I had a fun birthday weekend! On Friday, Mr. Fox and I dined at Cafe La Perche in Hudson, NY. And last night, he threw a big party in my honor! Thirty-five friends arrived at the house for cocktails, appetizers, and a lavish dinner buffet prepared by Chef Danyal of Georgia Ray catering. Since I forgot to take pictures of the dinner fare, let me tell you about the cake!
The cake was made by Debbie Allen — a professional baker we met through our mutual association with the Kinderhook Dog Park. Debbie’s pooch Bella plays with our pooch Avery. Mr. Fox arranged for Debbie to make a cake for my birthday, and to give the cake a culinary theme.
And what could be more culinary-themed than a stove-shaped, four-layer red velvet cake, thickly coated in blue fondant?
Debbie’s arrangement included a fondant rug in front of the stove, plus a fondant dog dish filled with fondant kibbles.
After dinner, I carved the cake according to such requests as “Can I have a burner?” and “I want the kitchen towel!”
On a side note, a few days before the party, I told Mr. Fox how sorry I was that our friend Sue Chiafullo wouldn’t be able to attend. Sue moved to Charleston, SC a couple of years ago, and we (and our whole community, too) miss her daily.
Some time before dinner, Mr. Fox asked me to sit in a chair in the parlor. “Close your eyes,” he said. “I have a special birthday present for you.”
I opened my eyes, and there (okay, I’ve already spoiled the surprise for you), stood Sue Chiafullo. “How could I miss your XXth birthday?” she asked.
Well. I was touched.
Are you a December baby, too? If so, happy birthday to you!
xKevin
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Cecile says
Great to read you had a nice birthday with nice surprises.
I am a decembre-baby too, it cannot be helped.
Wishing you happy holidays 🙂
Julie says
Mine’s the same! My cake was not so delightful, I may try for a garden themed one for next year. Happy days!
Jan Carter says
Sweet! Happy birthday, dear friend…you do seem like a dear friend to me!
Renee Coursey says
What a lovely and fun cake especially for you! You have some wonderful friends.
Trish says
Happy Birthday, Kevin. Your celebration sounds wonderful. I love your cake. My birthday is Feb. 12. When I was growing up my mother always made me a red velvet cake in the shape of 2 diagonally joined hearts.
Ana says
Happy Birthday!
You will always remember this special birthday! I love that cake.
Gina says
Happy 39th birthday Kevin! sending Birthday hugs from Nebraska!!
We are the same age…….39 and holding
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
Masterful Cake !!
Lorraine Simoneau says
Congrats on your birthday Kevin and many happy returns. You cake looks so cool. Makes my mouth water.
Judy Hines says
What a beautiful cake! I’m recuperating from serious spine surgery and thus hearing from you is a pick-me-up! Happy birthday, dear one….
Debby S. says
Happy birthday, Kevin. My birthday is next weekend. I bounced off 39 and headed back in the other direction several years ago. With our current 16+ inches of snow, I may celebrate with snow cream.
Mary V says
That sounds like some wonderful Birthday Celebrations,Happy Birthday. What remarkable cake too.
Sandra Payette says
Happy Birthday, Kevin. What a great party and that cake oh là là. I bet everybody had a wonderful time including the pooch. Everything was done up so nicely. Enjoy the up and coming holidays too. I’m a December baby too. xo
Kathy says
Happy Birthday Kevin. What a darling cake. I especially love the dog bowl with the kibble in it.
My birthday is tomorrow. I share my birthday with my daughter. She is definitely the best birthday gift ever.
Addie Bambridge says
Hi, Kevin – so pleased that you had such a wonderful birthday!
I have two grandchildren who have birthdays in December, two weeks and two years apart. They live in CT and I’m in FL so I usually only get to see them about once a year. However, I send their mom a check every year, some of which she uses to have special cakes made for them. Your cake was especially wonderful, having been based on your incredible culinary talent. The rest of the check goes for stuff that they really want, so that makes me a really special Nana.
Cheers,
Addie in Florida (with the English husband)
Nilli says
May all your wishes come true, Kevin. What a whimsical sweet cake!
BiGa says
Happy Birthday! You are loved very much by your readers.
I wish you a happy Birthday, good health, lots of happiness and love
Cheers
GaBi
Meghan M Girroir says
Happy Birthday, Kevin! I so appreciate your blog; please know how much that I look forward to your weekly youtube and blog posts. Hope that you have a wonderful holiday season. I loved Avery’s fondant bowl of kibbles.
Best wishes to you and yours,
Meg
Margaret says
Having a special person surprise you like that is the best birthday gift.
My brother who lives in England did this for my 80th birthday in August.
I thought I was having hallucinations!!!
How my family kept the secret for 7 months still blows me away.
Louise says
Incredible cake! Creative and delicious. Happiest birthday with the wonderful surprise of a friend! Know that special cakes are a true joy to behold. You are lucky and happy so the best year yet is ahead of you! Keep enjoying.
Janet Quinn says
That cake is amazing!!! It looked like a toy stove that I had as a child!! So creative and Festive!!
And, oh yes, A Very Happy Birthday!! those XXth birthdays don’t happen very often, and they are so special!
MARY Jett says
Happy Birthday. My birthday was December 4th. I want to thank you for the recipe for the Keto Soul Bread. I am on my second loaf now. I love it. Found a recipe for an appetizer and will use this bread instead of chips.
Lee says
Happy birthday
Love your posts ❤️❤️
John says
What a great birthday! The cake is too cool!
Laura Rankin says
You deserve a Happy Birthday. A JOYFUL birthday! Thank you for all your fabulous, funny, and delicious posts.
Dianne Holzman says
Wishing you the very best of birthdays and a fabulous year ahead! Love the cake!
Merrilee says
Happy Birthday and what an awesome cake!
I have a December birthday, too.
Joan S says
Happy Birthday Kevin, wishing you health, happiness and success.
patrice says
Happy Birthday Kevin. I LOVE that cake.
Penny says
Happy Birthday Kevin! Wishing you many more healthy and happy ones and many more fabulous cakes like this one!
Janet says
I know Sue and had seen photos that she was in New York City. How special that she was able to be your surprise. I have missed seeing her, too. Perfect icing to a wonderful birthday weekend.
Samantha says
Another trip around the sun! May your next cycle bring you health, happiness, adventure and all that makes your heart glow! Thanks for sharing such a special birthday and cake.
Sandy Martinez says
H Kevin,
Happy birthday! I also have a December (29) birthday. My husband and friends and I will attend Mass then wine tasting at the New Clairvaux Winery in Vina, Ca.
Cheers Dear Kevin! and God bless you!
Love, Sandy
Sandra says
Me too! December 28th. Happy birthday.
Dana says
Sounds very lovely! Amazing cake…and Happy Birthday!
Julie R says
Happy Birthday Kevin. It sounds like you had a perfect Birthday with wonderful friends. I love the cute Birthday cake along with the dog dish and little rug. I have a December Birthday too, on the 26th.
Nicki says
Happy XXth Birthday!! I look forward to your e-mails every week and they sure give me a chuckle!
Best of wishes to lots more!
Molly says
What a lovely and delicious birthday!
And a guest appearance by a dear friend!
Fabulous cake for a fabulous guy!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
Elaine Morin-Olly says
Happy Birthday Kevin ! Myself, my sister and grandmother all have April birthdays a few days apart. My Mom being a working mom made one special cake for all of us. It was called Miami Beach Birthday Cake, there were crushed graham crackers in the batter & chocolate chips & walnuts sprinkled on the top, with whipped cream between the layers instead of frosting.
Debbie - MountainMama says
That cake is fantastic!!!! I’m going to email you privately regarding her contact info….and happy birthday!
Joan says
My birthday is the 24th! Happy Birthday to me and Jesus!
Kristine Fox says
My birthday is on the 8th. This year, it’s Hello Social Security!
Pam says
Hi, Kevin!
Happy birthday! That is one of the cleverest cakes I’ve ever seen. And how nice that your out-of-town friend could make it.
I was watching your wreath-making video (thanks) and – you know what? – one of the reasons that I like to watch your videos – out of many reasons – is that you have such a soothing voice. So pleasant.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Pam in Virginia
Amy says
Happy birthday, Kevin! Adorable cake!
My birthday is on December 27th and I apparently insisted as a child that my presents were NOT to be Christmas gifts pretending to be birthday gifts (I could TELL) and that said presents were NOT to be covered in red or green wrapping paper. My amused parents always gave me a pink cake with pink wrapping paper (indulged only child). My husband has duly followed suit (indulged only wife).
You have to put your foot down early with a December birthday.
Ardelle F Tuxen says
Happy Birthday, Kevin!! Red Velvet cake – how awesome is that? Lovely stove to honor your passion – cooking! No, I don’t have a December Birthday – it’s worse than that. My birthday is January 2nd when the final parties were (possibly) overdone and recuperation is the name of the game. My birthday comes and goes with hardly a mention. However, we have a birthday celebration for me and my 2 sisters and my daughter-in-law around mid-January which is perfect as we live distances away and 1 big celebration suits us fine. Again, Happy Birthday!
Pam R says
Happy birthday Kevin!! What a wonderful party for you.! To many more!
Sherry in Willow Grove says
It sounds like a wonderful birthday for a terrific guy! Love, love, love the cake. And she added sweet Avery too. Wishing you many happy, healthy returns of the day. Thanks again for your wonderful blog, recipes, and snippets of life.
Lee says
To have friends is the best gift of all. One December baby to another.
Lisa says
I’m a December baby also! The 23rd. Your cake looks amazing.
Maria says
Hi Keven (and Mr. Fox and Avery)
Happy belated birthday. Very glad you were born!
You sweeten these hard times for me (not personal—well a little personal—-but the larger American condition right now).
Peace and beauty and balance and imagination and kindness: that is Kevin.
Thanks (and you inspire to play the piano which I am going to do right now)
Maria