In third grade, Mrs. Jenkins gave us the assignment to record for a week what food we ate as our meals. And so, after each breakfast, lunch, and dinner that week, I diligently noted in a little book. I transferred this information to a loose-leaf sheet of paper and turned it in. The next day, Mrs. Jenkins invited me (and me alone) to write my entire week's menu on the chalkboard. An invitation to the chalkboard was always an exciting event for me. It took some time to write it all up there...it was a lot of information.
After what seemed like hours, when I was done, and as I walked back to my desk, Mrs. Jenkins asked the class "Class? Can you tell me what is wrong with this menu?" Just then a whole scurry of hands went up straight away...some of them with people nearly standing, stretching their hands as high as they could. Chants of "me" "me" "me" filled the room. One by one the students pointed out flaws of my menu. Namely, and most apparent to everyone, is that you're not supposed to have birthday cake for breakfast.
That thought had never, not even once, crossed my mind. And I don't think it really crossed my mother's either. For after every birthday in my family, until the cake was completely gone, we feasted on cake for breakfast. And, since my mother sliced the cake so paperthin you could see straight through to the plate, the cake seemed to last forever. And a day.
I thought of that story as I prepared this sugar and fat and everything nice breakfast this morning. And, just for Mrs. Jenkins, I added an extra slice of pound cake. (and perhaps thusly another inch to my waist)
p.s. You'll see a little peep of the project I've been working on this morning...my fairy in a jar for Melfie's sweet swap. I'm not allowed to show you until my swap sister gets her but I snuck this peak for you.
22 comments:
That's the spirit! Enjoy that luscious cake any time of day.
Well, I agree with you - this IS a breakfast of champions. I enjoy leftover b-day cake as a morning feast, myself.
I discovered your blog and shop yesterday - great stuff!
I am TRULY shocked at this information....there is a RULE prohibiting the enjoyment of Birthday Cake for breakfast??? What a horrrible thing for teachers to be perpetrating! What is a childhood birthday but waking up to balloons tied to the doorknob, the breakfast chair, and the mailbox, proudly proclaiming to ALL that this is a MOST special day....and then sitting down to enjoy a glass of milk and a slice of cake - or, at the very least, a cupcake with a single candle - to begin the day of celebration on the happiest of notes?!!!!!
I will continue to break the rules, I can promise you that!!!!
What a lovely breakfast. Your teacher probably thought cold pizza in the morning was not acceptable either. Have a great weekend!
Reading your post this afternoon reminded me of a similar story from my childhood. My mom was/is not a big cook. We ordered dinner out a lot when I was a kid, and I would eat "junk food" like cupcakes and such for breakfast. I was a very picky eater, and I think she was happy if I would just eat something, anything.
My mom told me that once in grade school we had a similar assignment to write down everything we ate for a week. My mom said when I told her about the assignment, I put my hand on hers and said, "Don't worry. I lied." ha ha
I enjoy reading your blog and love all of the beautiful pictures you post. I'm constantly inspired by what you do. Keep up the great work! :)
Forgive me, but birthday cake has all four food groups, dairy (milk), protein (eggs), fruit (chocolate), veggie (oil). I don't see the problem. :) Bon appetit!
That Mrs. Jenkins clearly didn't know what she was talking about. I enjoyed seeing what's for breakfast but, Hey Amy, What for dinner?
It's not such an unhealthy breakfast - I see fruit, grain and dairy in that meal! Besides, some of the cereals on the market have just as much or more sugar and they aren't nearly as pretty, or tasty!
Poor Mrs. Jenkins was just upset because she didn't eat cake for breakfast.
We always do leftover cake for breakfast too!!! Gotta make those special days last...
Rock on, we ate cake for breakfast as well and my mother in law thinks it is a crime! Wrong!
we do that, for birthdays and for holiday pies as well. it really kills my husband that I let the kids do that, but we still do it ;)
Mrs. Jenkins is a sourpuss. And how rude to single a kid out. I'd make a face at her if I saw her now.
Well...as a teacher myself....I am appalled! Didin't she understand that all of the important food groups were present in that piece of birthday cake???? grains (flour), protein (eggs in said cake), vegetables (oil in cake), dairy (milk that I am sure you drank with cake)! Sounds to me like a very well-balanced breakfast! Invite me over any ol' time...your strawberry poundcake and whipped cream look delicious!
Oh Dear Amy, I know how that must have felt! My first grade teacher did something similar to me, and 44 years later, I still remember how bad it made me feel.
Mrs. Jenkins obviously wouldn't understand the charm that the fairies hold over those of us who reside in and around Blogville either! What fun we have! 'Course, who knows? Maybe if Mrs. Jenkins had it to do over, she'd eat more cake too!
My favorite breakfast is pumpkin pie, with real whipped cream and a tall cup of French roast.
great story.. im sure you must have been embarrassed at the time. hmm. cake for breakfast. i think i should try it, well, maybe after my wedding.. haha.
I remember accidentally calling my second grade teacher, Mrs. Avery "Mommy" one time when I was at her desk. She corrected me by announcing to the whole class "and I am most certainly NOT your mother" and oh, how my cheeks flushed and my heart sank. I couldn't look at my paper through my fuzzy tears so I focused on the brim of her wig instead, hoping that a stiff breeze would plow through the school and whip it off. Shame on Mrs. Jenkins, too.
And by the way, hasn't anyone here feasted upon "birthday cake soup"?? I just had my last bowl of my 40th birthday cake soup the other day.
I think that Birthday cake is an acceptable food type anytime. I brouht my son up on those principles and he's now a very well balanced 19 year old with a good appreciation of the value of the Birthday cake!!!
Please Amy, I want to sign up for "Club Little House" but am not sure how to get the payment to you not being in the States. could you advise me on this one please. Thank you.xx
my justification for eating cake for breakfast is it has eggs, enriched flour, and occassionally milk...and enough calories to get me through the day :) Cake is a fabulous breakfast, poor Mrs. Jenkins must have been terribly jelous of you.
That cake looks so YUMMY! Cake for breakfast was pretty common in my house too. :)
Poor Poor Ms Jenkins. How sad she must have been to think that cake for breakfast was "wrong". Looks like we've all had a Ms Jenkins in our past, yet we all continue to do what they said was wrong....GOOD FOR US!! :) I eat peach pancakes for dinner too (gasp) -giggle-
Hugs,
Chrissi
Cake is always appropriate for breakfast!
Amy - will you list my blog in your blogroll? You're my go-to blog for updates!
I'm at www.gypsywagon.typepad.com
Well I personally think there is nothing better than birthday cake for breakfast. It is a tradition in our home also. Heck sometimes there might even be a little ice cream!
And your strawberry breakfast cake looks awesome. Have you ever tried the Absolutely Amaretto cake mix from Tastefully Simple. It is the best complement to strawberries since whipped cream. Dang I'm making myself hungry and I'm supposed to be on a diet!
Post a Comment