Air Canada Wrecked Our Weekend

I was to fly to Toronto this weekend for some intense Kaitie time. It did not happen. Air Canada cancelled my flight due to an ill legal strike. Kaitie’s voice, after hearing that I was not going to make it, broke my heart. When you are only hours away from; being able to cuddle on the couch, drink tea and catch up on every moment since we last were together, being told that it is not going to happen, is devastating. She cried while my arms ached at the thought of not being able to hug her.

Long distance mothering sucks… The best that I could do was to rebook for May and pray everything goes according to plan.

Ralph and I decided to have an impromptu dinner party Saturday evening. Some people make lemonade, I made a cake. This is my birthday cake recipe. It’s moist, rich and delicious. It wasn’t anybody’s birthday. I just wanted some cake…

Best Birthday Cake, adapted from a kabillion different recipes

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups flour

1 tablespoon baking flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven 350*F

Butter and flour 2 – 8″ round cake pans

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together and set aside

Beat butter until light and fluffy

Gradually add sugar and beat for 5 minutes

Add eggs, one at a time then beat for 5 minutes

Alternate flour mixture with buttermilk until everything is incorporated and well blended

Divide between cake pans

Check at 35 minutes

Cake is done when sides have pulled slightly from the edge of the pan and a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes then remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack

Cream Cheese Icing

8 ounces cream cheese

1/4 cup butter

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

4 cups icing sugar

Beat butter with cream cheese

Add vanilla and icing sugar

Beat until until light and fluffy.

Thanks for reading.