Winter Birthday Cake

As a child, I would stay a couple weeks out of the summer in Wisconsin with my grandma and my great grandma! Those weeks have created many special memories. The kind of memories that make you feel happy when pondering, but, at the same time, equal feelings of guilt present themselves, as you realize how your fun, spare time dwindles as you get older. Summers back then were measured by a lifetime. Summers as an adult sure do have their perks, however, they flicker by one responsibility at a time, then find yourself preparing Christmas dinner.

But, memories with my great grandma, who just turned 95 this past January. 95!

You know The Little Mermaid’s Ariel? She had that tavern full of wonders, treasures and finds. Well, let me tell you, my grandma had that of her very own. A den that was filled top to bottom of trinkets that seemed so foreign and magical to me as a child. She also had an antique spinning wheel in that room, that til this day, I still believe would cause one to fall into a deep slumber if touched. (shall we see how many Disney references I can make?)

Along with the mysterious, magical den, was the Swedish Horses. A lot of them. My great grandma, all Swede, took pride in these. Along with the pride of the Swedish Horses, pride of Swedish meatballs, Krumkake, gingersnaps, I could go on. And as great of a cook and baker my grandma is, I oddly remember her making her scrambled eggs in the microwave! Whaaat?!?

Forget the cliche of old folks turning in early. My great grandma and I stayed up LATE, playing Continental Rummy while eatting buttered saltines, putting puzzles together until our eyes were seeing double, and watching the original Shirley Temples. Seriously, some great times, even for my young age.

So for my great grandma’s 95th birthday, I wanted to create something special for her very strong, independent, and sometimes stubborn self! Out of everything that makes me think of her, the Swedish Horses win, taking the place at the top of the list.