He turned 30 on Christmas Eve, our son number one.
Back in November Marc moved to the top end, Darwin, to start his first posting in the Air Force, having completed his training.
We were lucky to have him return home for a two week holiday over Christmas and New Year.
As an extended family we celebrated his 30th birthday the same day we celebrated Christmas.
That was a bit of a bummer when he was a kid. Back then he had what we called a ‘coming home birthday’ on the anniversary of his arrival home. But he’s all grown up now so that tradition lies in the annals of family history along with other tales.
I asked him what kind of birthday cake he wanted. Täytekakku was the preferred choice. Literally translated it means filled cake. One of my sister-in-laws calls it wet cake and refuses to eat it.
It actually is a lightly moistened sponge cake that has been cut into layers. I cheated and bought an unfilled sponge. TRH (The Retired Husband) and Marc helped in its construction under my watchful eye.
We moistened it with unsweetened apricot juice. Then came a filling of chunky mango sauce I had cooked up. Once the four layers were complete, it was smothered in whipped cream laced with a bit of sugar and generous lashings of vanilla essence. To finish it off, the top was covered in slices of fresh mango, and the sides covered in crumbled chocolate flakes. It was delicious!
Marc returned to Darwin yesterday. We had a lovely two weeks with the kids. Now, it’s time to get the house back in order. I spent today packing away all the assorted Christmas paraphernalia.
© Raili Tanska
Steps for Peace
In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that n=binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony. Friedrich Nietzsche
Good to have family around!! We had to cancel some of ours because we went down with this nasty bug. Still feeling groggy!!
Oh, that’s no good! Hope you’re well on the road to recovery by now.
Never heard of that kind of cake. Though it sounds a little like Tiramisu. Love that coffee flavor! So glad you could all be together for Christmas. As the kids get older they tend to go off on lives of their own and we get relegated to whatever time is left. What a joy they chose to spend their holidays at home. A testament to a wonderful family life. 🙂
We are so blessed with children who enjoy coming home and spending time with us. I guess we did something right! The cake is usually made for special occasions. My mother-in-law always made it for birthdays and Christmas. Traditionally it is moistened with sugar syrup, strawberry jam and topped with strawberries or other berries. My version, in my opinion and that of others, was really good 🙂
I would have expected nothing less than perfection coming from your kitchen! 😀
Lol ! If you only knew……..
Now that cake sounds yummy. Happy birthday to number 1.
🙂
looks delish! I love it when all the kids come home for the holidays or a quick pop in visit. It went by way to fast
It does, you’re right !
Sometimes when my adult children come and go, I feel like Mary Poppins. When they leave,if feels like my time with them is up and they no longer need me…for now.
That’s a good description !
You’re always going to be too youthful in heart to be the mother of a thirty year old. And equally, too wise and knowing to be anything less.
Awww – thank you xxx
❤️