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