CUPCAKES AND CHAMPAGNE

Cupcakes and champagne what could be more decadent? These were the best cupcakes this gal ever made. A tender white cake, a raspberry center, and butter cream lemon frosting. My daughter went nuts over these cupcakes. I had to send the recipe I devised home with her. 
We two gals had a marvelous three days together. Friday the day Gina got here we stayed home. So we had the above mentioned shortly after she arrived. It was serendipity as she brought champagne and I  bought some also. We chatted non stop, we snacked, we watched video's of my grandchildren, her little ones in younger years. We listened to music, played with her new kindle fire hd and then my hubby was home to visit with Gina while I made the cauliflower soup and bread for dinner. Gina set the table festive and we had a candlelight dinner the three of us savoring deep bowls of creamy soup and munching and dunking crispy bread into our bowls.
The next morning my daughter and I were two very lazy gals. We finally got ourselves around and went downtown Eugene for lunch. We went into the Cornucopia pub for a glass of wine and wound up staying there to eat. We felt like pub grub and their food is very tasty. After a two hour lunch we wandered across the street to the 5th st Market Place and meandered through some charming shops. It was raining torrents, water was running down the streets.  We were trying to stay as dry as possible, laughing and squealing as we ran along the sidewalks side stepping puddles. 
That evening we had a simple dinner of munster and sharp cheddar cheese panini's with tomato slices tucked in. Such a good combination. The remaining days were similar.  We went out to lunch with my hubby one day.  One evening we looked through old memorabilia and photos laughing at ourselves in the old styles and hairdo's. We played games and cards and just had good fun with much love tucked in.
When she drove away I was standing at the window and swallowing the lump in my throat that always forms when she leaves.
The house was so quiet the laughter and chatter no longer echoing through the rooms.
She brings such warmth and happiness when she comes through the door, it is hard to let her go.

We have rain or showers or whatever you want to call it now in Eugene but sadly I heard on the weather cast last night the fog will be returning tomorrow. I have not cared for this winter one bit. To many gloomy days.

Today is a busy one for me. I need to catch up on household duties of which there are many. I am also going to get in a walk between showers.
Now I am going to get a steak stew going in the slow cooker and will make either biscuits or cornbread to go with that this evening.
I will leave you now.......till later.