Sunday
Jun192011
Sunday Sweets For My Dad
June 19, 2011 We all know dads' tastes are just as diverse as, well, non-dads, so when it came time to choose today's Sweets I decided to hone in on one specific dad: mine.
So, here 'tis: Father's Day Sweets for my dad, Jim Yates. But the rest of you can feel free to look, too. :)
Hey, Dad, remember that time the neighbor's little boy snuck in to our house, grabbed your guitar, and dragged it down the sidewalk? Ah, good times.
Also, I don't think your guitar looked quite this cool:
Submitted by Kathy H. and made by her sister, Carol V.And remember how you'd take me for rides on your motorcycle? The turns always scared me, but I loved having my very own kid-sized helmet, and the thrill of climbing into the seat behind you, hanging on for dear life, and thinking maybe my parents weren't quite so embarrassing, after all.
Although, come to think of it, your motorcycle wasn't this cool, either:
Submitted by Tifany D., made by Charm City Cakes It's possible you've blocked this from memory, but you really did teach me to drive. In our ancient green Toyota pickup, no less, with a floor stick shift.
It took me years to figure out what you did for a living. All I knew was you worked at a big, intimidating office/factory and you wore a suit every day. (Btw, you're, uh, some kind of project manager/engineer type, right?) I still remember the first time you asked me if your tie went with your shirt; it made me feel so important, that you'd ask for my opinion. Actually, I still feel that way, any time you ask.
And for the record: that tie + that shirt = perfect.
Remember when I came home crying because all the kids were making flashy, expensive models for a school project, and I didn't have anything flashy OR expensive? You sat me down and asked me what I'd like to do. Then we went to Skycraft Surplus (remember that?). In the end, I couldn't have been more proud: my project board's little Styrofoam car had real working headlights!
To this day, I clearly remember "The Sociological Impact of the Lightbulb" - because my Dad helped me build it.
You were forever doing home projects, and I loved weekends when you'd ask, "Shorty, want to go to the Home o' de Pot?"
By justcakinmytimeWe'd pile into our old green pickup, and you'd sing "Greasy Grimey Gopher Guts" and "On Top of Old Smokey" along the way. Thanks to you I still love the smell of sawdust and grease that hits me every time I walk into our local Home Depot - and today I rock my own tool belt.
One night I peeked into the living room to see what you and Mom were laughing about, and there on the TV was a curly-headed man in a long scarf bouncing into a blue police box.
Soon we were all watching together, just like we watched Star Trek and Night Court and Monty Python together. The next year you brought us to my very first convention - a Doctor Who convention.
(I like to think my geeky lineage came full circle when John and I brought you and Mom to Dragon*Con last year - thus starting a yearly tradition, perhaps?)
When we were little, you seemed to take sadistic glee in waking Ben and me with loud jazz music, water, or banging suddenly on our bedroom doors - but I'll never forget the time you woke us with "Who wants to go to Disney World?!"
Sub'd by Stacey R., made by nice icingYou never set limits on my future, Dad. When I wrote lousy poetry, you submitted your favorite to a national magazine - and you were more disappointed than I was when it wasn't printed. When I thought I wanted to be a professional clown, you got brochures for Ringling College. When I first introduced you to John, you asked if we'd set a date yet.
So thanks, Dad. Happy Father's Day. You taught me to pursue my dreams, marry only for love, and to always finish my Brussels sprouts.
Hey, two out of three ain't bad, right?
(Oh, and see you at Dragon*Con.)
Reader Comments (141)
D'aww... This was so sweet. The green Ford pick up made me giggle. My dad had one just like that, too.. Thing was a freakin' atrocity, but I loved it as much as my dad did. I still remember the musty smell, the torn up and sun-tanned leather seats and the fact that it had no seat belts. xD
Love the cars... wonderful!
That was super sweet of you!
I've read this blog since it started, but I've never commented. My favorite memory of my dad is watching Dr. Who with him since I was a baby. Your tribute to a Dr. Who watching dad (even the same doctor as me!) had tears rolling down my face.
Aww, so sweet! Pun intended, of course.
Also, I had to laugh at the end because I actually go to Ringling College.
As the makers of the Tardis cake we are so honored to be in Sunday Sweets and part of your fathers day memories!
Thanks,
The Mad Platters
Andrea Loveland & Anne Ficklin
Jen, that was just beautiful! I don't have many awesome memories of my dad, so thanks for sharing yours.
Also...Jim(the father of Jen), thanks for fostering the creativity in your daughter. She brings happiness and smiles to countless people all over the interweb, and I have a feeling she wouldn't be the same without you!
Oh my gosh, this made me cry! Our dads are totally alike, down to the Dr. Who, Star Trek, science projects, goofy songs and old green truck. My dad even had his own Superman cape ;)... you can see him in it here:
http://littlelovables.blogspot.com/2008/06/fathers-day.html
He died 8 years ago of Leukemia and never got to meet my husband or his grandkids... so thanks for bringing back a flood of happy memories on this otherwise tough day!
Heehee. So your dad taught you stick shift, too?
My dad wasn't much into geek stuff but he did get me hooked on Toblerone chocolates,loud music,and long car trips. (Los Angeles to Canada, oy)
Your post reminded me of when my car's "check engine" light came on while I was driving on the freeway. I exited immediately... and called my dad to ask him what it meant and what to do.
Here's to dads who were there. Loved this post.
Ahh these cakes take the bad memories away of last weeks wrecks. So nice. I loved reading your ode to your father so nice :).
@SaraCVT
Have you never watched the show? It's a POLICE BOX. Says so, right on the box itself, Dr. Who have done specials about the Police Box's history (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3avd8xwzzCk). I don't mean to be rude, it's just one of my pet peeves when people call it a telephone box, when it's clearly not.
Elle,
You're right and I'm going to go change it in a second. BUT, it is technically a police telephone box since it is used by either the public or the police to call the station. In fact, the box even says "Phone call" on it.
But you're right.
Peace,
john
Sounds like you had a great dad.
Mine was a bastard, but oh well. I liked looking at the cakes anyway.
Yup there are tears here too. Especially at the end. Who'd a thunk a cake blog would make me cry? (and not with laughter)
Beautiful post! The combination of the Sunday Sweets and your memories were perfect. Made me tear up as well! My dad passed away in Jan 2007, but this helped me remember him and our times together. And I would definitely share your blogs with him & he would love both as much as I do.
Thanks & Hugs!
Del
;o)
Wow. I wish my dad had a guitar and a motorcycle when I was growing up.
And I have to agree with the others: best Father's Day post ever. There really should be a prize for this.
I held out till the end, but just couldn't keep the tears back. Very sweet Sunday Sweets, Jen.
Hi Jen,
I have to say that todays post made my eyes water. Your Dad sounds like a really great guy, you are so lucky to have had all those funny stories to remember about him. I can totally see where you got your sense of humour and confidence. For those of us who never got the chance to have their fathers in their lives, please give him another hug and let him know again how important he is.
I'm totally jealous of people like you.
Oh my gosh - this is the best post ever!!! Thank you so much.
The sweetest post ever!
That tool belt cake is AMAAAAAAZING!!!! I hope y'all had a great Dad's Day!
What a lovely post. While you were very lucky to have a father like that (and clearly appreciate him), he's lucky to have a daughter like you! I'm sure he's both embarrassed and touched. And we're all very lucky that you had the parents you had, so that you can entertain us every day :)
My father wasn't into sci fi, he never helped with science fair projects (but he was great with non-science and non-math schoolwork), and is probably only vaguely aware of where the nearest Home Depot is... but he introduced me to cars (from vintage car shows to driving lessons to making sure they're well maintained), and we used to watch football and car chases on TV together. But I think yours dressed better ;) (my father took the whole professor thing a bit too literally!)
This was so sweet. It made me miss my dad so much. Dad's rule!
Sorry to be so late to post, but what a wonderful love song for your dad! Illustrated with miracles, too.
Thank you, Jenn! I needed a happy pop today.
Laura
What great Father's Day cakes. I think the cake designed as a tool belt is quite unique.
Thanks for an awesome post, Jen! It reminded me a lot of my dad. In fact, for Father's Day this year I got him a Tardis cookie jar :)
Awwwww! So sweet. Your dad sounds like an awesome guy and it's clear how much you love him. :*)
What a sweet Sunday Sweet!!
The Tardis cake did it for me. If I could make or order a cake for my Dad, he would most appreciate that one.
(So would I, come to that.)
Thanks so much for sharing, this was a beautiful piece.
Wow, Jen, wow! You should have warned me--I shouldn't have read this at work. Now my eyes and nose are red and . . . I love Dads! I just want to hug ALL of them. . . Seriously, great post. My dad started me on the road to geek with a black and white tv and and an old green truck!
I will admit I gasped over the TARDIS cake, that is hands down the best TARDIS cake I've ever seen!
Holy crap you know what Skycraft is?! That place is the best kept secret of Orlando in my opinion. I always walk out with a bag of stuff I had no idea I needed.
Your tribute to your dad was very touching. He sounds like a dad everyone dreams of having.
Is that you? You're pretty! And I think the truck is Optimus Prime.
awww that brought tears to my eyes!
Totally balling over this post. Sweet on every level.
Awesome tribute to your dad!
Love the goat names...we had a cat named Starbuck, yes, after coffee, but I always said that if asked, I would claim it was from the TV show. :)
Love the completion of the geek circle! Would love to visit D*Con some day!
My cousin made this wonderful Gingerbread Tardis once:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/WhoFrikinCares/100MEDIA_IMAG0073.jpg
Unfortunately, she didn't quite know how to dye it, so it made EVERYONE'S mouths blue... or perhaps that was fortunately :P
Jen Oh..I was missing your posts, the page i stop watching it i don't know why exactly but i sit today in front of my desk and well this one came after a bounch of Sunday sweets what i love most...
Was a Beautifull Tribute for your Dad, here in Latinoamerica we don't have such things like Comic-Con or Big Tools Store but sure we have Base Ball and that's a Dad thing we always do. I was is Tears at the End glad that i wasn´t the only one. Hugs and hugs from this little part of the Globe.
Reading this on Thanksgiving Day 2017. Do you know how hard it is to write on a computer keyboard through tears running down your face. I am 51 this year I lost my Dad when I was 18 in 1984 he was 64. I lost my Mother when I was 34 in 2000 she was 71. Miss them both.
Funny. Btw i like owls