Saturday Scout's Note - Coming in Hot

Today’s Scout’s Note is arriving a bit later than usual because this morning was filled with something very important: celebrating my grandson’s 4th birthday. 💜

I made 48 lemon cupcakes for the party, and I had every intention of taking a beautiful photo to share… but between baking, frosting, packing, setting up, celebrating, chasing the moment, and soaking it all in, I have exactly zero photos.

The cupcakes got eaten. The four-year-old was thrilled. That's a complete record.

Because apparently, I was that busy.

So instead of cupcake pictures, I’ll be sharing the recipe — because honestly, the cupcakes were amazing, and that still deserves a proper spotlight. 🧁✨ This is the second time I've made this recipe, and they were specifically requested by my daughter-in-law. Call answered!

Now, this isn't my recipe. It's is a Lemon Cake from the Preppy Kitchen. Including the frosting, it uses 2 cups of butter, 1 cup of cream cheese, 3 eggs, 1 cup of buttermilk, and the juice and zest of 3 lemons. And IT . IS . DELICIOUS ! The testimonial? This is a crowd that doesn't usually eat sweets, much less cake, and the cake disappeared the first time and the second. Two people asked who made it so they could give compliments. It's perfect for the warm weather, and I really hope you enjoy it!

But my weekend isn't done yet! Tomorrow brings another big family moment: a baby shower for my nephew’s twins. Two tiny new lives on the way. Another celebration. Another gathering. Another reminder that some weekends are not about productivity, polish, or perfect posting schedules.

Some weekends are about showing up for the people we love.

Here's what I want to say about that, in case it's useful for any of you:

Family matters. Showing up for the people you love is one of the most important life skills there is, and it doesn't show up on any résumé. The skill of being present for a 4-year-old's birthday. The skill of celebrating someone else's joy at a baby shower. The skill of making 48 cupcakes when you could have ordered them.

And family doesn't only mean the people who share your DNA. Not everyone has easy or safe relationships with their birth family, and I want to honor that too. The family you choose, the people who show up for you and who you show up for, counts every bit as much. Family should be rooted in love, care, belonging, and the freedom to show up as your full self.

Chosen family is family. The cupcakes get made for whichever people are yours.

Whatever your family looks like, give it some time this weekend. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is close the laptop, put down the phone, frost the cupcakes, hug the people, celebrate the milestones, and be fully present.

I'll be back Sunday evening or Monday. The community will hold.

Start small. Try gently. Keep going.

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Saturday Scout's Note - Coming in Hot

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