if we were lucky, our childhood birthdays were not marked by parties or presents, but by my auntie nanay’s chiffon cake and butter cream frosting. sometimes my mom made it, sometimes my auntie made it, but regardless, it is one of my fondest memories of childhood. these cupcakes are a departure from that classic recipe in that a) they are cupcakes and b) they are ginger chiffon instead of vanilla. if they are one-tenth as good as my memories, I will count that as an unqualified success.

willpower lasted til about 3:20. and then boom!

had an extra pie crust lying around, so I decided to make a coconut cream and white chocolate pie. and as if in gratitude, the universe made it rain for the first time in months.