It became apparent from an early age that Lydia, our daughter, was not about to be in the background of our family texture. The first sign of this came when she asked at the age of three how we would be decorating her birthday tree!

Over the years, in addition to our traditional Christmas tree, we have had a snowflake tree in January and Valentine tree in February. Jan and I clearly remember her stating that butterflies would be nice for her birthday tree –n in March! This happened as we were discussing how nice it would be to have more room in our living room once the tree was packed away. The prior summer, she had taken quite an interest in Jan planting impatiens by our front porch. We often her say “those pretty butterflies sure like those pink flowers.” Leave it to a three-year-old child to have the bright butterflies of summer segue seamlessly into decorating a pine tree in March for her birthday!

When Lydia conveyed her request message for butterflies, her mother and I did get a flutter! It was sweet and therefore motivated us to be up past midnight coloring dozens of butterflies at our dining room table. Markers, crayons, and pastels were used for creating colorful cluster of butterflies. Several were done in complimentary colors, such as yellow and purple, orange and blue, and a personal favorite — green and magenta. Lydia was going to have a butterfly birthday tree, and it was the perfect time to start to introduce her to understanding color theory.

Jan was up long before sunrise and had the butterflies perched on branches with netting woven in between the colorful wings. As she lit the tree in our living room, it exclaimed sunshine. We then sat back to witness what happens when the imagination of a child tosses creative buds to connect for her parents. We brewed some coffee and sat in the living with only the tree aglow and waited for Miss Lydia to come down the open staircase.

Lydia’s expression and excitement upon seeing her birthday tree for the first time proved to Jan and me that listening to your child and participating in their interest is as wonderful as sliced bread, smart as having a reversible skirt with two great patterns and the perfect way to raise a daughter.

After this first tree, we realized that the rules of celebrating Lydia’s birthday would include a creative theme tree. Jan being the connected, guiding and listening mother that she is, ran with the idea. We both knew that talking Lydia out of having this tree each year would be approached by her with glacial movement; therefore, we hopped on the avenue. Jan has always been the starter and the organizer of this festive occasion, and with each tree the mother-daughter connection blooms brighter. Lydia still waits for her birthday morning to see what the surprise theme will be — and yes, we are continuing to wait with coffee cups in hand!

Lydia has been accepted at Concordia College, and Jan created Lydia’s 2023 birthday tree with this theme which included a burgundy and gold scarf and knitted Concordia hat at the top of the tree. Plenty of gold bulbs, lights and Cobber-related images and sayings adorned the branches.

Over the last years, we have had many fun birthday tree themes — all relating to her interests during the past year: planets and the solar system, the environment, books, classical music, the color pink and crochet, makeup, shoes and pretty dresses, ice skating, Harry Potter, and the color teal.

In addition to the birthday tree, Lydia has for several years selected a cake that she feels would be perfect for her birthday. Both Jan and I went along with this idea even though at times we knew the tried, true and tested cake recipes of our grandmas are still the best. Here is the latest recipe selected! The cardamom was the clincher in this cake, as Lydia enjoys using cardamom in her specialty coffees as a barista at Prairie Sky Breads.

Strawberry-Cardamom

and Cream Cake

September 2022 Better Homes and Gardens magazine

2/3 cup granulated sugar

4 cups all-purpose flour

1Tbsp. ground cardamom

2 tsp. baking powder

1 ½ tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

4 tsp. vanilla extract, divided

4 large eggs

Zest of 2 lemons

1 ½ cups buttermilk

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Heavy cream for mixing consistency

Strawberries for garnish and between layers with frosting if desired.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 9-in round pans and line with parchment.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, the cardamom, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. In the bowl of the mixer, beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, and 2 tsp. vanilla on medium until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated. Fold in the lemon zest. Add half of the flour mixture, followed by half of the buttermilk, beating on low. Repeat with the remaining flour and buttermilk, beating until just incorporated.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes and remove cake from pans promptly.

Frosting: Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar with enough heavy cream for desired consistency.