Blog 2009
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Sun., Nov. 22, 2009
Well, well. Here it is, almost an entire month later. So to recap ...
Soccer ended, swim started with a vengeance. There have been two meets so far, both at home. My first experience with a swim meet is that it's a bit like being trapped in a sauna with a troop of monkeys on speed. It's hot, noisy, crowded, LOUD, humid ... and things move so fast that I was standing on the pool deck with my assigned concession dish of macaroni & cheese trying to orient myself while Mackenzie was actually swimming her first event. (In my defense, when the only visible portion of your child is the top of the swim cap, it's hard to differentiate.) Meet 2 went much better, possibly because I worked the whole meet in concessions except for the three
40 second bursts in which she was actually participating. Plus I didn't have Griffin along. Did I mention that Meet 1 was like being trapped with meth monkeys in a sauna, while trying to entertain a five year old?
My brother Matt & girlfriend Rachel are visiting this weekend, and it's so nice to see him (and meet her!). They just finished up their externship at the Biltmore in Asheville, NC, and have a little time off before starting back to classes at New England Culinary. Unfortunately I haven't been able to spend much time with them so far. Yesterday morning through late afternoon found me in latex gloves, plating mac & cheese and hot dogs, and Mackenzie, friend Kenya & I had a girl's night date at the 6:50 showing of New Moon. One of the concession moms who had already been mentioned that 17 year old boys didn't look like that when she was 17, and I must say I concur!
Wed., Oct. 27, 2009
Well, things have been busy since we last spoke! (Or, more exactly, since I last typed.) I've been enjoying my temp job at MaineHousing, prepping for the annual Maine Affordable Housing Conference. Said event was held at the Civic Center here in Augusta on Oct. 19. It was a little like a wedding; all those preparations, and the Big Day itself goes by so fast! All seemed to go very smoothly, though. I threw my back out the week before trying to move giant Rubbermaid bins around in the attic crawl space, finding all the winter outerwear. By Sunday -- the day before the conference -- I was flat on my back on icepacks. Careful use of some left-over post-vasectomy Vicodin helped a bit, and good neighbor (and good chiropractor!) Tim, of Comeford Chiropractic across the street, enabled me to actually make it to the conference at 6 AM the next day. Several treatments, much ice and a pharmaceutical or two later, I am happy to say I am much better. This coming Monday I start a longer temporary assignment in a different department at MaineHousing. And when I finish there at the end of January, I'm headed back to the CPA office in Waterville until tax day. There's something quite nice about a predictable, structured plan stretching out over the near future, especially when it includes such friendly coworkers and organized operations.
I'm home today, as Chris is chaperoning Mackenzie's field trip to Flagstaff Lake and we have overnight guests who needed my attention (and my breakfast skills.) Flagstaff is up in Eustis, and began as a smaller lake flooded for hydro use. Several small towns were purposely engulfed for the project, and the 8th graders (and their stalwart adult companions) will be checking out the topography and history. It must be very challenging to interest today's kids in this sort of thing, as they live in a very different world. Chris called from the bus and said everything was very quiet, as they were all using iPods and texting on cell phones.
Sun., Oct. 11, 2009
Let's see ... this week in review ...
Well, the pumpkin cinnamon rolls were a hit. Chris, the kids & I taste-tested them, then I brought some to work as well. I thought the recipe was good & pretty easy, so I'd recommend it if you're looking for a fall treat. I made them with dried cranberries. The new neighbors are very nice; welcome, Dustin & Melissa! (I hit them with some cinnamon rolls, as well, just to give the recipe as wide a sample group of guinea pigs as possible.) Happy birthday to Bernie, whose cake (complete with gum paste hosta leaves, befitting his work at the beautiful Pine Tree Arboretum in Augusta) was my evening project on Tuesday & Wednesday. And, to cap off the week's news, swim team began, although soccer's not quite over yet, so there was an inordinate amount of jugglin' & strugglin', drivin' & strivin', changin' & rangin', runnin' & funnin'. (You'll have to forgive me; Griffin & I have been reading a lot of one of our very favorite authors, Lynn Plourde, from right here in our area. She's got a very distinctive (and apparently contagious! style.)
Yesterday was Oktoberfest here in the village, and the whole family wandered around a bit checking out the sights, sounds & smells. Much bratwurst and baked goods were consumed, and the weather was perfectly fall-like. Speaking of which, I would estimate that we're a good week behind the usual color schedule. I'm going to guess that peak is still at least a week away.
We've been hosting a four-room group getaway this weekend, and as a surprise they brought us a photo puzzle of the inn, featuring the big maple in full autumn regalia. There have been cocktails & charades most evenings, and they've been exploring the area every day. Also, we've got a mother-of-the-groom, for whom I was thrilled to see the morning's rain dissipate yesterday & leave behind glorious sunny weather for the big event. Congrats, Philip & Sarah!
Blueberry multigrain pancakes this AM; yum!
Sun., Oct. 4, 2009
I picked up some of those cinnamon-scented pinecones to put in baskets in the common areas the other day. It's a little too early to put them out, so I have them in the office. My, but doesn't it smell festive and seasonal and very cinnamon-y in here. In this little tiny office. As did my (little tiny) car, because I left them in there overnight rather than making another trip out to unload after shopping. Plus this week's recipe in my King Arthur Flour email is for pumpkin cinnamon rolls, and it sounded too good to pass up, especially on a rainy day. So I'm going to get those underway today, and (if I remember) I will report back on the results in a future blog.
We have new neighbors -- so new I haven't even met them yet! Drs. Tim & Amy and their kids moved from catty-corner to us to directly across the street. (It's such a great neighborhood that we don't lose many!) They needed more space, and we love them, so it worked out perfectly. Moving day was last week for them, and in true Tim & Amy fashion it was laid-back and fun. At least, as far as I could see, as I was snowed under with Colby parents and christening food. As I was unable to assist, I send a basket of chocolate chip cookies. When in doubt, feed anyone in sight -- my motto. The move involved a brigade of friends & neighbors, a couple pick-up trucks and a fair amount of pizza and beer. If their belongings had been rocks they could have just pitched them the 30 feet from house to house. I think some pumpkin cinnamon rolls would be a good welcome to the folks who bought their house, and had to schlep their stuff in during yesterday's drizzle.
Sat., Oct. 3, 2009
Took the kids to the movies today. It was a 3D (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) and once I got over the price we had a great time. $10 a ticket? With a whopping 50 cent discount for a kid's ticket? Yikes. It was a lot of fun, though. And things have been hectic, so it was nice to steal away.
Last weekend was crazy busy, between Parents' Weekend, two smallish catering jobs for friends & neighbors celebrating a christening (yay, Silas!), and a full week of working away from home. Love the job; everyone's very nice, it's so well-organized and orderly (a whole recycling room on every floor!!) and I'm having a great time. This week swim team starts, even though soccer hasn't quite ended yet, so that's the next challenge.
The leaves are turning, and the colors always take me by surprise every year. So pretty! We're about a week or so away from the usual peak, and the word is that it should be a great show this year because of all the rain we had early on in the summer.
Thinking of my gramma today. We call her GiGi, for Great-Gramma, and she called today to tell me not to worry, she's fine. Which of course always sets off the alarm bells. She's fine, but apparently wasn't earlier in the week when it appears she had a mild heart attack, and then a pacemaker implant. In true Yankee fashion she waited until she was able to call me HERSELF to catch me up on the happenings. Thank goodness all is well now!!
Fri., Sept. 18, 2009
It's getting quite crisp & fall-like! Daytime weather in the 60s, and nice and cool for sleeping. Chris spent most of this week power-washing the inn. He's pretty much wrinkled head-to-toe, despite being decked out in full rain gear. Colby Parents' Weekend is next week, which is extraordinarily early. It's almost always Columbus Weekend, so for the freshman parents it probably seems like they haven't even unpacked from drop-off yet! I start a one month assignment working with MaineHousing to help prepare for their annual conference, to be held at the Civic Center in October. Once things quiet down here at the inn to mostly just weekend guests, I get a little antsy and start looking for things to order and organize elsewhere.
Thurs., Sept. 10, 2009
Mackenzie had her first school soccer game yesterday; it was a win, and she looked great in goal! Yay, Eagles! Sunday's cupcake event went smoothly, with assistance from Chris in piping and from Mackenzie in delivering ... all 220 arrived intact & looking great. We had a few friends over for a casual potluck BBQ on Monday -- the only disappointment of the day was that Chris' beer wasn't ready to drink. But that just means the anticipation builds!
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009
Just finished breakfast service ... blueberry buttermilk pancakes, yum! Chris & the kids walked down to the Farmers' Market right here in the village and will find quite a bit of yum themselves. The Market has really taken off; cheeses, baked goods, produce, meats & seafood & more. Mackenzie's got plans to pick up some stuffed clams, and Chris always finds something good for the restaurant. I'm cleaning up the kitchen (well, OK, I'm momentarily avoiding cleaning up the kitchen by blogging), then moving on to the Great Cupcake Assembly. 210 delicious little treats, headed to Stacey & Corey's wedding tonight.
Friday, Sept. 4, 2009
Well, the fall school chaos has officially begun. Luckily, it always coincides with things quieting down a bit at the inn! Monday: soccer practice, Mackenzie. Tuesday: ditto, plus soccer signup, Griffin. Wednesday: soccer practice, plus parents' sports meeting at the middle school. Thursday: you got it, soccer practice. Tonight, soccer practice, following by lingering in Waterville for several hours before dropping off Mackenzie & gal pals at the high school football game. Because there's no sense driving half an hour home to stay and hour and drive all the way back! Luckily, I'm the first shift of the carpool, rather than the pick up crew at 9:30 or so. By that point, I'm likely to be sound asleep. As I was last night, when I tried so valiantly to watch Project Runaway. Bravo repeats their shows, so mainly my evening was waking every 20 minutes or so to catch about 10 minutes of the program, from 10 pm to 12 pm. I was too sleepy to deal with the whole VCR deal. (Yes, we are TIVO-less, much to my dismay ... but I'm just too cheap!)
Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009
Chris' gardens are starting to change to their fall colors. Every year here at the inn is different; some are building years, with projects and upgrades, some are more "status quo", and so forth. Chris took his Master Gardener classes about ten years ago, but doesn't have nearly enough time to do as much as he'd like outdoors here. His newest garden, the one he added this summer incorporating both the hitching post and the old stone well, came along really quickly ... probably because of all the rain we had in June and July! It's a perfect addition to the grounds. Which is good, because we had a few subtractions over the winter & spring, with damaged shrubs & trees.
The last of the freshman families headed out this morning. It's just as bittersweet as the kindergarten bus, from what I can see. Excitement, some tears, lots of hugs. Best wishes for a fabulous freshman year to Luke, Kaitlin, & Lindsay! (And welcome back to sophomore Julie!)
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009
September is the new June ... 70s and sunny, as far as the eye can see on the extended forecast. Yay! We earned it, what with all that rain from the end of May into the middle of July.
Goodbye to August, which saw the Fire Department's Annual Bean Hole Supper and the Summer Lobster Bake ... and a bumper crop of raspberries here at the inn. They're the perfect perfect afternoon treat ... just a few steps away from the Adirondack chairs under the umbrella by the apple tree. If I were a guest, I'd just set down my cocktail and novel to grab a few for snacking.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Well, it didn't take us long ... Day 4 of kindergarten, and Griffin missed the bus. Mackenzie managed to make it, and issued location updates at various points via cell phone until Chris & Griffin caught up by car. I was busy with breakfast service, and so refuse to take any responsibility. :)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
It's Colby drop-off! Parents & their freshman start checking in today. Every year this gives us a little more insight into what we've got in store in five years, when it's Mackenzie's turn. Right now she's really interested in pursuing marine biology, so chances are she won't end up at Colby, but she's always loved the campus. Last year she was contemplating meteorology, but there's still plenty of time left, so I'm not placing any bets yet. (I'm just remembering when she was 3 and announced that she was planning to be either a doctor or a rhinoceros when she grew up!)
Wed., August 26, 2009
Chris, Mackenzie (still in jammies!) and I saw Griffin off on the bus at 6:57 this morning for Day 1 of kindergarten. Kenzie headed back to bed, and Chris & I headed for muffins & mimosas at Dave & Alicia's. There are four households in our immediate neighborhood celebrating "K-Day" today. It's now 7:55 and I'm nursing the remains of my libation (brought a to-go cup), ready to serve breakfast. Feeling a tad maudlin ... you spend five years pouring all that love, energy & time into your child, and you just hope the world picks up where you left off a least a little bit gently!
What can I say ... I'm emotional. Chris likes to joke that I would feel conflicted about world peace. "Well, of course it's a great achievement, but now where's our incentive to really communicate and work at understanding one another?!"
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Supposed to be sunny & 81 today, per weather.com, and perfect sleeping temps in the 60s tonight. All through the rain in June, I kept thinking, "Well, maybe July will be nice!". Ditto for the first few weeks of July, thinking of August. And August has made up for it!
Peaches & blueberries for fruit course this morning; one of my favorites. I love how pretty they look together, and yum yum! Just a drizzle of honey & oj and a teensy dash of fresh nutmeg.
The kids are visiting my grandparents in NH for a last hurrah before school starts, and Chris headed over that way yesterday for a concert and to pick them up. Some sort of jam band music that has the same effect on my nerves that my favorite Microplane grater would, so I was happy to stay here and man (woman) the fort (inn). Actually, I abandoned my post last night & went to the movies with several neighbor book club friends. We headed to Farmington (gotta love Narrow Gauge Cinema's $3.50 Mondays, plus cheap popcorn!) and saw Julie & Julia. Blogging, cooking, working ... it struck a familiar chord! Enjoyed the flick, and the company.
Monday, August 24, 2009
While the weather forecast has been iffy the last few days, the weather itself has been lovely. And we've had some lovely guests from England, which explains why I keep using the word "lovely". This week Griffin starts kindergarten, along with his three neighbor buddies. Good luck to the intrepid Mrs. Hawes, bus driver. The Dry Point Drive gang hits the road, and life may never be the same!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Congrats to Jai & Jesse, married yesterday at lovely nearby Camp Renoia. Their wedding cake was a fun one to do, with gum paste cosmos & calla lilies, and a great brown & white color scheme. And our best wishes also to guests Dawn & Angus, who had a stateside celebration yesterday of their official wedding earlier this summer "across the pond".
Friday, August 21, 2009
Chris' big landscaping project this year is a new garden, front & center, incorporating both the old hitching post and stone well. It's beautiful, really lovely, and of course I wish I had taken a photo about two weeks ago when the colors were at their peak. Vibrant orange day lilies and gorgeous purple ... something-or-others ... such a nice combo, and made me smile every time I looked out front.
Friday, August 14, 2009
I can't help it; I keep getting "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!" stuck in my head every day when I get up. Annoying, but true. Today's slated to be warmer than yesterday -- high of 85 -- and just as brilliantly blue and sunny. I have my work cut out for me today, as I volunteered on Wednesday to make & donate cake to the Lobster Bake this Saturday. This annual event benefits two great organizations. It helps the Rec Center fund camp scholarships (and we all know how much Chris & I LOVE the day camp at the rec center ... luckily, our kids do, too!), as well as lake protection programs through the Belgrade Lakes Association. So I'm happy to help, although my husband thinks I'm crazy. "Why would you not just donate a certificate for dinner for two, rather than make cake for TWO HUNDRED guests in just three days at the busiest time of the year?!" What can I say ... I like a challenge! And I like cake. :)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
We are making up for June (and July's!) sloppy weather with a vengeance. Yesterday was just perfect ... sunny all day long, high in the 70's. It was great timing for Griffin's field trip to Popham Beach, a state park down in Portland. And afterward, he & I went to Belgrade Beach AGAIN, just to soak in a bit more of the summer perfection! At this rate, the decks should be nice & dry to finally paint, except that we're too booked to be able to get to them without disturbing the guests!
Wed., August 12, 2009
Buttermilk multigrain pancakes with wild Maine blueberries & crisp bacon this AM for breakfast. Yum! I am quite full. I'm not usually a breakfast fan at all, so the only time I partake when I cook for the guests is on blueberry pancake day. Did I mention yum?
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Played tennis with Griffin & neighbor Tucker this afternoon; what a hoot! "Tennising" (their word) with two five year olds is about the funniest thing I've done in quite some time.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Chris & I hiked Roundtop, a trail in the Kennebec Highlands, today. From now on I will insist on full disclosure beforehand. He did tell me it takes about 2 and 1/2 hours, but conveniently neglected to mention ALL THE VERTICAL. I swear there was about 50% more up than down, even though it was an in-and-out trail. I know, not possible, but it really seemed like it. I've pretty much mastered the Mountain and can hold my own on French's Mt., but this was quite a climb! Chris estimated the distance (after the fact, of course) at about 7 miles. I think I may have to set up some sort of ratio guideline for proposed hikes, to avoid cardiac infarction in the future. It will involve distance vs pounds I need to lose. But it was fun!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
All is now well with the Blog. (Other than the Blogger, who does a lousy job of keeping current.) So, on we go! Happy birthday to my mom (aka Gramma Anne) today. Griffin and I headed to the elementary school this afternoon, where we hit a few tennis balls around and played on both playgrounds. School (full time kindergarten!!) starts in 15 days, so we're just rebuilding familiarity a bit. We were joined by neighbor and fellow kindergartner Akiva & mom Mary, and all headed to the Belgrade Lakes Dairy Bar afterward for some cold & frosty treats. Last night we went to Belgrade Beach with other neighbor & fellow kindergartner Tucker, mom Amy & sister Sadie for some splashin'-good fun. Great weekend! Other summer news, just to catch things up a bit ... RAIN. June, most of July, RAIN. Way back at the very end of May we scraped all the decks and exterior stairways to repaint. Then, RAIN. For about seven weeks. Once the rain finally stopped, we were well into the season and fully booked, meaning that painting decks would have meant creeping around on them in an intrusive and lurking sort of way while guests were in the rooms, or, worse yet, actually lounging on said decks. So that goes on the fall project list. Did I mention all-day kindergarten? Yay!
July something, 2009
OK, Blog 2009 apparently has technical issues as well. Apostrophe-hating, forward-slash-loving issues. (And, in a strange twist, Blog 2007-2008 has all of a sudden retroactively developed this problem, too, in addition to the previously mentioned tech problems which necessitated the creation of Blog 2009.) My apologies, and as soon as I can corner someone who knows what they're doing (as opposed to me!), I assure all you gramatically proper readers that this issue will be addressed with due haste.
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Well, in my own inimitable low-tech way I've managed to do something very wrong to my blog page. For some reason, all of a sudden, all my previous entries are doubled, and out of order! As usual, I placed a frantic emergency call to our high-tech web guru and good friend & neighbor Dave, who build our website as one of his last before switching gears. His diagnosis ... Yep, it's very wrong. Just start over with a new page.
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So here we go, a fresh start! For any of you who feel so inclined to traipse through 2008 & 2007's collection of random (now even more so, as not chronologically arranged) thoughts & photos depicting life here at the inn, and per Dave's recommendation, I've kept the previous blog alive -- albeit breathing raggedly -- here on the site.
Here, in keeping with the previous blog's final "lump post", is it's counterpart, so that I can to chronologically turn the pages and move on mentally ...
July: RAIN, then finally, clear!! And there was much rejoicing. Congrats this month to Gretchen & Bobby, who were married at the lovely Lakewood Theater/Inn/Restaurant in Madison. The wedding cake was eggless due to allergy issues, as was much of the brunch we catered the next day. And the good luck was that it DIDN'T rain on their wedding day!
June: RAIN. Kids finished school, Griffin headed off to Michigan & "Camp Gramma", where unfortunately Grampa Don broke his foot playing tennis just days before! After going through a very tough surgery & recovery last fall, he was so looking forward to hit the links, boating & other summer activities, and now is sidelined again. :( Mackenzie had a week at Junior High Night Camp again this year, which involves waking at 11 am and bedtime at 2 am, and the traditional camp activities in between. This year, in the rain. Our fondest wishes & congratulations to fellow innkeeper Connie from Yeaton Farm, as she & Dennis tied the knot this month! (Did you know it's good luck if it rains on your wedding day?!)
May: We reopened for regular dinner service starting Mother’s Day, and spent from then until Colby graduation at the end of the month with the usual gear-up-for-the-season activities. Inventory, ordering, organizing, maintenance, etc. Book club this month featured yet another of the famous "frozen baby showers" wherein we present the mom-to-be with a veritable plethora of prepared meals to help with the chaos to come. In this case, neighbor Alane was the mom-to-be, and as we found out later in the month, Silas was the chaos to come! Also of note this month, congrats to Helen & Adam, whose wedding cake (and darling gingerbread bride & groom couples!) I was honored to create. And Griffin had his first dentist appointment, which caused quite a bit of nervous apprehension but went swimmingly! Colby graduation this month, of course, and happy 4th birthday to Theo, who requested a Santa cake! Mine is not to question why, mine is but to bake and take.
April:
Easter: Generally, Easter goes something like this ... Chris stays here & cooks for dinner guests, the kids & I meet up with the rest of the family at my mom's in Massachusetts. Delish food, good company, hidden eggs, the whole deal. This year, however, things went a little differently. Griffin had a bit of stomach flu off & on early in the week, which progressed into dehydration by Saturday. Hospitalization-type dehydration. He was admitted just about the time Mackenzie got hit with the bug, albeit (and thankfully!) just a 12 hour course in her case. Griffin spent until Monday afternoon at Thayer Hospital, which worked out conveniently for me when I had my very own brief bout there around 1 am Sunday. So ... no egg hunt for us, and Chris spent from Friday to Sunday quarantined from the rest of us and running the inn himself. He stayed healthy the whole time, but did basically collapse of fatigue afterward!
I finished up at the accounting firm on tax day, and we reopened the restaurant for three course bistro service shortly after.
March:
Chris & the kids went to Mexico for the mostly-annual Anderson getaway. I stayed home to keep an eye on things (you just never do know what pipe might burst here in Maine in the winter, unattended), and enjoyed every solitary minute of it! I spent my days working in a very orderly fashion, and evenings however I pleased. (A note to the reader: that usually means with a book and a down comforter.)
N.B.: There are those (many, many) who didn't understand this compulsion of mine to work in an office, but to them, I have just one thing to say ... go back & read through this blog. Life here at the inn is a bit like, well, juggling guinea pigs while riding a unicycle backward through a flaming maze. Blindfolded. I know, not very eloquent, but I don't know how else to describe it. Any given moment could find me with cheesecakes in the oven, searching for the ringing cordless handset, while directing Griffin through his chores, putting out afternoon tea, debating jean styles with Mackenzie, and trying to pay bills. While wondering if anything's thawed for our own dinner, and grimacing because of whatever discordant jam-improv guitar-riff-type 27 minute-long-song music Chris has going in the background. (Out of earshot of the guests, of course, but not of me, who prefers what he terms "funeral" music.) Now, I consider myself a very strong multi-tasker, but come on. I've never worked anywhere before where I've been required to recite all the verses to "Jack and Jill" while typing.
Also in March, the annual Chili Chowder Challenge, to benefit the Childrens' Center in Augusta. Once again, Chris received many accolades, but did not win. Once again, it just strengthens his resolve for next year!
February:
I took advantage of our closed time to work a seasonal, full-time job in Waterville. I secretly and desperately crave the sense of calm and accomplishment I used to take for granted as a single, un-offspringed legal secretary way-back-when, and this 10 week assignment was perfect. I was free to organize, analyze and strategize to my compulsive little heart's content, and the three tax professionals at the small office where I worked were good enough to overlook my decidedly anal tendencies. Perhaps it helped that I brought in baked goods from time to time.
Valentine's: We were open for lodging & dining Thursday through Sunday, and were quite busy. The special event nights, like Valentine's and New Year's, are always so much fun. It's an extra sort of excitement planning & prepping for them.
Spa weekend: at the end of February, I ran away briefly to meet up with my grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin & cousin-in-law. We spent Saturday at a nearby spa, and I was massaged and manicured. My uncle made us all an absolutely fabulous dinner, which was the crowning point to a perfect day!
January: After New Year's, with it's usual bustle, business and six-course splendor, we closed the inn for a bit of a break. This year we decided to extend our breather, taking just two night or longer reservations and opening the restaurant only on select weekends during the winter. My brother Matt started culinary school just before his 30th (gasp!!) birthday, which falls between Chris & Griffin's birthdays. Both of which were of course celebrated in the usual fashion, which means CAKE. (Pie for Chris, too, because he really prefers it; the rest of us use his occasion as a vehicle for our own cake love, so he gets both.)