Tags
another year, bolo brigadeiro, bolo prestigio, celebrating life, Chocolate cake, homemade bagels, It is my birthday, twin sister
My sister and I celebrated our birthdays today (March 28). We turned 54 years old. It is just so strange, so foreign to verbalize (write) that I am that age. It doesn’t fit. It doesn’t feel right. Yet, that’s how old I am.
No matter what age I am, I will always gratefully celebrate the gift of life. The gift of another day. We didn’t do anything special, we are choosing to observe the quarantine and stay inside. Being alive, healthy and safe is special enough.
We spent the day cooking, baking, watching movies. We did some yoga poses and answered the several phone calls we got.
For breakfast my sister made bagels from scratch. She loves bagels and eats them every weekend. We didn’t have any and didn’t want to go out to buy it. So she got a recipe online. It came out pretty tasty.
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ―
I haven’t baked a cake in a long time, but wanted to make one for our birthday. I made a chocolate cake with two fillings. One filling was a coconut cream and the other was a chocolate cream. I covered it with chocolate ganache.
“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child—our own two eyes. All is a miracle.” ―
It was a combination of 2 of my favorite Brazilian cakes: Bolo prestigio (with coconut filling) and Bolo Brigadeiro (with chocolate filling). The pictures don’t do justice. It was absolutely to die for. I wish you guys could taste it. It was not overly sweet.
“Around us, life bursts with miracles–a glass of water, a ray of sunshine, a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops. If you live in awareness, it is easy to see miracles everywhere. Each human being is a multiplicity of miracles. Eyes that see thousands of colors, shapes, and forms; ears that hear a bee flying or a thunderclap; a brain that ponders a speck of dust as easily as the entire cosmos; a heart that beats in rhythm with the heartbeat of all beings. When we are tired and feel discouraged by life’s daily struggles, we may not notice these miracles, but they are always there.”― Thich Nhat Hahn
Krista said:
Happy birthday🌹
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Krista! 🙏❤
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Sheree said:
Happy birthday! 🎉 🥂 🎈
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Sheree! ♥♥
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SumitOfficial said:
Happy birthday, my friend.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Sumit! ♥♥
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SumitOfficial said:
😊🥰
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beth said:
Happy birthday to both of you and it was my sister’s and granddaughter’s as well )
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Beth! ♥♥
Happy belated birthday to your sister and granddaughter – my fellow Aries people 🙂
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Cassa Bassa said:
Celebration and food and sisterhood, you have embraced all.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Cassa
We tried to make the best of it. We had a great day with tasty food. 🙂
♥♥
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Cassa Bassa said:
👍💞
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Andrea Frazer said:
Happy birthday to you!!!! And I love the Thich Nhat Hanh quotes. And… I get not feeling 54. I just turned 50 and I swear I just turned 40. It’s okay. I’d rather be 50 with wisdom and where I’m now than when I was a hot mess drinking too much at 40. 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Andrea (that is my sister’s name 🙂 )
50 is definitely the new 40!
Whatever age we are let’s enjoy it! ♥♥
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E. said:
Happy Birthday 👑👑🖤
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you E.! ♥♥
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utesmile said:
Happy Birthday to you both. What a treat, home made bagels and a scrumptious cake. One of many birthdays you will remember surely. It is nice that you are twins , so you have each other. Take good care.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Ute,
Thank you! 🙂
It is great to be able to spend our birthdays together.
And the yummy treats were a plus. ♥♥
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delphini510 said:
Happy Birthday to you, may the day bring you wonderful surprises.
Your gift of quotes by Thich Naht Hahn brings wisdom and happiness.
miriam
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Miriam! 🙂
The writings of Thich Naht Hahn are a great source of wisdom and inspiration.
Blessings! ♥♥
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P. C. Zick said:
Happy birthday to you and your sister. The cake sounds wonderful. It’s such a weird time, but some things I could adjust to such as having groceries delivered to my front stoop. What a concept! Stay safe and enjoy all those little things like homemade bagels and comfort cake.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Patricia
Thank you so much!
With these uncertain times, being in the kitchen creating something is a great way to feel productive and to get the mind off of what is going on.
I may try food delivery one of these days, but for now my sister just walks to the supermarket across the street.
You and your loved ones be safe and be blessed! ♥♥
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The V Pub said:
Happy birthday!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Rob! ♥♥
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Happy Birthday! The cake and bagels look delicious!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Kim! 🙂
There were both so delicious!
Blessings! ♥♥
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djdfr said:
That cake looks and sounds absolutely delicious.
Bagels are hard to come by here and usually not up to par. I have been making them for a long time. Now my husband makes them. I have one waiting for my quatre heures (afternoon snack). 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
It was delicious!
Can you part with your bagel recipe? My sister would love to try it again with a different recipe.
Afternoon snacks are the best, specially on this rainy cold day here in NY.
Be safe and be blessed! ♥♥
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djdfr said:
Here is where I wrote about it. It is several pages, the recipe, and I made changes. Would it be available to you from a library?
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! I will check your post out! 🙂
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chocogtu said:
Looks very tasty
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A Star on the Forehead said:
and it is 🙂
Blessings! ♥♥
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tiffanyarpdaleo said:
Happy belated birthday!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Tiffany! ♥♥
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joliesattic said:
Very tasty looking and congratulations. If you find it hard to believe, can you imagine how I feel? My daughter will turn 54 at the end of this year, but I’m in no hurry… big smile.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
oh, wow, you have a 53 year old and you look that great!
More and more I am realizing that age is indeed just a number. What is important is the love for life and for learning, growing and experiencing things.
Stay that amazing! ♥♥
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joliesattic said:
Attitude and self care is important. When my girls were teens they hated that their BF thought I was hot, after some thought they realized it was a plus for them and they look amazing.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
ha, you were the hot mom lol,
as they say “look at the mom before you marry the daughter, as that is what she will look like in the future”.
Blessings! ♥♥
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Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall said:
Birthday love!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Suna! ♥♥
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Kat said:
Happy Birthday to you and your sister 🥳🥳🌷🌷
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Kat, from both of us! ♥♥
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QueridaJ said:
Happy Birthday to your and your sister! Such a touching sweet way to celebrate ☺️ Wish you all the very best!! 💐💐
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi QueridaJ,
We both say thank you!
Sweet, delicious and big enough for many days 🙂 ♥♥
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brilliantviewpoint said:
I am a little late… HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU and YOUR SISTER! Your bagels and cake looked delicious — home made is ALWAYS good. Glad you had a special day together! ❤ (now that you taught me, I am an EXPERT at hearts!).
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A Star on the Forehead said:
I love your heart! ♥
Never too late in my book. We both thank you!
I say the same thing, I will take anything homemade over store bought any day.
Blessings! ♥♥
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Laci said:
Happy Birthday! That all looked delicious!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
It was. 🙂 Thank you Laci!
Blessings ♥♥
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K E Garland said:
Happy BELATED Birthday! It looks as if you both had a great one, in spite of current conditions ❤
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you K E! 🙂
It was great! It got my sister in the kitchen. Now all she thinks about is making bread.
Blessings! ♥♥
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anotherday2paradise said:
Your birthday cake looks wonderful. It’s quite big for the two of you. 😅 Sounds like you both had a happy and productive day. Believe me, 54 is still very young to me. My daughter turns 53 this month. 😳
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Sylvia
We froze a piece of the cake so there wouldn’t be too much temptation around 🙂
It was an awesome day!
I hope your daughter has an awesome day. Is she an Aries also?
Blessings and be safe! ♥♥
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anotherday2paradise said:
No, she’s a Taurus like my husband. My son is Aries.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
My Mom is Taurus, tough but great people! 🙂
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anotherday2paradise said:
Agreed.
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mincs1 said:
Happy Birthday!! Your cake looks delicious 🙂 I loved your Thich Nhat Hanh quotes.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you so much! The cake is so yummy. My sister is already talking about another one – and this one is not even finished yet. 🙂
Blessings and be safe! ♥♥
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Librarylady said:
I see I’m not the only one drooling over your chocolate cake. Happy Birthday!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Geanie! I wish people could taste it, it came out so good. My sister says it is one of the best cakes she ever had.
Blessings and be safe! ♥♥
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johnranjit said:
Thanks a lot for spending your precious time in my blog page, looking forward for your comments and constructive feedbacks in future.
Thanks & Regards
JR
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi JR,
I will definitely go back and visit. 🙂
Blessings! 🙂
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Jay said:
Happy birthday to you both!
That cake looks wonderful – I wish I could have some too!
Baking bagels is pro level, I’m impressed!
I read that there’s been a strain on flour producers because we’ve all turned to baking during our quarantine!!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Jay
We both say thank you!
The cake is yummy specially if you like chocolate and coconut!
It was the first time my sister has baked anything in years and it got her excited to do more baking now. The flour producers better ram up production. 🙂
Be blessed and be safe! ♥♥
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SaaniaSparkle 🧚🏻♀️ said:
Happy belated birthday! 🎂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Saania! 🙂 ♥♥
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SaaniaSparkle 🧚🏻♀️ said:
My pleasure!
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Goff James said:
Great Quotes. Great Cooking. Great Images. A scrumptious medley of words and flavours. Happy Birthday. Have a great day. Stay Safe.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Goff
Thank you for stopping by and for the birthday wishes! 🙂
You too be safe! Blessings! ♥♥
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Goff James said:
Cheers. Thanks. Stay Safe. Stay Smiling. Stay Laughing.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! Always safe, always smiling 🙂
Blessings! ♥♥
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Goff James said:
Cheers. Happy day.
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G. J. Jolly said:
Belated Happy Birthday to you and your sister. 😀
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A Star on the Forehead said:
We thank you! 🙂 ♥♥
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Silver Screenings said:
A chocolate cake with coconut filling sounds like a piece of heaven.
Happy Belated Birthday!!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
and it was! 🙂 Thank you!
Blessings! ♥♥
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Ellen Hawley said:
Moving to Cornwall has meant not buying bagels. If I want bagels, I have to make them, and I’ve gotten reasonably good at it, but I’ve never been able to shape them as well as your sister. They come out looking like I let the dogs take over that part. If she’s in the mood to share her secret, I’m listening.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Ellen
Do you have a good recipe for it? My sister is searching for the perfect NY bagels.
I love them no matter what they look like. I often go for the misshapen ones.
Shaping the bagels was the easiest part. Here is a video about it:
Blessings! ♥♥
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Debby Winter said:
Thanks for sharing and happy birthday!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Debbie!
Blessings! ♥♥
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TishGirl❤️ said:
Happy belated birthday!😊
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! ♥♥
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TishGirl❤️ said:
You’re welcome!😊
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NabeehaJameel said:
The bagels and chocolate cake look stunning! Good job!!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
They were! 🙂
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NabeehaJameel said:
And a very merry happy birthday!♥️
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! 🙂
Blessings! ♥♥
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Eat Dessert First Greece said:
Great idea, this cake looks yummy!! Happy birthday! 🙂 If you like, take a look at our food blog too for traditional Greek recipes and much more: https://eatdessertfirstgreece.com/2020/03/17/loukoumades-eng/
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! 🙂
I will go take a look. I miss some Greek cookies that a co-worker’s mother used make.
Blessings! ♥♥
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Ubahakwe said:
Happy Birthday 😊 🎉
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! Blessings! ♥♥
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Leif Price said:
I love it! Everything looks delectable!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you Leif! It was!
Blessings! ♥♥
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Maryam said:
Hi, I love your post and well happy birthday in arrears…. it’s better late than never
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! I will accept good wishes any time 🙂
Blessings! ♥♥
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Maryam said:
U are welcome
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