Sophie's birthday in Providence

Spring is here at last, or so it would seem. The trees are beginning to take on a quietly dramatic flair for producing green where there was only brown and grit before. The blast of whites, reds and pinks certainly helps to ease the grayness of urban living.

This last Saturday evening, after a quiet day at the Farmer's Market, Susie and I headed downtown to the State Lounge to help Sophie Hones celebrate her birthday. Sophie's husband Peter had asked the French Tarte to prepare something special for dessert, something to follow a light buffet, and so she did: a delicate layered cake in the French style, meaning several thin layers of delicious elements and yet only two inches thick.

It was a convivial evening of music, friendly chatter and plenty of sparkling wine in a comfortable space created just for this occasion -- at least that's how it felt to me.