We were able to make the proper birthday cake. We had natural cocoa powder in the pantry, and it later turned out that Whole Foods had some. Of course we can get more at Penzeys. And probably also at the big supermarket in the next town over, the one I only avoid because it's next to a scary intersection.

I just thought it was interesting what counts as a staple these days, and what doesn't. The small supermarket has tahini. The big supermarket has 4 kinds of tahini. Frozen concentrated orange juice? No longer a staple. I'm not surprised a small supermarket doesn't have any. I'm surprised a big supermarket doesn't carry it. I was VERY surprised that somebody stocking the freezer in a big supermarket did not know what it was.