Momm's Birthday Celebration

About 7 years ago we started a tradition of honoring my momm with a Celebration of her, at her Birthday. It is such a precious tradition, a highlight of my year. 

my beautiful mother, at a beautiful table

 I love the women that she chose as being influential and important in her life. I have been greatly blessed by these women.
Kelly, is the hostess for these events. Kelly can take simple everyday items and make the decorations spectacular! Every year I look forward to seeing how she will decorate. This year she joked that she did not know what she looked like all week because her bedroom mirror was part of the table decorations. Of course, she looked as fantastic as ever! Kelly is the kind of friend who can graciously tell you the most difficult things and you will thank her for it. She is very humble and will gladly sacrifice sleep to stay up half the night talking.

The table was like a feast for your eyes!

 Brianna, is a wealth of knowledge anything health related and is someone I strive to be like in providing for my family from the work of my hands.
Lisa is the most gentle prayer warrior. She diligently seeks to win her children's hearts and intentionally trains them in Biblical Principals.
Celinda, is always good for a story! She knows how to have fun. She has also walked with my mom through some of the most difficult seasons. She can knit, shoot a gun, and whip up a feast for half of Texas.
Rachel is an amazing example of beautiful things that are made under pressure. She is always waiting with a hug and a smile. She has had some tremendous difficulties but still puts her trust in God and because of that hope, she knows she doesn't need to worry. She is beautiful.
Terri is one of my momm's friends that I don't know very well. When we all stop talking long enough to listen she is a hoot! She recently told me a story about putting a cow in her VW Bug! Terri is a dancer and takes very good care of her health. She does not like chocolate or coffee. I usually bring dessert and it almost always has chocolate or coffee in it. This year, I decided to make something that Terri would like, so I made a 4 Layer Coconut Cake. Sadly, Terri does not like coconut either! I discovered that she loves peanut butter so next year will be something Peanut Butter!

Coconut Cake

 Of course, my momm. How do you narrow down something wonderful to say about your momm in one or two sentences? She is amazingly generous and encouraging. She supports me and my family and has super fun activities to do with the children. She loves to play! I don't really know how to play, I have to ask my children what I am supposed to do. I like to build Lego, play a game, or set up Playmobil with them, but not play. My momm knows how to play! I will often find her in the middle of a tea party, playing babies with the girls, fixing up the play house or even playing Lego by herself!

The inside scoop

 I looked all over for a Coconut Cake recipe that looked delicious. I couldn't find one that I liked, so I adapted several different ones. Here it is if you want to try it, you really should, it was good!
Cake
3/4 pound butter
2 cups sugar
5 extra large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp coconut extract
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 cup coconut milk
4 oz shredded coconut
 Frosting:
1 lb cream cheese
1/2 pound butter
3/4 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp almond extract
1 pound powdered sugar
toasted shredded coconut

It's the details that make the difference. 

Directions: preheat oven to 350, grease and flour  4 8 in pans.  Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, add eggs one at a time, add vanilla and coconut extracts, mix well.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, soda and baking powder, and salt. add dry mixture alternately with the coconut milk. mix until just combined. Fold in the toasted coconut.
Pour batter evenly in the bans and bake until the cakes are browned and a tester comes out clean. Cool completely on a rack. Frost the cake beginning with the bottom layer and finishing with the top and sides then gently press (Or throw hard, like I did) the toasted coconut on the to and sides.

I pray that you are are as blessed as I am to enjoy delicious food, and friendships that build up, encourage, and strengthen one another. I know this is a precious gift and for that, I am so very thankful.