Day 303: another year already

Occasions that fall during this cookalong always get something spectacular. And today it’s my birthday. So for Day 303 I give you Nigella’s magnificent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake (four-tier, god-tier).

Another year passes, in the blink of an eye, and what a year it’s been. This time last year I was getting a good night’s sleep in preparation for a fabulous break in London and heavenly dinners at scrumptious restaurants (including too much wine and memory loss in Soho (though I *do* know the night ended with midnight ramen!)). In particular, I’ll forever treasure dinner at the River Café, but Noble Rot Soho and Parsons in Covent Garden brought equal deliciousness and joy to the memory too. Of course, we can’t forget to mention the Fall beauty that is Nigella’s Autumnal Birthday Cake - which also got me a little mention in a little online news article, much to my surprise and delight.

This year? Well, this year sees a slightly different me. I’m now a snot-wiping, bum-wiping parent to three gorgeous little terrors. I can’t deny that I’m exhausted, and with flu/bug/germ myself, but I am truly on Cloud 9 spending this first birthday with my new family. It really does feel quite unreal; the pinch-yourself moments are still in frequent occurrence. They’ve been singing me songs, making me laugh (and cry), bringing me kisses and endless smiles that go on for miles. I’ve never felt so special and lucky in all my life.

Tonight, after school/nursery/work, we’ll gather around the table and eat as a family (and I’m not cooking, apparently!). Once the kids are in bed, I’m taking a honkin’ big wedge of this cake to the sofa and watching Steel Magnolias.

Nigella’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

The recipe for this magnificent creation can be found in Cook Eat Repeat and on nigella.com (link below).