Inspired (and Happy Birthday x 2)

As we watched the Inauguration, I could not help feeling how incredibly lucky we were to live here. This peaceful transition is an example of how to transfer power more powerful than any speech about freedom or democracy. This is how it's done.
As a former history teacher, I was also inspired by President Obama's speech. It had echoes of Lincoln, echoes of Kennedy...this President knows his history. What a pleasure to have a reader as our leader again.

What an amazing day. My daughter went to Georgetown over the weekend to celebrate her birthday with friends and reports that everyone there was in a VERY good mood.
Here is how the world has changed. When she was in Ireland a couple summers ago, many people in the pubs were openly rude and hostile when they heard her accent and one man made her cry. But this December when she was in London and Rome, all was forgiven and people went out of their way to congratulate her on President Obama's election. They would say, "Oh you're American? We love Obama!" Perhaps wearing your Obama08 T shirt would be a good idea if you are planning a trip abroad in the near future..

In local Little Hunting Creek news, it is still @!*&^%$ cold here. Parts of the Potomac are frozen and when we drove by earlier this week, the geese were standing on the ice. From the shore it looked as if they were walking on water. After the USAirways crash in NY, we shall now consider them "Killer Geese".

My son got his first college acceptance letter, so we were doubly very happy yesterday. How appropriate that he should get it on Inauguration Day. I told him it meant that he should be President. He said he would enjoy bowling at the White House.
His birthday is this Friday and he is beyond bummed out that he missed voting in the election by just a couple of months. Of course, he holds me responsible.(It's always the mother's fault.)

My daughter's birthday was Monday and we celebrated with the whole family.
Best Sister Ever and Mr. Hunting Creek have decreed that all of our parties must now have a Theme, so our theme was Tropical, since it was so darn cold. Our Menu included
Thai Crab Dip, Thai Turkey Larb Lettuce Wraps, Asian Grilled Ahi and Mahi Mahi,
Tropical punch, and Pina Colada Cake. Everyone raved about the cake. Mr. Hunting Creek found the recipe in The Cake Mix Doctor, and here it is, with improvements addded by Mrs. Hunting Creek.

Pina Colada Cake
1 can (15 ounces) cream of coconut (you will use only 1/2 cup for the cake. We used the rest for drinks, and I added some to the buttecream frosting)
1 package plain yellow cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
1 package vanilla instant pudding mix (if they had coconut pudding I would have used it. They need to invent this.)
1/2 cup light rum
1/3 cup vegetable oil ( I used canola oil)
4 large eggs
1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained

Preheat your oven to 350. Grease a bundt pan, or 2 9"round pans, or one 9"x13' pan.
Place cake mix, pudding mix, 1/2 cup cream of coconut(make sure you shake it first. it is thick) 1/2 cup rum, oil and eggs in large mixing bowl. Blend with electric mixer for couple minutes. Add the crushed pineapple. The batter will be thick and smooth(with teeny bits of pineapple.) Pour into your pan or pans. Bake until it springs back when lightly pressed, about 35 -40 minutes for the layer cakes, about 50-55 minutes for the bundt cake. Let it cool while you make frosting of your choice. I made a vanilla buttercream, but used cream of coconut and pineapple juice for the liquid instead of milk. It was sprinkled with shredded coconut for a festive look. Picture above, unfortunately with the cake cover on.

Stay warm!