Happy Birthday Renée W.!

Today is Renée’s birthday! She is one of Tony’s and my favorite people! Last year, Renée and her husband, Drew, lived in Kerrville, but this past summer they moved to Wimberley. So, today, on Renée’s birthday, it is impossible for us to take off and drive up to Wimberley to see her. Last year’s birthday was a lot of fun and I want to share this story. And, I just want to say, “Happy Birthday, Renée—Tony and I love you! (I promise to mail your birthday present (bird feeder) this week!

Renée’s 2006 Birthday!

Saturday, December 16, 2006, looked like it was going to be a dreary day—misty and gray, but Tony and I weren’t going to let the weather get us down because it was Renée's Birthday!

Renée is special to Tony and me, and we feel blessed to have her as a dear friend even though she is a Jackson. Her husband, Drew, is also special to us, and we love spending time with them, because they make us laugh.

Last Sunday, Tony and I joined Renée and Drew at a dog agility trial. During the event we got rid of Renée by sending her off to get Tony a coke, so we could scheme about her upcoming birthday.

During the week, Drew often secretly touched base with us concerning surprising Renée on Saturday. Tony and I shopped for sweatshirts that I would design and we had a blast finding cards for her. We also got a cake mix, candles and a bag to put our gifts in. Then on Thursday, I decided to design some postcards, too.

So, Saturday after a hectic morning I baked a carrot cake for Renée only to discover that I could not get it out of the large casserole dish! I then cut the cake in half and scooped out one half of it onto Renée’s and my cake plate that we share after she had bought it.

Now, for the icing on the cake, I had a hard time trying to keep the cake parts from sticking to my knife. When Tony walked into the kitchen he laughed as he watched me trying to fix the broken cake.

I had decided to go the cheaper route and bought a tube of green icing that I would use to write Happy Birthday Renée! Well, when I read the tube instructions it told me to use one of their nozzles to decorate with. I didn’t own any nozzles.

Plan B! As Tony and I laughed at my dilemma, a light bulb moment came to me. I grabbed the Scotch tape dispenser and taped off half of the half inch hole on the tube. When I squeezed the tube a huge blob of green icing fell on the cake! Knowing that it would be impossible to write Happy Birthday Renée— I squeezed out HBR. Then I stuck thirty candles into the green goo!

Yes, I had created one of the ugliest cakes of all times and as Tony laughed he said, “Nance, you’re getting better at cake decorating! This one almost looks like a cake. Maybe you should sign up for a cake decorating course? I’ll pay for it.”

I laughed at my disastrous cake, and then took pictures of it.

We are leaving for the party in fifteen minutes as I write this story so I must wind it up.

As it is often said, “It’s the thought that counts when baking cakes for the ones you love,” and I know Renée will love my cake no matter how ugly it is because she is one very special lady! Tony and I love her! HBR!

P.S. Next year’s cake will read HEB—$12.50!