When we got back to NY from our trip to Orlando, we picked up Caleb and then went to my parent’s house. We had a really nice time visiting and after our pizza dinner, Mom and I went for a walk. We walked and talked energetically. It was a special time, and we felt sort of like we were getting away with something, because we left the kids behind in the house with the men.
My mom’s childhood farmhouse is for sale. It’s right up the road so Mom and I walked up there and around the yard, looking at my Grandma’s flowers that were coming up. Across the road from the house there is a little area of trees. . .and I mentioned to her that I had only ever been over there one time.
“Oh really? I used to play over there all the time with my brothers and sisters. We used to sneak matches from the house and make a little fire.” She laughed. “We would get a cast iron pan and one egg and we would fry the egg and eat it.”
“Mom said later on that she always knew what we were up to. But she let us do it.”
I don’t know why but that one little bit of information about my child-mom and her young siblings went straight into my heart. I loved that little story. Perhaps it’s because I have a little band of children of my own now and I can watch them, and smile at their childhood pleasures.
I want my children to grow up and tell their families fun stories about their childhood.
I guess that’s the reason why we celebrated our dog’s first birthday yesterday with a raw turkey cake.
Yes, a raw turkey cake.
I went to the store with the children and we bought 2 packages of ground turkey. (buy 1, get 1 free). We bought a tub of store bought icing, and a balloon. On the way out of the store I whipped out a quarter and bought a handful of dog-bone candies from a gumball machine.
Jacob formed the “cake” on a cookie sheet and they all stood on chairs around the table and frosted it thick with frosting, while I squealed at the ones who tried to lick frosting off their knives after putting them on raw turkey meat. Then we sprinkled on the dog bones and inserted one blue candle (that we did not light).
Out the door we went, into the bright sun, like a procession, down to Parker’s dog house. He was standing and watching us, with his ears up. Like, “What in the world is going on?”
I carried a bow and my camera.
Jake carried the cake.
Ethan carried the balloon.
We were all skipping. It just couldn’t happen fast enough.
We gave him his balloon and sang “Happy Birthday”. I put the bow on his head. He shook it off in no time.
Then we all squatted around and watched him eat his cake. I think we used a bit too much frosting because he had to stop once in a while to smack his lips. He didn’t like the candies and he gently put them back down on the grass. We had to throw them in the pond to keep Caleb from getting them.
This was one birthday cake that we didn’t want to share.
So we had ice cream cones.
So Happy Birthday, you silly dog. Thanks for giving me another opportunity to have a special time with my little ones. I think they will probably always remember making you your raw turkey cake.
And if they don’t, I know I sure will.
Good to be Home 
how cute!!!!!
What a creative thing to do ~ you have me smiling this morning ~
That is such a sweet thing to do! What a wonderful memory! Thanks for your comment on my site, that really helped. Hugs!
Great memories have a blessed week
sandy
What a great memory your kids will have of that cake! I love that, and I am sure Parker loved it too! When I was a kid, my Mom let my sisters and I make a cornbread cake for our pony’s birthday. We decorated the top with carrot curls. He liked it a lot!
You certainly are making special memories – I am sure they will remember this in years to come!
I love mamma’s like you who are so creative.
I had such a funny reaction to this blog! It was ‘awe!! GROSS!! awe…’ lol 🙂 Have a beautiful rest of your week.
A great idea! What a wonderful moment.
How sweet! How blessed those of us are who have wonderful childhood memories. Mine were! A prayer for those who don’t.
That is so nasty! I’ve heard of meat cakes for men, but never raw meat cakes for dogs! 🙂 You’re so creative! It is a good idea! I wish I knew my dog’s birthday! I think it would be this month or next, but I just don’t know for sure (we rescued him!). Okay, since the letter I started writing you a month ago is still sitting atop the TV armoire, I’ll tell you why I haven’t finished it. Maryn locked Sam and me out of the house. As soon as I saw her closing the door (which locks from the inside, and I hadn’t switched!), I jumped up, threw the letter down and then began searching for open windows! I found one that was unlocked (eeek!—we live in town!), and I opened it. Sam would NOT crawl through it (I seem to recall my mom putting me through windows occasionally to unlock the door!). I was going to try to climb through it. I was FINALLY able to get Miss Maryn to open the door. Originally, she just ran from the door and sat on the couch, staring at us. LOL. It was funny, but a bit scary b/c Dave was at work! We used to have a key hidden outside, but we don’t anymore. We may ought to rethink it. So, dear, your letter still sits…and pregnancy reigns over the many things I ought to do…I’m sorry, but I do love reading your posts and keeping up best I can!
You know….I don’t know you and you don’t know me. In fact, I can’t remember just how I stumbled onto your blog. I know from a “fellow” photographer…. But I always enjoy reading your blogs.
It might sound “mushy” but you are the type of mother that I strive to be. You are creative and you seem to have things in order (far more than me anyway…) and you have so much love in your heart for your family. I do too, I think, but sometimes I don’t believe I express it the way I should or as much as I should. Of course my daughter knows how much I love her. I tell her a zillion times a day. I hug her and hold on to her as much as I possibly can (so much I think she gets annoyed with me, LOL). If anything, she will become a very loving individual. 🙂
Thank you for your posts. Thank you for inspiring me with the many ideas that is put in my head from reading your posts. Thank you for being the mother you are and sharing that with total strangers.
I hope that your Mother’s Day is wonderful and full of excitement.
Thoughts of your posts rumble around in my brain all day sometimes. This will be one of them.
That cake looks completely disgusting! LOL! I bet the kids had a ton of fun with that though!
I just kept thinking “That sounds exactly like her!” Next year, you could make Steak Tartar cake, then the children could have a bite, too, if they dared! My step-mother actually likes the dish. I don’t think it is for me, though!
wonderful 🙂 ! memories like this do stick in their minds… my mom was the type of mom who knew what we were doing … and as long as it didn’t effect the tenderness of our hearts towards God, she just let us do it. Guess that’s why we did some pretty crazy things… ! But we loved Jesus and loved each other and my parents… that’s the type of thing I want as well for my little bunch… so often I see them doing something (like yesterday the two middle boys were found spray painting their bikes – tires, seat – everything! I got to thinking… “WHY not?” they had a super time, and even though it looks horrid, they love them! :)Good for you having a dog birthday party! 🙂
that is one lucky dog!!!!
My dogs are goofs. They want their meat cooked….lol.
I love reading your site! I had laugh when I read this post about celebrating your dog’s birthday. The thought of a frosted, raw turkey cake is just so funny!I wanted to let you know that I made the Coconut Oatmeal cake you posted the recipe for a few weeks ago. It was absolute heaven to eat! Thanks for sharing!
Had so much fun last night!
The picture of the dog eating his cake was great!
You might want to cook the meat next time (ha ha)! How is Parker feeling this morning?
Oh, good!!!! We aren’t the only family that celebrates pet’s birthdays!!!!!
Looks like a cake only a dog would love! What a creative way to celebrate…for the kids sake. Parker won’t remember a year from now, but the kids will.I do wonder…did he really eat the whole thing? Blessed day!
You are such a fun mom, Shanda! Your kids will remember this for sure! We got Charlie on Mother’s Day, so we consider that his birthday. Maybe he will get a cake on Sunday afternoon….
Oh man, that is so awesome, Parker loved his cake, I can tell. I’m glad you had a nice visit with your mom, too…sounds like a great trip all around. I hope you have a great day today, and I’ll see you soon. Love, Trish
I love the story from your mom. Childhood memories are so great. My grandmother used to tell us so many stories when she babysat….I wish I could remember them more. I know you are an Anne fan….have you read all the books. You would like the ones when she has grown and has children of her own. It tells all there adventures. The cake for Parker was a fun idea. Was he OK after eating all that? He is such a pretty dog.
Nice to have you all back and see what you are doing. Love it that you all get in the Hammock! A drizzly day here today. Lord bless! Jenny
Still smiling after LOL~!
hahahahaha! This is fantastic! Your children will definitely keep this memory with them!
Oh my… that is fun and disgusting all at the same time. I’m sure Parker enjoyed every bite, and your kids enjoyed witnessing it.
I think it is so profoundly important that you take time to actually interact with your children in “play” times like this! For myself, I am afraid of easily getting preoccupied with housework, etc., and neglecting to make these kinds of memories with my kids. These pictures were so great! Hey, even the Bible says that “a righteous man regards the life of his beast…”
I can’t believe Parker is already 1, WOW. Happy 1st Birthday, Parker. I bet he LOVED his cake LOL.
I guess dogs don’t get sick on raw meat!!! I’m sure your kids will always remember this! I have wonderful memories of my childhood — it was simple but it was fun!
how FUN is that!! we have birthdays for the kids STUFFED animals, does that count?? AND.. we get to eat the cake too – so it’s double fun. =D actually i’m not sure when our REAL dogs birthdays are.. maybe i should find out and get your raw turkey cake recipe. yum-yum!!you’re hilarious – and inspirational – and just a plain JOY! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I like your site! Thanks for stopping by mine…where in NY are you? I’m heading to upstate NY tomorrow!
That is so funny and creative! What a fun and memorable thing to do!