My Funny Valentine

I mentioned last week that it's my son's birthday this weekend.  

I swear he plots to stump me with his cake request each year.  I've played along quite happily, because I remember the childhood joy of pouring over the Women's Weekly cake books prior to my birthday trying to decide on a cake.  (I may even still do this…)  Cody has made it his mission to think things up, rather than seek inspiration that comes with instructions.

So far he's had:

• a log cabin (he had no input in this one since he couldn't speak),
• a dragon (thank you Women's Weekly),
• a castle,
• a bullriding belt buckle,
• Jolly Roger flag,
• a bull face,
• Kai (the red Ninjago),
• Hiccup's Viking helmet,
• an army tank,
• a chocolate mud cake and Ironman cupcakes (I was grateful for this request that year),
• a Pokeball,
• the Niffler on Newt Scamander's suitcase,
• a choc-mint Rick and Morty tower (I cheated with the edible transfer that I bought),
• and last year's tacos.

(if you’re counting, there were a couple of years that he had two cakes – one for the party and one for the actual birthday.)

This year he wants... wait for it... The General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard!

"Cody, I'm not sure that I can make that."

"Come on Mum.  I have faith in you.  Look at all the great cakes you've made me!  You made a tank!  And those tacos were pretty good."

Flattery will get you everywhere.

So, here I am, up to my neck in cake, buttercream, fondant and flowers, because, of course, the florist's kid was born the day before the busiest day of the year (flower-wise).

I wasn't always a florist, but he's always been my Valentine.  He was due on 14th February, but he arrived the night before.  Unfortunately, this did not set a precedent for him being ready early or even on time for most other things in life.  He's my greatest wish come true because all I ever truly wanted to be was a Mum.  Sometimes it's hard.  Sometimes it's frustrating.  Sometimes he makes me laugh so hard neither of us can breathe.  Sometimes he makes me so proud I think my chest will collapse, and I'm always extremely grateful to have him.  So, I'll make the orange Dodge cake, even if it does look like it's come off worse for wear in a high-speed chase involving Jefferson Davis Hog and Roscoe P Coltrane.  I dropped the first slab cake that I made, so that kind of set the tone for how it might go.  Photos next week.

Speaking of photos… I was a bit stumped for subject matter for last week’s 52Frames topic.  I fear that a pattern may be forming (I tried to use an emoji here, but it didn't work.  It's the one with the uneven eyes and crinkled mouth. I don’t know what it is called, but it’s a fairly good representation of me when I'm trying to depict frazzlement - which is a word that I just made up, and means "the state of being frazzled".  I’m probably not even using it right!)

The topic was Black & White, and once I realised that the JD bottle is black and white I was fine.
For a couple of years now when asked what I would like for my birthday I have responded with...
"Alexander Dreymon to turn up at my house with a bottle of Jack Daniels and a bag of Sour Skittles singing Easton Corbin's 'A Thing for You'." So, as a variation on this for Valentine's Day he might as well also bring a white rose.  Every flower has a meaning or message, and a white rose represents eternal love.  Who wouldn’t want that?

Okay Universe, I've put it out there... again.

I won't be home all day on Valentine's Day though, because I have deliveries to make, but there is a seat outside that he can wait on.
(The Skittles are in a bowl so I can sort them to eat in colour order, as explained last week.  See… I did incorporate them!)

I feel like my Valentine’s Day survival story will involve lots of coffee, and possibly some birthday cake.  I’ll let you know next week.

It's been quite a party, ain't it

Purple Fairy