Monday, January 25, 2010

Simple Birthday

With six children and keeping in mind the impact of what we do on the environment and our financial means, we keep birthdays simple.

When the children are old enough, the get decide what I will serve them for each meal on their special day and what activities they would like to do, usually right here at home.

Sunday was Abraham's second birthday. It was made more special by having my mother and step-father here from Connecticut and his godparents which are our neighbors.

~ Abraham eating his breakfast with his birthday crown on.~

~We enjoyed cake and ice cream.~

~his gift of beeswax crayons in a handmade wool felt holder~

Abraham is truly a joy. He is happy, outgoing, loves to "talk" with people, and give big hugs. We are truly blessed.

Here is the birthday cake recipe I usually bake.
Vanilla Yogurt Cake
2 1/4 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt

5 T. oil or melted butter
1 cup sugar (organic sugar cane or raw sugar)
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 cup vanilla yogurt

I combine the wet ingredients and whisk together and then add the dry ingredients. Mix well. Pour into a pan and bake at 350 degrees. The time will vary depending on the kind of pan used. I like using my pan with the tube in the middle and that needs to bake for about 50 minutes.

Enjoy and warm wishes, Tonya

17 comments:

  1. Tonya
    You are an inspiration to all with your lifestyle. Your birthday celebration looks to be filled with warmth and love. You give me inspiration to "stop and think" what is really important. kudos to you and your wonderful family.

    Leslie in NH

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  2. What a lovely celebration of life. The cake looks yummy and such a thoughtful gift sure to please for a very long time:-)

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  3. we just celebrated a birthday here too...i love home based birthday celebration. Happy birthday to your little guy.

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  4. This is so much a wonderful celebration! Happy Birthday to your son. May he always be surrounded by love and joy! I ordered a sample issue of Winter 2010 last week. I am very excited and my girls keep checking the mailbox everyday. Blessings, Rose

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  5. What a wonderful birthday. How did you make that crown. So sweet! I got my newsletter this weekend and Mr. Miller and I are devouring it! You are such an inspiration!

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  6. Oh Tonya,

    Happy Birthday to your little one! I also make homemade cakes, in fact, the boys, which are in their teens ;-) ask for chocolate chip cookies or banana bread as their celebratory cake!

    Thank you dear friend, for continuing to enjoy the simplicity of your life!

    Blessings,

    Maria

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  7. happy happy birthday, abraham! our little guy just turned 2, also. such an explosive age, full of changes, entertainment, and challenges!
    what a simple and perfect way of celebrating a birthday!
    nicola
    http://whichname.blogspot.com

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  8. I love the little crown, it looks like a wonderful party. Where did you get the beeswax crayons?

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  9. That Abraham is just beautiful. Such a happy day for him filled with love! Thanks for the cake recipe. It sounds yummy...and simple.

    :)Lisa

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  10. what a sweet little one...happy birthday Abraham! the cake sounds really yummy and I love that you keep things simple...I'm still trying to figure out how to negotiate that with grandparents and aunts that like to overindulge.

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  11. Happy Birthday! I am so totally bookmarking this post so I can try out that cake recipe - sounds yummy!

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  12. Thanks for sharing your cake recipe! Sounds like a good one and I look forward to trying it.

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  13. Happy birthday Abraham!! What a sweet and simple bday...those are the best!
    Suzy

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  14. Happy Birthday to your sweet boy and to you mama!
    It looks like a lovely day, your recipe sounds great : )

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  15. Happy birthday Abraham, and happy birthday to you :). I love the sweet and simple way you celebrate, and the yogurt cake sounds heavenly

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  16. Happy Birthday to your little guy!

    We too are trying to simplify our celbrations...what is more important is the time spent together celebrating.

    Adorable crown!

    Blessings!
    ~Nadine

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  17. YUMMY recipe! Happy Birthday, Abraham! (My son's middle name)

    :)
    sara

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