Today was one of those rare days when I fantasize about going off somewhere by myself to get away. (The fantasy involves going to the bookstore, buying books and magazines for ME, getting a snack and decaf cappuccino at the cafe, and sitting and reading for hours - uninterrupted.)
My little family has been in a bad mood since last night, although I'm not sure why. Maybe the change in weather and air pressure is making us cranky. A was crabby last night, which annoyed me. But I was okay until this morning when R drove me absolutely nuts. I spent most of the night in his bed because he had been upset in the middle of the night, so that meant I didn't get very restful sleep, what with being kneed and punched all night. Then, when I got up this morning to use the bathroom (and told him I'd be right back), R started wailing and yelling for me when I didn't return quickly enough. After we got up for the morning, he threw fits when I went to take a shower and when I went to get dressed. And, he had to be on me constantly. He climbed on me while I was doing yoga (which was his idea, the yoga, I mean), he jumped onto my back while I was trying to read my devotional, he insisted on climbing into my lap during breakfast, and he just kept touching and poking at me over and over again. I love that boy with all my heart and soul, but sometimes I need a few inches of personal space.
When A finally got up, I told him I needed a few minutes to myself and headed upstairs. I prayed and asked God to help my mood. Things definitely got better. But we spent most of the rest of the day running errands and shopping, which got tiresome, plus R was super whiney.
So, now hours later, A is putting R to bed upstairs, I'm watching "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," I've had a lovely little glass of 14-year-old blueberry port, and all's right with the world again. :-)
Of course, the day wasn't entirely annoying. R and I had some time in the afternoon to play baseball and frisbee outside and to crack open the sandbox that's been left alone all winter. And, after lunch, I treated myself to a big slice of Swedish princess cake. (I bought three of them during our last trip to IKEA.) Oh my, it's so delicious. It has layers of sponge cake and whipped cream and strawberry jam inside, and the whole thing is encased in a thin layer of marzipan. Light and sweet and fluffy - kind of like a Scandinavian tiramisu.
Well, A is about to light a fire in the fireplace, so I'm going to relax with my hubby. Oh, did I mention that we're supposed to get A FOOT of snow between tonight and Monday morning? I think I'm going to need another glass of port...
5 comments:
Sweetheart,
the cake you described reminds me of your first birthday cake. We got it at Esbensen's Bakery in Newburyport. I knew that we were in the right place when we walked in the door. There was a refrigerator stocked with seven kinds of pickled herring. Mrs. Esbensen was behind the counter, wearing a blue shirt with a full length white apron and her grey hair tied up in a bun. That was exactly how my Grandmother dressed. We asked about a birthday cake and Esbensen came out of the back. He also had on a white apron and he was covered with flour. He said that he would make the cake but that we would have to pick it up the morning of the birthday. That morning I went to pick it up and discovered why it had to be picked up that morning.
The cake was:
Bottom layer: a thin slice of sponge cake
Second layer: a layer of custard
Third layer: a layer of raspberry jam
Each layer was repeated three times.
The entire cake was frosted with a thick layer of whipped cream.
I raced home so that the cream would not melt. You sat in your high chair spreading a mashed layer of cake all over the tray, beaming and sampling all the time. It was glorious.
The last time that I checked, Esbensen's was no longer on the road out of Newburyport heading for Plum Island. They may have moved but they probably, like most Danes, succumbed to massive heart attacks from the glories of butter and cream.
This is a cherished memory and I thank you for reminding me of it,
all of my love to you and your family, always, daddy
Food therapy definitely helps me. So does coffee. But time to myself would help the best.
How did the snow go? We got 6 inches on Saturday.. but we are expecting 60 degree weather this week :0
That port sounds heavenly.
Sweetheart,
did the nice weather help any? Sometimes we in the North get cabin fever when the weather forces us into close quarters for long periods. You appear to have found a solution utilizing the old sailors adage "Any port in a storm.". Those old Portuguese sailors "Sailed they long and wise they were.". May the Port be with you!
daddy
P.S. With the blueberries at least you don't have to worry about scurvy.
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