"Grown up" is such an interesting concept. We hope and expect that somehow the days ticking over like numbers on the odometer magically confer on us wisdom, maturity, and self-restraint. But age and maturity don't necessarily go hand in hand.
My sister and I have sons the same age and one day when we were commiserating over our boys' childish ways and wondering whether or not they'd ever grow up, I came up with a list of characteristics that I thought are essential elements of maturity.
1) Impulse Control - Resisting the temptation to do something at the moment the idea occurs, just because it seems like a good idea.
2) Delayed Gratification - Realizing that "wanting" and "deserving" are two different things, and that sometimes you have to put off pleasure until work happens first.
3) Goal Setting - Planning long term for a desired outcome and breaking that outcome into achievable steps.
4) Initiative - The ability to see something that needs doing, and doing it without being asked.
When I saw this post by Peabody, I was smitten by her pictures and swooned over her description of the cake. I wanted it. Now. But I knew I had other things which were on my baking list, and I had no reason to bake cupcakes, and if I made them I'd just eat them, which wouldn't help my waistline at all.
The following day in the grocery store I saw strawberries. They jumped into my cart. I couldn't help it. They practically shouted out, "If you buy us, you can make Peabody's cake!" I'm surprised the other shoppers didn't turn around and stare.
I know I could have frozen the strawberries and used them later at a better time when I had an excuse for making cupcakes or when I fit into my jeans better. But I didn't. I baked the cupcakes, frosted them, and ate them (with some help from my family).
So viewed with an eye toward maturity, I'd say I'm a failure. No self-control, delayed gratification, or goal setting. At least not where cupcakes are concerned. But, I must say, I did take the initiative on baking those cupcakes. Points for that?
I guess I'll just go slouch off to the couch and watch Better Off Dead
again. Should I eat sugared cereal straight from the box? Nah, I've got some leftover frosting, so I could make more cupcakes....
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25 comments:
Oh sign me up for better off dead viewing with cup cakes! "It's a shame when people be throwing away a perfectly good white boy". Great classic lines. Also who can forget "I just thought it was in my better interest to go out with some one more popular, and who drives a better car..."
These cup cakes were NUMMY. I loved them. Make them again someday and I'll eat them all up for you.
slacking on the couch with cupcakaes sounds like an ideal way to spend the night lately!
I don't think you really qualify for a proper slacker. You are being way too hard on yourself!
You shopped, paid for it, baked it and then shared it. Not many 7 or 16 year olds would do that. You are way too mature in my book.
I was reading Alpineberry's blog just today and she had strawberry cupcakes featured a few posts back.
I thought they sounded so good. How funny to see you have done a strawberry cupcakes too!
I definitely want one now.
Since maybe the last 15 times I've opened cookbooks, I've started baking within an hour, I hardly think I'm qualified to comment.
But I will anyway: see have very immature I am.
Comment: I love you Lynn, your writing and your cupcakes!
Better Off Dead....now there is a damn good movie. I think I will just have to join you in slackerdom and bake up some cup cakes after I break out that dvd! Thanks for the inspiring idea.
yum!!! these look great! i love strawberry frosting!! i would not have been able to wait :)
omg you are so not a slacker! look at how gorgeous your cupcakes are!
Lynn, you are anything BUT a slacker - those cupcakes look divine to me!! :0)
Initiative. That's a good one.Give yourself a pat on the back for taking the initiative to make these killer cupcakes. I'm sure your family thanked you.
Hey! I resemble that remark.
OH, I wish I could do that slacking right now. (supposed to be working, so I guess blogging is slacking.) And, love better of dead.
You know what? Anyone who believes in delay gratification shouldn't be a baker. When we want something, we bake it right away!
Glad I found your blog, so cool!
Cheers,
cookie
I haven't given up hope that it'll all come in good time. But on the other hand, choosing between mature behaviour and cake isn't such a hard one, right..;-)
After spending an afternoon with 2 small children, I think being grown up is highly over-rated!
maturity is way overrated. i'm beginning to doubt that i'll ever really feel like a grown-up and that's all right with me. :)
meanwhile, these cupcakes are irresistble. why even bother trying to fight it?
Better off dead? What have I been missing? Besides you. I love your writing. Reading your blog is like having you around, but without getting to eat the treats.
Gorgeous cupcakes! A slacker could not make those!!!!
Two dollars, I want my two dollars! Tell me, was this a Fronch recipe, with Fronch dressing? Is it appropriate to serve with Perooo?
LOL, what a great movie to suck up beautiful cupcakes with. Pink - did Miss Muffin decide on the color?????
LOL- I just watched Better Off Dead the other day. "I want my two dollars". ;)
So glad you are failing at being grown up...cupcakes are more fun than being grown up.
Hee hee... But where would the FUN be in being all grown-up, mature, and impulse-denying? Making strawberry cupcakes sounds like a MUCH better option to me!
Alas, life's too short to have self-control! No, seriously, I really like your list. Those are all traits I hope to one day attain. These cupcakes look elegant and delicious.
Hmmm, reading your "essential elements of maturity" I have to say, I'm not very mature either, most the time! And I certainly am not mature when it comes to cupcakes. They look fabulous, and if I had some strawberries, I'd be putting them on my baking list right now! :)
those cupcakes are so cute! they would be perfect to take to a baby shower. unfortunately, no one in my family ever has babies haha i want to make them anyways though
Am I too late??
I've given up my blog for the time being, I dont have an oven or an operational kitchen at the mo either, but the book looks so desirable! So please do count me in if you still can...
The cupcakes look wonderful. I love the strawberries!
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