Umpleby's Bakery & Café

This weekend was my daughter Marion’s 17th Birthday.  She requested a pavlova for her birthday cake.    I think as a rite of passage one should make their own cake for their 17th but it’s okay if they get some help.  So I was her assistant and we made one together.  For those who don’t know, this is the national dessert of both Australia and New Zealand.  The dessert was named for the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova on her visit to Australia in 1929 and honors her famous role as the dying swan.   When my wife Carolyn’s mother visits from Australia one of the things we look forward to is a pavlova that she makes.  She’s probably made more of them than I have made croissants.  Okay, probably not that many.

The version we made is garnished with mango mousse along with whipped cream and topped with strawberries.  Happy Birthday Marion!!!

As regulars of the cafe will know, the number three sandwich is “Rosie the Riveter”.  The inspiration for naming this sandwich is primarily based upon Norman Rockwell’s painting Rosie the Riveter which I attach here. I love the badassness of Rosie as portrayed here – she’s got a rivet gun on her lap eating a ham sandwich while resting her shoes on Hitler’s Mein Kampf.  The strength of her as a person is indisputable.  And the look on her face.   If that isn’t badass,  nothing is.  The model for this poster passed away in my home town of Simsbury, CT not too long ago which I mentioned in a former post.   But I also attach here another Rosie the Riveter poster, and it is just as iconic.  The woman who it is based upon just passed away at the age of 96.  Another badass if you want my opinion.  I take my bakers hat off to both of them and thank them for their inspiration.

Because of the storm we will be closing at 3pm today.   We’ll be open our normal hours tomorrow morning.  By the way,   Happy New Year!!!