In my corner of the world recently, things have been very busy. My mind has been grateful for the constant distraction. We celebrated Father’s Day, my daughters 4th birthday and my husband’s birthday; all in the space of three weeks.
Shops being closed, travel still restricted and family not being allowed to visit, has meant that our celebrations were a little different this year. Despite this, I was determined to make each occasion special.
‘A party without cake is just a meeting’ – Julia Child
Online shopping came to the rescue yet again. Retailers that offer personalised cards and keepsakes, were just the ticket. A little pricey granted but given our current situation, I was willing.
Father’s Day was a relaxed affair and a chance for my husband to recharge. I cooked up a storm in the kitchen, while our daughter opened up her Dad’s presents on his behalf.
My daughter had a rainbow and unicorn themed ‘party’. We decorated the house with balloons and ribbons and had a three tier cake stand, full of cute little cupcakes. I had been ordering little bits here and there for weeks. Unable to just pop to my local anything, I had to get organised in advance. Our girl had presents and cards aplenty, her grandparents visited separately and remained in the garden. Social distancing was still very much in place. It wasn’t what we had planned originally but we made it beautiful. Most importantly, our daughter was thrilled and enjoyed the magic of our home transformation and obviously the cake!!
My husband’s birthday was a totally different affair. He is not a gift loving type of guy. Gone are the days of buying music, movies and aftershave! With everything being digital and my husband still sat on the aftershave I bought him many years ago, I have to get creative.
When I think creative, I think pretty, artistic, beautiful, romantic. My husband thinks functional gadgets or “maybe something for the car?”
How bloody boring!
He gives me the occasional list from time to time; which include horrifically dull items like in-car chargers, LED torches and other assorted boy tools. This year was no exception. I don’t go off book now, I stick to the script because at the end of the day, it’s his day.
Guess what he got? A telescopic window cleaner for the conservatory and some air-conditioning cleaner for his car. Move over Opera!!
My husband loves food so he had full menu control – I needed to top up his ‘presents’ with something! For breakfast he had double chocolate pancakes with nutella and syrup. Followed by scrambled egg on toast. For dinner he selected his favourite South African dish Bobotie. I made this with the traditional raisins, yellow rice and chutney accompaniment. Despite my beloved pushing 40, he got cupcakes too!
Needless to say that after all this cake, party food and merriment, my diet has taken a battering. Me and my last 10lbs just don’t want to be separated. My house is now a cake free zone so with my Jeans feeling rather snug, I guess I need to start over… again.
Would carrot cake count as one of my 5-a -day?