Walk by Hello: Boy

01 May 2011

Boy

My boy is a seeker. He wants attention, affection and he wants to know why.

Why don't the clouds fall out of the sky?

How far away is the center of the earth?

When I grow up can I be Superman?

Why do I have to go to the doctor?

Will we go on vacation/move to a new house/visit the bookstore/have a race before I get shots? (A question he asks several times every day). His life is lived in the period B.S. (before shots), they are his constant dread..

He is sympathetic and warm one moment, the next he is bold and fearless and rough, wanting space, showing his burgeoning independence.

Every day I watch him dream and run and learn and grow and I cannot help but be thankful for the gift to know and encourage and laugh with and love this little boy so soon to be a man....

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Pecan Cream Cheese Icing:

8 ounces cream cheese
1 stick unsalted butter
1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter 3 (9-inch) cake pans with 1 tablespoon of the butter and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer. Add the sugar, and beat. In a medium bowl or on a piece of parchment, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, and mix well.

Add the dry ingredients, alternating with the eggs, beating well after the addition of each. Add the vanilla extract and mix. Add the carrots and beat on medium speed until well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Fold in the nuts. Divide between the 3 cake pans and bake until set and a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest in the cake pans for 10 minutes. Invert onto wire racks, remove from the pans, and let cool.

For the Frosting: In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar gradually, beating constantly. Add the vanilla and pecans.

When the cake is cool, place 1 cake layer on a cake plate or stand. Spread the top with cream cheese frosting and top with a second and third cake layer, spreading the icing between each layer. Spread the icing around the sides of the cake and let harden slightly before serving. To serve, cut into wedges.