Heat Day 2023

 I am popping in here to announce that today is the official Heat Day 2023! 

This picture is from yesterday morning when we actually decided to turn on the heat.

But Heat Day isn't simple anymore, so allow me to offer some clarifications.

Since my father moved in, we have not allowed him to freeze. His room has its own heater, and so does my son's room. Both of these heaters are in the addition to our home on the north (and cold!) side of the house. Their heaters have been in operation, off and on, for a little while now. That heat doesn't seem to have too much of an effect in the main house. Or at least I don't think so.

Also, we did have to turn the heat on earlier one day when the furnace repair fellow came to service the furnace. We turned it back off as soon as he was done. So this doesn't count for the heat game either.

AND yesterday morning was the day we turned the heat on, BUT the furnace didn't actually kick on until around 6 a. m. today because we had the temperature set low. I am not planning on turning the heat up yet because there will be much baking the next few days. 

It is still not the record, but it was a more than respectable performance this year, don't you think?

Multigenerational Ken

 Growing up, my favorite toys were Barbie dolls. My daughters play with my dolls (at least the ones that are still functional) plus their own. This evening we had an interesting discussion over supper about Barbies (because the girls were successful in getting their brothers to play with them).

This is what I learned:

These are the dolls I called (from left to right) Derek (of Barbie and the Rockers fame), Dad (from the Heart family), nothing (because this doll didn't belong to me-- it's new-vintage for my youngest), and Ken. You can see I was not at all creative with my naming. I stayed with the name on the package usually.

My daughters, however, have named the gentlemen (from left to right) John (the one whose head is detached and who gets shoved under the bed), Ken, Joseph, and Fred (the antagonist).

For those of you who feel bad for Fred the Antagonist, I have been assured that he isn't always the antagonist. It's just that if there is an antagonist when they are playing, he is it. They tell me to think of him as an evil businessman.

And there you have it. Generational differences.

Missing Cakes, Part Two

Just a few more imperfect birthday desserts. . . with some commentary.

My (poor) attempt at Lord Baltimore cake. Next year: Dark Lord Baltimore cake!

Banjo birthday

All lemon, all the time!

I think this is the 3rd or 4th zebra ice cream cake for the child.

We played around with royal icing to make hard decorations.

Store-bought (on vacation)

Brownies never disappoint, right?

And now I'm caught up with birthday "cakes."

Missing Cakes, Part One

 I don't give my blog much attention lately; I've decided it's more important to give the attention to my family. But I would like to continue posting occasionally. Some of my favorite types of posts are the ones that show the unprofessional and imperfect birthday cakes I make for my children. 

(Remember: Kids can have happy birthdays without the perfection others show us online.)

It's been a couple of years that I've failed to post cake pictures, so I have many pictures. I'll break them up into a couple of posts. The funny thing I noted while looking through the forgotten pictures is that many of them aren't even cakes. And one birthday didn't even get a special dessert, so I didn't have a picture. And once I forgot entirely to photograph a birthday cake. Imperfect, indeed.

Fresh strawberries are easy decorations.

German Chocolate

Black Forest-- The Portal edition

Another construction cake

Christmas-themed cake

This child loves her zebra ice cream cakes!

Theme Party

My son is far away for his first year of college, but I'm thankful for the technology that keeps us connected. 

I woke up today to this little gem, an insight into his college life.

The boy remembers his mother's literary heart.