With the cake safely completed and tucked in the refrigerator, I could finally breath a sigh of relief and go outside to where everyone was already settled, enjoying the perfect weather under the sun, to say a proper hello. My aunt and uncle had come in from Calgary for the big event and the previous day, had taken my grandma for lunch with her other kids to Inferno's Bistro. My grandparents arrived and I gave my grandma a huge hug and kiss. Holding her tight while I rubbed her back, wishing her all the best and a wonderful birthday. My uncle's deck had bench seating all around the perimeter, so we took a load off and watched the dogs enjoy a romp around the huge backyard together. C and I had brought babcia a lovely card that was carefully picked out for its perfect wording, and then I wrote something personal for her. As she was reading the card, she started tearing up, and so I put my arm around her until she was done. She was quiet and hugged me and told me how much it meant to her to read those words and to have all of her family around her. She told me that she's never had such a fuss made over her before and she was so happy for it all. Seeing my grandmother that touched made the day feel even more special and memorable.
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| Mrs B, Murphy and Bailey, playing |
After enjoying some appetizers of fresh cut up veggies and snack mix, everyone was relaxing in the sun, waiting for the last couple to arrive. Finally, it was time to put on dinner! My uncle whose house we were at put some chicken and smokies onto the hot BBQ and while those were busy searing and getting juicy and smokey, the ladies of the family unwrapped the salads and put out the rest of the meal onto the kitchen island, buffet style. I helped myself to some pickled beets, homemade salads (potato, broccoli, and a pasta salad), a bun, half a smokie, and some fresh from the BBQ chicken breast. Everything tasted so delicious and it was a very happy feeling to be eating outside on a beautiful day with my mom's side of the family. The chatting stopped for about 5 minutes while everyone tucked into their meals, savouring each dish and quieting their grumbling tummies with the food. Conversation resumed and I think everyone went back for seconds of something!
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| babcia's 80th birthday BBQ dinner |
After such a great meal, you would think that there would be no room for dessert, but my grandma is not one to give up the most important part of the meal. We cleaned up the dishes and wrapped the leftovers from the fridge and everyone moved inside to congregate around the kitchen. I almost think that guests wanting to spend time in the kitchen comes from our ancestors who would have met around the central hearth of the home. After our stomachs had all settled, everyone was growing anxious to dig into dessert. I had taken the cake and ice cream out of the fridge in anticipation of this so that the ice cream could soften up a bit before serving and the cake could reach room temperature to really show off its flavours. After some dismissive hand waves to not make any fuss, I lit candles and a sparkler and we all sang "Happy Birthday" to babcia. Though she got a bit teary by having the spotlight on her, once I started to cut and serve the cake, she found a seat at the kitchen table with her husband, my hubby, my brother and his girlfriend and looked ready to dig into her special birthday cake.
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| The Perfect Party Cake, living up to its name |
As promised in Dorie's baking book, the cake really stood up to being cut into slices and served. The layers didn't waver and the filling held together. The cake was indeed sturdy, but once a fork pierced the crumb, it was obvious that the cake was indeed moist and delicate. The flavours of the filling, cake and frosting, when I tasted them on their own while assembling the dessert, were nothing special. Now, after tasting a forkful of each layer together, could really see how well they each complimented each other. This was a true case of the sum being greater than its parts.
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| The cake: after |
After making sure that everyone had a slice, this was all that was left of the cake. Twelve servings later, plus one large piece set aside for a friends birthday later that night, and there was still at least 3-4 servings left. This cake definitely could handle a hungry crowd. Homemade ice cream was scooped onto the side for everyone that wanted, and everyone was a taker. The chocolate malted ice cream with marshmallow cream swirls and chocolate covered caramel and malt balls was one of the best ice creams I had ever tasted. I could have definitely eaten more of everything just because of how great the flavour was.
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| The Perfect Party Cake and Chocolate Malt Ice Cream |
While savouring each bite of sweet bliss, I listened to the mmm's and ahhh's of my family truly enjoying their desserts and I could feel a warm pride spread over my heart. The way to the heart is great food, made with love: of this, I have no doubt. While plates were being scrapped clean of the last morsels and drips, we all sat back, content, full, and happy. My grandfather, who as a child, I often thought of as a very stern and serious man (but who has softened in attitude over the past 5 years) stood up and with tears in his eyes, thanked everyone for making this birthday so special for his wife. He was choked up with gratitude that babcia's birthday had been such a memorable event, full of family and love. This is a memory of my grandfather that I will never forget. Many more hugs were shared. More laughs were enjoyed. Family group pictures were taken outside in the yard and finally, each couple started saying their goodbyes and trickling out of the house. I gave both my grandparents the biggest hugs and kisses and told them how much I loved them and was so glad that they had a wonderful and memorable party. My grandma loved the cake and her card, which was all that I had hoped for out of those recipes. While the cake was special to her, I doubt that I will ever make it again. It was very labour intensive, although it was a labour of love. One that will remain for babcia. So, The Perfect Party Cake has likely now been retired as an all-star, and will now be know as Babcia's 80th Birthday Cake.
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| The last bits of cake being enjoyed |
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