six.

If you want to feel old, watch your baby turn six. 

I started blogging while she was still growing in my belly--a way to keep mothers and sisters updated on the progress of our little bun......and here she is, six.

She had us laughing from the beginning--just a few months old and she could pull some of the funniest faces I'd ever seen. 

She never fails to entertain--whether it be singing (although don't let her know you're listening.....or she pretends to be embarrassed), or her very own dance moves. Most of her days are spent pretending she's some kind of animal--I cannot even tell you how many times I have to yell 

"NO BARKING IN THE HOUSE!"

That's a normal thing to yell at your daughter, right?

She loves every person and every creature she meets, and loves them hard. 

She is so sensitive and so tough at the same time.

Her knees are always bruised and her hair is always wild.

I feel so lucky to be her mama.

She planned her whole day. 

Sticky buns for breakfast (which were actually ready at lunch time.....)

The Zoo. 

Settebello. 

Cake.

Angel Food Cake

recipe from Alton Brown 

1 3/4 cups sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup cake flour, sifted

12 egg whites (the closer to room temperature the better)

1/3 cup warm water

1 teaspoon orange extract, or extract of your choice

1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a food processor spin sugar about 2 minutes until it is superfine. Sift half of the sugar with the salt the cake flour, setting the remaining sugar aside.

In a large bowl, use a balloon whisk to thoroughly combine egg whites, water, orange extract, and cream of tartar. After 2 minutes, switch to a hand mixer. Slowly sift the reserved sugar, beating continuously at medium speed. Once you have achieved medium peaks, sift enough of the flour mixture in to dust the top of the foam. Using a spatula fold in gently. Continue until all of the flour mixture is incorporated.

Carefully spoon mixture into an ungreased tube pan. Bake for 35 minutes before checking for doneness with a wooden skewer. (When inserted halfway between the inner and outer wall, the skewer should come out dry).

Cool upside down on cooling rack for at least an hour before removing from pan.

Homemade Whip Cream

2 cups whipping cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 tsp pure vanilla

top with fresh berries and enjoy!

ps. I have made angel food cake several times before and it's always turned out great. This was the first time I've made it since we've lived here--at higher elevation and it fell. It tasted the same--it was just very small and very dense. Has anyone made angel food cake at a higher altitude? 

How did you make it work?

that's my girl.

happy day to my six year old!

angel food cake with with chocolate whipped cream and raspberries

angel food cake with whipped cream and strawberries