Tuesday, December 15, 2020

A Boy Bakes His First Cake


Here's another camellia that is opening up. It's very large, although you can't tell from the photo. I love the vast variety of them. The many colors and shades of those colors, the petal configurations, the stamens and how they show or don't, the sizes. I still grieve every time I walk past my neighbor's house who, when he moved in, cut down a camellia that I loved so much. It was almost a lavender. Pinkish but with a blue hue to it as well. I fussed at him for cutting it. He threw his mother under the bus- said she did it. 

Well. 

Like so many others who have been reporting insomnia in our blogworld, I had trouble sleeping last night. It was so annoying and I thought of everyone who has written lately about being unable to sleep. I woke up about two and just could not get back to sleep until much later. And honestly, I've felt okay all day but I do not like those dark hours of the deep night when all I want is to be unaware and unthinking, deep in the dreams that sometimes amuse me, sometimes frighten me, but always intrigue me. There are no good thoughts to be had at two in the morning, even fewer at three, and by four one wonders what the point of life is at all. 

I took a walk this morning, though. It got cooler yesterday and last night and has been cool all day. We are supposed to get rain tomorrow and then even cooler temperatures but I don't see a freeze in the forecast. I had a very short chat with Jacob at my route's midpoint and he told me that I could come and pick the kumquats off the tree in their backyard anytime. I should take them eggs and make a trade. My granny, who was not a cook in any sense of the word, did make kumquat marmalade. She was of the class and era when women were only expected to be able to cook a few special dishes. She eventually managed to learn the basics because she did not marry a wealthy man, mostly involving some piece of meat to be cooked in the oven, a baked potato and a lettuce and tomato salad with French dressing to go with. Her frozen lemon dessert was fabulous as I recall though, and I learned to make the "goop" I use for my shrimp salad from her. It is the same sauce she used as a dip for crab claws which very occasionally, Grandaddy would buy at the crab processing plant a mile away on the Indian River. 
Ingredients: Heinz chili sauce and mayonnaise. 
Feel free to borrow it. 

Speaking of recipes, look what August did today!


Jessie wrote, August just made his first cake- chocolate, chocolate chip! I definitely guided him with it, but he decided what to put in it. And it was quite good. Mostly, he loved the experience.
She said that it was his idea to write the recipe down. He is getting very good at sounding out words and she helps by showing him what the letters look like. "Barn" started out to be "baking soda" but he got an R confused with a K and then Jessie let them start eating the cake and that was that for writing the recipe. 


Still, I think that for a first effort, he did a very fine job and we are all proud of him. 

I ordered the kids' Christmas presents today. Better late than never. And guess what? They do make pink excavators and dump trucks! Won't Levon be happy? Unfortunately, they will not be delivered by Christmas but, well, I suck and we'll figure out something else to give him. Christmas is coming, no matter how I feel about it. How I feel about it is mostly really, really depressed. I seriously want to cry when I think about it. I keep thinking that I'll get over this as I grow older but I don't. I just do not. 
Still, these pictures cheered me. 



How could they not? 

I have not put up one string of lights. I have not gotten even the most elfin of trees. I have not hung a wreath. I have not even put up the tiny, simple nativity that I always set out with Buddha behind the baby Jesus. 
I don't have it in me. 

I did have it in me, however, to make soup today with one of my giant sweet potatoes. I peeled it and chopped it and it was a beautiful thing. The flesh was perfect and unmarred, unscarred, and firm as a sweet potato could be. 
So there's that. 

Love...Ms. Moon

35 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. I'm with you, Ms. Mary. Overwhelming spirit of meh this year, with lots of 2 am awakenings. Presents bought, wrapped, and shipped, but no cards, no decorating, and only a little music. Still, we had the Electoral College result this week, and by this time next week we'll have a tiny little wee bit more daylight. Onward!

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    1. If I had bought, wrapped, and shipped presents I would feel like most accomplished woman of my life.
      And let's hear it for Biden! Come on, Joe!

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  5. Melania only said one true thing-That thing about Christmas...a big nope here, a big nope in the entire town, not a single light in the city. BUT there will never be another like it don[t you know, This is historical- and we're in the middle of it, YIPPEE-
    The kids are darling as always! LOVE

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    1. I guess Tallahassee has lights up. And Monticello. I wouldn't know!
      You're right about Melania. "Fucking Christmas." I can meet on common ground with that one.
      Love back to you.

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  6. December 26,2019 was the last time I saw my 2 grandchildren,son and daughter in law but I am hoping I see them,maybe by the summer??It is depressing and I have not baked,decorated or even shopped(except by mail). I agree with you,it is very hard. I am sorry you have joined the ranks of insomniacs. The world does not look good at 2 am! Hang in there, Mary. Somehow all of this craziness will end....

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    1. Being the over-worrier that I am, I can only add...and different crazinesses will replace the old ones. But it is ever so, isn't it?
      I do so hope you get to see your beloveds sooner rather than later.

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  7. this has been harder on tony then me i think because i'm already used to being so distant from my family. we put up some lights and when tony tried a new idea, not one, not two but THREE fucking strings of lights would not light up from new...had to wrap them back up and ship them back. now we are getting replacement windows (god that makes me feel middle aged) so we are holding off on even putting up any new lights until after this weekend.

    much love

    xxalainaxx

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    1. Yes. Replacement windows are definitely a sign of adulthood. I went stove shopping today and can't tell you how exciting it was. But I am serious about that.

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  8. August baking? I'm impressed with that little man! I have not hung one stocking, put up a wreath or bought a poinsettia. I do have tiny white lights around dining room window that bring some cheer. Nothing else. No holiday here as of yet and it may not happen at all. But.....I am going to start my baking tomorrow....I have 3 people I make *baskets* for each year.....and tomorrow I will begin the process. I do look forward to the smell of holidays, in aroma- if not visual in adornments
    susan M

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    1. I just can't even get it up to bake. Who NEEDS sugary, buttery treats? No one I know. I am grinchier than the Grinch, scroogier than Scrooge. But good for you! And I used to do it. I loved Christmas baking. I started so very early and froze my cookies and wrapped my fruit cakes in rum-soaked cheesecloth. Who WAS that?

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    2. well...I am only baking 3 things.....versus about 7 things...... so it IS minimal this year and I am actually almost forcing myself to do it. Pumpkin bread got baked today.....Moms german *gruschbrot* cookies will be made tomorrow....and Pfeffernusse cookies on Friday. That IS IT! And heck, I may even pick up a poinsettia on Friday when I make a run to town.....woohoo. The spirit is not alive in me (or in many of us) this year.
      Susan M

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  9. August looks so happy and proud with his cake.

    Sending hugs and love. It's a hard time of year.

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    1. Yes m'am it is a hard time of year. But doesn't August look proud? So does Levon.

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  10. Good job, August (and helper eater, Levon)! Love their smiling faces, as well as those of Lily's crew.

    When I wake up in middle of the night, I reach for a nearby audio book with small earphones (usually only put in one). I set it on timer for an hour. That way I don't have to turn on a light. Usually fall asleep again before the hour is up. Later, I just have to find the last thing I remember listening to and pick it up the 'book' from there. :) Hang in there.

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    1. That is a good idea, Mary. I slept very well last night and I am thinking that the night before's insomnia was just a temporary thing.

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  11. The photos of your grandchildren are divine. I think a double frame of August and Levon with the cake, and Lily and the kids looking festive would be a wonderful way to mark this very hard year. They thrived regardless, and all because they are so well loved.

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    1. Lily is going to give us all presents and I really should get those of Levon and August printed. They really are beautiful. And yes, they are so loved and they know it.

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  12. well, you know how I feel about it all so I won't go into it here. but I support you doing nothing and do not feel guilty about it!

    and yay August, baker extroidinaire!

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    1. YOU UNDERSTAND, ELLEN! Another reason I love you.

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  13. I love the proud aproned baker showing off his work! And the recipe notes are keepers. I love how baking soda got sidelined and eventually abandoned, in the face of actual cake. This was a great post.
    I did put out some decorations, never do much, largely because it was an activity for my visiting son to help with and enjoy. It did cheer me up.
    But aside from some minor thoughts about making chocolate bark, not much in the specialty baking line is planned here. Bread, when my order of flour arrives.

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    1. Yes. Jessie has to save that recipe. It is a definite heart-note for the future.
      You're sweet to put up a few decorations and I know that your bread will be Christmas worthy. I feel certain it always is, though.

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  14. I couldn't sleep last night either. Not that I worry, just that I get tired. So I was up reading a really silly book until 3.30 a.m. which cheered me up no end. And well done August, that cake looks lovely (and thanks for the recipe). I remember a friend asking her son to write down what he wanted for dinner and he wrote something like "cheepar spy" - turned out it was shepherd's pie!

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    1. I love reading a book that's so good that I can't put it down.
      You're welcome for the recipe! You'll have to figure out the measurements for yourself. Sorry.
      "Cheepar Spy" is one of my favorites!

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  15. Congratulations to August! Quite the accomplishment! Beautiful pictures, Magnolia June is rocking that red dress and boots! I wish camellias would grow down here, they are gorgeous.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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    1. Isn't Magnolia a glory in that outfit? I, too, wish you could have camellias. They brighten our winters so beautifully.

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  16. We haven't done squat this year in terms of decorating, so don't feel bad. (Well, except put one strand of lights on the avocado tree. And that's it. I'm done.)

    I love the pictures! Levon and August look so happy with the cake (which I thought contained BARN until you explained it) and the photos of Lily and the kids are fantastic.

    I also like how you said you "fussed at" the neighbor for cutting down the camellia. That's so southern. It's not quite criticizing or challenging -- it's softer than that. Just fussing. :)

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    1. Haha! Yes. I did "fuss" at him. I'm so much older than he is that I can get away with that shit. At least here in the south.

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  17. Well,do what you want, Dear! You have fun family gatherings several days a week it seems so you are luckier than most! The love and fun times you share with your grandkids - well those are celebrations right there so who needs a tree. You got the decoration of your camellia to enjoy! And kudos to your grandson who bakes cakes better than me!

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    1. I will most certainly do what I want, Ellen! Thank you! And hopefully, by Christmas I'll have many camellias to cut and bring in for cheer and beauty.

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  18. I'm sorry you have such Christmas misery.

    The boys' cake photo (and adventure) is just adorable. And I love The Hartman's album cover, I hope it's a hit :D

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.