Happy Birthday MAtt-y!

Another Birthday?!? Yeap...2 days in a row...It's been a cake-making escapade for me! There's actually another 21st party tonight; for Chris, which I won't be able to attend. I hope he has a wonderful birthday bash. Happy 21st to You too Chris!- I'll see ya at Uni next week!

Matty= Matthew Luke Jameson...turned 24 last night! (oldie-moldie) *laughs*
One of the happiest guys in Uni! He's got the looks, got the brains, got the muscle, got the beautiful girlfriend; he's got it all!Matt organized a casual get together at The Australian ( The Rocks, Sydney) after work to celebrate. I woke up really late that morning and wondered if I still had time to make him a birthday cake. The party was at 6pm; and I was up at 11am....It didn't give me much time to bake, cool, ice and design! You'll be surprised how time consuming making cakes like these can be and I didn't want to turn up with a rushed 1/4 effort job. I decided to compromise with a smaller cake made with a single 9 inch round springform and the cake cut to shape. I popped the sculpted cake in the freezer with some cling wrap and glazed it with Bailey's Irish Cream to help adhere the icing made from red sugar paste. The details were hand molded and stickers were painted with a paint brush and some food colouring. I was contented by the time the clock struck 3. I thought it looked amazing.....except for that damn tail wing which kept flopping over!!! *argh* I replaced it with a piece of cardboard; and my day was smooth sailing from there.
I packed the tiny race car in my trusty cake tin and maneuvered my way to The Rocks by bus. Passer-bys and passengers on the bus were all intrigued. Here is a couple of my favorites;

"Is it a toy, why is it in a tray?!"- (bus driver)
"Oh, thanks for making me a birthday cake!...*goes on to sing himself happy birthday*"
"Can it move??"

I finally got there; Matt's eyes lit up when he saw what I was holding! Everyone at the table oOoO-ed and aHhh-ed. I lifted the lid and Matt exclaimed "AWesomE!". He was excited and overjoyed like a little boy with his new toy. We got him to light the candle; had a birthday song singing session and he cut up the cake for everyone to share. I'm glad I chose to make a dark chocolate whiskey cake; it had to be a somewhat "man-ly" flavour just in case the cake looked a little childish for a 24 year old! Everyone thought it was delicious and I was all smiles.Unfortunately I had to leave early as I was meeting a couple of friends from Adelaide for dinner, but I had a great time anyway. Matt's friends and sisters were fun, friendly and generous with compliments. I left having an awkward feeling of self pride. I never expected or imagined a reaction as such from everyone and felt a little stupid for having doubts if Matt would be happy with the cake on the way there. I guess my many cake making+decorating practice sessions have finally began to pay off.