First our summer was insanely busy and then fall arrived. Between back to school, birthdays, swim, Cub Scouts and everything else time escapes me far too quickly. I haven’t found my blogging groove and really need to work on that. In the meantime, I’ll gladly post another In My Kitchen update. This monthly roundup is hosted by the lovely Sherry over at Sherry’s Pickings.
The month of September we had two birthdays. Fortunately my cookbook club for the month was a baking book (Bake From Scratch) and the cake challenge fell right between the two birthdays. I made this super delicious citrus cake to celebrate Josh and Sean’s birthays at my parents’ house. I used a different cream cheese recipe since the one in the book was way to sweet for my taste.
For Sean’s actual birthday we had this little six inch red velvet cake. The recipe is also from Bake From Scratch, substituting my own frosting recipe instead of using the cream cheese recipe. Since I made it so small I also had five frosted cupcakes stashed in the freezer as well as two more unfrosted cake layers.
Sean received this handmade noodle bowl for his birthday. My parents live near a fantastic pottery store and when I was with my mom she found this and thought it would be perfect for him. Ever since stopping by Chinatown in Chicago the boys all love noodle bowls.
Lucky for Sean this month’s cookbook club book has noodle bowl recipes in it. Along with rice bowls and other Chinese dishes they love. I’m hoping to start cooking from it this week, it’s been a slow start this month.
I’m hoping for the weather to cool a little bit and be able to start cooking different meals again. I’m over lighter summer dishes and looking forward to a change. Bring on chili and meatloaf weather, soups, stews and more.
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Feeding My 3 Sons 
those cakes look so delicious and pretty. love the noodle bowl. your boys are very adventurous eaters aren’t they? must make it easier to cook than if they were fussy like some kids. Happy belated birthdays to your boys. We are heading into a hot summer (was 36C last week) so cooling meals are the go. They reckon we will have 13 cyclones this summer. EEk! thanks for joining in IMK and putting up my badge- twice:) Appreciate it. See you next month. Cheers Sherry x
I tried taking one badge out and somehow took both out so put them both back in! Better two than none I guess. The cakes were delicious and next week is another birthday boy. Not sure what he wants yet. We had a busy hurricane season, good luck with your cyclone season.
Like you, I am more than ready for Fall weather and its accompanying comfort food. Your cookbook club sounds a terrific way to explore new recipes and encourage the boys to try new things. What fun you have in your kitchen!
The cookbook club has been fantastic. It’s made me go out of my comfort zone and try cooking new things. Today it’s homemade dumplings. Bring on the cool weather, it starts tomorrow here and hopefully it stays.
I think Gretchen that a birthday cake made by Mum is the best present any child can receive. Those you made look delicious
In my family it isn’t a birthday without homemade cake. That being said Jack claims to want a birthday pie this year!
You’ve been very busy being a great mum Gretchen. Love your cakes & I’m sure they went down a treat! I think I need to get my hands on the Myers & Chang at home cookbook but I’m not sure if it’s here in Australia – I’ll check out eBay 🙂 Looking forward to seeing what you cook up from it xx
https://missfoodfairy.com/2017/10/10/in-my-kitchen-october-2017/
The Myers and Chang book is great. Today I’m finally making dumplings for the first time. I know, what took me so long?!
I think everyone at some point Gretchen can relate to the loss of the blogging groove – remember a little absence can make the heart ❤️ grow fonder 😄
Thanks Laura. Hopefully after this next birthday I’ll get back to blogging. So many pumpkin goodies to make and cooler weather foods.
Gretchen, your citrus cake looks spectacular! (Pretty cake stand, too.) I especially loved the “blowing out the candle” photo. Looking back thru photo albums — if there are such things anymore, ha! — and seeing those puffed cheeks year by year is always highlight. Here’s to getting your groove back — you will!
Thanks Kim! Another birthday next week, another cake. They do grow so quickly. The next birthday is our oldest, hitting double digits. I’m finally eating semi normal again and hope to get that blogging groove back soon enough.
What an awesome birthday cake. We have had cake in both our September and October kitchen.
We had two September birthdays, one next week and another in November! Birthday cake season is a favorite here.
That spectacular looking citrus cake would certainly be popular in our house. A belated birthday wish to the boys.
It was incredibly delicious! Citrus desserts are always a favorite.
Mine too Gretchen. 🙂