I remember a conversation with a co-worker and dear friend, Lisa, many years ago about the number of people in the department with birthdays in November--both of ours are. We had 5 people with birthdays in November and just days apart. Having not had this conversation with a mom, it never occured to me why there were so many. Lisa looked at me with that can-you-be-this-dense look on her face and asked, "What's 9 months before November?" I didn't know what she was getting at; so, yes I can be that dense. Valentine's Day is most likely the cause of many November birthdays!
This year on my birthday I had several things planned but not so much because it was my birthday. While wasting time in the morning, I realized I didn't have so much time to waste and started off on my daily 3 mile walk. Just barely out the door, I realized I didn't have time for a walk; so, I ran part of the way and finished my walk in half the time.
I've often wished my birthday was at a more cheery time of year rather than the cloud covered skies that November brings. There was snow a few days before my birthday which is unusual. Snow isn't exactly cheery but it is better than just dead leaves on the ground.
This year for my birthday my sister and I dug a recipe up from the past and made Plantation Cake. This is a very unusual cake as it is made by creating a dough and pressing half of it into the bottom of a pan. Then a molasses and water mixture is poured over the top and crumbled dough is sprinkled into the liquid. After it is baked, it has a rather marbled look due to the difference in color between the dough and the molasses. It is then topped with an unsweetened cream cheese sauce and a tart, sweet lemon sauce. It is an amazing combination of flavors. The cake is not particularly good without the sauces.
Hmmm, should I give away the secret family recipe? Not today. ;)