Great Expectations

It's early morning here and all is quiet, except for the steady sound of melting snow drip-dropping from the roof in time with the clicking of the keyboard. The weekend had been full of expectations and plans. On Saturday there was a basketball game and girl scouts for Ava, practice for the Christmas play, tickets in the Advent stocking for the Nutcracker performance, and more shopping in preparation for Rowan's birthday party with his friends. Sunday morning was the Christmas pageant performance with our entire family in the play and Rowan's birthday party was supposed to be on Sunday afternoon. But a little bout of illness came our way and our tightly knit plans began to unravel. I guess it's just that time of year...
Here's a picture from the the ice sculpture tour that is probably to blame for the kids getting sick:

The biggest disappointment was postponing Rowan's party. On Saturday night Lea and I had already done much of the preparation- the dinosaur carrot cake was ready, decorations were up, snacks prepared and favor bags filled, but Sunday morning Rowan did not want to get out of bed. He really wanted to have the party, though. After some consoling, tea and the offer to watch a favorite movie, he was agreeable to postponing his party. With any luck, the party will happen next weekend and cake #3 will be rolling out of my oven. And since we're on the subject of cake I must share this recipe of our favorite carrot cake, courtesy of the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook:

2 cup All purpose flour
2 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Baking powder
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 teaspoon Salt (a little less is better)
1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
3 cup Finely shredded carrot
1 cup Cooking oil

Combine first six ingredients, then add the remaining three. Mix well and pour into a 13x9x2 (50 to 60 mins at 325F) or two 9 inch (40 mins at 325F) lightly greased and floured pans. Cool well and frost with cream cheese frosting.

So easy, so good!