I celebrated my 27th birthday yesterday. I’m always excited about getting older but no number has felt quite as big as 27. I understand it is pretty obvious observation to make but this one feels like a real almost-adult age. I moved into a new apartment recently to live by myself for the first time and it’s a big girl apartment. I think a combination of a new apartment and the difficulty I face finishing a bottle of wine in one night make me feel older than I ever have. Can’t wait for my thirties when the wine is still hard to finish but the savings account is hopefully a little better.
I have had a lot of great birthday parties. When I turned 21, I had a big sleepover and since it was only a few months before I was supposed to leave for the US, my friends were kind enough to give me goodbye presents as well. I wept for at least an hour. Fun for everyone! Last weekend, some friends and I went to Tacombi, this Mexican place by where I live. They had great tacos and margaritas. After dinner, my friends came over and I got to show off the new place and try out a new winter margarita recipe – tequila, orange juice, simple syrup with jalapenos and ginger. The theme for this next year is SPICY like my beverage that night and the cake I decided to bake.
Ever since I fully embraced cooking and baking, I’ve started baking my own fun cakes for myself and that ends up being a big part of my day. Last year, I made a vanilla chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and candied walnuts. I remember the cake being a little dense but the frosting walnut situation was delightful so Hakuna Matata. We also watched all 3 Lion King movies.
This year, I spent all day making a spicy ginger chocolate cake with chocolate peanut butter frosting and a New York City snowscape on top. The recipe was a variation of something by the ever reliable Half Baked Harvest. For the first time ever, I actually mixed my dry ingredients in a separate bowl like recipes always demand. If this isn’t growing up, I don’t know what is. I did not sift the flour though. That sort of rule following is for my forties.
The rest of the day included dancing around the apartment listening to Where’s the Party Tonight, FaceTime-ing to my best friend, watching Hum Tum, eating pizza with my old (but still forever) roommate and drinking champagne and gin (together). With another year coming to a close while we’re all in what is potentially a big social / biological experiment, I’m happy and content. There was a lot of movement and change and activity this year. All good things, but just a lot. We’re going for less is more next year.
Stay tuned for how that turns out.
Vish Eats Delish 