One of the best things about being on this side of 50 is figuring out what’s important and what isn’t.
My sister and brother in law are leaving for the West Coast in a few weeks and will probably live there for a few years. If they like it, they might even stay. Since I’m currently unemployed, I couldn’t afford to give them a really nice Going Away gift or take them to dinner at some fancy-shmancy restaurant, so I decided to make them a Going Away meal and invite the rest of the tribe.
We’re a casual bunch. I haven’t eaten at the dining room table with my family members since we were kids, and we’re all over 50 now. Whenever we all manage to get together at the same time, it’s always buffet style, serve yourself, sit where you want, eat what you want.
Since my budget is so limited, I planned the menu carefully but when I got to dessert, I drew a blank. I found the website of a nice bakery in my area but the price of the cakes were slightly outside of the budget. I started to take a big swallow and just go for it when it occurred to me: Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker would do just fine.
I found paper baking cups in festive colors and candles with the letters of my sister and brother in law’s first names. I bought chocolate and vanilla frosting and frosted a third of the cupcakes with vanilla, a third with chocolate, and the last third were frosted ‘black and white’. (If you’re as in love with black and white cookies from New York City bakeries as I am, you’ll understand.)
There were ten of us altogether and I was so busy cooking, putting out food, and trying to keep up with snippets of conversations that I barely ate all day. When the party was winding down and some of the gang had left, I finally sat down and chatted with my daughter and one of my sisters at the table and to my happy surprise, there were two cupcakes left out of the 24 I’d baked. And one was a black and white. Oh yeah! My 3 year old grandson started to reach for one, but, nope, sorry, kid! You had yours already! I’d walk through fire for you but keep your grubby hands off my cupcakes!
Cleverly distracting him, I threw a paper napkin over my prized cupcakes and then went to walk the departing guests to the door.
When the house was quiet, I stacked the dishes, let the cats out of the bedroom, sat on the couch and slowly peeled the paper off of my cupcakes, one by one, and took a bite. Heaven. A perfect ending to a perfect day.
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Sounds very interesting.
Surprisingly perfect dinner, and you were a little worried. They will remember what you did for them.
Smilin’ atcha, Track. (^_^)
Hey, is that on your diet? Just kidding. What a perfectly delightful story. Now I want one of those cupcakes too. I’ll also bet you had a great time with your family.
Hey, I lost 4 lbs this week, Moon! Have to admit, though, it’s partly because I’m fighting cold. I’ll have to be extra diligent when my appetite comes back! (^_^)
Thanks for sharing the festivities. I felt as though I was right there with you and your family.
“Keep your grubby hands off my cupcakes” is priceless.
I have a small room off the kitchen where I make my jewelry and where my computer is set up. Adorable grandson Lucas spent most of the day near me in that room, watching Sponge Bob on my PC. He’s three years old and ALL boy; the only time he’s not in motion is when his beloved Sponge Bob is in view. He’s a handful but he’s so much fun to be around, and he calls me “Gee-Lee”. I love it! But I share my cupcakes with no one!