John is a seriously good cook. When he sets out to make gluten-free chocolate cupcakes for us to bring as the attractive alternative our children will eat at the birthday party, he looks in three different cookbooks, picks something researched and tested by Alton Brown or the scientific staff at Cook's, and then he carefully modifies to make it gluten-free.

It was Friday. John had to be at work all day, we were busy all Saturday morning, and the birthday party was Saturday afternoon. On the other hand, Rose was home semi-sick, so I wasn't going to be able to do my own work anyway. I suggested I make the cupcakes. John looked pained. I'm capable, really I am, but he didn't have time to find the recipe, explain how to modify it, etc. I suggested I get a mix. Everybody got happy.

I know mixes are more expensive than making it yourself and when you have a cook like John, not as good, but heavens to Betsy, they work really well. Rose and I went to the local food co-op, which, being in Seattle, has a large selection of gluten-free products. We got Pamela's rich decadent chocolate cake mix. Then after lunch, David and I made them. We made both regular size and cute mini cupcakes. They were, as advertised, rich chocolatey, and just perfect. David and I are so proud of ourselves. My new plan is to keep chocolate cake mix in stock as well as muffin mix and pancake mix. It's cooking lite, but it's still fun and yummy.