Coloring paste and other treats

Tomorrow is my birthday, but I'm not telling you that because I'm looking for birthday wishes. I frankly prefer not to have a big deal made of my birthday, just as we generally don't make a big production out of most holidays at our house. It's just nice if we can relax a bit rather than make a fancy meal, throw a party, put up decorations, etc. Or that's how Todd and I feel about it, at least.



Anyway, the reason I'm suddenly so excited about my birthday is because I've been obsessing lately about Janes's technicolor icings, and I was looking for an excuse to try making them. We made a trek to the bakery supply store on Wednesday to buy paste coloring, and I was planning to make cupcakes for the baby's birthday in a week and a half. But just last night it dawned on me that I can make them for my own birthday, too; so I don't have to wait as long as I thought!

I think I'll try Nigella's recipe for chocolate cupcakes. Domestic goddess I am not, but I'm able to follow a recipe at least. Usually I don't mind cooking or baking, but honestly I'd rather spend my time making something that lasts longer than a meal or a dessert. However, now that we have a child, it's a treat to have time to play in the kitchen, and if Todd takes the baby long enough for me to bake and frost the cupcakes that will be a birthday gift in itself.



I also hope to peruse the new Marie Claire Idees issue that arrived yesterday, and maybe I'll get some knitting done.