The Donut Cake

When Gary and I were planning our wedding in 1999, he wanted a wedding cake made of donuts. He thought it would be lovely and appropos because we both admitted donuts as a vice. I struck down his idea in favor of a Martha Stewart-style cake with smooth white icing that made it look as if it was frosted in a sheet of ice.

Today was the "December Birthday Celebration" at my office. I, along with my boss and one of my assocites, Marcelo, celebrate our birthdays within four days of one another at the end of December. My boss didn't make it to the party. My dog, our office mascot, Vanna, did make it. The cake, pictured above (photo by Marcelo) was showcased on a table near the door. It was indeed a holiday pile of red, green and white frosted donuts, some with sparkly sprinkles, plus a bunch of miniature Christmas tree ornaments placed strategically. Also placed strategically under the cake was Vanna dog, a great lover of donuts who once consumed an entire box of them that Gary had brought home to the garage for a meeting with his stucco crew.

My associate, Patty, had taken Vanna out for a walk when Marcelo and I decided we needed to be on time for the birthday party. Just as the assembled multitude began to sing "Happy Birthday," Patty arrived with Vanna. I watched as Vanna sniffed the air, and observed the moment she knew donuts were in range. She parked herself next to the table where the donut cake sat in its glory. As everyone sang, "Happy Birthday dear blah blah blah blah," I yelled at Patty, "PULL VANNA BACK - SHE'S GOING FOR THE DONUTS!!!" Patty heard me just as Vanna began a slow lunge toward her lucious prey. Patty yanked the leash and Vanna's effort to seize the donut cake was foiled. Vanna made a couple of pathetic choking noises as people sang, "...Happy Birthday to you...." I took a deep breath and in that moment realized how much Vanna and Gary have in common.