weekend pics, cake time

it's been quiet around here, both at home and on the blog.  i put down my camera and kept the laptop shut to take care of my house and make it into a home again... i'm almost there!  trying to keep up with a house in full disarray has made for a tiring weekend.  i was knee deep in painting and spring cleaning.  breaks included reading through the spring issue of kinfolk, their home issue. 

all this putting together and reading about other people's thoughts on the meaning of home couldn't have come at a more perfect time.

you see, disarray has come full force in my home and it's not just the house.  motherhood for me has been loopy and messy this last week.  the work of a mother isn't always fun, especially when her ten year old hurts with his words and gestures, slaps away my hand when i try to show some love, and rejects my help for anything.  it's heartbreaking.  it feels all of a sudden but really i should have known.  it isn't always like this - he's been so sweet the last few days - but it seems to be shifting.  how do i parent a boy who doesn't want to be mothered?

with a little faith and courage and unconditional love, i suppose.  as i figure out how to navigate this new mothering i dream that with the putting together of our home it will somehow - magically - put together our relationship too.

 

 





jude made a home for himself out of the stacked chairs and pillows



and cake helps too :)  i woke up sunday morning wanting to eat a deliciously simple - no fuss - slice of cake.  it was such a strong craving.  and guess what guys?  stefan made the best cake ever - an almond cake complete with toasted sliced almonds topped with sugar and lemon zest.  it was light and full of flavour.  of course, he turned to his trusty cook's illustrated magazine for the recipe.  make this cake, you'll thank me for it!