Abbie's Birthday Wishes

But more than anything, more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yes, this is my wish.

We celebrate a special birthday this week...granddaughter, Abbie! My how time passes quickly! She is turning twelve. We have watched Miss Abbie grow from sweet baby girl, to a precious toddler, to a child who excels in school, embraces friendships, a soccer star and a giving and loving young lady! She is everything we could have wished for. As the now infamous line from The Help quotes from Aibileen...."You is Kind, You is Smart and You is Important!

Homemade Strawberry Cake-Best Birthday Cake Ever!

1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix

1 (3-ounce) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin

1 (15-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed

4 large eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed

1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract

7 cups confectioners' sugar

Freshly sliced strawberries, for garnish, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and gelatin. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil, and water; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour into prepared pans, and bake for 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.


Frosting
In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in 1/4 cup of the strawberry puree and the vanilla extract. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth. I add the sugar according to taste and do not add all 7 cups. (Be sure to taste test as you mix the frosting so it does not end up over the top sweet! ) Spread frosting in between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries!

Our Birthday Girl!