For all of us belonging to French Fridays with Dorie and Tuesdays with Dorie: Baking with Julie, this is a very special day and opportunity to raise our whisks in celebration of our leader. Today, October 24th, is Dorie Greenspan’s birthday. We are honoring you, dear Dorie, with good wishes and baking efforts and love………..
First, Our Birthday Beauty Makeover
Mary & Dorie, Au Naturel, International Food Bloggers Conference in Seattle
Recently, at the IFBC in Seattle, many FFWD participants were able to meet you, Dorie. Knowing we each dreamed of a photo op to mark the occasion you were ever the good sport and didn’t disappoint. After posting our picture on my blog, Lights on Bright no Brakes, my good friend, artist Dale Hollinger (KarlHollinger), decided a beauty makeover would be a giggle. Since my birthday was October 22 and yours, two days later, Dale got busy and sent us her gift. You and Michael [Dorie’s husband] and I were amazed by the power of rouge, lipstick and airbrushing. We thank you, Dale, for a vision of “us” we never had.
A Birthday Bash and Two Cakes
When my friends discovered your birthday was also this week, Dorie, they included you in my October 22nd celebration. Happy Birthday and a healthy year ahead from (l to r) DonnaDeux (the two Donnas), Charlotte, Bernie, Kathy, Fred and me with Stephen and Michael, behind the lens. All of them have shared many FFWD recipes with me and consider you part of “the” family!
While I will write about my delicious and unique birthday dinner in another post, I did want to show you our birthday cakes. The blonder Donna made me a classic Hummingbird Cake using the same recipe that renown Chef Art Smith made for Oprah’s 50th Birthday Bash. It was a moist, amazing banana cake with a tropical pineapple twist and delicious cream cheese frosting. I’m a Birder. It was the perfect choice.
For you, I made the Classic Banana Bundt Cake from your cookbook, “Baking, From my Home to Yours”. To my eyes (and, I hope, to yours), this little beauty is a thing of wonder and amazement. Dorie, this is the first baking success I’ve had since returning to Aspen and 8,200‘ altitude. Although I haven’t yet made a cut, I just know it’s as ‘dense, moist and extremely banana-y‘ as you describe it to be.
From a loyal member of your flock, Dorie, I wish you a wonderful and happy day and a year ahead filled with good health, continued professional successes, and making more joyful memories with friends and family. To see the birthday greetings of other colleagues who also cook-the-books, go to our French Friday with Dorie and Tuesdays with Dorie:Baking with Julia links.
What a lame friend! I can’t believe I missed your birthday! But, it looks like you celebrated in style – because that’s the only way you can.
I hope your celebrations continue for the rest of the month.
Wishing you every happiness! xoxoxo
Wow, you guys looked good before you were airbrushed but a little icing on the cake never hurts. Happy Birthday to both of you.
Also, I thought I was a blonde Donna too?
Your buddy, DonnaG.
Whoops.
Mary, what a wonderful birthday tribute to Dorie Greenspan with delicious cakes, wonderful pictures and fabulous birthday whishes.
Oh Mary what a fun post – and what a great dish to bring to the birthday table!
Happy birthday, Dorie!!! Mary, you look smashing all glammed up…and your cake looks exquisite! What a cool pan.
PS…I dropped the ball on participating 🙁
Happy birthday to you too Mary! Your banana bundt is a thing of beauty.
First: Bon anniversaire to you, dear wonderful Mary. I didn’t know that October 22 was your birthday. It’s a favorite date of mine because it is also the birthday of two of my closest friends and loveliest people. You’re just the right person to join the 10/22 club. And merci for all the good wishes and the gorgeous cake. I hope that when you cut into it, it was just right. High altitude baking is mysterious. Again, thank you and thanks to your friends for allowing me to be part of your celebration. Big birthday kisses – xoDorie
Oh, Miss Mary, you are just too much.
First of all, a very, very happy (belated) birthday to you. XOXO
Your post brought a smile to my face – I love your cakes and makeover (although, I don’t think the makeover was needed 🙂 )
I love your bundt pan!
Fabulous, just fabulous. I always enjoy reading of your warm get together’s with friends and this one really struck me in how not just the “Dorista” follow French Fridays…but we have so many collateral Doristas, if you know what I mean 🙂 What a lovely celebration. And those cakes – wow. Kudos on nailing yours with the elevation and that Hummingbird one was news to me but I am on board big time – and making it for a birder ? Precious.
Happy Birthday Mary! What beautiful cakes. They look so yummy. What a festive party!!
Happy Birthday Mary,
You always seem to be surrounded by the loveliest people and they bake. How wonderful for you.
I love the glam Mary Dorie photo you girls are just gorgeous.
Today is my daughter’s birthday but she is home sick. Planning a special birthday dinner for her tonight and keeping my fingers crossed that she will be up to it.
She’s in good October company. Tell my little baking friend to get better. xoxo
Your entire birthday post was lovely! Kudos!
Love this post Mary -from your cakes, to the photos of you with your friends to the lovely make-over shot of you and Dorie-all wonderful 😉 Thanks for sharing this and a Happy Birthday to you too!
Congrats on your first baking success since returning to 8200′! When I first moved to 4500′ 13 years ago I was surprised and dismayed at the problems I had baking, and I’m not even nearly as high as you are. I’m getting better, but it still involves work and a little luck. Happy belated birthday to you!
Love the Glam photo!! You both look stunning! Mary, your cake looks fantastic…looks like you have conquered the altitude problem! A fun post…and one more time…Happy Birthday my friend!!
I’m so happy you had a great birthday! I’m happy to report that you anchor my string of October birthdays. My dad’s was yesterday, today Dorie and my college roommate, and tomorrow another dear friend.
The makeover made me chuckle out loud. I’m actually loving the dark pink lipstick on you. 😉
LOVE the airbrushed shot! I want to look like that!
Stunning! Happy Birthday October Ladies!
Happy Birthday Mary and Dorie! Both cakes look beautiful and it seems like this week of October is a good one for producing wonderful women.
You are beautiful Mary, with and without the make up. Love the inner beauty that shines through too, hope you had a wonderful birthday!