My eldest daughter Emma is 17 today. I'm having a lot of trouble believing how fast the years have gone by, but I am so proud of the beautiful young woman she is. She is intelligent, kind, principled, a little bit quirky and very strong-minded. I love each and every part of her.
I remember the day I found out I was pregnant with Emma. It was on the Thanksgiving weekend and that seemed entirely appropriate. I recall how very hard it was waiting to meet her which I finally did on June 1, 1995. As a birthday bonus, Emma's cousin Erica was born the very next day.
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| From the look of these recipe cards, you have an idea of how many times I've made this cake. That peacock blue ink and calligraphy-style printing tells me that I copied this recipe in my early twenties, loooong before I was a mom. :) |
When Emma was about eleven or twelve, she came into my room and said 'Mama' in a serious voice to the point that I was a little worried about what she was going to say. She said, 'Mama...I just wanted to thank you for giving me your love of reading'. I thought my heart would burst.
This year, Emma has asked for an iPod as a gift. She has been using my old one that is not performing very well at all anymore. A couple of weeks ago, she asked me if by requesting an iPod, would she still be receiving some books as she always looked forward to them. I would find it very hard not to include them. Right now, I am making her cake. Later we will go to a vegetarian restaurant for dinner. And tonight, along with a brand new iPod, Emma will receive a big stack of lovingly chosen books.
♥ Happy Birthday Emma! ♥
I hope she had a wonderful birthday! 17! An important year in any young woman's life!
ReplyDeleteSo nice that you're all having dinner together tonight.
(Save a virtual piece of cake for me. It looks delish!!)
Cheers, to Seventeen years full of cherished memories and many more to come. :)
Thanks Jody! We had an amazing dinner tonight. Often we eat a homecooked meal, but we went downtown for a change and ate at a wonderful vegan restaurant. (Emma is vegetarian.) We are having virtual cake tonight too. :) Emma wanted to wait for her friends to be here tomorrow before we cut it.
DeleteShe sound so sweet - and the love of books and reading was the best gift you could have given her! Has she read "The bookthief"? Such a strong book, very sad yet incredible beautiful.
ReplyDeleteShe is a sweetheart. I just asked her about The Book Thief and she says that one of her best friends has read it and recommended it to her. We'll have to get it. Sounds wonderful!
DeleteFirst, Happy Birthday Emma ! You sounds like a terrific, sweet, smart & wonderful lady from what I've heard from your mom ! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe also gift books on Christmas & birthdays, but they also get them all year round.
This cake looks (er, looked) absolutely stunning, and I bet it tastes just as amazing as it looks !!
oxox
Books are wonderful purchases anytime of the year as you say. I love being surrounded by books--always have. Another thing in common. xx
DeleteLove your photos - especially love the words on the books!
ReplyDeleteYour cake looks so yummy! Happy Birthday to Emma!!! xoxo
Sydney and I just finished making 4 dozen cupcakes - wow! Erica will take them tonight to the finale of Westside - by request they are appropriately coloured for the Jets and Sharks!
It was nice talking to Erica today. It sounds like the show has been fabulous.
DeleteHow lovely to share that love of books, I always gave books to my son when he was young, and I read to him always and he absolutely loved it, we got up to the first 'Harry Potter' sharing the reading between us,(13 years ago) but since then he's not been so bothered, I hope it comes back to him? I hope you've had wonderful birthday celebrations there! It's celebration nation over here at the mo!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am ashamed as a Commonwealth subject, Julie. I had to look up what the celebration was this weekend in England. Diamond Jubilee. Lovely. She is an amazing monarch at 86 years!
DeleteHappy birthday Emma !!! sorry it was yesterday but I missed ONE MONTH :))) and it is so great to see how it goes with your family, plants, flowers, Meeko during springtime !
ReplyDeleteGlad to read you again Kathleen !
Nice to see you Lucile! You have emerged into the light again!!
DeleteHappy 17 Emma! As the mother of a 17 yr old myself, I know how special this age is.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cake for a gorgeous girl!
Wishing Emma many many more happy birthdays ahead.
17 is pretty wonderful! Thanks for the lovely wishes.
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