Happy Birthday, Mr. President

Happy Birthday

Mr. President

The Father of Our Country,

George Washington

We always had lessons about President Washington in grade school

(as well as having the day off -- the real day, not a made up day)

And of course, every year we learned about George and the cherry tree

The lesson being that it isn't good to lie!

Mother always celebrated as well

Because of George and the cherry tree

We always had a cherry pie for dessert

(and growing up, real desserts were for Sundays

weekdays were fruit, pudding or jello)

I've taken the tradition of celebrating

President Washington's Birthday 

a step further

By making a

Washington's Pie

for tea

Of course, it's a pie that's really a cake

(like in Boston Cream Pie)

and it is a cousin to England's Victoria Sponge

(but George came first

but then the Brits wouldn't name a cake after Washington!)

And if we have a cake for tea

we must have company

Two little girls and their mother

will be invited for tea

The table's all set

The silver is shining

And blooming hyacinths make a pretty and fragrant centerpiece.

Spode's Camilla tea plates, cups and saucers

And a freshly ironed tea napkin

And the "pie"

Washington's Pie

four layers of cake

filled with raspberry jam spiked with Kirshwasser

And a pretty sprinkle of powdered sugar on top

The table's all ready 

for company

where we'll have a birthday celebration

for George Washington!

But . . . no candles!!!!

I've never liked it when they moved Washington's Birthday to a Monday

and then changed it's name!

And I refused to celebrate

"the third Monday of February"

as President's Day!

It's February 22

And it's Washington's Birthday!