Its my birthday today. It is the big five zero for me. I have had a great life, lots of ups  and downs. The downs were for a good reason, thow I did not think so at the time but  it was for me to be were I am now. Life is full of surprises and I am ready to comfront new ones.

 

  

I received a lot of emails from back home, South Africa, it is wonderful to know that my friends have not forgotten me after six years. I want to share a beautiful poem Beulah send me.

Happy Birthday

Hope lovely surprises are coming your way

To make your Birthday a wonderful day

Smiles and laughter, joy and cheer

New happiness that stays throughout the year

Hope your birthday brings all these and more

Filling life with surprise and joys galore!

So on this very special day

I would like to say to you

I hope you'll always find happiness

In whatever you may do.

Another candle on your cake

Well there's no need to pout

Be glad that you have strength enough

To blow them all out!

Wishing you your happiest birthday yet

A birthday too special To ever forget.

So many wishes

So many smiles

Too many memories

Too few words With one big Birthday

Happy Birtday!

It's your birthday and I can't be there

But I'll send you a special birthday wish and a little prayer

Have a happy birthday

I hope that all of your birthday wishes come true

May you have a great time today and find happiness in everything you do.

Happy Birthday from the heart

Cause that's where all great wishes start.

Enjoy the beautiful cake made be Sweet Bella. Visit her blog http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com/2010/09/cake.html

        
         Happy Valentines day

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.

- Maya Angelou 

Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.

- Peter Ustinov 

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love.

- Sophocles 

The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being.

- Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lamat

Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic.

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Cake Ideas for Valentine´s day

 

Deep Dark Chocolate Cake

From Country Living

·         480 mls all-purpose flour

·         240 mls cocoa

·         480 mls granulated sugar

·         1 teaspoon(s) baking soda

·         1 teaspoon(s) baking powder

·         1 teaspoon(s) salt

·         2 large eggs

·         1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract

·         240 mls sour cream

·         120 mls canola oil

·         1 teaspoon(s) white vinegar

·         240 mls unsalted butter, softened

·         180 mls raspberry jam, strained and seeds discarded

·         360 mls confectioners' sugar

Directions

1.    Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch-round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper. Combine flour, cocoa, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Add eggs, vanilla, sour cream, oil, vinegar (for leavening and a more tender cake), and 1 cup hot water and mix with a wooden spoon until batter is smooth.

2.    Pour batter into prepared pans and bake until a wooden skewer, inserted into cake center, comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 20 minutes; release from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

3.    Beat butter and jam together using an electric mixer set on medium speed until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and beat until smooth. Spread filling between 2 cake layers and frost with 

Superquick Chocolate Buttercream

·         1 cup(s) butter

·         6 ounce(s) bittersweet chocolate, melted and slightly cooled

·         2 cup(s) marshmallow cream

·         3/4 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

·         6 tablespoon(s) confectioners' sugar

Directions

1.    Using a mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and chocolate together until fluffy. Reduce speed to medium and beat in marshmallow cream. Add vanilla extract and sugar, increase speed to medium-high, and beat, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally, until smooth and fluffy. Chill 20 minutes before using.

A Special World

A special world for you and me
A special bond one cannot see
It wraps us up in its cocoon
And holds us fiercely in its womb.

Its fingers spread like fine spun gold
Gently nestling us to the fold
Like silken thread it holds us fast
Bonds like this are meant to last.

And though at times a thread may break
A new one forms in its wake
To bind us closer and keep us strong
In a special world, where we belong.

- Sheelagh Lennon -

Love is in the air