July 24, 2008

15

I'm not quite sure how it's possible that my 1st born is 15. It sure seems like just yesterday she was grasping cheerios with her pudgy little hand. Now she is grasping for her freedom with both fists, refusing to be anything other than what she wants to be. No longer content to conform to her parents expectations, she is proving to us and herself that she is her own person. I suppose that's how it should be, although it has been quite an adjustment for everyone in this house. This has been a year filled with many bumps but I wouldn't trade it for anything because in the end those bumps brought us closer together. She is a bright, dramatic, beautiful, hilarious, tender-hearted girl and we all love her very much.

Her birthday cake (above) based on one from Country Living (below) doesn't look as perfect as the one in the magazine, but it was made together by a mother and daughter who at times this past year didn't even want to be in the same room. It was baked with love, laughter, mistakes and a big mess. I think that actually makes it the most perfect cake ever made.

52 comments:

  1. I think your cake is just beautiful!!
    "14" is a rough year. Like you said, they are becoming their own person. It's nice when you get on the other side of it too!!
    :)

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  2. Love the cake and the blog. I was browsing and ran across it.
    Debbi M

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  3. Your cake looks great! Is that the one that they made buttercream frosting using marshmallow fluff? So easy and soooo good!

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  4. Sniff sniff... you just made me shed a tear for the years ahead. My girl is only 5 but I know they will zoom by.

    PS. If your daughter is baking a cake with you at all, I KNOW you have done a fabulous job.

    ~Stacy

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  5. It looks more perfect than perfect to me!!!

    Very good job. My daughter was 15.....10 years ago! Sheesh, I'm getting old.

    - Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

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  6. My older sister (who has raised two daughters) once told me that the "even" numbered years are hard and the "odd" years are easier...so 15 should be a good year for you guys. Also had to tell you that my Ellen saw that cake in my magazine and got out her watercolors and painted a picture of it.

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  7. I think that is a beautiful cake! Happy Birthday to you both. Lovely post.

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  8. It's a gorgeous cake, and it gives me hope that my 14-year-old and I might survive this year after all!

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  9. Beautiful cake! That inspires me to make something like it this weekend. It's my birthday on the 28th and we are celebrating with my family for my and my mom's birthday (on Aug 8). I volunteered to make the dessert and I think this would be awesome!

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  10. Beautiful cake! That inspires me to make something like it this weekend. It's my birthday on the 28th and we are celebrating with my family for my and my mom's birthday (on Aug 8). I volunteered to make the dessert and I think this would be awesome!

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  11. Happy Birthday!!
    Love your cake!
    Rosemary

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  12. Happy Birthday to her.

    Cake looks fab - and a matching apron to boot!

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  13. The cake looks great-I made a pink one like it for my daughters 5th birthday a couple weeks ago. Yours is prettier.

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  14. sigh......my youngest just turned 15 and I can hardly believe it! Yes those girls are so difficult! But as I experienced the same with my older daughter, even worse! Now we have become good friends and she is a wonderful young woman of 23!

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  15. what do you mean the cake doesn't look as perfect as in the magazine??? It's awesome and amazing! Wish I could do something nice and beautiful like that!

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  16. Happy Birthday! How fun that cake is and was making! Great pics too!
    Hugs,
    Robyn

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  17. Happy Birthday Miss 15!!!!
    One more year and you will have your drivers license!! yippee!
    cute blog mama-
    glad you both made it through the 14s~
    lisa
    coastal nest

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  18. Oh I just love this polka dot cake and the fact that it was a dual effort makes it that much sweeter! Happy Birthday to your daughter!

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  19. what a wonderful cake !!
    hapyy birthday to your daugther !
    I am French and I discovered your blog and love it ! thank you !

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  20. Wow, the cake is beautiful. Happy birthday!

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  21. How beautiful! What a lovely, tender-hearted post!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR FIRST BORN :)

    And many blessings and happiness in the years to come!

    PS rest assured, even mother/daughter relationships with the most bumps and bruises end up in the strongest friendships a few years later. Just wait :)

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  22. happy belated birthday to your daughter. your cake is beautiful!!! all the more special because you baked it together. hang in there - it gets better (my daughter is 18 now).

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  23. Very cute cake! You can never go wrong with polka dots :)

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  24. What a wonderful post. I definetly can relate having two sons who are passed that stage of teendom. They have a way of returning given enough personal freedom to stretch their wings.

    Happy Friday!!

    P.S.
    Love that cake :)

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  25. Hi Jen, thanks for stopping by! We are in the Dayton (OH) area, but we travelled to Centerville, IN, to the antique mall. Ever been there? I could spend days in there!
    :)

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  26. Awww, that's a beautiful cake for a sweet 15 birthday!

    Rhoda

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  27. I love the cake!! Especially that gorgeous Tiffany blue icing.

    Wow, I try not to think about the teen years when I look at my almost 3 year old....!

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  28. This is my first time visiting. Your cake is beautiful. I remember seeing it in Country Living and thinking...wow, that would make a great birthday cake! I'll be back to visit!

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  29. What an amazing post. You are a mom who cares and loves her daughter enough to take the time to bake a cake and give of your time. 15 years of your time! This is the greatest gift we can ever hope to share with our young ones, no matter the age.

    Thank you for sharing this with us. And I love the cake!

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  30. Hi Jen!!Such a lovely post! happy birthday to your *little* girl. Love your perfect cake!Is that lemon custard inside??? It is a bittersweet feeling as they grow and test their wings. I have 4 teens now.

    LOVE your blog...and am linking it...If you don't mind.

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  31. Your cake looks so good! You got the icing color perfectly! Cute blog!

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  32. I think the cake is gorgeous Jen! Cheers to your relationship! I will be going down that road in a few short years. cherry

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  33. That cake is gorgeous!!! What a cute idea for decorating it... and happy birthday to your daughter. Time flies, doesnt it??!! xo!

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  34. You're so right, it really does make it the most perfect cake of all! I'm so glad you both enjoyed her birthday!

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  35. Wow! Your cake is beautiful! I love it! Those teenage years are so frustrating for us parents but we do get through it. It's amazing how wonderful these kids turn out. We are the one's left with the gray hair LOL

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  36. Happy Birthday to your gal..yes the teen years are sometimes bumpy...something we moms have to approach with grace and alot of patience.
    hope you have a good week.

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  37. birthday cakes....$
    turning 15 ....$$
    baking cake with mother...PRICELESS!

    Enjoy these precious memories...the cake IS perfect because it was made with love and laughter...I think it turned out BEAUTIFUL...as I am sure your daughter is, too!

    BTW...my baby turned 15...ten years ago this Novemeber...and my baby girl turned 15...13 years ago this November...first I'm getting OLD...and secondly, NOVEMBER is a busy month for us!

    Blessings...
    Teresa

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  38. How sweet! What a lovely cake, and I'm glad you both had a good time together. As the oldest of three girls, I'm here to tell you it gets better! Now my mom and sisters and I vacation together, and we like it. Who knew? :)

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  39. I think it turned out great!
    I even like your color blue-green better. :)

    Cute apron, too.

    Kimberly

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  40. Wow! That is a great-looking cake! You should be rewarded (and not just for the cake, but for a beautiful reflection).

    Happy Birthday!
    Maureen

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  41. it is a beautiful cake with I'm sure, beautiful memories!

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  42. I love anything polka-dots and that cake is adorable!! your blog is adorable! It's so refreshing and inspiring that I am passing along three awards to you on my blog. No doubt, you have already been given these, so don't feel obligated to pass them along unless you want to of course. I just wanted you to know how much I love your blog!!
    God Bless,
    Ruthann
    Warm Pie, Happy Home

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  43. The cake looks oh so pretty.

    You have a wonderful blog.

    I must be back to visit.

    Melissa

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  44. sorry, should have left my compliments for your cake here and not in the next post...

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  45. Oh what a lovely cake! And the best part about it is how it was made. Happy Birthday to your very special daughter!

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  46. That looks delicious! They grow so fast!

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  47. Love your post and that cake looks de-lish! I have 15 year old twins and completely understand from where you stand. Keep the faith and keep the cakes baking!

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  48. That cake is absolutely perfect! I saw that cake in the magazine, too, and was immediately drawn to it. Congratulations for making a baking project with your daughter.
    Happy birthday to her, and happy day to you, too.

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  49. What a gorgeous cake!!! Love your blog!

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