Birthday Cupcakes for a Muffin

By Guest Blogger:  Carol Kain

          Last night I got home from work and started to make cupcakes. My husband tried to persuade me to just relax and forget making the cupcakes, it was late and my day had been busy enough. I looked at him and never had to say a word, he knew I would be making cupcakes; they were birthday cupcakes, needed the very next morning. Over the years, I’ve made many cupcakes late at night for events the next day. My children are both young adults now, so these cupcakes weren’t for classmates at school. However, these cupcakes were going to an elementary school for a celebration.  This batch of cupcakes was being made to celebrate the birthday of a co-worker. We work together assessing reading levels for elementary students. Her birthday happened to fall on a “work” day this year, so that called for cupcakes at lunch for the testing team.

Margie, Adelle, Carol, Ginny, Susy, and seated in the center, Sunny our fearless DIBELS leader.

          This co-worker is my dear friend, Laura. Several years ago, we had discussed how people are very similar to baked goods. Bakeries have big display cases with all sorts of wonderful items. The treats that get front billing in the case are always the pretty, beautifully decorated delicacies. The éclairs, turnovers, fruit tarts, and of course the frosted cupcakes. All tempting and delicious. Bakeries also offer items that have much more substance. Wonderful bread, quick breads, and muffins. These items aren’t as eye catching, but are equally delicious and more fortifying. We have decided that we are both muffins. Muffins aren’t up in the front getting all the attention. They aren’t frosted or decorated. They are scrumptious and versatile.  Muffins are good any time of day. They go great with coffee in the morning, they are a nice addition to soup or salad at lunch, they make a wonderful afternoon snack, and they even can be enjoyed as dessert. Everybody likes a good muffin. They don’t need to be in the front of the case because people that want a muffin will look past the fluffy, sugary, tempting treats to find the perfect muffin.

Laura and Carol, two muffins on Shop Hop in Seattle.

          As friends go, muffin friends are the best. Laura is my muffin friend. We met when our oldest children were in first grade. My son, Tyler, was injured while riding his bike and spent a few days in the hospital. Laura’s son, Johnny, insisted that his mom locate his “lost” friend who was suddenly missing from school. Laura and Johnny showed up at the hospital. Tyler immediately perked up at the sight of his buddy.  Laura and I introduced ourselves and have never looked back. Those boys are now 22 years old. We have shared many good times, boosted each other in tough times, gotten into a good amount of predicaments together, laughed, cried, talked, and listened.         

          Muffins, like friends, get better and more interesting when you add ingredients. There is nothing better than biting into a muffin and getting an unexpected nut, piece of fruit, or chocolate chip. You can’t see what’s in a muffin by looking at it, the best parts are usually hidden within.

          This is why the cupcakes had to be baked. They are sitting on the kitchen counter in all their frosted glory. They will be pretty and perky for the celebration. I made the cupcakes because I know that once they are gone and forgotten, I’ll be the lucky one. I’ll still have a muffin.

          Happy Birthday, Laura.

Laura Keolanui Stark is a muffin who loved her birthday cupcakes. She had a great birthday filled with good friends and family, and all their good wishes. Thanks everybody, especially fellow muffins: Carol , and Penny who first shared the Muffin Classification Theory with me when we were in China. Laura can be reached at stark.laura.k@gmail.com.