Sweet Jamaica...

Well my, my, my.  What's better than December 15 being National Cupcake Day?  And what a sweet writing prompt!  I love cupcakes.  They are just the perfect portion of cake, saving me from that second slice.  One and done, perfect!  Cupcake shops have popped up everywhere selling all flavors of these little delights-and they are no real bargain.  The price alone reminds you of what a treat they are.  I have even seen them served in place of traditional wedding cake.  There is even a baking show called D.C. Cupcakes with contestants vying for the honor of the perfect cupcake.  An old friend of mine was called 'Cupcakes' in high school, not because of her baking ability.  Her perfect posterior earned her the moniker.  Gayle and her 'cupcakes' brought all the boys to the yard!  (Gayle, see I don't forget much either!) 

I am one of those people who consider sugar as a food group.  I simply crave it.  If you gave me the option of a steak, seafood, carbs or salad, I will take sugar as my first choice.  Everything else in the meal is just a means to the end.  I am the happiest when I've had my taste of sugar.  I read somewhere that as we age, our taste buds lose their ability to distinguish flavors.  But not our sugar receptors-they actually increase their sensitivity to sweets.  I guess that's why most elderly people seem to have candy dishes and baked goods at the ready.  Can you imagine the dilemma I will face in my old age?  I will still have to be at the gym even if I am pushing a walker!!

Hey sweet readers, time to fess up.  Do you enjoy a cupcake or two?   Do you share my sugar obsession?  My favorite cupcake flavor is red velvet.  What's yours?

The Good Stuff...

This past Saturday we had the pleasure of attending the wedding of friends' son and new daughter in law.  Held at the Colony Club in Detroit, the affair was lovely.  The love in the air was almost palatable as the bride and groom exchanged vows.  Later I noticed paper towels in the restroom that read, "best night ever."  Reading this sentiment got me thinking...

Is your first 'official' night as man and wife really your BEST night?  Isn't everything on high anxiety and a little abnormal?  Have you yet experienced enough to have it be the best?  Aren't you even tired from the days' frenetic events?

I think down the line, the bride and groom will rethink this cute sentiment.  As I ponder it, my wedding night (either of them!) certainly do not qualify.  It was more of a beginning with many questions that only time and experience could answer.  Saying vows and a great party are just the start and really not a very realistic marker for how things will be.  And age will change what qualifies as 'the best'.  Even though they looked their very best with stunning dress and hair and makeup at a beautiful venue with amazing food and a happening D.J. surrounded by their best friends as well as family-to me, it still doesn't qualify.  It's hard to believe, but that party is just the first of the life experiences they will share.

Some of my 'best night's' involve none of those things.  Quiet bonfires on a warm night that I look back on fondly.  Relaxing together after a 12 hour road trip.  Pizza and a movie at home with the pets.  Admiring the blue of the ocean on our deck.  These are a few of my 'bests'.

And just as good are the knowing looks of understanding that Randy and I exchange where no words are even necessary.  It doesn't take a hundred people to make it happen.  Being in sync after years of experience are the moments that mean the most to me.

The little things are always the 'best'.  Congrats to Jeff and Meghan.  The best is yet to come!

Where you Belong...

Happy December Darlings!

How 'bout this group pic of my family on Thanksgiving?  How did you fit everyone in, you maybe asking?  Well, even if you're not, I'll tell you.  A selfie stick.  Yes, the very thing that I had previously deemed totally useless, neatly did the trick.  That gadget comes with a remote control so you do not have to have a freakishly long arm to get the shot!.

The smiles on these faces came from a place of happiness and contentment.  My sister Lisa and her hub hosted another fantastic day at their home in the woods.  I got to catch up with my nephews, who I do not see as often as I would like.  We ate, drank wine and played some crazy board games. Even the cold and sometimes drizzling rain couldn't put a damper on our Thanksgiving fun.  Some other cousins dropped by for a visit and cocktail.  Spent some time in old photo albums laughing at our mullets and other fashion faux pas!  It was a simply a perfect day.

Thankful for all of it and praying for the grace of God to allow this day of abundance to remain the traditional event it always is for us.  I realize and do not take for granted how very blessed I am.  With the unrest in the world, I pray that everyone know peace and love.  xo

Love's in need of Love Today...

After being 'separated' since Labor Day, sister in law extraordinaire and I finally hooked up!  She arrived at my house on Saturday afternoon and we spent hours catching up.  Then, after a little fluffing up, climbed into her little red Jeep and made our way downtown to the Joe to catch the Stevie Wonder, "Songs in the Key of Life" concert.  Did I mention that it was the first blizzard of the year?  Yes, it was a slow ride with greasy, unsalted roads full of Detroiters re-learning how to drive in the winter.  But we made it and waltzed into Andiamo for a little pre-show wine and dine.  Later lady luck blessed us as we found a front row parking spot near the door and did the dumb chickie thing by running in heels up the stairs to the Joe.  It is certainly true that being a woman has it's own share of self-inflicted torture!

After finding the nearest booze line, we located our seats and got comfortable.  Stevie was only a little politely late.  The stage was filled with 30 to 40 people at all times including his band, back up singers, a choir, the string section from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as well as lovely dancers.  Stevie Wonder is pure love-in case you didn't know it.  He just is a giant love sponge.  He spoke of his wish for world peace and love.

He sang all of his tunes perfectly and I was surprised to hear that he still had his pipes.  His band did solos that showed off their particular talents and the vocalists treated us all to a verse of their favorite tunes.  Stevie's show was the sixth concert I have been to this year and I'm happy to say the last.  I think he is the last of the musical legends that I need to see.  He was fabulous and even did a few of his cute 'blind' jokes.

His songs make me smile and remind me of specific times in my life and I'm happy to have had the privilege of seeing and hearing him with Sissy.

He's simply a bundle of love-and I think that's just what the world needs right now.

Thank you, Stevie.  You truly are a Wonder. xoxo

La boheme...

My thoughts this week are in Paris with the families of those who died or were injured..  Senseless tragedy is like a death to me, causing me to re-evaluate the important things in life and face my mortality.  If you lost your life or the life of a loved one tomorrow, what would you change today? 

I am trying to do my best to be the best I can be.  Being the most impatient person in the world, I will try not to sigh and shift to foot while in line for my coffee.  Instead, I will be grateful that I can afford that overpriced luxury.  I'm gonna make an effort to be nicer, you never know what's gone on in someones' world that effects their day.  I will be slower to judge and quicker to accept.

And I promise to be more thoughtful.  And I will pray-not only for Paris, but for all of the world's suffering.

Have a full and grateful week, mon ami's.   xo

Be One...

As a tired and uninspired blogger I was drawing a blank tonight.  I got nuthin'.   For an easy prompt I checked out the old 'National Bullshit Day' calendar.  Today is actually National Orphans Day.  Really?  Now what the hell am I gonna do with that?

After consulting the official 'Orphan Handbook', I found some names of interest that I wish to share with you.  Aristotle and Moses were orphans.  3 U.S. Presidents, Jackson, Hoover, and Hamilton were without parents as well as Nelson Mandela and Malcolm X.

Literature orphans included Tolstoy, Keats, Edgar Allan Poe, J.R.R. Tolkien and William Wordsworth, to name a few.  And in entertainment I learned that Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Faith Hill, Ice-T, Marilyn Monroe, and Trent Reznor all were raised without their natural parents.  Steve Jobs and Dave Thomas had the same start in life.

I think that is a pretty impressive little list of names!  Brains, leadership capability, strength, beauty, and creativity are strong veins of commonality.  Don't know exactly if their origins helped to form these strong characteristics, but it certainly has to be considered.  Maybe the people who DID raise them were influences that helped shape them.  Either way, I think it's cool to consider.

Nature or nurture?  Nuclear family or the next best thing?  It's all debatable and relative.

Hope you enjoyed this little 'orphan' education. 

Have a wonderful week, Dolls! xo

Times to Die...

Happy November!  What a crazy few days it has been.  Friday night found us in Ann Arbor for one of the coolest and most unique wedding celebrations ever.  Friends Stephanie and Chris pronounced their vows in a Halloween Eve themed nuptials.  Held at the Michigan Theatre, the old gothic setting was perfect.  The black and silver decorations punctuated with decorated black branches were elegant.  I loved the black cake with the hugging skeletons on top.  The snack bar was open and we all had fresh popcorn and 'theatre' candy as well as cocktails.  The strolling buffet was an incredible mixture of roasted root vegetables and pulled pork sliders with everything in between.  Shot glasses with various desserts were mouth watering.  A ten piece band on the stage played everything you could wish to hear at a wedding.  Needless to say, it was an amazing event.  All the best to the bride and groom.

Saturday found us with another rainy Halloween.  Friends hosted a garage party and I was surprised at how many children braved the elements.  And there were plenty of treats for us big kids, too!

On Sunday, helped some friends move into a condo while marveling at the perfect weather that obscenely held off till after Halloween.  It was all a Michigan fall day should be.  (It would have been nice if the Lions would have won, though!)  I also took a moment to consider All Saints Day.  Remembering family and friends that have passed made me melancholy as I considered my loss and heaven's gain. 

And on Monday, I had a coffee date with Mark.  (Walking Man)  Mark has been helping me with a very special project that I will be sharing with you all soon! 

Life goes on, one little moment at a time.  The spooky, the sweet, the beautiful and the reflective-it's all good.

xoxo