When I was a child in the 1950s, and a tween/teen in the 1960s, birthday celebrations were low key. In my family you got a homemade cake, and your favorite meal. Candles were lit, the song was sung, and one felt special. We didn't get presents. That probably sounds harsh, but it didn't feel that way. Being acknowledged was enough. It's all about the food, y'all!
My childhood birthday meal was always stuffed cabbage with mashed potatoes, and a white cake with vanilla frosting. I'd still choose that as my birthday meal if cake was a requirement.
Now I'd prefer fruit pie, or hey! maybe pecan pie. However, our Orlando area grandkids prefer white cake with vanilla frosting, so that's what I ask for. With vanilla ice cream, for crying out loud. One really must have a decorated birthday cake with lit candles when children are present. When they grow up and there is no longer a need for candles or cake, I will demand pecan pie. Or maybe peach. Cherry?
Last year my daughter and husband asked what I wanted as a present. I replied "BBQ potato chips, a whole bag all to myself." They laughed, but I wasn't kidding. If I could have a whole bag all to myself, I would be so freakin' happy. I hate to share, don't you?
What would you like to eat on your birthday?
My mom's birthday cake and my favorite meal by her, gnocchi. She died when I was 13 and no where could we find this cake recipe she made us all on our birthdays. I've never even heard of this cake outside my home before...Graham Cracker Cake.
ReplyDeleteLovely! I googled "graham cracker cake recipes" and there are a bunch. Seemingly none are the same. I wish I knew the recipe your Mom made. Gee - you really didn't have her long enough. Not fair!
DeleteI'm with you on the pecan pie - best dessert on the planet.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course lobster for the main course.
Nice!
DeleteMy childhood birthdays were something like yours, at least at my mom's house (where I lived). I'd get one or two presents but that's it. As I got older my dad and stepmother gave us all gradually more elaborate birthdays.
ReplyDeleteThis is clearly the advantage of having divorced parents!
DeleteWe had the same birthday ritual when I was growing up. My favorite meal was scrambled eggs and creamed peas and potatoes. Devil's food cake with fudge frosting was such a treat.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
DeleteGrowing up with 5 others and in poverty, the “to myself” thing matters a ton. If I buy me something I love and set it aside so no one eats it and, lo and behold, they find it and consume it, I get pretty darn irate….over the top….until I realize it’s coming from that sense of want.
ReplyDeleteI had 6 brothers and sisters, and I totally understand.
DeleteBirthday meal is still pizza and salad, m&m’s for dessert. Will I ever grow up?
ReplyDeleteYum. I hope not.
DeleteWe weren't much into birthday presents either, and no cake or candles. I do remember family singing the birthday song. I got a card every year from my father's sister. That was it. I just remembered that one year my parents took the family to a three-ring circus event on my (and my twin brother's) birthday. That was fun!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how different families can be. And their traditions seem normal and appropriate. I imagine my grandkids would be shocked to hear I didn't get presents.
DeleteSwiss steak with tomato gravy and mashed potatoes. Flank steak pounded to smithereens with seasoned flour. Last year's canned tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteOMG - you can tell I'm originally from the upper Midwest because that meal sounds like heaven to me.
DeleteOur birthdays were pretty low key too. I'm no egoist but I did think the world should pause and acknowledge! My mother made the best Sheppard's Pie in the world. That's what I'd want for a birthday dinner, and never mind the cake, give me English trifle for dessert. So, you've had a birthday? Hope it was happy!
ReplyDeleteThanks! English Trifle is vastly superior to white cake with vanilla frosting, I agree. I would quite love to have experienced your mother's Sheppard's Pie.
DeleteI made a brown butter pumpkin cake for my birthday, so moist and delicious.
ReplyDeleteMy meal would be something delicious and easy.
Mmmmmm, brown butter pumpkin cake!
Deletehttps://cleobuttera.com/cakes/the-ultimate-pumpkin-cake/
DeleteMany thanks!!!!
DeleteLove this post and the conversation. I had only a few celebrations before my parents split. I don't recall anything, "special" like a meal. One year I got a bicycle. Everything else paled by comparison. :-) As an adult I often ask for steak, creamed spinach, and potatoes in any form (mashed, baked, fried). Dessert is usually something chocolate or tiramasu.
ReplyDeleteThis year I was taken to a bar-b-que place. I had chicken, greens, potatoes, and cornbread. Dessert was pick-up and taken home to enjoy, tres leche cake. Yum.
Sounds wonderful, both of the meals. I have a special fondness for bar-b-que.
DeleteMy kids know that I like anything lemony - so a lemon meringue pie or lemon cake are usually perfect for me. We have always given gifts for birthdays, altho, now that my children are grown, I don't buy them gifts anymore as they can get what the want themselves now. The grandkids still get presents tho!
ReplyDeleteThere comes a time!
DeleteOops, running late again! My childhood birthdays were almost as low key as yours. A birthday cake and a present and that was it. My erstwhile parents would have been aghast at the elaborate birthday jamborees that seem normal these days. Bouncy castles, balloons, piles of presents, absurd amounts of food. Time to rein it in a bit.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Same with weddings.
DeleteFor me a treat is always savoury, never sweet. Also, sweet never does the trick when I'm hungry. Choosing a favourite dish at home carries risks, since somebody would have to prepare it and my advanced tastes tend to be complex. On holiday on a boiling hot day in the south of France this year we were (I was with VR and Occasional Speeder) - I think - recognised as big spenders and were shepherded to a quiet corner of the restaurant which was, as the French say, climatisé. Apart from being more atmospherically comfortable it meant we were able to chose food that didn't have to co-exist with the temperature outdoors. All three of us independently chose the fish soup, a slightly toned down version of bouillabaisse famous in Marseilles, just along the coast a'ways. At a guess I'd say we were served a gallon (and a UK gallon at that, bigger than the US measure) served in a monster earthenware crock. Even VR had seconds, while PB and I went on and on. I can taste it now: im-pecc-able. No chance of duplicating it here in Hereford (even though VR and PB are excellent cooks); it would take 24 - 48 hr to create. But if my health allows France next year I know where I'll lunch at least once.
ReplyDeleteWell, you never said it had to be a realistic choice.
Oh, and I never share. Bon anniversaire.
The fish soup sounds wonderful. As to the UK gallon being larger (by 1/5 or thereabouts!), I didn't know that. Now I'm looking up and learning about pints and Imperial pints, and the world no longer seems the same to me.
DeleteAnd it is never best to make a realistic choice when a wish is involved.