birthday!

I had a really nice Feb 8th birthday this year, mainly because Mom arrived midday for a visit! It was fun to be looking forward to that all week - and she arrived with a car load of goodies and supplies. Jim made me a birthday meal earlier on the weekend but saved the dessert and presents for the day (on Wednesday). I only wish that Dad had been here too to celebrate his 70th, but by the sounds of it, he rung in the new year with great enthusiasm (and not on his own), to the tune of a multiple birthday celebrations, a bike ride, birthday poems sent by us kids, and chocolate custard for dessert. 

A rousing "happy birthday" and scattered presents!

Jim made an amazing chocolate mousse!! The best part was that it wasn't made with eggs - it was made with 'aquafaba', the brine from canned chickpeas that mimics egg whites in baked goods and when whipped. Really tasty and very rich. We are excited to try out aquafaba as an egg substitute in other recipes, too.