Birthing Custard
George Page
Volume Seven | 2023-24 The Thurman Street Chapters
It was about 3:30am on a Tuesday morning when Rose gently nudged my shoulder, waking me from my slumber. Her calm and focused demeanor was evident as she whispered, “It’s time, George. I need your help. Come quietly and don’t wake the kids.”
Rose directed me in her firm and determined manner to fill the tub, gather towels, candles, and her favorite balm. She climbed onto a stool and mounted a vintage lamp above the birthing tub, casting a warm glow over the scene. We sat and held hands as she quietly moaned through a contraction.
With the contractions building in intensity, at a quarter past 4am, Rose lowered her glowing body into the warm tub. The contractions came quickly and intensely. I leaned into her from the side of the tub as she gripped my shoulders with surprising strength. “This is my love. This is my love. This is my love,” she murmured gently through closed eyelids.
After just 30 minutes of active labor, at 4:46am on 18 July 2023, our daughter slid gently into this world, glistening with a creamy layer of vernix caseosa, or birthing custard. Rose scooped her out of the warm bath water and proclaimed, “Amora!” Thus, our gorgeous new daughter was named Amora Soleil Allred Page.
Amora Soleil Allred Page. 18 July 2023, 8 pounds 6 ounces.
Our new retail butcher, grocery, and restaurant at NW Thurman Street in Portland continues to blossom and thrive. We have been steadily developing our dining menu, focused on a French Country theme. We are stepping gently into a soft opening phase and are taking diners on a case-by-case basis. If you are in the area, please stop by, and we will do our best to seat you. Those of you who purchased our prepaid dining cards will be invited to special pre-opening events shortly. We can’t wait to show you the place and serve you our delightful farm-fresh menu!
Sadly, our licensing arrangement through the Oregon Department of Agriculture does not yet allow us to return to our Seattle-based market locations. This has been a very discouraging development for us, although we continue to be optimistic about making the necessary modifications to return. We are deeply saddened by the inability to serve our faithful and long-standing loyal customers in the Seattle and Vashon communities. Thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate this complicated bureaucracy.
Many of you purchased gift cards from us when our truck engine exploded on April Fool’s Day this year. To honor your support, please place orders in our online store, and we will deduct the value from your gift card and ship the items to your home. And, of course, if you are in the Portland area, please stop into our new retail shop and restaurant to redeem your card.
7 hours old.
Roman sings his love to his new sister in her eighth hour of life.
The new family.
Proud parents.
We are eager to have you all meet Amora and our new restaurant!