January 24, 2008

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is Dad’s birthday and unfortunately I will not be there to celebrate with him. I did get home last weekend though and while I was there I made this Chocolate Mousse Cake from Fine Cooking magazine. Chocolate mousse is actually Dad’s specialty dessert. He rarely makes sweets, but when he does, it’s usually in the form of a rich chocolate mousse. I switched things up by making it in cake form but as good as this cake was though, it’s got nothing on Dad.

To start with, Dad is funny. Really funny. I don’t think everyone gets his sense of humour, (or mine) but then again, some people are dumb. I happen to think he’s hilarious. Who else would name their two turkeys, Licious and De? Or answer the phone in a Seinfeld voice when my friends call? (Tell me you’ve all seen the episode where Jerry does a voice for his girlfriend’s belly button and makes it say “helllloooooo la la la!”) Or position carved gnomes outside my window looking in, to scare the bejesus out of me? The thought of Mr. Smiles still creeps me out but at least now I can laugh at him too. Dad’s jokes never get old for me.



It’s partly because he’s so funny that I like hanging out with my Dad so much, but it’s also because we enjoy the same things. In the summer we go on bike rides and play tennis together, (he even lets me win sometimes…). Then in the winter we go snowshoeing and cross country skiing, (and he races to the top of the hills faster than I’ll ever get there). Regardless of the season, on weeknights we compete against each other in Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and on Sunday nights we always watch Iron Chef. Oh yeah- this is a food blog, did I mention Dad loves to cook? Not only does he love to cook but he loves to try new things and experiment in the kitchen and as a result we have made some amazing things, like bacon! It was after I read a few of Michael Ruhlman’s books and told Dad about them that he promptly read some Ruhlman books of his own and ordered Charcuterie so that we could make bacon, chorizo sausage and smoked salmon, (among other things).


Dad has certainly encouraged my love of playing in the kitchen and for that I’m grateful. I’m also very lucky that we share a love of gadgets. All it takes is one of us to mention a new kitchen toy and the other will be on the bandwagon immediately. That’s the only way I can explain how I ended up with my Kitchenaid, ice cream machine, BlendTec and pasta machine. And the best part is that we didn’t pay full price for any of them! A man of many talents, Dad is also the master of a good deal and always knows just where to go to find what you’re looking for. To top it all off, he’s a talented artist who carves in wood and stone. He’s a handyman who can find a solution to any problem. And most importantly, he’s extremely supportive of everything I do.


They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and I sure hope that’s true because if I become even half as awesome as my Dad is, I’ll be doing just fine.



Happy Birthday Dad!



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28 comments:

Polliwog said...

Wow, your dad sounds way cool! That mousse cake looks De Licious. That had me cracking up. What creative names. It sounds like your dad is lucky to have a daughter that appreciates him so much, too. I have to go now, I have to call my dad! :)

Peabody said...

What a great post about your dad. And what a lovely cake to honour his birthday.

Tablebread said...

If that doesn't make him tear up a bit... what a wonderful and thoughtful post :)

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

It looks so good. Where can I find the recipe?

Susan @ SGCC said...

What a nice tribute to your Dad. Treasure every minute you get to spend with him. It goes by so fast. Awesome cake, by the way. I was trying to dig my fork through the screen!

Anonymous said...

That looks delicious - what a nice tribute for your dad! By the way, my college roommate and I always answer the phone "Hellooooo" a la Jerry Seinfeld. Too funny. =)

Cakespy said...

What a wonderful cake--and made so much richer and sweeter by the occasion!

Manggy said...

Aww, happy birthday to your dad! Me and my dad are soooo different (except for the artistic talent, so to speak). I wish mine could make good deals for me too, heh heh :)

kellypea said...

A lovely cake, and an even more lovely tribute to your father! How great that you share so many things in common. You are very fortunate.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to your dad. He sounds really wonderful. And what a wonderful daughter he has to bake him such a delicious cake!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Happy Birthday to a fellow Aquarian! He sounds like a great guy and is fortunate to have someone like you to make him such a festive cake!

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

What a lovely post! Happy birthday to your dad. It seems like the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree at all.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Papa Empanada! :) What a gorgeous cake, too! :)

Katy said...

Aww -- happy birthday to your dad!

Deborah said...

Happy birthday to your dad - he sounds like a wonderful man!!

Tarah at Genesis of a Cook said...

You and your father sound like you guys have a wonderful relationship. Wonderful post. That cake looks delicious. :]

Madam Chow said...

Great post about your dad - it's wonderful that you appreciate him!

Cynthia said...

Oh your dad totally rocks! Please pass on my belated wishes.

Lyra said...

If I were your dad I would have already printed out a copy of this post to keep forever (cause, unfortunately, you never know what might happen when a server crashes...). I'm sure he is equally happy to have such a great daughter! Its really cool that you guys get along so well and do so many things together!

btw, my birthday is in December if you feel like making a cake by then;)

Ivy said...

What a great present you gave your dad. I bet he wouldn't have wanted anything else from you. Happy belated Birthday.

Cheryl said...

That is such an awesome post. You get so many traits from you dad. You are so funny, so inventive and love cooking too.

KayKat said...

That looks delicious.

Happy B'day to your dad!

Dorie said...

This is such a sweet post, but my guess is that no matter how great that good-looking cake is,your dad must think that each year his best birthday present is YOU.

Anonymous said...

What a great tribute to your dad! I can see where you get your fantastic sense of humor from.
Happy Birthday to your Dad!

K and S said...

Happy Birthday! What a nice way to celebrate.

Lis said...

Awwww fantastic post in tribute to your dad! Happy birthday dad! :)

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Awww, that picture of you and your pop is utterly adorable! Happy birthday to him, hope he had a wonderful day :)

Fruit tart said...

What a great way to honor your dad! Beautiful cake, too.