Have your cake and eat it too.

Who says just because you're an "adult" you have to have boring birthday cakes? I just did one for an 8 year old- just the way she wanted it, and this one here is "Just like the kind my Grandma made me when I was a little kid"... So live it up- it's your cake, have it how you want it!

We asked her what kind of cake she wanted...

"Ummm, I want it pink and purple and yellow and blue and green and red... umm, with a castle and princess Jasmine and Ariel...", "and don't forget the castle".

Ok, so I took a couple days to ponder on that monstrosity, her mom found an Ariel and a Belle, no Jasmine to the ends of the earth... The cake itself was a marbled chocolate with vanilla sprinkle cake, and I think my hand is still cramped from all the over-piping I did on the sides. However, in the eyes of an 8 year old girl, it was clearly a masterpiece, and well worth the fuss if you ask me :)

Happy Birthday Ailish!

...or you could just eat them out of the pot...

I haven't made these in years... that's the best I can do for self control... My brother's wife was feeling inspired and whipped up a batch this week. mmm... LOVES TARA!

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cocoa, Hershey's
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup nuts, chopped

Bring sugar, butter, milk and cocoa to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. (that's usually as far as I get). Drop by spoonful (into mouth) on to wax paper and cool in fridge until set. Store in sealed container.