Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Time to Celebrate!

It's party time today in the cafe. 

Why?

Because Tina Radcliffe and I are Carol Award finalists!


Hmm... What a coincidence that they both have "Doctor" in the title. 
And both stories take place in Colorado.

I would also like to mention that the lovely Tina is also a finalist for ACFW's Mentor of the Year.

How about a round of applause.

I'll to have to let Tina chime in with her story, but when I got the call about being a finalist--then had to keep my mouth shut for several agonizing days--I decided I needed a celebration. 
Just me, myself and the treat of my choosing. 

So what did I choose?

Ta-da!!

Why a cupcake, you might ask.

Well, first of all, cakes and celebrations go hand in hand. Then there's the fact that it classifies as a soft food.
But I mostly chose a cupcake because the heroine in my WIP is having a Cupcake Mania event at her restaurant. All that thinking about cupcakes had me craving one.

So I visited a cupcake bar just down the road from me. Yes, I said that right. A cupcake BAR.
You pick your cupcake, then your frosting and they prepare it right in front of you.
When I went in, I was craving my favorite--white cake with buttercream frosting. But the strawberry cake looked so good and when they said it was made with fresh strawberries, I couldn't resist.

As many of you know, Jan and I have been following the Trim Healthy Mama eating plan and have cut sugar out of our diets. However, that doesn't mean we can't let ourselves have fun every once in a while.
So, I parked myself at one of cupcake bar tables, feeling only the slightest bit guilty for allowing myself such a treat. I carefully peeled away the paper. Then, using my fork, I snagged a bite of both icing and cake.

Mm--Wait a minute. 

This doesn't taste like it's supposed to.

After going so long without sugar, my cupcake didn't taste the same. It was WAY too sweet. 
Especially the frosting. And I LOVE buttercream frosting! 
The cupcake alone, however, was very yummy. Definitely made with fresh strawberries. 
In the end, though, I ate less than half of my $3 cupcake. Still, it was a valuable lesson.

As a sugar addict, I never imagined that I could cut sugar from my diet. And let me tell you, it wasn't easy. The first week and half were pure torture. But I did it.

And now I'm a Carol Award finalist?

No doubt about it. With God, ANYTHING is possible. :-D

33 comments:

  1. looks yummy! I need to cut back on the sugar- I know back in college when the low fat craze was 'in' I was eating extrememly low fat but when I went home for the holidays and went with my parents to a catfish buffet (east Texas specialty LOL with Lake O the Pines in the area) and lemme tell you I was pretty sick. all the fried stuff was too much. I have the same problem sometimes with casseroles that have the full fat cream soups in them and even when my mom was alive and fixing her chicken and dumplings it got to where I couldn't handle too much of the rich dumplings- they were so heavy it felt like.

    congrats on being finalists - I have to admit I hven't read any of the 3 books yet though I have been on an Irene Hannon kick lately (ducking) but I did buy yours but think it's on my nook and I usually use the kindle..will have to hunt it up now and add Tina's. I didn't realize Tina was still writing with love inspired- thought she was doing the independent stuff now and I've pretty much kept up with those I think- and really liked them!
    Susanna

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    1. Susanna, you would love both of these books, I promise. And I just got the classic summer editions of Irene Hannon/Brenda Minton and Linda Goodnight from Reader Service on Harlequin, and I can't wait to read them!!!!

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    2. OOoo, Susanna, now you've got me craving some fried catfish. YUM!

      Irene is actually a triple Carol finalist, once in Short Novel and twice in Romantic Suspense. Amazing.

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    3. Yes. I try not to focus on that. It's an honor being nominated.

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    4. definitely an honor! I haven't read Irene's suspense ones - I'm a wimp with too much suspense though I can handle it every now and then. just glad there's a lot of good authors now LOL!
      Susanna

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  2. What exciting news!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm cheering for y'all from waaaayyyy up here!!!! I have read all three books -- I wouldn't want to be the final judge! So excited for you both.

    Love the idea of a cupcake bar. We had a cupcake tearoom in my neighbourhood but it was a dismal failure which surprised me. Gourment cupcakes of a wide variety and all sorts of tea (and other drinks as well). What's not to love? Guess they just didn't get the volume they needed to pay the rent.

    Interesting how your tastebuds have changed. I bet you can adapt recipes to make something 'decadent' without all that sugar. Check out some vegan recipes maybe? They generally use way less sugar and you still have that satisfied feeling of savoring a treat.

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    1. Vegan recipes? Me? Lady Kav, you need to email me. I think we need to chat. I'm serious, now. And it's not to scold you about the vegan thing. If you don't know how to contact me, let me know.

      I love tea rooms. I love tea. Your cupcake tearoom reminds me of something the heroine is doing in my WIP.

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  3. Whoohooo!!! That is awesome! I think I entered the Carols on year. At least, I remember shipping books somewhere. That is super exciting news an a huge award! Congratulations!!

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    1. Thanks, Virginia. And I remember you entering, because it was me you sent the books to. :)

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    2. Oh, that's right! You were the coordinator! OK, that explains why your address is in my list every time I order from Amazon. I always think that's just a bit odd, as if Amazon really wants me to send you a gift.

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    3. They do, Virginia. As a matter of fact, they're begging you to send me a gift. :P

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    4. Well, since the last thing I ordered was an extension for the Tahoe's trailer hitch, I think you may need to have a chat with Amazon. I figured you for more of a girly-girl.

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  4. SQUEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! So excited for both o' youse, I'm all over this like white-on-rice!!!!! :) YIPPEE KI YI YAY from cowboy author Ruthy!

    This is delightful, I think I saw a pic of a cupcake in there somewhere, but I didn't care about food, just about singing your praises, ladies!!!! Happy dancing for you!

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    1. Ruthy, I think we need to shove the tables out of the way, throw down a little sawdust and turn the café into a dance hall for today. What do you say?

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    2. I'm in for dancing!!!!! Bring on the music!!!!!

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    3. Celebrate good times, come on.... (Wishing I knew how to insert musical notes)

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  5. Cupcakes for all. Actually Mindy, our books' locales are even close to each other. Yours is in the Ouray area and mine in the Del Norte area. San DeCristo Mountains in the background.Now how strange is that?????

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    1. Not strange at all. Great minds, Tina. Great minds. :-D

      I'll be heading back to Ouray soon for some more research. Sure wish you could join me.

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    2. Seriously, I'd kill to be able to join you. :)

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    3. Who do you want dead, honey? A good friend helps you hide the body...

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    4. Leave it to Ruthy to be that friend. :P

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    5. She worries me.

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  6. Big congrats to you Mindy on both accomplishments! I can't imagine being rid of the sugar craving...good for you!

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    1. Thanks, Piper. I never thought I could do without sugar, so I've amazed myself. And I feel a whole lot better for it.

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  7. It's going to be so much fun at conference this year, hangin' out with the award finalists and cheering when the winners are announced :)

    Ah, the no sugar thing. I haven't been as disciplined as you have Mindy. Sugar slips into my diet every once in a while....or more often some weeks. But this week so far (two whole days) I've gone without it completely and haven't missed it. We'll see if I can make it to the end of the week!

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    1. Jan, conference is always fun. Though I've never had my own cheering section before. :P

      Girl, you can do this. You HAVE done this. And if it weren't for you, I'd still be a sugar junkie. My real challenge is going to be when I pass Mouse's Chocolates in Ouray. Hmm...I bet they have some sugar free stuff. Nah. A dark chocolate truffle isn't that sweet. Or is it? Guess I'll have to let you know.

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    2. watch out for the sugar free stuff - some of it can really mess with your system - gas! :-( found out the hard (embarrassing) way :-(

      Susanna

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  8. Yeee Haw!!! (That's Texas speak, isn't it??) : )

    I'm so excited for you and Tina!!! Congrats to both!

    Now, I want one of those cupcakes! I'm sure it won't be too sweet for me, so go ahead and send me your other half. :)

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    1. Missy, it ain't one bit too sweet for my likin', either! :) Pass the cupcakes and fire up the music!

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    2. No W, Missy. Just "Yeeeee-haa!"

      Ooo, I'm hearin' me a little bit of George Strait. "Amarillo by mornin', up from San Antone..."

      Here's another plate of cupcakes. :)

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  9. YAY....CONGRATS to Mindy and Tina! I've read both books and loved them!

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    1. Thank you, Jackie! I'm so glad you enjoyed the book!

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