Wally's Pastry Shop

(I'm still working on a novel-length post about our trip, but before you think I've left Noodletown to the tumbleweeds, here's a timely post about Birthday cakes!!)

Some little boy turned one this month! And of course there has to be cake. Not just one cake, made with love by his Nana and sprinkled with blueberries (his favorite fruit) but two cakes. The second being from Wally's Pastry Shop, my new favorite spot to buy cakes.

Wally Uhl is a certified master pastry chef who makes beautiful, moist and delicious cakes and more in his little shop on North Oak. The Uhl's have been in business 46 years, 38 in the same location, and stepping inside the shop feels and smells exactly like walking in to your Grandmother's house. The Grandma who loved you unconditionally, thought you were a genius, and had a big spot on her lap just for you. It feels warm inside Wally's, and Mrs. Uhl will make you feel welcome if you'd like to stay and have a pastry at the tiny table inside the shop. (There is a sign behind the counter that says "It's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice.")

Our cake was a white quarter sheet cake (all the sheet cakes are double-layered with a thick layer of light and buttery buttercream inside), which fed about 25 people. I wasn't specific about the decorations on the top of the cake and was delighted by what I picked up - lettering in delicious chocolate with pretty blue candy flowers. It felt old-fashioned and tasted even better than I expected. From the mess on his face, I think the boy loved it too.

Wally's Pastry Shop
3855 North Oak Trafficway
816*452*7535

one month later

tap tap tap

Is this thing on???

Monday the husband goes back to work. I'm being dragged, kicking and screaming, back into the real world of jobs and bills and schedules and, um, real life. The last month has been spectacular. I don't want to leave it.

You have all been patient and lovely.

While we were basking in meals delivered to our door by wonderful friends and family, the world kept turning. We ate salmon (twice!) and spicy pasta salad and pizza and chicken casserole and made beautiful caprese salads with the homegrown tomatoes delivered by our neighbor. We dove into our Costco stash of foods in the deep freeze and ate bowl after bowl after bowl of Cheerios, simply because it was easy. My whole food outlook is a bit different than it was before. We've had carry-out twice. Both times we were so excited it was a little worrisome.

Suddenly, though, I'm starting to think about eating less as a have-to and more as a want-to. I'm starting to get my tastebuds back. When you go from being simply a foodie to becoming someone's primary source of food, everything changes. You examine everything you put in your mouth. Will it make the baby gassy/fussy/upset/rashy? I'm learning now, a month in, to take a deep breath and just see what comes next.

Fresh From The Oven

August Michael has arrived.

I think we'll be doing a little more eating at home for the next few weeks - please excuse my temporary absence from the Interwebs.

The little guy is doing incredibly well - we are ecstatic and sleepy and in a constant state of awe.

Thanks for all of your well wishes and virtual support.