Kim Turns 29

German Chocolate Birthday Cake! Tait did an awesome job frosting it!

"German chocolate cake, tiramisu, or Cheesecake?"

"Tacos, chili, or burrito bar?"

For two full weeks before her birthday, these and similarly philosophical questions were cause for Kim's concern. She polled her trusted foodies with electronic ballots. She pirated dozens of indie food blogs. She drew schematics.

Finally, the menu was set: DIY Taco Bar with carnitas and black beans. German Chocolate cake for dessert.



Dan hand-rolled each cream cheese-filled jalapeno in bacon and strung the living room with icicle lights. The house was relatively dog-proofed, and the guests began to arrive.

Tyler knocked first, from what appeared to be 1975. He sported a jolly laugh, a pile of curly hair and a lumberjack shirt. Since he is a fancy cook at one of Kim's favorite fancy restaurants, she immediately put him to work arranging various crackers around the cheeseball, putting things in bowls, shredding pork and chopping pecans.

Next was Kuma, a strikingly beautiful white Akita who's simple life goal is to master and lord over all living beings. She was followed by her actual masters, Tait and Eden, bearing a lovely potted pink orchid and one of Kim's most favorite of all things (see below). Tait and Eden may seem normal sized when they are walking the streets or eating chimichangas at Efrain's, but when their nordic bloodline traverses the tiny threshold of the Danberly circle house, mere mortals shrink and scurry like teensy hobbits.

Kyle and Walter, the man and golden retriever team showed up next. Kyle brought Kim a Whole Foods gift card, which is pretty much the most perfect gift ever since that's where approximately 75% of our household income goes. Walter is one of the happiest, best trained animals around. So well trained, in fact, that he prefers the hoppy microbrewed beers that Kyle prefers.

Then Abby, a regal and sophisticated sister to Tait, with a handful of orange gerbera daisies.

Then Becca and Bryant, with a handmade vase of wildflowers, smiles and a 6-pack of Japanese beer. Becca, unfortunately failed to wear her awesome old-school skier costume from Halloween.

Dan squeezed limes and frozen ginger ale into strong puckery drinks. Kyle plucked the ukulele. Richard arrived with Birthday Bacon for Kim, and began grinning in a disturbing, yet funny manner. Kuma enjoyed some Jell-O. We began to eat.

Kim requested no gifts. She did, however, start a rumor. In the case that someone felt compelled to buy her a gift, they should buy her scratcher tickets. This way, she would either receive strips of easily-recyclable card stock or tens of thousands of dollars. Kim LOVES scratcher tickets. It is a love born from the days when Kim's grandma would take her out for fried chicken and scratcher tickets as a small child. In Idaho, nothing says 'I love you' like encouraging a 7-year old to gamble.

One question you are sure to be asking yourself is "how many layers of Jell-O are in Kim's 7 Layer Jell-O?" Well, you have just asked yourself a trick question, my friend. The answer is: 4 layers of Jell-O and 3 layers of "milks", whatever those are. So, errrrrr.... ummmmmm... yes, 7 layers.

See you next year!

Love
Dan&Kim

debbie posted on 2010-06-17 at 1:07 am

Hi Daniel and Kim, Daniel I forgot to mail you for your Birthday las thursday. Anyway HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you. Lots of love Debbie, Dennis and Kim. Hope to see you in August

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nona and poppi posted on 2010-01-20 at 9:42 am

that german cake looks scrumtious!!but all that bacon!!(not kosher}.HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!!

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Mommy posted on 2010-01-18 at 3:57 pm

OH NO...my baby is 29??? I must be very old! It looked like a most wonderful b'day party with good friends, delish food, neato presents, and fun dogs! p.s. you need a BIGGER house!

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becca posted on 2010-01-18 at 9:26 am

bacon wrapped jalapenos....genius. wish i could have been there. maybe next year:)

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Rus posted on 2010-01-17 at 10:08 pm

Good Job Kim. You nailed it. The video was great. Dan, your ability to make short, good videos is a testament to what youtube could be but never will. The dog wasn't believable.

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Anna posted on 2010-01-17 at 6:29 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIM! It looks like it was a fun fiesta. Everything looked interesting and delicious, as always! Great to see you two doing well. :)

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