A Quarter Century + 1 = 26 Years Old!

My birthday started really early this past Tuesday, October 7th, 2008. With a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call for class, the birthday celebration started before the sun even came up. Thanks for the present mom, it came two days ago, but I waited until my birthday before I opened it.
Mrs. Walnofer, not my mom, surprised me with a special night away from the 400 sq.ft cottage. Cuvaision Estate Winery has a guest house located in the center of their Carneros vineyards. Very cool and a nice little benefit from the best Direct Marketing Specialist in the entire Valley!
Steak and Potatoes was on the birthday menu tonight. After cutting up tenderloins in class today, it was only fitting to end the day actually eating one with dinner. What is that I spy over there.............
That's right, my favorite Bordeaux direct from France, via my suitcase about 2 months ago! Domaine du Pruerat stepped up to the plate and paired oh so nicely with the filet mignon.
Where's the cake? We didn't bring a cake with us, but this one magically appeared in 10 minutes or less. Kristen found a neat little recipe called, "Cake in a Mug", which can be made in a coffee mug with basic ingredients. Here is the recipe if you want to surprise your significant other on their birthday in the future..............or when you just want to have chocolate cake and ice cream................which is pretty much always for me!

Chocolate Cake in a Mug!

1 coffee mug
4 tbsp. flour (plain, not self rising)
4 tbsp. sugar
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 egg
3 tbs. milk
3 tbsp. oil
Dash of vanilla
3 tbsp. choc. chips, optional

Directions:
Spray mug add dry ingredients to mug, mix well with fork
Add egg, mix well
Pour in milk and oil and vanilla, mix well
Add chips if using
Put in microwave (with tray underneath) and cook for 3 minutes on 1000 watts. Cake will rise over the top of mug,allow to cool before tipping over on plate for icing. Enjoy!