Never underestimate the power of a group of moms with cupcakes

My headline today comes from today's Toronto Star editorial by Brandie Weikle. And it's absolutely true, though I know some dads baked, too. Our household contributed (what seemed like) a bajillion lemon-coconut cupcakes for Haiti, baked by me and rigorously tested by the kids, with Brian tackling the Herculean clean up (me + KitchenAid + bag of icing sugar = big white kaboom).

I'm very proud of the achievements of our little school community this weekend: Thanks to the incredible vision, energy and organization of our fearless leaders Susana Molinolo and Nancy Botelho, we raised $9,800 which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by CIDA, meaning that Medecins sans Frontieres has nearly $20,000 more to do its vital work in Haiti.

I cannot write about Haiti. It hurts. There are no words. But baking... that I can do, no matter how heavy my heart. I remember a friend telling me that "baking is the sixth stage of grieving," and I believe she was right. When I grieve, or people around me grieve, I pull out my grandmother's recipes and my flour tubs and get busy. So I'm so grateful to Susana and Nancy and all the other parents for giving me a meaningful way to channel my inner sad baker.