Yes, you’re right, Leland, we had a family tradition when I was growing up that at least once during strawberry season we’d indulge in a “dinner” where we’d just stuff ourselves silly on strawberry shortcake and nothing but strawberry shortcake and it’s a tradition that I observed, at least sporadically, while you boys were little.

I actually remember the evening you’re referring to; Jon had misbehaved as he so often did and Poppy was out of town. You and I sat in the back yard at that picnic table eating our strawberry shortcake, although my memories aren’t as joyful as yours. I was feeling terrible about sending Jon to bed with no supper, especially since I think he was watching us from the bedroom window and crying while we ate. I believe I was trying to follow a discipline policy of “logical consequences” at the time, but it was hard to stick to.

Well, sucks to be him. It’s good to be good.

Our family adopted a single man, Steve, when Amos (who is now about 32) was an infant. Steve died last Christmas. We are still realizing how many things remind us of good times with Steve. He came to our house every Sunday for dinner (it was the only vegetables he ate, ever.) He played games with the four kids and they adore him. We think one of these games led Amos to believe that pineapples grew on trees…a topic on a Thanksgiving sermon! ANYWAY, Steve would often bring dessert. He brought half gallons of Breyers ice cream, something we could never afford. But his big treat was strawberry short cake. One of his favorites. It was horrifying. It came at any season, so sometimes the strawberries were sour, red marbles. But he always brought those little yellow sponge cakes and Cool Whip. Steve and the kids LOVED it. The kids had theirs with no strawberries! I would always ponder just gagging it down in politeness, eating only the strawberries with lots of sugar or saying I was too full. On occasion in June, I went to our local farm market and bought just picked strawberries, made wonderful, bisquity cakes and whipped fresh, sweet cream. Evidently I was the only one who could tell the difference. Your story of strawberry short cake brings back threads of memories for me.

My birthday is in June and I ALWAYS asked for strawberry shortcake rather than cake.

My mom always made the biscuits. Instead of whipped cream she would make a very thin vanilla custard to pour over it.

it brings back memories!

Barbara—I think it’s important to keep up your standards, even if the only one who appreciates them is you, but I know what you mean. Once in awhile I’ll bring home a store-bought pie if I know I’ll be too busy to make dessert that day and when I see the family digging into it with relish I do feel a little discouraged.

Uncle Ted—Was your mother English, by any chance? I know they often pour custard over desserts that we top with ice cream or whipped cream. I think that sounds like a delicious birthday treat, but were you able to insert the candles into it?

Sitting outside on a beautiful summer evening eating a meal of nothing but strawberry shortcake sounds like an achingly wonderful memory.

Do most people’s most vivid childhood memories revolve around summertime? I know mine do.

I have no memory of eating just strawbery shortcake for dinner ever. Becky, I think you made the whole thing up!

On occasion when the strawberries were ripe we did eat just strawberry shortcake for dinner, only if Dad was out of town! What a treat!

i never eat strawberries cake,but i can imagine that were so delicious.