The Happiest Flower

Growing up, I would occasionally wake up to a bouquet of roses from my mother's garden sitting on my nightstand. It was always such an unexpected treat. I love knowing that she took the time to sneak into my room with something special for me for no other reason than to brighten my morning.

It's been many years since we have shared a home but every once and a while I will pull up to a giant bushel of sweet peas on my side doorstep or this happy cluster of sunflowers, which were waiting for me on Tuesday afternoon. No note is ever necessary. I know it's my mom thinking of me.

Compromise; or #2 on the list

The experience of creating this here little birthday cake will be added to a growing list of life lessons I continue to experience as a result of birthing a child in the evening of April 13, 2008. I had been thinking of baking Emerson a cake from scratch since sometime last summer. I imagined a traditional two-layer number covered with white buttercream frosting, spread on to form gentle swirls of pillowy goodness. I pictured one tiny candle in the center. A simple and sweet cake to celebrate my daughter and the year that we have successfully completed together.

In the weeks leading up to her birthday I decided that cupcakes made from a Magnolia Cupcake recipe I had cut out from my local newspaper many years ago could also make a suitable birthday treat. I was on the fence but excited to finally bake from scratch. And yes, I was also looking forward to crossing something off my list.

Then my mother-in-law came to visit.

She had her heart set on baking her youngest grandchild a three layer princess cake, covered in frosted roses and leaves. And she insisted on a giant #1 candle for the top. And because I struggle with a wee bit of the passive aggressive gene, I couldn't bring myself to tell her about my List. Or about my nearly year-long fantasy of baking a simple little cake for my daughter's birthday. I kept quite. I grouched to myself about this cake that would surely come from a box and would never match up to my vision of an old-fashioned celebration.

In the end, I told her I wanted to make the cake from scratch. If we did the three layer thing then I would have to also give in to food coloring because a three layer white cake for a baby is weird. Then she pulled out a bag of Easter egg Whoppers from her luggage. Um, o.k. I guess. No, no I screamed in my head. It's not Easter and it's not a wedding. It's my baby's birthday and this will be the very first bite of baked goods to ever cross her precious lips.

She started to add the candy when Emerson stole her attention and my step daughter and I silently and quickly removed them. We were still holding firm to the idea of a simple little cake. Then I grabbed the birthday girl and placed her in her high chair so she could endure her first of many renditions of "Happy Birthday" (personally, I've never been a fan of amateur singing in public - I despise karaoke, the birthday song, For He's a Jolly Ole Fellow and Auld Lang Syne).

I turned around to light the tacky candle and saw the handy work of one very determined grandmother. And in that moment I realized that I am not raising this human in my imagination and my voice is not the only one of consequence and influence and that is ultimately a good thing - for her and for me. If the cupcakes had really been important I would have spoken up. And if the candy eggs had been a deal breaker I would have pulled the all powerful mom veto. But really what mattered was that Emerson was surrounded by love and adoration on her most special of days.

And this was my daughter's reaction to her birthday cake. Her face pretty much sums up my feeling in that moment. Oh to be one and totally unrepressed. I have much to learn from this child.

Sunday Cup: 8 of 52

This afternoon I took a few moments for myself on the back porch. I had a quick cup of English Breakfast while the wind was blowing and the chimes from the side yard were singing. And this is where I admit that I've never been a huge tea drinker. Growing up my mom would make me a cup of Sleepy Time with loads of honey and lemon if I had a sore throat or a stuffy nose. It was meant for comfort. As an adult I have saved tea consumption mostly for fancy occasions of the high tea variety. Events that are heavy on the Devonshire cream and lemon curd and where tea is a lovely companion to the enormous amounts of dainty sandwiches I might be inhaling.

So this little ritual of enjoying a hot beverage for no other reason than to simply pause and admire the vessel in which it is carried, has given me an entirely new appreciation for the subtleties and brilliance of a cup of tea. 

It's a happy pause in the day. So humble and quieting. This set by Sutherland HM was most likely produced between 1936-1941. The mark includes the name Sutherland above a lion with an H and an M on either side. Hudson & Middleton was produced at Sutherland Pottery during this time. Both the cup and saucer have blue daisies and the inside of the cup is a pretty pale blue. (I love it when a cup includes a surprise element on the interior). The rim is accented with gold. I remember thinking that the blue flowers were a little gaudy and not quite my thing when I received it, but now that I've shared a private moment with it, I have a whole new appreciation. Not sure I could see an entire set on my dinner table but this one feels special and sweet.

Sunday Cup: 7 of 52

This cup has always reminded me of an Easter egg. Something about the shape and the pale pink color just feels deliciously Easterish. It was the only new set given to me at my bridal shower. And since today is Greek Easter and I took an unplanned week-long break from blogging, I offer you this Sunday Cup (and a hearty "Christos Anesti" - the Greeks - they are my people by way of marriage) from the Nikko Company. It is bone china and called "Rose".

I took a break from the baby and the festivities to have an afternoon coffee in the sun. It was the perfect prelude to our holiday meal and early birthday cake for baby Emerson. More on that soon.

Easter Love Volume 4

Here's a tasty little project for the entire family. This 3-D egg pan was a fantastic investment of $15. You can get it from Wilton (there's also a mini egg cake pan on their site) or you may be able to find it in a specialty baking supply store in your neighborhood. We've been using it every Easter at our house for years. Each of the kids gets to bake their own egg and then decorate it themselves. We usually dye coconut shavings green so each egg is nestled in a bed of grass.

It's a bonus purchase if you're also a sports fan. The pan doubles as a perfect mold for a football and we usually make a special cake when the hubby's hometown team makes it to the playoffs or a Super Bowl. Of course, you run the risk of having to eat what should have been celebratory cake in the somber din of defeat if your team blows it during the last few minutes of an otherwise perfect season. (oh dear Patriots, sometimes it hurts to be your fan).

Easter Love Volume 3

Cassia Beck

Um, seriously. How cute is this little guy? I wish I could direct you to a shop where you could buy one of these for your little lovey, but I can't. So we will all have to settle on ordering a print of Cassia Beck's adorable bunny on wheels. Wouldn't this be cute framed in a nursery or child's room? Or your room?

Sunday Cup: 7 of 52

Better late than never, I always say. This week's Sunday Cup is a little tardy. It may or may not be due to the completely indulgent date night I had with the hubby. Plates of goat cheese, olives, pasta and beignets seriously clouded my Sunday night judgement. Of course, it could have had something to do with the punky baby who was AWAKE and stayed that way for several hours after we returned home. Baby sat in my arms repeating the word "wow" every time she got close to drifting off. Wow is right, baby. Wow, is the room spinning? Wow, I didn't actually need a glass of dessert wine. Wow, I wish I had some more fried goat cheese...

Ah, well. This week's set comes to us from dear Melanie's house. I love these little cups and the gorgeous cast iron tea kettle from Teavana. The cups are so dainty and delicate. I always expect them to be too hot to hold but they are surprisingly insulated. We enjoyed some red rooibos tea while our daughters emptied the contents of the kitchen cupboards.

Easter Love Volume 2

A little something for mama and a little something for the kids.

How sweet and sophisticated is this little clutch? I'd say it's the perfect size for Sunday brunch. Looks like it could easily hold my cherry chapstick and a secret stash of Peeps. Seriously, check out Shakuyaku's site. There are some beautiful little bags that are perfect for spring.

Pencil Sketches Flower Clutch made by Shakuyaku

I've talked about my love of Marisa Haedike's work already so I won't rattle on about her inspirational Creative Thursday back story. You can read about it here and here. But how cute is Peep Peep? This little print would be so cheerful in a child's room.

Marisa Haedike's "Peep Peep"