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9 days to go: it always comes down to this
Last week, I made lists: The order of toast-giver’s toasts. Details to review with the florist (runner, number of cocktail tables, does he have an insurance certificate). Music the band is simply forbidden to play (YMCA, Celine Dion, anything by Norah Jones or that can be roughly defined as a “pop ballad”). Aisle pecking order. Things we need to bring with us to the wedding, rehearsal dinner, and to our parents houses from our apartment next weekend.
This week, I made cupcakes. Sunday, I purchased ingredients. Monday, I baked. Tuesday, I iced and sprinkled. And Wednesday, we consumed. And this is The Magic of Cupcakes™, yup, I actually just said that - I made no lists.
For me, cupcakes have always been about some idealized, though likely unrealistically so, route I haven’t chosen. The more I hated my last job, couldn’t find a new one, and became convinced that every choice I had made thus far was a certain mistake, the more I wished I could wake up each morning, throw on an apron, grab my piping bag, and work until the day ended doing something that made anyone, frankly, not dead inside smile at the site of. And now, when I am so “over” this wedding-related stress, and am really quite eager to get on with the Happily Ever After part, baking seems to again be about escape.
Thursday evening, one pound heavier and a bluish-tinted tongue later, I realized I still needed to call the florist about three things, the place cards jammed our printer, we should have already paid the band, and the photographer hasn’t returned my email. I re-opened my lists, consumed with bungled nerves, and promptly started a new one: butter, powdered sugar, milk, and more paper liners. The florist is just going to have to wait.
comments (15)
I love cupcakes. I love Norah Jones too. Guess I'm a sap for the sweet.
Good luck with your wedding! It will be wonderful, even if all those lists don't get done.
1 | Africankelli | August 19, 2005 11:41 AM
Mmmmm, cupcake therapy! But one question, why was the baking a three day process? Couldn't you have baked, iced, and consumed all in one day?
2 | Neil | August 19, 2005 12:17 PM
NINE DAYS? How time flies! I was just thinking about you and Alex this A.M., Deb. Was thinking how your bloggin/dating/blogging/co-hab/marriage would make the SAPPIEST of all sappy (and yet wonderful) chick flicks. A bloggers love story! ;)
3 | tlc | August 19, 2005 12:34 PM
mmm cupcakes so yummy
4 | Master Foley | August 19, 2005 12:45 PM
First time poster...
I just wanted to say Congratulations!!
I don't know how I found your site, but so much of it has made me cry. The dating, the wedding planning.....the cupcakes!
How deliciously exciting.
5 | kathy | August 19, 2005 10:53 PM
Just wanted to congratulate you on the upcoming ceremony. I've always thought you had a good head and didn't give into the annoying girl-things (yes, I'm a girl who hates girl-whining). Best of luck to you and Alex. Cupcakes are cute, don't forget that-- so little but full of goodness (no I don't have or want kids).
6 | signet seal | August 20, 2005 02:54 AM
Mmmmm... okay those cupcakes look SO good. Can I have the recipe?? (I'm learning how to cook. Sweets I am much better at because I get much more practice, ha!)
7 | Natalie | August 20, 2005 05:42 AM
Hi!
I've been following your antics for a while now, your delightful sense of humor and sense of self that are often the 5 minutes of entertainment in my otherwise drab days at work -
and something suddenly occurred to me. I've been developing a wedding photography business for a couple of weeks, and I only have one wedding under my belt. I thought maybe... maybe you'd let me be there that day (if your photographer is okay with it, of course) and let me take pictures for free? It would help my portfolio and you'd get an extra point of view at no extra charge but maybe a slice of cake?
What do you think?
8 | Marie | August 21, 2005 01:16 PM
Wow 9 days, good luck this week, and have a wonderful time at your wedding. Congrats :)
9 | Tammi | August 21, 2005 10:03 PM
I don't want to scare you, but if Alex is a Russkie and his family is coming to the wedding -- Russians are always judgemental about a party. You probably know that already. Whenever we go over to Sophia's family's house, they don't make dinner for us -- there is literally a twenty plate feast (with vodka) -- and they're not wealthy people. When Sophia and I had our wedding (Sophia is from Odessa), we had appetizers, three courses, and two desserts. It was an amazing wedding. Afterwards, we heard that the Russian guests were complaining to Sophia's mother, saying the wedding "was nice, but where was the food?"
If you want to win them over, have the band at least play "Moscow Nights."
10 | Neil | August 21, 2005 10:19 PM
The title of that movie about your life would be:
My Big Fat Russkie-Jersey Blogger Wedding
and it would appeal to both genders
Congrats to you and best wishes for a relatively calm next 9 days.
Here's to the happily ever after (raising flask)!
11 | Anonymous | August 21, 2005 11:08 PM
The title of that movie about your life would be:
My Big Fat Russkie-Jersey Blogger Wedding
and it would appeal to both genders :)
Congrats to you and best wishes for a relatively calm next 9 days.
Here's to the happily ever after (raising flask)!
12 | cristina | August 21, 2005 11:09 PM
Neil, I was going to leave you a huge, commiserating comment about those crazy Odessa-ites we have locked our fates with, but then I re-read the description of your wedding: What were you thinking, only having TWO appetizers? Haven't they taught you anything? Nothing short of 12 appetizers has ever been served at a Russian meal I have attended, homes included. We have at least 45 arranged, though I am sure it will still be insufficient.
That said, I am looking forward to meeting Sophia’s parents, as – odds are – they will attend Alex and my wedding this weekend.
13 | deb | August 22, 2005 12:35 PM
May your wedding day be the happiest day of your life!
A russian poem (best read aloud after drinking vodka):
Mama, ya shofyora lyublyu!
Shofer edet na mashine,
Yebyot rakom on v kabine --
Mama, ya za shofyora poidu!
Mama, I'm in love with a guy who drives a truck,
And, oh good lord, is he a glorious f**k!
How he loves to cop a feel,
When he's seated at the wheel,
And he does it crawfish style,
Never slowing down a mile
Just wait till we get married, then the brakes will really squeal!
14 | Neil | August 22, 2005 06:26 PM
Alex,
Keep your hands on the wheel! :-)
15 | SantaDad | August 22, 2005 07:38 PM