It's a Whirlwind!

Usually a whirlwind conjures up ideas of anticipation, excitement, pleasure and, exhilaration. 

So, after  much enthusiastic planning, anticipating the upcoming wedding of a dear one, finally it comes.  We find ourselves stimulated and exhilarated about the BIG DAY.  We packed our bags, then the car, then added us to the car, and headed to the coffee shop for fuel.

Off we go to the mighty south land and insanity for the BIG WEEKEND!....into the pouring rain on three hours sleep.  1st stop--the rest area for a potty break (no rain).   Back on the road--G'ma's driving now ( I'm so tired) so I catch a few zzzz's and the rain continues adding strong winds. 

Magz calls and my heart stops, she's singing and happy and getting ready to head to the airport.  Yeah we'll see each other tonight and lots of hugs will be going around.

Donnie's phone announces there are tornado warnings in Orange County.  Oh great BUT we are leaving that behind (at least for a few days).  Uppps--time for gas. Off we pull to refuel and empty our own tanks.  I'm back in the drivers seat again.  And the rain begins again.  Still Donnie's phone is making the warnings of tornadoes in the homeland but we do get some breaks and some dry roadways ahead.  Just as we get on the ever incredibly over populated 95 (I hate 95), the bright turns to very gray and big drops of water stream down on us, AGAIN.  Really???  AND then--an accident 8 miles ahead (which we never did see an evidence of) just snail paced traffic.  Did I mention how much I hate 95?  'Cause I DO! 

Ahhhhh, at last, only 8 miles to go and my phone rings to hear one very hysterical daughter crying that her flight was canceled.  PANIC overwhelms me.  My heart hurts.  I try desperately to sound reassuring and not wreck the car.  As I comfort her the best I can and pass the phone to G'ma, my mind goes blank.  I call Deet and have her be the voice of reason and one who will better be able to control the situation from a stationary position as opposed to one moving 75 miles per hour on--Oh yeah--I-95.  Did I mention how much I hate 95?  'Cause I DO!

The calls go back and forth and in one call to speak with the ticket agent, Deet informs him that the option he gave to Magz is NOT acceptable and he WILL make arrangements for her to get on a flight down Saturday, have transportation to the venue for rehearsal, and put her back north Monday without costing her 1 red cent extra.  DONE!  Crisis averted (I pray).  I tell her to calm down, wait for the girls to pick her up, go to the nearest nail shop for a mani/pedi, have dinner and a nice tall beverage--ON ME!

Ironically, in the Land of Cort, the skies were bright and sunny, a beautiful day in comparison to the rest of the east coast.  So as the wind whirled all around us, Magz stood in utter devastation.

We are here.  Wedding central--

Everywhere I see pink and glitter and stuff for the wedding--It's CRAZZZIE!!!!

I expected nothing less and if it were, I'd be disappointed.

After some dinner we took on the task of rolling fondant,

while Aunt Pat

& Deanna iced the giant heart sugar cookies.  Fondant was applied,

cookies wrapped,

and 105 thank you's all snug in their basket.

Never fear, while BabyCakes is away this weekend please know the sweet things are still in the picture (quite literally).  The coffee shop                       has BabyCakes for sale and the Heart shaped wedding cookies are

 looking beautiful thanks to Dee and Aunt Pat.

On to the next project.  Ummm, seating chart--check, favors--

check, sleep--heading there right now.

When we wake up in the AM, Britain will have a new princess and the prelude begins for the REAL Royal Wedding with the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton.  After all, in our world Deet IS the Princess (shhh, don't tell her I said so).

So, as I tuck this day away to rest, I think the definition for whirlwind is a bit skewed and can be summed best in this case as tumultuous.

Until the next episode, TTFN.  Love Jeanmarie

Dazed & Confused

To be dazed and confused is an understatement when you're trying to be organized, helpful, supportive, and excited about an upcoming event.

Going back just a bit to the planning (or rather the suggestion of) of organizing an event or getting ready for the family to travel to an important weekend away is so much more stressful than it should be.  What to pack for each day with limited space in the car?  How much cash should I take?  Don't forget Maggie's bag that she packed when she was home.  Dresses, tuxes, makeup, jewelry, shoes….clothes for this, clothes for that.  Oh my goodness--STOP.  Then worry about the dog.  She will NOT be happy by any stretch of the imagination.  Get grandmas mail, bring in our mail.  Water the plants. Will Emmy need anything?  Will she leave the dog for many hours at a time? I think at this point I have to give it up to the powers that be.  As Jane would say "have a little faith".

Until the next episode, TTFN.  Love Jeanmarie

Don't Give Up Hope

Life is not like a box of chocolates, it's like a game of charades.  You're given clues and need to follow them to find the answers.
Saturday 4/23/2011
 A splendid day it was.   Splendid???  Did I really just use the word splendid.  (I must be watching too much NCIS  however, that's just not possible.)
Yup, I did because it was, even though the sun hid most of yesterday and again today, and I had an annoying headache from the weather.  I made my (Saturday) morning delivery of Carrot & PJ Signature BabyCakes and actually sat on the sofa of the coffee house with VaJJ like we were customers.  As I sipped my Latte, we talked about recipes and costs of materials, we firmed up our plans for the evening with some friends and discussed what we were bringing to the "table", and reflected on the week.  Still on the sugar high of the sweet's success, we had to cut the visit short because the shop was getting busy and I promised 2 of my sweeties their own coffee and chai upon my return.
After returning home with hot stuff in hand, I was visited by my good ole buddy Murph.  She brought me a lovely pot of purple tulips and the sweetest little book on friendship.  I am such a looser.  Would I ever think of something like that?  Maybe but that's all it probably would be---a thought.  How kind.  She deserves so much better then me.  But I have a plan and one I know she will like.  (Can't reveal it here or she might see it.)  She saw the 2 PJ BabyCakes on the dining room table waiting to be joined by several other flavors for the nights events and absolutely loved them.  She was one of my biggest supports pushing me to bake for the last several years.  And now Murph, here I am-BAKING!  Basically all of the baking and experimenting is largely due to her and her Sweet 16 to be, Jenna.  I am helping her with---guess what?? ?  Oh yeah, the cake and cupcakes.  It's going to be very exciting.   Thank you Murph--I love you.
So as I chatted with Nick & Dee and started to bake, I asked them for thoughts and ideas on flavors.  We decided on a Spiced Vanilla Chai BabyCake topped with Chai liqueur Buttercreme with a sprinkling of Cinnamon (my favorite so far), Dee's favorite--Peanut Butter Chocolate stuffed with a Reese's cup topped with Peanut Buttercreme and a mini Reese's on top, and Lemonade BabyCake topped with Tequila Rose Buttercreme.  Yummy goodness!

The Easter Trilogy (Poor lighting)
Needless to say this new venture is seriously cutting into some of my "wanna get done" jobs---Oh well!
That being said, I had the greatest evening tonight.  VaJJ picked me up and all the way to Mark's house I nagged her about her driving and if she killed the BabyCakes there would be hell to pay.  We all arrived safely with BabyCakes in tacked…and we even got there before the "Petite Filipino", Tish.  We were greeted by Noah or "Noisy" as he has more commonly called, a rather substantially large Great Dane.  (Let's just say it he lived with me, I'd be sited for have a horse living in a house in the city limits.)  He has the personality of a big old mush, a gentle giant.  He makes Scooby Doo look scary.  He certainly knows how to work a room and never once tried to snatch up the cheese or pate from the table or the remaining lamb roast from the cutting board on the counter (which to him was eye level).
I met a few new friends (Rosie & Tammy, Elaine, and Tish's Hubby too) and felt very at ease right away.  We took a quick walk around the property to see the out buildings and future projects; came back and sat down to dinner.  Again, way out of my zone, to what else but that classic Easter tradition of---LAMB--Blah!  But I was a good guest and tried it.  I guess when you're eating at a person who has a cooking shows home, one should trust that the fare will be lip smacking.  It didn’t smell like it had been scraped up off the side of the rode after 4 days in the middle of July's 100 degree heat …that is why it was likely so edible.  With everyone's contribution thoroughly enjoyed, it was time for the sampling of some BabyCakes.  Not to sound boastful but they were good.  My new favorite is the Spiced Vanilla Chai but the texture of the Lemonade BabyCake was lovely and Coop's favorite.  Those left were packed by Char and taken home for Hecky.
Then we chose teams 1 & 2 for a friendly (aka--fiercely-ridiculously-competitive)  game of Charades.  5 TV shows-5 movies.  Team 1-Coop, Tammy, Robin, Tish, Char (talk about a stacked team) and team 2-Mark, VaJJ, Elaine, Ed, & Me.  I haven't heard so much whining about who was on which team since I was little and played Monopoly at Gramgram's with my cousins. 
Some of the highlights I will remember are that Ed was the first to act out "Mystic Pizza" in 1 minute 30 seconds,  Char trying to act out "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"    And then Tammy, the wringer , got team 1 to guess what we thought would be impossible,  by strumming an air guitar (we knew we were screwed) for "Avatar" and a point.  We also tried to sneak in a Telemundo Novella in Spanish but were accused of cheating  (Who? US?? Cheat???) so a new clue was given.
I was 50% in my skill of the acting out part and scored 2 points for Team 2.  The first one was for "Hope Floats" when I guessed Elaine's float charade and in the end it was yours truly who guessed the movie "Soylent Green" to take the lead and win the game 6/4 for Team 2.  Ahhh, the thrill of victory and the sight of the agony was beyond words.  The belly giggles and friendly exchange of colorful comments  were never ending.  Funny that all along (and with $h1tty $h1tty Bong Bong) the motto of the evening was---Don't Give Up Hope!
Easter Sunday 4/24/2011
And now in the season of rebirth, I have found a new drive of sorts for life;  New focus, new friends, new ideas, and new hope.
Until the next episode, TTFN.  Jeanmarie

Plans & Randomness

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU to all those who stopped by today to support Port Java and enjoyed a BabyCake or took the lot home for the holiday.  Both Judy & I appreciate your patronage. 

Now I didn't sleep much because I had so much on my mind…this is a good thing.  We planned to do 2 flavors for the weekend and one being the Signature BabyCake (see previous posting), but as in most plans, things have a way of changing.  After all the word PLAN is merely a suggestion for things that you'd like to do.

Some people have a day planner, some have a 5-year plan, while still others have the luxury of having a retirement plan.  And my mom will be the first to tell you the ole' retirement plan can change too.  Me, I can't plan for the next 10 minutes.  You'd think I have ADD.  I think I just have a commitment issue and have been guilty of procrastination all my life.  Again, ask my mom (cause Mom's seem to know best).

Along time ago my friend Debbie (who I still miss so very much each and every day--she had to go and die on me--the beeotch) would talk about stuff.  Ya'know, boys, work, what to do on the weekend, whether to go to Carroll's or Bruno's, basically life at 19.  She would have an idea and ponder it to death. I, on the other hand, would pick up and act on it.  Hence, we lovingly called each other Mouth (her) and Action (me), I know what you just thought and yes she was the mouth of the 2 of us.  One weekend we went to the beach and some how ended up with meeting 2 guys and hanging out with them, let's just say if my daughter told me she did this I would lecture her till time ended that they could be mad rapist or serial-killers.   And now---wait for it---the phone will ring and my Mother will call to lecture me---

My moral to this story is that history is repeating it's silly self once again.  I have gone into action mode.  Lori and Carolyn, Yes I totally blew off the girl code, but stand firm in my convictions that "Mike" was in far more danger than you two.  And Judy is happy today (in spite of the Mouths of the world kibitzing about things they should keep to them selves) because Action has reared her crazy head this week.

Now I must do some chores (of course while pondering my next BabyCake concoction) and get ready for dinner company.

So for all the Na-sayers and Butinskies of the universe---play nice in the sand box because eventually the wind will blow and you will be the one with cat poop in your face.

Until the next episode, TTFN.  Jeanmarie

P.S.  Take a moment today to thank the Lord on this, the most solemn of days, Good Friday when he gave his life for us.

Ahhh, the sound of water surrounded by porcelain.

I was simply astonished and overwhelmed today (Thursday 4/21) when I opened my Facebook to see the many comments and the words of encouragement.  The first one and perhaps most  significant was from my mom.  I almost cried.  Then I saw one from Jane, again I welled up and thought "Wow, is it really that cool?"  So I went back and re-read the 1st blog.  I guess it was okay.

Then I had to go on with my day.  As I was showering, once again I was wishing for water proof paper and pen or a tape recorder that could withstand a damp environment.  It's now almost 12 hours later and all I can think of is sleep.  But I'm so excited about putting my thoughts down here now, I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. 

Between the blog and the BabyCakes, I feel like I have a focus…something to look forward to besides the usual routine.  So I put my focus to work and vacuumed the living room, packed the dish washer and started it, put in the laundry, talked with Nick & Dee for a bit, and then headed off to the coffee shop to bake.  Today I wanted to get ready for Friday and Saturday knowing the weekend could be a little busier (God willing).  So we decided to unveil the Port Java Signature BabyCake (keep reading the details will follow)...

As I walked up to the store front with bags in hand, I was happy to see a couple girls I worked with at the elementary school.  They were waiting for one more co-worker to go in and enjoy a nice little summin'-summin'.  When they arrived at the counter, our conversation began by them asking me how long I've worked there…but I don't.  So they decided I was like the Keebler Elf of the coffee shop.  I replied that I was just there to bake and showed them the last batch of BabyCakes I made .  While one was getting their beverages, another a table, the third stood guard over the 3 remaining Chocolate Peanut Butter BabyCakes, until I got the three plates and set ups for them.  Serving them, I spent a little time with them as they savored every morsel.  What a nice compliment.  There was also mention of getting edible paper cups so nothing is wasted.  Then I informed them I didn’t want to hear about the bill to the weight lose clinic at a later date either.  They assured me that wouldn't be a problem and wanted to know what was coming next…Ready???

The Signature BabyCake is---a Chocolate Espresso cupcake with White (actually pink) Chocolate Buttercrème Frosting, topped with a Brown & Pink button of milk chocolate, and lightly dusted with espresso power.  I think the best part of the whole experience was the texture of the frosting.  Truly nice to work with.

Port Java's Signature BabyCake--Choc.Espresso w/White Choc Buttercrème

One of the girls asked when they'd be ready and will be in first thing Friday to pick up a few for the weekend.

Thank you Winnie, Donna, & Lauren for enjoying time, coffees, and especially the sweet treats.  It meant the world to me that you took so much pleasure in your afternoon repast.

Along with PJ's Signature BabyCake will be a tribute to my son, Nick and the Easter Bunny, a moist Carrot BabyCake topped with tinted green (for grass) Cream Cheese Frosting where some sweet little jelly beans snuggle.

 Classic Carrot BabyCakes w/Cream cheese Frosting topped with jelly beans.

 

So, as I find a close to my day (or rather very early morning) I would like to thank all of you who read a small portion of my thoughts and hope you will stick with me for all my adventures, both future and the reminiscent kind.

As I close, I'd like to reflect on the most amazing thing of the day.

It was not waking up this morning and breathing, or surviving a trip to Sam's club with my husband tonight, but that now I --- Me --- Jeanmarie --- have followers!  Granted, one is my mom and another is my daughter, but followers non the less.   

And tonight I saw one more added.  One I don't personally know.  And for you, MerryEllen, I would like to dedicate tonight's blog page.

Thank you all &

Until the next episode, TTFN.  Jeanmarie

P.S.Happy Birthday Dad--missing you more.

Well, Here Goes!

Well, here goes.
Oh my goodness, I'm so nervous.  I feel like I'm back in college and it's the first day of class.  Trying to put into words things about me and my meager existence.  I always felt that I am too humble to talk about myself.  Probably some deep rooted psycho-somatic reason a lack of self-confidence or from an ex-husband's need to control the world and all things on it.

I suppose I could go on and on about the everyday mundane goings on of home and family but that's not my purpose here.  On occasion I will be happy to share stories about them but, the stories from the hot tub, the front porch, the kitchen table, or the back office are far more mind boggling and so worth a revisit, even if I'm the only one who enjoys them.  My mind is flooded with silly things and I wish I would have written them all down a long time ago, but I didn't.  We all kid that one day we'd write a book and call it "You Can't Make This Shit Up".
.
Some would say we (I will refer to us as we, my friends & myself, from here on) get a little childish, others would say we are down right ridiculous.  I will suffice it to say, "We are just getting through the day (or night) anyway we can."  These friends have come about through a variety of means and random events.  Most pleasant while others from horrific tragedies.  AND I love them all, through the thickest of thick and nightmares to the best of the best hangovers of the good.

The friends are most supportive as far as the BabyCakes are concerned.  For the last 2 years or so some have been pushing me to bake and sell them.  But then it becomes a "job" and not necessarily a treat or pleasure.  However, I have come to realize the job I have is one I actually love and wish it could be more.  So, if I love that and I love cupcake baking and decorating, WHY NOT???

Today was the first day I actually had BabyCakes at the coffee shop for sale.  I hope they were well received because I am my worst critic and was a bit disappointed with the texture of one.  It was not too overly sweet (which is good in this case), almost like a shortbread taste.  The lemon curd was really sweet, nice contrast.  Of course the frosting was rich creamy and lemony.   It was very good but not quite what I wished for.

Limoncello cupcake, filled with Lemon Curd, Lemon Creme Cheese Frosting, topped with pastel Jimmies

The second one is not a flavor I care for but they rose perfectly and smelled delicious.  The frosting was deadly!  The ever favorite Peanut Butter Chocolate cupcake topped with Peanut Butter Frosting, a sprinkling of nuts and drizzled with chocolate.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake, Peanut Butter Frosting, topped Nuts and Chocolate Drizzle

Tomorrow I will begin on the second round for the upcoming Easter weekend and make the coffee shops "new" signature cupcake.  Since the colors scheme is pink and brown it will be an Espresso cappuccino (brown) cupcake with Pink (white) Chocolate Frosting topped with a Chocolate covered Espresso Bean.

The second Babycake will be a moist light Carrot cupcake with pineapple and walnuts topped with a traditional Cream Cheese Frosting and hand-piped carrot fit for the big EB (Easter Bunny) himself.

So, that's the beginning of the BabyCakes.  

Until the next episode, TTFN.  Love Jeanmarie