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Happy Birthday, Eustacia

My baby turns 19 today. So much for being a baby. I'm hopeful she'll never really grow up, though, because she's good at holding on to the best parts of being childlike. Eustacia gives people the benefit of the doubt, overlooks their flaws and loves them unconditionally. She isn't cynical or warn down by disappointment or vindictive.

She can be surprisingly impish now and then. She got her gift on Saturday, a shopping trip to Columbus and dinner in the city. She ordered duck, and her sister, who she typically tries to irritate, ordered salmon. Eustacia said, "My dinner eats your dinner," and the rest of us sat there pondering the brain that thinks in those terms.

The kid doesn't want a cake today but has asked for rice-krispy treats instead. Of all things. I offered to bake or provide her heart's desire, and this is what her heart wants. The particular stuff she's craving comes from a recipe a former neighbor gave us when all the neighborhood kids were little and played together in a pack.

So, I'll be making a batch today with butter scotch and chocolate and peanut butter, and my blood-sugar level will swirl out of whack just by my holding the big wooden spoon. And then Eustacia can taste her childhood, being childlike without being childish and remembering summer afternoons in the backyard at the same time she is planning for a wide-eyed future miles from home.

Here is Eustacia (in blue) with the sister whose goat she likes to get.

Comments

Jobove - Reus said…
very good blog, congratulations
regard from Reus Catalonia Spain
thank you

http://trucadors.blogspot.com
kyle@sift said…
I think her dinner eating her sister's dinner is hilarious.
I never had a sister. I envy their relationship.
Happy Birthday...and enjoy the crispy treats.
MmeBenaut said…
Ah, Happy Birthday Eustacia! Enjoy those delicious sounding krispy treats!
dive said…
Happy Birthday, Eustacia!

Ooooh, Rice Krispie treats! Eustacia has impeccable taste, Robyn.

Every time I see them I'm blown away by how breathtakingly beautiful your two girls are.
So, I know what you were doing 19 years ago today. :)
RoverHaus said…
Wow! They are so grown up and so attractive. (Can I say that on the internet?)

You did a great job in not only raising E. but in giving her the advantage of a well cultivated and balanced palette. Duck and Rice Crispy treats!

This woman has all kinds of class and confidence!
Happy Birthday Eustacia! Well krispy treats? Why not?! They're just fab and your Mum's sound better than most. Here in the UK it's simply krispies in melted choc. Tell your Mum to send me the recipe and I too can transport my 22, 20 and 17 year olds back to childhood for a snack. Have a great time Eustacia, have a wonderful week creating your memories. x
PF said…
Ahhh, my girls!! I love this pic of them :)
Shan said…
I must have been called away before getting my birthday wishes in yesterday. Happy Birthday E! Glad you're home for a leisurely summer with your dear Mom. I know you two (three?) will think of lots to do together. Enjoy this most fabulous time of life! :)

I always wanted a sister too! Great pic!
savannah said…
happy belated birthday, sugar! xoxo
Mark said…
My dinner eats your dinner, that's hilarious. Also sounds just like something my son would say.

We shake our heads, look in the mirror and wonder where they get this stuff.

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