I don't think I have ever written about the princess cake. It's a Swedish specialty and is known for its green marzipan exterior. Inside is a sponge cake with whipped cream layers. It's common to serve for birthdays and other special occasions.
This week I've been all about the princess cake. I feasted on one Wednesday afternoon at a holiday copywriter meeting. And then I had another when my team wished a coworker a happy 40th birthday. I saw another being served today and steered clear.
But there were more goodies to be had this afternoon at our annual Christmas gathering with IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad. All employees flocked to the distribution center -- a gigantic warehouse -- where we listened to Christmas carols, ate pepparkakor (gingerbread), julgröt (christmas porridge) and glögg (mulled wine), and heard IKEA's leaders speak about the business. The highlight of the event was collecting our Christmas gift and then shaking Ingvar's hand. I thought I would work up the nerve this year to say something more than merry christmas. But I froze up. I couldn't even get a decent picture of him (it's the blurry pic at the bottom).
IKEA really is a special company. I can't think of any other that would have an event like this. Where the founder of the company personally thanks each and every person. It's so uncorporate. It has the intimacy of a really small family business yet it's one of the biggest companies in the world.
Then my coworkers and I hugged each other before heading home, where I passed out cold on the couch for a few hours. Like any exhausted 8-month-pregnant princess would.
Comments