When not one but two of Rhona’s children became engaged over the Thanksgiving holiday, we nearly lost our minds with joy!
There were romantic marriage proposals and blessings too many to count, there were champagne toasts and smiles and tears and hugs and kisses ….
And then later when there was a lull in the action, there was silent reflection. After the noise and the fun, the funk and the stomp, came the middle of the night thought: “Whoa, what just happened here?”
These children have been adults for quite some time. But still, no matter how old they get, they are our babies. No matter how much or how far they travel, we remember most the trip we took together. When we looked at them this week, we didn’t see future brides and grooms, moms and dads, we saw our babies and felt the memories of them as tiny ones wrapped in our arms.
Time passes and life moves on and if we’re lucky, really lucky, we get days when we can see that torch being passed and we can watch those babies coming into their own with grace and strength, finding amazing life partners along the way.
And then we think about what all that time passage means for us.
Of course, if we’re smart, we don’t dwell on that too much; instead, we get up out of bed and have a cup of tea and maybe a piece of comfort coffee cake.
Here’s to love and, l’chaim, to life!
- 2 sticks butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2½ cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 5 teaspoons vanilla
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cream the butter and the sugar in a mixer. Add eggs, one by one.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add this to the butter mixture.
- Stir in the sour cream and vanilla.
- Spoon the thick batter into a nonstick 10-inch bundt pan (or coat your pan with cooking spray) and bake for about 45 minutes.
- "Before long a rich warm aroma will be wafting through the house like a promise that things are going to be just fine!"
- Let cool in pan for 5 minutes then turn onto wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Now you have me in tears Phona! I am all faklemped! (or however you spell it:) What a magnificent way of expressing your phenomenal weekend! You go Rosanna Banana and Gaby Bear:))) xo
Oh, Rhona, Dear, you must be kvelling. And I admit I filled up a bit too as I read your beautiful reflection here. As I gaze into my Magical, Mystical, Crystal Ball, I see years of happiness ahead as you live your lives even more deeply and sweetly – together.
Thank you, Patty. I love your crystal ball!! What sweet wishes.
Aww you two got me tearing up too!
…..and craving that coffee cake!
xoxxo
Very well said
What wonderful,exciting news. Mazel Tov and continued happiness and blessings!
Congratulations…love and happiness are magical and always to be celebrated.
Thank you for your special coffee cake..I plan to make it over the holidays as our home fills up with many guests. Love reading your blog.
Thank you for your touching comments and reactions. When these posts get written at times of high emotion it’s nice to know others can relate to it too! And the cake…oh yes, enjoy it plain, as is, (or with a dab of whipped cream if it’s not just comfort you want but bliss!) :).
Here I thought my welling emotions were prompted by love of coffee cake! But alas, I must admit, it’s the LOVE itself. Love of family, love of children and their life events. Your weekend…your events (and yes, your foods)…exude the warmth, the happiness, the togetherness that Family- Food and Friendships are all about! Now can someone pass a piece of that cake?!
I’m all faklemped too, reading this.
Knowing Dana since her birth, and raising my children across the street from my dear friend Karen, (Dana’s mom), I was thrilled to hear the news.
L’chaim and mazel tov!
From Dana’s (honorary) Jewish mother, and baker of a great Jewish apple cake-
Wendy, we’ve heard all about you and hope to meet you very soon! Meanwhile, we’d love to hear more about that apple cake! Recipe? 🙂