You know that old tale about how the cobbler's children have no shoes? Well, this cobbler has no children. Actually, this cobbler isn't a cobbler at all, more of a baker (though I have been known to make an awesome cobbler and a kick-ass buckle or two, but I digress).
In my house, the saying should be the baker's husband has no cake. So very sad, isn't it? Don't you think if the sweetest man in the world encouraged his wife to go to pastry school that she'd at least back a birthday cake for him?
I haven't been baking much for quite some time. I haven't even wanted to think about baking. If I were in a more introspective mood I might write about what that all means. I'd start with how pastry school saved my sanity after the first ectopic pregnancy and carry the themes through loss, depression, moving on, etc. I might even face why it's been such a long time since I've let myself get lost in a good recipe and a better bottle of vanilla. Instead, I generally stick to the generally believable excuses of a demanding work schedule and a desire to eat healthier and maintain my facade.
Clearly I'm not in an introspective mood. But when the mister said on Monday that he didn't want us to each take the leftover Mini Brownie Cupcakes to work because he wanted some for his birthday on Thursday, that just broke my heart. He was so desperate for baked goods that he was willing to have four day old cupcakes to celebrate his special day.
I promised to make him something special. He wanted lemon cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting. I'm ashamed to say I didn't get them made until tonight. I needed a restorative weekend as it's been a crazy few weeks between flying back east and hosting our normally over-the-top Oscar party last weekend when my heart just wasn't in it.
This weekend was perfect. We slept in very late, ate pancakes from a can (which I must admit are quite tasty although I was wanted to hate them), took the dogs for a couple of longs walks, read and read and read, did a dozen loads of laundry, watched my boys in blue come from behind for a very impressive win and watched a couple of silly movies. I caught my breath and recharged my battery.
Tonight's dinner was lemon cupcakes and they were goooooooood.
Ok, I give. Will you send me the recipe (if it isn't too much trouble?) I have a lemon tree full of fabulous lemons, and have made everything from Greek lemon chicken to lemon sorbet. Next up is a good old southern style lemon pie. But lemon cupcakes with lemon frosting sound too good to pass up!
Posted by: Boulder | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 00:31
Awww Millie, I'm sorry you've lost your baking mojo but I do understand. It will be back. Hang in there, my friend.
Posted by: Katrina | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 01:31
If you're sending the recipe to Boulder, we (that would be me and my 4 lemon trees) would love a copy too! And happy birthday to the mister :)
Posted by: Kay/Hanazono | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 06:59
I am crazy about lemon-flavored pastries....yummy.
Wish The Mister a Happy Birthday from us crazy ladies on the internet.
Posted by: DD | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 07:00
Holy crap, what's next, filet mignon from a can? Amazing! :) Happy B-day to your man.
Posted by: PBfish | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 08:40
Sounds really good.
Those pancakes? In a can? I'm scared. And yet,intrigued.
Posted by: chris | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 11:16
A late Happy Birthday to the mister!
I'm fascinated by the pancake in the can. And, now that I know they're tasty, I want to find some and try it!
Posted by: Summer | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 12:58
Millie, I think it is fabulous that you actually tried that stuff AND liked it! I saw it a couple of weeks ago in WF but wasn't that brave.
Can I replace your whipping stick with a wet noodle? You *have* been so busy, too busy to even take much time (if any) for yourself I imagine. Please go easy on yourself. Your weekend sounded simply wonderful. Any chance for a repeat next weekend?
And thank you for the recipe links. If I ever get over my own baking hump, I first owe my hubs some PB chocolate chip cookies, then I think I'll try those brownies! :)
Posted by: Tonya | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 13:22
I can now admit that I just bought those pancakes in a can. Organic! Pancakes in a can! Usually, if it is in a can it's imitation all the way, so when I saw them at the big box wholesale store I had to get them but haven't tried them yeet. Glad they weren't a big ol waste of $$. Lemon cupcakes in a can would be good too, but absent that, I'd love to try and make some....if you share the recipe....glad you had a good weekend.
Posted by: mellie | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 20:17
happy belated birthday to your sweet mister!
(and i understand about the not being able to do the things that you love... i'm sorry about that).
many kisses.
Posted by: anna h. | Tuesday, 04 March 2008 at 12:49
I'm glad your boys managed to pull out a win, that always makes for a better day. Not sure what to think about pancakes in a can, but the mini brownie cupcakes are something I may have to pursue, maybe with peanut butter frosting.
Sending belated birthday greetings to E.
Posted by: Jan1902 | Wednesday, 05 March 2008 at 07:43
I like the face lift.
I'm a terrible baker. Have never been able to conjure up that kind of precision. But I do love to cook, and when I start eating canned soup for every meal, I pull out my food books. Are there any good baking memoirs? I have all the general cooking ones, but there must be one about bread somewhere. One friend of mine has a new blog: onbread.blogspot.com.
So that's nothing poetic or helpful, but sent with all big love.
xoxo
JennaM
Posted by: JennaM | Wednesday, 05 March 2008 at 08:55
3-3/4 C. Sugar and 4 Sticks of Butter? Holy crap!!! I feel I have to run to the gym just reading that! :P
Posted by: Linda | Sunday, 09 March 2008 at 16:54