if i knew you were comin' i'd 'a baked a cake

this is it kids- my official foray into baking (muffins and pre-packaged duncan hines ick nonwithstanding). tonight's the freaking night. i made the icing last night (using up AN ENTIRE BOX of what my aunt calls 'powder' sugar). cream cheese and sugar as far as the eye can see, with just a hint of cocoa and vanilla thrown in for good measure. i agonized last night about adding cayenne or a mix of dried ground chiles. sigh. maybe next time. this will be a real old school chocolate cake my first time out. three layers of flour and shortening. mmm. i can still remember (vividly!) the last time i had this cake. crowded around my aunt's (well, my mom's aunt) kitchen table with the house jam packed with cousins and other assorted grownup family. after a yummy dinner of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and homemade yeast rolls no doubt. i'm making myself delirious just thinking about it.

this was the weekend of experimental salmon. good once, but let's just say there is a reason cream cheese and salmon are married-- no other creamy cheese is good enough to be with salmon. brie? to uppity. goat cheese? too strong. salmon likes her man a little more soft'n'mild. anyway-- i blended up some brie, goat cheese, fresh dill, lemon juice and zest, spinach, and 'nova bits'-- stray pieces of smoked salmon with a sprinkle of capers on top. $2.99 (!) just because they weren't sliced in pretty pieces. anyway, the experimental salmon dip was meant for little squares of rye bread... it was better the next day in scrambled eggs. RIP experimental salmon.