawal. The greens were all stunning so I got a wide array of them, plus these tiny Brussels sprouts, leeks, baby beets and white sweet potatoes. Much to make and enjoy from all this.

Off to get cracking on two cakes due for a catering order tomorrow: chocolate with whipped-cream mascarpone frosting, and a pistachio-cardamom with rosewater buttercream. Mmm...