Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Cupcakes, Mimi, & Mail Art

I've been preoccupied with life lately.  There WILL be a garage sale in my very own garage sometime in the next...uh...60 days.  The problem is that I'm overly organized when it comes to displaying my garage sale "merch."  I have friends who can throw together a garage sale at the drop of a hat.  And, walk away with $578.  I usually net around $200 after working for days on end.

I took time to bake cupcakes last week for a friend who had surgery.  They turned out to be my all time favorites.  I used a run of the mill pound cake with a lemon glaze recipe.  I kept adding fresh lemon juice until it was mm-mm good.  Before applying the glaze, I laid a mint leaf (or a piece of one) on the top of each cupcake.  The first round of glaze didn't quite hold down the mint leaves, so I did a second coat.  My mouth is watering just thinking about them.


Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze and Fresh Mint

I took Mom to get a mani-pedi on Monday.  That's always interesting.  She's becoming like Goldilocks in her advanced years.  "That water is TOO HOT!"  "That HURTS my finger!"  "Show that color to my daughter.  She knows what color I like!"  After the 2 hour "spa venture," I loaded Mom up and prepared to drive her back across Milwaukee Avenue to Raider Ranch.  

"Do you know of a place where I can get breakfast, and you can get lunch?" she began.

"Here we go..." I thought.  "Not real close," I replied.

"What about that place we went after my doctor's appointment?" she continued.

"It's way across town from where we are right now," I said looking at Raider Ranch which was just across the street.

"Hmmm," she murmured.

"Hmmm" is her codeword which means "this ain't over."

"I had a little bowl of cereal early this morning [9:00...], but now, I'm hungry for bacon and eggs!"

"Hmmm," I murmured.

"Hmmm" is my codeword for "you'll live without bacon and eggs."  It was 11:30.

Suddenly, I spied Cracker Barrel which was also across the street.  Taking a deep breath and shoving my lengthy "to do" list out of my mind, I said, "Cracker Barrel!  They have breakfast all day long!"

"Sounds great!" she squealed.  

And, off we went to Cracker Barrel.  She had bacon, eggs, grits, toast, and gravy.  I had beans 'n' greens.

Oh, I also sent some mail art earlier this week.  This is the back of the letter I sent to my dear brother-in-law, David.  I made the envelope by tracing an opened up envelope onto my favorite brown paper.  Mail art is becoming an obsession.


That's all the news from "Lake Wobegon"...

6 comments:

Tanya said...

Your mail art is amazing!
Your cupcakes sound delish...lemon pound cake is a weakness for me.....

Carolyn Lackey said...

Thanks, Tanya! I could have eaten about 5 dozen of the cupcakes all by myself!!!

Anonymous said...

Carolyn, I envy you the time with your Mom. My Mom died 9 years ago, and I miss her everyday. I too had many of those days when she wanted to go somewhere for ice cream or something, and it was usually on one of those days that I had an endless list. I spent several years having Tuesday lunch with my Mom, Ed's Mom and Ed's aunt. It was always an adventure. They all knew each other very well (having grown up only a few miles from each other) and my Mom and Ed's Mom lived on opposite corners of the same block. They would get annoyed with each other, if they took too long to order, or ordered the same thing. I long for those days now. Wish I could have even one day with my Mom. Enjoy a day for me. Jan Broome

Carolyn Lackey said...

Jan, that's exactly why I try to make time for bacon and eggs at Cracker Barrel. Mom is the only one left from my family. I can't even think of what it will be like when she's gone... So, beans 'n' greens it is! Thanks for stopping by my blog!!!!

020957 said...

Carolyn, as the recipient of those luscious cupcakes I will vouch for how awesome they are (were)! They were as delicious as they were pretty. The mint added a nice touch, as did your food styling with the fucsia, lime and white napkins. You are multi-talented, my dear, and I am blessed to be part of your circle!

Carolyn Lackey said...

Renee, you are more than kind! I am blessed to be a part of YOUR circle!!!
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