Saturday, January 18, 2014

CUPCAKES FOR DINNER


Cupcakes for Dinner 

So sorry ladies.  I've gone on a radical diet.  I've brought out the big guns.  Suz and Julie...you know where I'm coming from.  Yes, the "D" word...no calling it a Nutrition Plan or Healthy Eating Way...it's a big a** diet that is going to make me miserable.  You won't agree and I don't expect you to.  I will not bore you with it, but when I am (hopefully) ready to shout from rooftops, I hope it will be within your hearing!

So, for my last meal I baked and made cupcakes,  They were good,  "nuf said.


 

Don't We All Loathe Our Glasses?

I broke my glasses.  They were about six years old and I desperately needed a new pair.  In the meantime I switched to these glasses from about 15 years ago.  (don't we ladies save everything??) I have to move my head in slow motion to keep them from flying off.  I found out we had switched insurance that just may cover new glasses.  Yay!  But in the meantime I have these wicked glasses that fall into my soup.  Don't you love this photo with no make up?  I'm so brave!



My New Flannel Shirt

I watch my girls very silently to see what the trends in clothes are.  Abigail has been wearing a lot of flannel and plaid shirts so I got myself one.  I remember stealing my Dad's flannel shirts (he totally lived in them during the winter) to wear over  low cut  lacy shirts and then tuck them into my jeans.  A real juxtaposition.  And a little racy, but hey, I was 20 and quite fashionable.  When he passed away 3 years ago, I looked through his closet and chose a flannel shirt to remember him by.  It just may be one I wore back then.  Most importantly, it was one he wore.

Note:  This is the third day in a row that I've worn my trendy flannel shirt, and a shower is in the works tonight.  So...with no make up and crappy hair, I did my best to look glamorous for you.  Definitely not something worth posting, but I said...this is not your regular post.



The Target Experience


Emily has Thursdays and Fridays off now...you know we hang together on her days off.  She wanted to go to Target to get a few bulk toiletry items.  Once there, she decided to just do her 2 week shopping trip.  I have never done that there and expressed my apprehension.  Anyway, we did it and as we approached the checkout, we guessed by looking at the amount in her cart...$250.00.  Well ladies, it came to $185.00 and made me a believer.  She  was so nervous, she gave the check our lady back a candle she had in her cart that she thought was frivolous, but when she got that total, she said, "Give me back that candle!" :)



In Memorandum

I have an affinity with people older than me.  Someday I will tell you about Henry.  I don't like to post about the past...maybe a little here and there but I am a person that is very focused on the present and future. However.

Up at the lake, we were befriended by so many people that first fall/winter there.  This  picture is of a wonderful lady named Dawn.  She arrived at our house in December (we moved in in September).  She came in a  beautiful Cadillac wearing a fur coat, and with a flourish handed us a fancy invitation to her annual Christmas party.  Oh, I wish I could tell you that this was a happy meeting with this glamorous-in-my-eyes  cultured lady originally from Wilshire, England, who had incredible and innate class and grace.  My daughter Emily...five years at the time, on a dare by her older brothers, stood on the balcony directly above Dawn, and dropped at minimum, 6 raw eggs on her.  The Husband and I froze.  Silence.  And then Dawn gave a deep throaty laugh and said, "She's definitely going to find her way in this world".

Rumor had it that Dawn had had a facelift.  Oh horrors.  Great fodder for all of these lake/country folk.  I do admit, she looked pretty darn good to me.  But she also carried herself with grace, dressed beautifully and stylishly.  Her blonde hair was worn in a simple bun and her cornflower blue eyes sparkled and were accented with the perfectly applied make up.  She was widowed way back in the 50's and had worked for years in a men's clothing store. Everything, everything was rumor.  She lived just up the road from us.  After the Christmas dinner at her home that year (that surprisingly she actually wanted us to come to after the egg embarrassment),  I started stopping by her home on my walks or bike rides.  In short, we had a very large age difference, and I'm not going to play unawares, we spent many a sunny afternoon in her sunroom, talking about her life and mine.  She gave me so much.  Me, maybe I gave her company.  No...I know I did and yes, I'm proud and happy I did, but it came so easily and naturally and with such love for this lovely lady.  And I truly know in my heart that I got so much more from our friendship.  No doubt.

I haven't been to the lake since August.  The last time I saw her she was complaining about her arthritis (I always chuckled inside because she pronounced it "Arthur-itis" :), so it was with great sadness that I heard she passed away in December.  I feel...well honestly I just feel incredibly sad for a myriad of reason, unexplainable...you all do understand I'm sure.  But I will tell you, when I read her obituary, I learned she was 89 years old.  Oh my!  She had us all fooled!  And she carried it all off so gracefully.

Rest in peace Dawn Eileen.

XO,
Jane


54 comments:

Art and Sand said...

A fun post - you intrigued me with cupcakes for dinner.

Dawn sounds like a hoot and you were lucky to have known her.

Have fun at the lake and good luck with your "healthy regimen". I have been really good for two weeks because we are going skiing next week and I need to fit into my ski pants.

Lynne said...

I am so happy you and "The H" are getting away to the lake!

I have a big food lifestyle change ahead of me this year as well, (to avoid living on "meds" the rest of my life!)

We can do it Jane! It will be our goal to fool people with our youth and beauty like Dawn! Bless her soul!
Have a wonderful weekend!
w/L

Primitive Stars said...

Cupcakes for breakie, knew you were my type of gal!!!!! So happy you are going out to the lake, nice. I really miss going out, would still be beautiful even in the winter, Blessings Francine.

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

So sorry about your friend but I am sure she really enjoyed your visits.
Those cupcakes look wonderful - wish I had one right now.
Have fun at the lake.
Mary

Julie Marie said...

Hello Jane... first off, your friend Dawn sounds like an absolutely beautiful lady, inside and out... I hate rumors and never listen to them... I go with my own instincts about people and they usually don't fail me... I am happy you spent time with her... and each of you were blessed by knowing each other... now, on to your "d" word... yikes!... you know how I feel (obviously as you put my name in here, hee hee hee)... I NEVER use the "D" word!... I have always always just gone by the healthy eating lifestyle with food and it's no fail... remember when I sent you "French Women Don't Get Fat"?... well... that's right on... nevertheless... I wish you luck... and there is nothing wrong at all with a cupcake now and then!!!... okay... I know everyone has to do their own thing... good luck to you!... love love love your flannel shirt!... I live in them, because they are so cute and so comfy... I have many from years ago that I still wear... and I love that you saved one of your daddys shirts... brought tears to my eyes... I hope you have a nice time at the lakehouse... sorry for the long comment... but I felt like talking this morning!... xoxo Julie Marie

Anonymous said...

Sorry about your special friend, Jane. Isn't it amazing how someone unexpected can really touch our lives. I think it's so important that we don't just dismiss someone because they don't fit a certain mold. I am sure your friendship meant a lot to her!

Rita C at Panoply said...

Timely post - my former MIL turns 89 today.
Timely on another front - I have been craving a cupcake kind of dinner for a few days now....lol. Last time I did that, I nearly made myself sick, then tried to wash it down with milk, which only made things worse, lol.
Have a great weekend, Lumberjane. :)

Stacey said...

You are such a writer. Honestly, I can't walk away.

I'm sorry about the loss of your friend. Face lift or not sounds like you loved her.

Good luck on your diet. I got on the scale this week and was shocked. Weighing in more than I've weighed in 10 years. I am going to Zumba so hopefully that will help.

Enjoy the lake this weekend. Hope the sunshines for you.

Lulu said...

Cupcakes for dinner, shopping at Target....what more could you ask for? As for makeup I haven't had any on for several days and that doesn't look as good as it used to. Oh well....I know you will enjoy time at the lake. Find time to lift a glass to Dawn.

Pondside said...

You'll miss your friend, Dawn. She sounds like she was quite a lady - quite a character.
Good luck with the D_ _ _!

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

I'm sorry your friend is gone Jane. Life has a way of creeping up on us, but it also has a way of bestowing so many gifts, and she was one of yours it seems.

That story about the eggs is beyond funny! You must have been mortified, but the fact that she laughed says a great deal about her character, and it's all good.

Good luck with the D word. You may know I'm on WW and lovin' it. The key is tracking what you eat. I suppose that's true for any eating regimen. ;) So tell me, my friend, when we are svelte and sexy, can we go shopping for a thong together? Or maybe we can enter a wet tea shirt contest?

One can dream...

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

A nice post to read on a Saturday morning, Jane. I always try to guess what my food total is going to be and sometimes I am pleasantly surprised that it comes out lower than I estimate. Maybe I'm guessing too high, but the gluten food I buy for myself can definitely add up quick. Good luck with your diet!

RURAL said...

It's always sad when you lose someone that filled a gap in your heart...I've had a neighbour that was very similar...always felt like I could feel a whisper of her on the patio when I was out there.

LOoooove your glasses.

Jen

Anonymous said...

Love this post.... now go get your glasses out of your soup!

Melanie said...

I have to wear glasses all the time now - I've tried every kind of contacts and they all hurt my eyes, plus I can't see well with them anymore. Getting old sucks! I don't have any old glasses - I've gotten rid of all of them. Donated them to The Lions. Don't have any flannel shirts - OMG, I would look like a lumberjack! You're so cute that you could probably rock just about anything. I do wear Phil's big, gray hoodie over a shirt sometimes, but just in the house. So sorry to hear about the passing of your dear friend. She sounded like a wonderful woman. Have a great weekend up at the lakehouse!

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

So sorry about the loss of your friend. She sounds like a very interesting person and I'm sure y'all had lovely talks. Oh those cupcakes look good! Right after Christmas, I got back on my exercise routine. I've been working out 5 days a week and am feeling so good. Maybe I'll post about my workout routine sometime. It's nothing special, but it works for me. Enjoy your weekend!

Barbara F. said...

Sorry to hear about your friend. She had a sense of humor, too, regarding the eggs! I think you look great without makeup! xo

Beth said...

I am so sorry about the passing of your friend!

Good luck with your diet!!

Gina said...

Cupcakes for dinner are a wonderful thing. Of course, I say this because I am also suffering with that "d" word.

Sorry to hear about the passing of your dear friend. She sounded like one incredible lady.

Linda said...

Lovely post!! You could never bore anyone!!

Marigene said...

Oh my goodness, each of us kids have flannel shirts that belonged to both our mom and dad. I wear Daddy's and Mom's hangs on the back of my desk chair...she was a little tiny lady, not even 5' tall.
I am so sorry your friend has passed away.
Hope you are having a great weekend, Jane.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

While I have never laid eyes on that lady, I am in tears, Janie. What a lovely, lovely tribute to her. And I love the fact that she had such style and grace, particularly in the face of the rumor mill. I have no doubt at all that you helped to make her feel loved. You are such a good egg, and I am glad that she gave to you in return. May she rest in peace.

Now, as to the flannels... I love them. I am in my sock monkey PJs as I type. They are flannel, a gift from Mr. Magpie.

And I wish I had that plate of cupcakes. I love them so.

Best with the weight loss. I hate to think about it, but I need to regulate something in my life. ;-)

XO,

Sheila

Unknown said...

Oh so sweet! So sorry about your friend. I know you have lots of great memories of her. Wishing you the best with your big-a-- diet! UGH! I really should do it, but I have to really have my mind made up to do it, and I'm just not there right now. Hope your w/e at the lake is great!!

Claudia said...

First of all, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. She sounds like she was a wonderful person.

We are on a no sugar diet and it's working. We've both lost weight. What do I miss the most? Cupcakes.

And finally, I've never stopped wearing flannel shirts. I don't wear them all the time, but I love them and wear them when I can.

xo
Claudia

SImple and Serene Living said...

I saved one of my Dad's flannel shirts, too. It makes me feel like he is close. I think Dawn sounds like she was a great lady. Cupcakes as a last meal before the "D"? Sounds perfect to me. xo Laura

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

What a lovely character to have come to know, I'm sorry for your loss.

And you are ROCK'N the flannel!

I'm trying to go paleo myself.. it ain't easy. Let me know your willpower secrets if you have any to share.

20 North Ora said...

Those cupcakes look like a great way to go out in style!! Have a great weekend at the lake. Dawn sounds like a fun and wonderful person and I'm sure she'll be missed.

Judy

Balisha said...

I'm never bored here...Your friend sounds like someone I would have liked. Special people have an impact on our lives that can't be replaced.
Let's start a trend...wearing flannel shirts. I love the cozy feel of them in the winter.
Cupcakes for dinner....love it.
Balisha

Sarah said...

Jane, your tribute to your friend is lovely. I know you will miss her. That generation gave much to all of us.
Good luck with the D. I'm seriously working on the same. ;-)

Debby said...

You should share your story of your friend with her family. I bet they would really enjoy hearing it. It's hard to loose a friend and she sounds like one of a kind.
Hope your visit to the lake goes well.
I was going to start Paleo and have kinda. My son ended up in ER after he started a couple weeks before me. It scared me into thinking of taking it slow. I am so tired of all the diets I used to be on. So for now I am really trying to reduce sugar in my diet.
Take care of yourself. You look cute in the flannel shirt. They are so comfy.

Wanda said...

Oh Jane...friendships like those don't come around very often. What a blessing for her and you.

It seems strange that as I type this, we are just home from a funeral of a lady 101 who passed Dec.12th, and her memorial was today. As you describe Dawn, what a similarity to the Muriel we honored today.

Your cup cakes look wonderful, and I always start a diet with cookies.

Kit said...

So sorry about your friend. I am so glad you had her for awhile. :) The cupcakes look do good, I need to go and find myself a treat...LOL Have a great weekend. Kit

Beth said...

Jane, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds like a really special person.
Good luck on your healthy living plan. I know you can reach your goals. I enjoyed your post as always, Jane. You are so genuine and you talk about your life, real life. Hope you had a great time at the lake!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Wow,is all I can say Jane, have fun at the lake, can't wait until spring:)

June said...

I love Dawn just by your writing Jane! What a class act! I loved reading about your wonderful friendship with her.
Oh cupcakes for dinner...I'm so there!!!!!!
hugs from here...

Unknown said...

Oh Jane - I mean Blondie - I just loved this post -
First of all - I can remember flannel shirts being a " fad " in the 70's - even flannel jackets - do you remember those?
Secondly I loved getting to know Dawn what an amazing story - love love love the eggs LMHO
XOXO

Theresa said...

Oh my, those children and the eggs:) What a sweet lady to laugh it off and become a great friend to you! I am so sorry for your loss, but what a lovely lady and a nice long life!

I shop at Target a lot! I use my Target card and get an extra 5% discount:) Have a blessed day dear friend! HUGS!

bj said...

Friends like her just might be angels, passing thru your life.:)
So glad you each enjoyed each other.

I would LOVE cupcakes for dinner.
Good good luck on your diet, Blondie.
xo bj

Kathleen Grace said...

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. My deepest condolences Jane!
I am afraid I would handle the advent of a new diet the same way you did, one last cupcake binge, and then I would resent the diet the whole time. Wonder why I'm overweight? Ha!

Vel Criste said...

The cupcakes look really yummy and definitely excusable! good luck with finding a new pair, I'm pretty picky with my glasses, never wore contacts and don't think I ever will, so my glasses are essential for me. So sorry about Dawn, but she'a lucky to be remembered this way...

Susan Shull said...

So sad to lose someone who has been a friend. Our neighbor lady passed away last winter, and I miss her and our coffee and conversation. We need friends of all ages, don't we?

must love junk said...

You can't go wrong with cupcakes for dinner! Good luck on your "D"! :)
Susan

Debbie said...

So sorry to hear about your friend from the lake. She sounds like an amazing lady. I am starting the big "D" myself because we started a weight loss competition at the office. I also learn get secret fashion tips from my daughter by watching her Pinterest boards!

Good luck to you! Right now I'm enjoying my serving of fruit..smashed grapes in a wine glass! Always have to save a few calories for wine!

Deserae said...

So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Cupcakes for dinner sounds pretty darn good to me ;o) Good luck with you diet!!!
~Des

The Charm of Home said...

So sorry for the passing of your friend Jane. Cupcakes for diner sound like a good idea!
Sherry

Nancy's Notes said...

Going to the lake, you lucky lady! Enjoy every minute. I'm so sorry about Dawn. I know you'll miss her so much. She sounds like she was a hoot and a blessing all wrapped up in one. A diet? Hope you blog about it!

Have a safe trip to the lake!

Nancy

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane! Oh, I'm so sorry about your friend. I so understand because I have had much older friends whom I have loved. I'll bet you had a great time with her - the egg drop story is so funny!
Thanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;0

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I read your story with interest..and understanding. Across the street is a young woman of 36 that spends a lot of time here with me. Copies me and watches my house for mail trucks and cars. At first, not knowing her, I was sort of put off..but before long..I loved her company and how she loved being with me.
Then I got to the bottom of your story and read your friends name and gasped.
My youngest daughter's name is Dawn Eileen. Funny how you always think a name you have chosen is so original. I guess it sort of shocked me.
She sounds like she was a delightful person. I am sorry you lost her.

Stacey said...

Lovely post and I am also loving plaid too! Dawn sounds like a wonderful and stylish lady. I am sure you have treasured memories of her. The lake sounds like it will be loads of fun. Enjoy!

Gypsy Heart said...

I love it when people have cupcakes for dinner...or breakfast! :) Don't be so hard on yourself about the D experience. You can eat healthy and still have a treat now & again. I think the "secret" is planning. I know I need to!

It appears that Dawn was a very lovely and interesting lady! I love having friends that are older...so much history to learn from them. I also love my young friends ~ I think they help keep you young. I will age but I never want to be "old" mentally.

I love Target! I go there or the dreaded Walmart for all paper and cleaning items. Some non-perishable items too. In fact, there's a Target within 3 blocks of me now. :) I was affected by the credit card hacking that went on and my bank has changed my card, pin #, etc. A real hassle!

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week! It's going to be back to bitter cold here the next 2 days but nothing like you have or the NE.

xo
Pat

Sue said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I too have always loved people older than I am. I think for me, part of the reason provided me with a bit of security as I never had my parents in my town and as you said, while I knew that my company was good for them...their wisdom was so wonderful for me. I got more than I ever gave. This is actually the first town I have lived in where I don't have someone older to take casseroles to, have tea with and so on. Of course at some point here we will be the older ones...I hope someone wants to be around us! She sounds like an interesting lady. I am sure you will never forget her.

farmhouse-story said...

so sorry about your friend, jane. cupcakes and target sound like a great idea, though:)

Lori said...

Love that you made cupcakes for dinner ~ you are a girl after my own heart. So sorry to hear of your friend at the lake ~ sounds like she was so much fun!

Traci said...

Cupcakes for dinner sounds delightful! I hate my glasses & love flannel too! I haven't discovered the love for Target that so many have. I've tried but I just don't love it. So sorry about your friend. She sounds like a wonderful lady.