Sunday, January 3, 2010

Extra cake

After The Engineer's birthday party last week, I looked in dismay at my kitchen table--there was a lot of cake left over. I'd made two, thinking one might not be enough. But one would have been just right, so after the guests had their fill, I was left with a whole lot of delicious chocolate cake.

I knew there was no way we'd eat all of it. I contemplated throwing most of it away. But first, I decided to try something else. I sat down on my computer and drafted an email to the local Freecycle group, of which I'm an active member.

In the subject line, I typed,

OFFER: Cake.

I began the email,

Okay, I'll start out by saying this is certainly the strangest thing I've ever tried to Freecycle, but it's worth a shot!

I explained the excess of cake filling up my house, and added,

My kids might be willing to eat cake for breakfast, lunch, & dinner for the next few days, but we've decided that might not be the wisest thing to allow. So it's either give it away or throw it away.

Anybody want some CAKE?

I went on to describe the cake, including links to the cake and frosting recipes. And then I clicked "Send," and waited.

Now, I knew that many people who saw the offer might think, "No way I'd take a half-eaten cake from some stranger." But I also knew the alluring power of cake. Chocolate cake.

And sure enough, a couple of hours later, the cake had found an enthusiastic new owner (minus a few pieces we reserved for the birthday boy.)

Freecycle is just the best. Or is chocolate cake the best? Either way, it ended up being a perfect combination.

10 comments:

Eternal Lizdom said...

If I knew it was YOUR cake, I'd take it from Freecycle! If I knew it was PW's chocolate cake, I'd take that, too.

Call Me Cate said...

I still can't decide if this is awesome or totally weird. Maybe it's both. Or maybe it's just chocolate.

Dan & Hillary said...

Only you, Beth... only you;-)

I hate throwing food out, too. That's why I leave it in the fridge until it dries out and then is no longer appetizing;-) Then, I can throw it out with a clear conscious!

Yeah for FreeCycle!

InspiredDreamer said...

I don't understand why you didn't just eat it for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Sounded like a sensible plan to me. :)

Vixen of Vixensden.com said...

What a fantastic idea. I love Freecycle, but no one has ever offered cake on mine. Sigh.

Our Scoop said...

I'm with "Call me Cate". I can't decide but I am leaning toward it being a little weird that someone would come all the way to your house to pick up some free cake! Sorry! I think it's neat in general, but that is a little freaky :) Do you have them come in your house or just leave it at the door?? Just curious!

Anonymous said...

I would have never thought of this. Great idea! Better than throwing out perfectly good food.

silver star said...

I don't know about your other readers, but when I want cake, I usually go to a store or a gas station that sells pieces of cake (places that bring in or bake it almost daily), so free cake already made sounds great to me!

P.S. Love the new background!

2cats said...

I have seen a lot of unusual things being asked for and being given away on Freecycle, but I know for a fact I have never seen cake listed. That was a great idea.
Cake also freezes well.

Unknown said...

That is just....odd. Really, Really odd. Glad you got rid of the excess though!