My brother, sister, and cousins have an innate skill for finding them, pulling them out into the public, and then corralling the giggles. If those giggles turn into thunderous guffaws, then you know you've got a winner.
There are certain breeding grounds for these one-liners - circumstances, where you just know you're going to hear one. Post Christmas dinner, about the time when the 5th magnum of Champagne has offered its final pour, the "kids" go into silent mode as they wait with baited breath for something like:
Yes, we have a lot to carry ...
or,
I'm so glad that you're such good friends and that you play together ...
or better yet,
I hate wet salad ...
Everyone seems to own a one-liner or two (or if you're me, just a word, and there are more like a dozen of them. 'Ka-BOOM!' and 'Mongoloid' will live in infamy.) My Aunt Dee-Dee has a classic. She is responsible for the quote, "Maybe it's because of the reason." It's a one-liner that we put down in the record books around 2003. My cousin was on her first leave from the Army, and my Aunt had hosted a party complete with her signature apple pie for dessert. When we commented on how delicious it was, she said, "Maybe it's because of the reeeeason ..." And left it at that.
I know. Bad story. Not funny. (I know.) Perhaps it was in the delivery of the line; Or the fact that she never actually told us the reason (one can deduce it was for my cousin who hadn't had a real meal in six months); Or maybe we just wanted something to laugh at that evening; But right then and there, after she said it, we were in stitches and repeating, "maybe it's because of the reason," all night long.
Last night, after I cut myself my fifth little sliver as a nightcap to my first big hunk of cake, and this morning when I cut myself a piece for breakfast, I did one of those lone laughs and thought, "maybe it's because of the reason."
Peter said it, not me, it was the best cake yet. And I truly believe, it was because of the reason. It was because of the person who it was lovingly prepared for. Claire.
Last night, Peter and I hosted a little family birthday party for her. As a newbie to the family birthday party throwing, I wanted to make sure it was done with panache, so I planned a retro, The Help inspired feast of buttermilk soaked fried chicken, corn bread, mashed potatoes and gravy, individual spinach souffles, and a cake that would make Aibeleen and Minny proud.
The dinner was great - Well done by all the contributors. But that was the part that Peter, Peggy and I could have done in our sleep.
The cake though, that took a reason - it took the special person it was made for. The kind of person who deserves all the good in life. Who lights up a room the moment she enters it. Who became my lucky 11th follower yesterday (and in turn, the maker of my day.) Who is not only my new sister, but my very good friend. And of course, who is the mother of this adorable bundle of joy.
Claire's cake started on Wednesday evening when I made the almond layers in between the time I set the jambalaya on simmer and I screwed up the white rice, which made for a 75% edible Wednesday night dinner. I was supposed to make two layers, but I made three instead. Claire deserved three. I let them cool, wrapped them up, and refrigerated them overnight. Then yesterday morning, before the sun's (and Peter's) alarm went off, I made the lemon icing, toasted the almonds, stacked it up, and topped it with powdered sugar.
Still sleepy-eyed, I posted a photo of it on Facebook, set in the refrigerator to chill, and prayed that it would taste as good as it looked.
It did. 6 times over and one to grow on this morning. And I gave a silent nod to Aunt Dee for being so spot on. There is only one reason why this cake turned out so well, and that is Claire. I've made everyday cakes, even celebration cakes, but my Claire Cake, that was the winner.
Happy 29th #11.
Lo.
David Lebovitz' almond layer cake with lemon frosting. I followed the recipe exactly, but added another layer (and some more icing.) Oh, and I didn't add a layer of raspberry preserves.I've never liked jelly in cake.
