My sweet Mama gave me her cake decorating books and tips (because SHE wanted to learn to decorate cakes) so I could make sweet cakes for my children. I've reflected at how very kind this was of her.
This was my first grand attempt for Tony's 5th birthday. He wanted a cowboy and Indians theme for his party. Back then, when money was so tight, the 5th birthday was the first one where we had a *friends* party for our children.
I went and bought a new decorating tip just to make all of these fun balls on his cake.
(This is the same tip that I pulled out Saturday to create Miss Fiona's master-piece featured in a separate post!)
As I scanned and edited these old photos, yellowed with time, I started having memories pour forth from these simple images.
I think this photo is the one that really got me. The casual observer only sees Tony and Bekah with his party cake and cupcakes for his friends party.
I see-
- my old Formica table with gold flowered chairs that we bought or acquired when we moved to our trailer in 1974.
- on the window sill is the start of the first shamrock plant I ever had. Mike had been at a week-long training seminar in Shalishan, Oregon in January and brought back the funny little bulbs for me. It is potted in a Lucerne sour cream container.
- also on the window sill is a start of my Mom's Christmas cactus, tucked in behind my stylish curtains.
- out the window I can see our 1970 Chevy Vega, parked at the curb. It was my favorite green.
- Tony's #17 jersey is one I made him. Mike's favorite number was 17.
And this one of my darling family.
- Amanda is 11 months old, Bekah is 3.5. I love how interested Tony's sisters are in his special gifts and how he is sharing the experience with them.
- our not-too-long green shag carpet.
- my little rocking chair from when I was a tiny girl.
I'm so grateful for these happy memories.
**
And as long as we are on the memory train I had to share these photos of my darling Tony and his 2nd birthday cake.
I like doing things ahead of time... doing things last minute stresses me out too much. Fortunately I learned this lesson early on in my life and usually avoid a lot of stress...
but not this time.
We'd only lived in Priest River Idaho for 3 months when Tony's 2nd birthday came rolling around.
(Isn't he darling? I love his sleepy morning face!)
**
And as long as we are on the memory train I had to share these photos of my darling Tony and his 2nd birthday cake.
I like doing things ahead of time... doing things last minute stresses me out too much. Fortunately I learned this lesson early on in my life and usually avoid a lot of stress...
but not this time.
We'd only lived in Priest River Idaho for 3 months when Tony's 2nd birthday came rolling around.
(Isn't he darling? I love his sleepy morning face!)
Grammy, my Mom, got him this red wagon for his special day.
He's put his favorite toys and his special quilt, made by Auntie Ann, in his new ride.
I'd made a fabulous cake for him. It had homemade marshmallow frosting that came up in beautiful peeks with swirls of dark chocolate on the top and sides. I put it, for safe and secret keeping, on top of the refrigerator.
Imagine my disappointment when I went to get the cake and found that the heat of the fridge had melted all of the marshmallow frosting down around the bottom of the cake. Luckily I had it in a cake-cover-plastic-deal and was able to smear the, now milk chocolate, frosting back up over the cake.
Funny story, but here's the thing... Tony was thrilled that his 21-year old Mommie had made him a special cake for his special day.
I'm so grateful for all the memories that came pouring out along with Fiona's special birthday cake!
