Greetings from somewhere between Philadelphia and New York! This was a very special week, the first time my three sisters and I have all been in the same place at once in six years. On Friday we came from far and wide — okay, from Rochester, Northamptom and Martha’s Vineyard, to be specific — to visit my Dad in Philadelphia for a festive Father’s Day weekend.
via Rich Walker Photography — are my dad and I not basically twins?
It was a wonderful weekend full of family time, relaxation, and laughter. Between roof-deck tanning sessions we squeezed in a Phillies game complete with matching baseball shirts, a Saturday night cookout, a trip to the Philadelphia Zoo, a Sunday brunch featuring our dad’s famous pancakes, and a cake based tribute to the original Diet Coke loving dad. We vowed it won’t be six years before we do it again.
It was a sad goodbye at the train station this morning to both my dad and my Tucker, who has been such a precious canine companion to me these past few months. For some reason I’m taking this goodbye quite hard, and already pining for our Thanksgiving reunion. Damn, I love that dog.
Now, onto Photo of the Week.
Photo A
Go Phillies!
Photo B
Not a bad view
Photo C
A peacock showing off at the Philadelphia Zoo
Photo D
Zebras hanging
Photo E
It looked a little rough after twelve hours in transit, but I loved baking this cake.
Which photo is your favorite? And happy belated Father’s Day to all the dads out there reading!
B, but mad props for the artwork that is the subject of photo E!
Thanks! Baking has always been a fun creative outlet for me.
C ! I adore the colours of a peacock – The family photo is pretty special too π
I’d never seen a peacock doing its thing before — it was so cool! π
Your family pic looks great…so are the peacock and diet cake.
Thanks Rekha! Hiring the photographer was our group gift to our dad π
You always have cool sunglass shots, love em! Great job on the cake. So cute. And the peacock is beautiful!
Sounds like you had a great time with the fam. =)
Thanks! I like to think reflection shots are my “thing” these days π
Love the peacock photo, and good job with the cake- looks awesome!
Thanks Ashley! It was a little worse for the wear after twelve hours in transit… I guess I understand why bakeries use refrigerated trucks now!
I’m going to break the rules Alex. I vote for the top family photo. Such a lovely picture and to see you all together for the first time in 6 years. It gets my vote.
The rules were meant to be broken, right? Thanks Guy π
Ooh, I’m voting for the first one even though it’s not one of the selected photos. Family time definitely wins my vote!
… aaand I just realized that The Guy beat me to it in his comment. So much for originality π
Great minds think alike!
I like the peacock. The colors are amazing!
He was a special little guy. Thanks for voting!
I’ll jump on the bandwagon – I vote for the family pic!
sidenote: YOU MADE THAT?! insane.
Indeed I did! It came to me in a dream and when I woke up and Googled “Diet Coke Dad Cake” I was so surprised to see no one else had thought of it first!
I have to second Maddy and say…YOU MADE THAT? That’s not what you were baking when we skyped was it!? Such a clever idea and flawless execution! But as far as my vote for photo of the week, I have to go with photo B. Very cool shot. xox
It is what I was baking when we Skyped! π Not sure about the flawless execution part, but I’ll take the clever idea compliment!
A & B for me. Take me out to the ballgame!
We just grabbed tickets to a Giants vs Reds game for when we get to San Fran! π
Love the reflection in the glasses
I’m no sports fan but I do love the baseball game experience π Have fun!
Because it only the day AFTER Fathers Day I get two votes. B, because your reflection photos are kind of a signature for you. (but tell the guy wearing glasses to look into Botox) and E, because the cake was made by you for me.
You can have all the votes you want <3
I gotta go for A because I’m a huge baseball fan. And I’m loving the nails. But that cake is amazing… so maybe it’s a tossup!
Gold is my go-to nail polish these days! The best part is the glitter means it doesn’t chip as easily, for some reason.
U have mad cake skills lady! Gorgeous family pic, ur all so alike! Has to be B tho. Xxxxx
I know, I think it’s almost creepy how much family resemblance there is in that family photo. My dad and I look like clones!
B, but that cake looks amazing too!
Thanks Caroline! It was a labor of love!
Please don’t take offense, your photos are all beautiful but I’m voting the top one as well. It really made me smile seeing all you guys together…and esp Dad who plays such a big role here on the blog. What a cute family!
Thanks Becky! I really cherish that photo too and look forward to sharing the rest of them (also snagged a new headshot for my About page!)
The most beautiful in the world is family meeting and the smile that appears on the lips of all members of the family.
I wish you an enjoyable life>
Thank you so much Sameer!
wow 3 sisters, that’s lucky! I love the cake- very creative!
Three sisters, two nieces, and two aunts make up my dad’s side of the family! We are a lot of lucky ladies π
I feel lied to and violated. I thought you had only one sister. Your secret life and web of lies will catch up with you young lady. :b
What can I say, I like to keep an air of mystery about me…
Photo A – since the Phillies are my favourite team.
It was a historic game… someone (don’t ask me who!) broke the hitting record. Fireworks and everything!
It was Jimmy Rollins.
I have to go for the top photo. A photo family photo!
It’s definitely a keeper. Thanks Joella!
Photo E because of the love that’s gone into it! π
Thanks Janice! A lot of love, time… and sugar π
Love Photo C, beautiful colours.
I know! I was a peacock for Halloween two years ago, so I’m pretty obsessed π
That cake is so good!
Dog reunions are the best⦠I totally feel you on that one.
I miss my little guy something fierce right now π Definitely looking forward to that reunion.