cherishing me

is the hardest thing to do sometimes. It's much easier to direct this word "cherish" at my family members, and at time in general. Cherish the moments. Cherish my children. Cherish my husband.

But I want to start the year with cherishing me. Which sounds really selfish to my ears, but oh well. This expression exactly fits what goes on at our house: when mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. So I know I have to cherish myself, look after myself, or I'm no good to anybody else. But I often forget.

a cherished Christmas gift: a friend made me this wheat bag with my word for 2012 sewn on.
Amazing, eh?

My birthday happened to come along this week, so I always get to kick-start the new year with New Year's goals and with reflecting on a new age. They go hand in hand.

So here are some ways I cherished me on my birthday:

* bought and ate a pain au chocolat. Mmmm. Memories of France.

how do I love thee...

* bought Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown, a book I've wanted to read for over a year.
* read for 1/2 hour.
* made myself a chocolate hazelnut torte for my birthday. Ate some of it.
* bought 5 canoli to eat at supper. Ate one.
* saw my sister, niece, and a good friend.
* had 2 lovely hours to myself. Enjoyed.
* phoned my husband to ask him to buy me a chai latte.
* drank my chai latte as I watched my daughters swim and felt so proud.
* roasted a chicken, stuffed with orange slices, garlic, parsley, butter, and onions. Ate some.

* laughed a lot with my family during the meal.

* had Shegofa make henna designs all over my left hand.

* got a great romantic comedy ("Something Borrowed") from the library. Watched it and laughed.

So from this list, this is what "cherishing me" meant yesterday: eating mostly chocolate themed foods; buying and reading a book; having some solo time; having someone lavish my hand with henna; spending time with people I love; having some downtime to watch a movie.

How do you cherish you?

P.S. Here's my absolute favourite cake recipe. It's easy and light and delicious and chocolate.

Chocolate Hazelnut Torte

Place these ingredients in the blender:

4 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
Then add 1 cup hazelnuts and blend well.
Add 2 T flour and 2.5 tsp baking powder. Mix well.

Divide batter between two greased 8 inch round cake pans (about 350ml of batter in each pan). Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes.

While you're waiting, place these ingredients in the blender:

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp instant coffee
1.5 cups whipping cream
Blend until thickened. Cut each cake layer in half horizontally (it's a bit difficult - use a serrated knife - but it's well worth the effort when you have 4 layers of chocolatey goodness). Spread the cream mixture between each layer and ice the whole cake. (I've sometimes had to make a bit more cream icing to cover the entire cake).

Enjoy!