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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Little Sun; A Bit of Cake

Today the temperature almost reached 70 degrees. What a tease this is! I know winter will be back, and probably with a vengeance. I decided though to seize the day and on the way to the gym, I opened my car windows and sun roof and let the warm air blow my hair all over the place! It felt great even though I'm still combing the knots out of my hair! It'll probably snow tomorrow...

In our house, the person celebrating his or her birthday gets to choose the menu for dinner. We've done this since the kids could talk and it has often had interesting consequences. When our son turned two, we told him he could have any kind of cake he wanted. He ran over to my magazine basket and furiously threw magazines over his shoulder searching for his choice. He grabbed the February 1978 issue of Bon Appetite, held it out to us and said, "I want this!" There on the cover was a three-tiered sponge cake filled with fresh raspberries and strawberries, iced with whipped cream, and topped with beautiful strawberries. Richard and I exchanged an alarmed look. In February, 1978, finding fresh berries in this area was almost impossible. But we had said he could choose anything he wanted. And so I began looking. Amazingly, I did find fresh strawberries, but had to settle for frozen raspberries. The cake was yummy and our child got his request; the first of many.

Since then my offer to provide anything they want remains, and so today I got up early and began preparing his requests for this year - his 33rd birthday. There are more people at our table on these special occasions, but that makes the day even more special. What did he ask for? I bet you thought I was going to say that same Bon Appetite cake. I offered, but marinating in the fridge are thinly sliced chicken breasts in a soy/cumin/curry mixture that we'll grill. I prepared what the kids refer to as "Michael noodles" -- corkscrew noodles in a sesame/peanut butter sauce. We're also having green beans (not part of the request, but I had to include a vegetable), cornbread and for dessert, a three-tiered German chocolate cake with pecan-coconut icing. I think he'll be pleased. Everyone should be here by six, so I have just enough time for a power nap.

8 comments:

Gin said...

Now I'm really hungry! Your dinner sounds amazing. Andy loves German Choc. cake...but three layers?? He'd be in heaven!

Brad said...

Mmmmmm - I make a chinese chicken salad with peanut & sesame sauce. Love that taste. Does this birthday request thing only apply to your kids? My 46th is coming up fast!

Jay said...

My birthday is in just a few weeks. I'm just sayin' haha ;-)

My mother kind of does the same thing. She tells me to go to Wal-Mart and get whatever cake I want. LOL

Cheryl said...

My mom still tell me to buy something for myself for $25 and she'll write me a check. I like your tradition better. Can you post your chicken recipe?

happyone said...

Great tradition for birthdays.
The German chocolate cake sounds like it would be a favorite of mine!! I love chocolate cake!!

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I love that story of your two-year-old son. What a great tradition. And this year's menu sounds great.

Gulf Coast said...

Great weather. we are so ready for Spring here in the south. Read someone wanted your chicken receipe...can you post it. Menu sounded wonderful..

beachgirl said...

We have the same tradition in my family. Birthdays are a big deal. And yes the birthday boy or girl chooses the menu and the home made cake. My daughter is usually the cook now. The choices get interesting and sometimes expensive.