Tabletop Fireworks

I was up in New Hampshire last week getting ready for the Fourth of July by stocking up on Roman Candles, fountains, and aerial repeaters--or, as they're sometimes called, "cakes."

And that got me to thinking about something other than the firey destruction I'd soon be unleashing on my friend's back yard: July 4th is America's Birthday, and while parades, glittering chrysanthemum blooms, and Saturn Whistling Rockets with Report are a grand way to celebrate, it's just not a birthday without some cake.

So we made our July Fourth Cake to help you share a slice with family and friends while you watch 500-gram aerial repeaters and #3 Golden Palms burst overhead in the night sky. Stick a couple of sparklers in it for an extra-festive effect, then enjoy three layers of moist yellow sponge layered with summery-smooth raspberry and lemon preserves, iced with our vanilla buttercreme, and topped with an icing Colonial Flag and and red-and-blue swirled border. Think of it as the dessert finale to a perfect day.

As Seen on TV

Fox25 Morning News paid a visit to Winchester last week and did a brief segment on La Patisserie. We created a custom cake for the occasion, which we can easily do for any of our local Winchester customers. (We're also happy to make custom corporate cakes as well.)

Our friend Baguette got her 15 minutes of fame as well, both on the Fox broadcast and in The Winchester Star. She and her six ducklings took up residence in the river behind the post office in Winchester. Sadly, only three of the ducklings survived their first day on the water. There's a pair of hawks living nearby that I suspect are the culprits.

The remaining ducklings are doing fine, though, as you'll see in this picture I shot on Friday along the river's edge. The batteries in the camera gave out on me right after, otherwise I'd have more.

May Cause Cries of "Awww" and "Oooh"

As promised, a picture of adorable ducklings. We had one arrive yesterday, and this morning there are five more, with around three eggs left to hatch. They're quite fuzzy and quite timid--they'll take a step or two around their mother, then go diving back under her wing.

She's also become rather defensive since yesterday. She was fine with me bringing her water, but even that seems to get her riled.

Just in time for Father's Day.

Still Waiting

I've been waiting for two weeks to get a shot of Baguette with her eggs. She obliged, however briefly, this past Friday.

She's still patiently waiting for them to hatch, perhaps more patiently than the rest of us. There's been reports of ducklings blocking traffic in various parts of Massachusetts, so it shouldn't be long before Baguette's brood arrives.

A Penny Saved Is a Penny Earned

Our friend Baguette is riding out the remnants of a tropical storm today and doing her best to keep her eggs warm and dry. Absent from this equation, incidentally, is Father Duck, who, according to the naturalists, is off somewhere else courting another female.

We of genus homo sapiens take a more hands-on approach to fatherhood, which is why, on June 17th, we get a chance to thank Dad for all the games of catch, barbecues, oil changes, minor repairs, and unsolicited advice he's been kind enough to give us through the years.

Father's Day is one of the toughest holidays out there for givers. You can't bail on this one with flowers or a spa gift certificate, and you don't want to present him with a tie or an electronic talking bass unless you want to give him another reason to criticize you.

Dad likes stuff, right? Stuff like grilling, or home theater, or home repair, or NASCAR? We just so happen to have Father's Day Gift Baskets for all of those Dads and more, AND if you order one of the selected baskets by 2PM on Friday, June 8, you'll pay just one penny for Ground shipping, and we'll get it there in time for Father's Day.

Dad likes to know that you're good with money. He likes gifts too. Cover both bases with a gift basket he's sure to love.