Two bits of sweetness

Sweetness Number One:

Do you ever notice how some people go quietly go about, pasting the universe together, ensuring the Milky Way doesn't spring a leak and stardust doesn't collect in the corners?

These are the people who keep things going as tickety boo as possible, usually without fanfare, often without thanks.

One of my colleagues is a wonderful person with a great sense of humour who just coordinated a successful, huge and amazing project. She's a great person and we are so very lucky to have her with us.

I racked my brain to find a fitting "hurrah for you" acknowledgement--well, beyond saying "hurrah for you"...and then I thought of it.

Cupcakes.

Cupcakes baked by our darling Cream Puff.

For those of you who don't know, Ivonne started her own little baking business sometime last year (email creampuffsinvenice at gmail dot com, if you're interested in hiring her), so I asked her to bake my friend something wonderful and Spring-like.

Ivonne never disappoints and made these lovely raspberry-rosewater cupcakes, all pretty in pink, to be delivered in the morning. I'm sure my colleague will love them.

Sweetness Number Two:

Back in March I told you of a different colleague and her quest to help her brother-in -aw win an engagement ring for his girlfriend.

Unfortunately he didn't win (he came in third). But that didn't stop the proposal...in the manner he described. I'd passed on the message that my readers wanted to see pictures from the proposal, in exchange for voting for him in the contest.

So, for those of you who wanted to see a giant chicken in a swanky restaurant, here you go:

cheers!
jasmine

What I'm reading: The Children's Book by A.S Byatt

All work and no play...

...is not the way to live any life...really.

All that pent-up play was bound to burst out in some way. No: not in the kitchen. Sorry. No recipe today. Yes: I know I've not posted anything foodish in a little bit. But, as my regular readers know, sometimes real life takes over and I just don't have the opportunity to cook or post.

My lost-for-far-too-long play unleashed itself at last night's Toronto Duran Duran concert in Toronto. Yes, I'm a fan. Yes, they're still touring (minus Andy Taylor). Yes, we (that's Cathy, the music trivia queen in with me--taking the picture was her friend Amy) had a great time, lost our voices and danced for hours. Oh...and the songs from Red Carpet Massacre are much better live than the recording. Just in case anyone was wondering.

Whenever I'm in Toronto and can manage to get my schedule to match up with our favourite Cream Puff's, we share a meal or two. Luckily enough this morning we were able to meet up at my favourite breakfasty-brunchy place in The Big Smoke.

Even though we always have a great time together--she's such a lovely, witty, intelligent and compassionate soul--I must admit I was brave to ask her for an early-ish breakfast after a night out...not necessarily at my best after being out 'til late and gossiping until later. There's a reason there's no morning-after photo of me. Want an idea? Scramble the curls, add a bleary-look of pained concentration along with three times the make-up from the concert photo...

She had pancakes and sausage, and I had quite possibly the best morning after the night before breakfast I could hope for--a full English (toasted malted bread, potatoes, fried tomatoes, fried mushrooms and poached eggs). Well-fed and happy we parted, each to our own offices.

All I know is that I need to play more often...

cheers!
jasmine