tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60089247484098357432024-02-19T07:44:11.060-08:00Ramblings Of LifeRamblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-35707071903412982412010-08-07T10:00:00.000-07:002010-08-07T10:00:00.306-07:00Sweet 16!<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">My daughter turned 16 this week. She didn't want a big fancy party (she's kinda like her Mom), just a few friends. But I asked her what she wanted for her cake. I made her the hippo cake last year (seen here in my <a href="http://ramblingjourney.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-new-year.html">New Year's</a> post) and she loved it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">She decided she wanted an Alice in Wonderland themed cake this year, so I set out looking up ideas. I knew I wanted to do buttercream instead of all fondant this time because, frankly, I'm a little obsessed with buttercream lately. I think it has to do with all the cake blogs I read on a daily basis. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I ended up going with a topsy-turvy style, 2 tiered cake. She requested her favorite colors for the frosting and I made up marshmallow fondant for the decorations. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">It took some time to make this cake. Making the fondant one day. Tinting the fondant and forming some of the decorations another day. I finished the decorations the 3rd day plus baked the cakes (Two 8 inch layers and two 6 inch layers). The day of the party I made the buttercream and put it all together. So, a few mini sessions over 3 days, plus a marathon morning the day of the party. (I think I work best under pressure!)</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since I'm not at all experienced in this area and I haven't made a lot of what I call 'fancy cakes', I've made mental notes of the little mistakes I made with this cake to do differently the next time around. Hopefully with each passing birthday I'll keep getting better--plus my husband gave me a Wilton class for <em>my</em> birthday that I still need to sign up for!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ok, enough talking. On to the pictures: </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtxN9wBv2AHg4XQnA_LlU4Kyb5LO73ghuu1DAktt8yKY-LExF4LJ6sL9lB4-ihCVjlOkgnSlYlDRoOkeTsez67duaGDmY1H3OT4a8MBGetik2wezZcANS3JZHcFoRjZkfIH3woEnHKgiL/s1600/DSC_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtxN9wBv2AHg4XQnA_LlU4Kyb5LO73ghuu1DAktt8yKY-LExF4LJ6sL9lB4-ihCVjlOkgnSlYlDRoOkeTsez67duaGDmY1H3OT4a8MBGetik2wezZcANS3JZHcFoRjZkfIH3woEnHKgiL/s400/DSC_0614.JPG" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAY_0dHD2sNss7BKBlZgdQ9oTyXcbHmxvZbc1_9v_HZ90eNHvs6dYm0Zz-T9lvjsl-fwkeHjIpC6hVa84wO7FAPkD2kFmBMv0duFXtz1nUt-rlzSGCO09sMrdHE_RScToK_EkiaXGfhRVP/s1600/DSC_0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAY_0dHD2sNss7BKBlZgdQ9oTyXcbHmxvZbc1_9v_HZ90eNHvs6dYm0Zz-T9lvjsl-fwkeHjIpC6hVa84wO7FAPkD2kFmBMv0duFXtz1nUt-rlzSGCO09sMrdHE_RScToK_EkiaXGfhRVP/s400/DSC_0616.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MtwRPMcavCC2B6L01YYZPdijktdvSbwNCnd3xrcNkyQ9kr_Q1yT7vJIhaICZoEA1oWBAdi7FiWUUTmquaxBIjfbzoj0319J2WM6-ELaJKRwL7aeXEnr49zGLNQrgOOkquMeTNiG5xg1X/s1600/DSC_0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MtwRPMcavCC2B6L01YYZPdijktdvSbwNCnd3xrcNkyQ9kr_Q1yT7vJIhaICZoEA1oWBAdi7FiWUUTmquaxBIjfbzoj0319J2WM6-ELaJKRwL7aeXEnr49zGLNQrgOOkquMeTNiG5xg1X/s400/DSC_0618.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_iysH61FC1STsmQIXnbBMDUszcWY06xFijT_5Q588m8IHRlC4EMZYlJ9wtiQN3oHySLBtmjCCw6UNvtVXqPSqAZ8ikjAWZy8MAOtbgsNTQ12_0Hd0H2KSfYdpw5QhsDxhDHxnqbXpVU3/s1600/IMG_3366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_iysH61FC1STsmQIXnbBMDUszcWY06xFijT_5Q588m8IHRlC4EMZYlJ9wtiQN3oHySLBtmjCCw6UNvtVXqPSqAZ8ikjAWZy8MAOtbgsNTQ12_0Hd0H2KSfYdpw5QhsDxhDHxnqbXpVU3/s400/IMG_3366.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-70304475832251189402010-07-30T15:30:00.000-07:002010-07-30T15:32:01.090-07:005 Question Friday!<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today's post is brought to you by 5 Question Friday, hosted by </span><a href="http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I discovered 5QF over at </span><a href="http://katesworldbykate.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://katesworldbykate.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've never done a 5QF before, but here goes...</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it?</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I sure do! I have a walking Mickey Mouse doll that I remember playing with a lot as a kid. He has rubber hands that you squeeze alternately and it makes his legs 'walk'. He's a little worse for wear, so he probably isn't 'worth' much but he's priceless to me.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>2. Do you dream in color?</strong></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think so? I don't often remember</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> my dreams, but I dreamed about making cakes last night and I remember that the cake had red on it. I also had trouble making a fondant soccer ball, but that's a black and white object, so I'm afraid that doesnt help answer the question.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller?</strong></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm 5'4" and I've always wished I was a little taller, around 5'6". Mostly for the clothes. I'm right at the higher end of the petite length pants and sometimes too short for regular length pants. It can be frustrating at times. I dont like shopping --but that may be another question for another friday =)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the guide on your GPS, who would it be?</strong></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh.. I dont like the GPS units. I yell at the lady who tells me what to do and where to go. BUT, if I could have it be anyone's voice?? That's an excellent question. First celeb voice that comes to mind is James Earl Jones. I think I'd have to be able to change it up though, just so I dont start randomly yelling at celebrities when I hear them start talking in a movie.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot?</strong></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> OH, I most defintely return it.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> That is a big pet peeve of mine when people leave them in random places. I have been known to return wayward carts left in the lot and straighten out the ones in the cart return when they arent pushed in and are spilling out into the parking lot. It's a very strange thing I've discovered about myself and I'm not that anal about other things.. I have no idea where it comes from.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;">And there you have it. The end of 5 Question Friday. Play along by going to </span><a href="http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="color: #274e13;"> and linking up your answers!</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Make it a great day! </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Angie</span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-31774936284133594952010-06-18T15:34:00.000-07:002010-06-18T15:34:07.421-07:00Oh My Ganache.<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday was Tony's 40th birthday. I asked him what kind of 'goody' he wanted me to make him. He's a chocoholic, so I assumed it would be something up that alley. He chose a chocolate cupcake that I make with buttercream frosting, but asked for a twist. He wanted the cupcakes filled with ganache. After I stopped beaming about him knowing a 'baking term' (just like he beams if I know a geek term), I got right to work.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span></span></div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The recipe I use for my cupcakes is a texas sheet cake. The same one </span><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Pioneer Woman</span></a><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> uses. I just fill the cupcake liners a little more than 2/3 full and bake between 18-20 minutes at 350.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYEO5QDreAdebub72z895rOBz5SZZmZZuGb4OVR_cRClUcP4BoMwgkRgrjU3Z1__vtWWeRN-g3pFqHY-zw5PFvjUEtaEpsXFLWyoKHEx43cJpFPcrHWamquqZRAzLIE2_JMyAUCfOo_GA/s1600/DSC_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="212" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYEO5QDreAdebub72z895rOBz5SZZmZZuGb4OVR_cRClUcP4BoMwgkRgrjU3Z1__vtWWeRN-g3pFqHY-zw5PFvjUEtaEpsXFLWyoKHEx43cJpFPcrHWamquqZRAzLIE2_JMyAUCfOo_GA/s320/DSC_0497.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a name='more'></a></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">After the cupcakes were fully cooled I hollowed out a center hole into the cupcakes. You can achieve this by using an apple corer, a paring knife, a skinny spoon like a grapefuit spoon, etc. My fancy gadget of choice was this funny little orange juicer we got as a freebie once. I twisted it in about 2/3 of the way down and pulled out the plug. It was perfect.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLLGQ9wszKGWwYTW6x7sSfk7IoNJo8D4OoS8Fsd5x-nK4fnCFXaK5upfrti31RaHfc16KJy3vPkpnRhQHTzU1wiAuuG4eovj9yg0ow6zRI7bJeU1ue5-5BuBNJh__Yjchxq4LdlqFLPSh/s1600/DSC_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLLGQ9wszKGWwYTW6x7sSfk7IoNJo8D4OoS8Fsd5x-nK4fnCFXaK5upfrti31RaHfc16KJy3vPkpnRhQHTzU1wiAuuG4eovj9yg0ow6zRI7bJeU1ue5-5BuBNJh__Yjchxq4LdlqFLPSh/s320/DSC_0501.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHhy4C2K5iAbNIYKhZRpFidfGSXpnvT5oKk08DOFesgm0JT-FfaBI3FpwKMDqbea1FuaL1d5T7X5dchfFD3-DXBo52rgMgph__HYTUJeCsFgWmUHw5k8qyb30x14Jn3nNDdLpvYQ8xTXh/s1600/DSC_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHhy4C2K5iAbNIYKhZRpFidfGSXpnvT5oKk08DOFesgm0JT-FfaBI3FpwKMDqbea1FuaL1d5T7X5dchfFD3-DXBo52rgMgph__HYTUJeCsFgWmUHw5k8qyb30x14Jn3nNDdLpvYQ8xTXh/s320/DSC_0502.JPG" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">After they were all hollowed out, I started making my ganache. I used</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 8 oz of good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips (or your flavor preference)</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 2/3 cup heavy cream</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 2 Tbsp of butter. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Put the chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl, set aside.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">In small sauce pan, heat the cream until simmering (dont scald)</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pour hot cream over the chips in the bowl, let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Add butter, stir until combined. If the chips dont melt all the way, you can put the bowl over a sauce pan of boiling water and continue stirring until smooth.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let ganache sit until cool enough to transfer to a piping bag or squeeze bottle. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fill cupcakes.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5M86_Qd7aBR4XVR85d037kZTrvweF40wyX-jlyTJCtJK3yX2jPBfSlk6QtZyTae93uerkp-uAVQdFJpdKf0vgw6oCFR9bo6ETS_XVg54jsQADiHdxftohINvTW0YJY2AqW68xdkmAwvT/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5M86_Qd7aBR4XVR85d037kZTrvweF40wyX-jlyTJCtJK3yX2jPBfSlk6QtZyTae93uerkp-uAVQdFJpdKf0vgw6oCFR9bo6ETS_XVg54jsQADiHdxftohINvTW0YJY2AqW68xdkmAwvT/s320/DSC_0503.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I used a buttercream recipe that I got from Amanda at<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><a href="http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2010/02/heart-cake-tutorial.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;">i am baker</span></a> (scroll to find the Magnolia buttercream recipe).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The finished product:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwJna-8pbER4y4faKqPdTjkTpHqugIpQzgWUGuvqkH0sRdyysYITk_u_APnps0njNzSqc7rsszKDmJ2E9UNvkfDEoTj_VQt1BD_cGnAMOUVWLCsxBzssxXfOuHPNFC52W_Akvi6EBYInE/s1600/DSC_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-t2HJrQw-bmwm8wl1BrHcH-fN4zL4O510QzxLCC-744nyUim7h70mg2rJriDvcDdvr-ze_woorElXWVU-CNkq6ftwyxhrHPKbd9DrjOEwwuoClwId6NkbKJawpvOGM66X_nM9ZaVdLw3/s1600/DSC_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-t2HJrQw-bmwm8wl1BrHcH-fN4zL4O510QzxLCC-744nyUim7h70mg2rJriDvcDdvr-ze_woorElXWVU-CNkq6ftwyxhrHPKbd9DrjOEwwuoClwId6NkbKJawpvOGM66X_nM9ZaVdLw3/s320/DSC_0505.JPG" /></span></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">My next project this weekend for our Father's Day/June Birthdays Celebration with the whole family (think: Big Fat Greek Wedding) is a repeat of these cupcakes, but I'm also going to try a peanut butter version using Reeses PB chips for the ganache and a peanut butter frosting. I hope they turn out as good as they sound! </span></div>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-78056318435835950422010-04-18T14:52:00.000-07:002010-04-18T15:22:30.895-07:00The Pioneer Woman<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I got to meet Ree Drummond last night. What a wonderfully exhausting day it was! I started out with the intention of leaving my house at 2pm for a 60mile drive north for her cook book signing. It should have taken me just over an hour or so to get there. I left later than I wanted to, because I had to get things together for my son to attend a sleepover. But finally on my way, nearly halfway there, I hit a wall of traffic. There was an accident on the freeway and it took me over 30 minutes to go just over a mile to pass the accident and finally pick up speed again. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I got to the book store around 4:45 and got my ticket for my signing group. I was in group "I". They were calling us in groups to avoid one huge horrendous line.. very smart in my opinion. I've never been to a book signing so I wasnt sure how it would work. This was lovely. So I set up camp and found a clearing in the shelves where I could see her signing table and waited for her arrival. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here she is with her oldest daughter, a beauty just like her mother, right after they arrived, around 5pm. She apologized for being late but it was less than 5 minutes.. that's not late in my book. =D (sorry for the grainy pic, I was zoomed and accidentally used my flash).</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the rest of the evening I passed the time by reading a book, going over to the grocery store to buy lotion for my very dry hands, sitting in my car, browsing books in the store, reading some cook books in the food section and stalking Ree between the shelves while she signed for the earlier groups:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3H2ZT_DOQ3-3nTV80Wm0r2BkbyR8R4MnsYAE2Xeq7wDBnqrydVgwlmgsQrQfKOWILE5JFC5gKLPnofaoHMHAWo2-bBbFgu7ozJI2x6JroPB3Id5quHtYMSIczxIKesKgT7PcFm3k3lag/s1600/IMG_2955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3H2ZT_DOQ3-3nTV80Wm0r2BkbyR8R4MnsYAE2Xeq7wDBnqrydVgwlmgsQrQfKOWILE5JFC5gKLPnofaoHMHAWo2-bBbFgu7ozJI2x6JroPB3Id5quHtYMSIczxIKesKgT7PcFm3k3lag/s400/IMG_2955.JPG" width="300" wt="true" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finally, at 9:30pm, they called my group to line up. I was really excited to be meeting someone I admire, who, although now an 'uber celeb', seems and <strong><em>IS</em></strong> so down to earth and 'normal'. Surprisingly, I wasnt nervous. All day I'd been thinking of something to say to her when I got up there. I knew I had to keep it short but some of the things I toyed with were: telling her how wonderful the book is; gushing about how wonderful she is; saying how her book has made me a much better cook - just ask my husband!; Asking her how she liked Seattle so far and if she was going to be able to do much sight seeing before she had to leave, etc etc etc... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I finally made it to the front. Here she is signing for the girl before me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm next! Here we are at 10:15pm:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAFnwjrjqSojbOgJy0u8Lv9hI0VQVbpqJpTgnAnYg259KWPaAK3tWrwILqQBtXuKFojAnYQaeJqLTmtDGsGQFGtRJxFnp5UVnIu5UnvFcByAEiG85WmtLHZ-k5YvCe_hixzua1AgYuEzd/s1600/Ree+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAFnwjrjqSojbOgJy0u8Lv9hI0VQVbpqJpTgnAnYg259KWPaAK3tWrwILqQBtXuKFojAnYQaeJqLTmtDGsGQFGtRJxFnp5UVnIu5UnvFcByAEiG85WmtLHZ-k5YvCe_hixzua1AgYuEzd/s400/Ree+copy.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Which witty or poignant statement in my arsenal did I end up going with, you ask??</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nothing. That's right, nothing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I still didnt 'feel' nervous but I got up there and she smiled very sweetly and said Hi! So I said Hi! She started to sign the book and I knelt down next to her for a photo. She said 'Thank you for being so patient' and I replied. "Sure!" I'd been reduced to single syllable answers. Thank God I had enough in me to look her in the eyes and reply with enthusiasm 'Thank you SO much!' And then I was on my way out. This is 100% me. I've never been one to initiate conversation with someone I don't know, despite reading her blog daily and feeling like I know her and could easily call her a friend. That's just me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, by this time, 10:20pm, the store was closed and the only people left were the last 2 groups in line and a handful of employees. I made my way to my car and drove the 60 miles home, exhausted, contemplative and totally <em>without</em> regret. Sure, I wish I'd said one of the many things that came to mind, but I know who I am and I'm ok with that.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-63552285293669976132010-02-02T10:47:00.000-08:002010-02-02T10:47:05.217-08:00So Excited for Tonight!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW4bqLJ8Q_jQ5y-FLf1Qj-sx4y2FaQIq1L0xrlzhNbPzCtWco-cY7g7N9PhDMpsiTqdDqmMR_OhUIhA59AvxCgYKdj7i-_czegNXT-hQAlr7nLVwHTNlEF126S8-Yqjr6gSH7kSN4Wq0t/s1600-h/lost-season-six-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW4bqLJ8Q_jQ5y-FLf1Qj-sx4y2FaQIq1L0xrlzhNbPzCtWco-cY7g7N9PhDMpsiTqdDqmMR_OhUIhA59AvxCgYKdj7i-_czegNXT-hQAlr7nLVwHTNlEF126S8-Yqjr6gSH7kSN4Wq0t/s320/lost-season-six-poster.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tonight is the beginning of the end. It's bittersweet, but I've been waiting a long time for this. I can't wait to see what happens to my favorite characters and get the answers to the most important questions. But I hate to see it go away completely. However, I am really looking forward to rewatching the entire 6 seasons at least one more time after having all the answers. Then, I can mourn appropriately. =D</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tonight is also my youngest son's first violin concert. He was NOT excited about this at all. We've been able to calm his nerves some and now he's a little better about it. He's only been playing about 3 months and sounds pretty darn good to me. I'm probably biased, though. I'll post pictures later.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-4624823315414747052010-01-31T15:15:00.000-08:002010-01-31T15:15:11.206-08:00Happy New Year!<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Only a month late, right? So, here's some catching up:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have a new dog named Lucy. We got her on October 5th. She's just over a year old and the most wonderful dog anyone could ever ask for. She trains easily and amazes me with her loyalty and devotion every day. There is a lot to be said for 'Pound Puppies'. They seem to know that you rescued them. I swear to you, she smiles! In less than 4 months now (and it was actually after less than a week) I can't imagine <strong><em>not</em></strong> having her in my life. I tell her that almost every day. =D</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I've been doing more cooking than I usually do. Well to clarify, more <em>new</em> cooking. I cook every day, mundane, 'same old-same old' kind of cooking but now I'm looking up more recipes, trying new things and using new techniques. Nothing fancy, mind you. I'm not that adventurous!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">For Christmas I got a cast iron enameled dutch oven and a new cook book: The Pioneer Woman cooks! Excellent source for good food, tips and tricks. I also love her website and the Tasty Kitchen website. That book and those websites are my staples in the kitchen now. I usually have the book open or the laptop on the counter when I'm making dinner. I'm one of those people who usually needs a recipe and I tend to follow it pretty near to the letter, at least the very first time I attempt it. (Is that typeA?) </span><br />
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</div><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another thing I've been obsessed with is baking and or 'caking'. I havent actually done anything fancy except my daughters fondant hippo cake. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMr5HtsvJg2TxfK_vYAKoI0A71_xf1ZD2gd3KeozxQ0vXjrUL4d-tFbh6sgnKzLlD9PtPLguqiTfBq93sdWi8Hkwfzapg0Q-EDa170KZAPKvQQY6f2ZVsR562wd7QoWq-Oi4qdLmXXxwgn/s1600-h/hippo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMr5HtsvJg2TxfK_vYAKoI0A71_xf1ZD2gd3KeozxQ0vXjrUL4d-tFbh6sgnKzLlD9PtPLguqiTfBq93sdWi8Hkwfzapg0Q-EDa170KZAPKvQQY6f2ZVsR562wd7QoWq-Oi4qdLmXXxwgn/s320/hippo.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">But I really want to take a Wilton decorating class. I've made cake pops (see </span><a href="http://bakerella.com/"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">bakerella.com</span></a><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">) and those are a blast and I've bought a lot of cake decorating gadgets to make cakes someday. I mostly use the tips to decorate Christmas cookies. I have 4 kids, I really need to put those gadgets to good use and make birthday cakes, darn it! =D I love the look of fondant, but not everyone is a fan of the taste. I really like buttercream and would love to learn how to work with it, even if I use fondant for accent pieces. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">So that's life here for now. Got a busy week coming up with music concerts, sports practices, Season 6 of LOST starting (Yay!) and of course Super Bowl. Hopefully I'll have another update before the next decade starts. Till then.....</span><br />
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</div>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-38520514042344886532009-09-10T16:56:00.000-07:002009-09-10T17:01:17.311-07:00First Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We went to First Beach in La Push, WA. It's absolutely beautiful there. We took an end of summer <em>Twilight</em> tour of Forks and La Push, just me and the kids and my daughter's friend. We had a lot of fun!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will post highlights of the trip at a later date. For now, I'll leave you with this beautiful shot of the beach.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyOCOwWU92AUybJQNd_f9iEYUTi18gcg8gT8BvngCAjXjUbV98KriVM3LwnNJ_7Z4x-bjP-B-fJRjr3zzsltL4hm0Cer1NEqP-8ewPQ3Euh8fAsucNBFtpcb3hsR7ty6-xYRiqSQk7XfW/s1600-h/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyOCOwWU92AUybJQNd_f9iEYUTi18gcg8gT8BvngCAjXjUbV98KriVM3LwnNJ_7Z4x-bjP-B-fJRjr3zzsltL4hm0Cer1NEqP-8ewPQ3Euh8fAsucNBFtpcb3hsR7ty6-xYRiqSQk7XfW/s320/IMG_1216.JPG" /></a></div>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-85917189968923175342009-07-10T19:26:00.001-07:002009-07-15T17:38:08.259-07:00Wow<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Has it seriously been since before our trip to California that I last wrote anything here? I have no excuse. Summer is in full swing here. My oldest will be 20 years old next week! When did THAT happen?? Next month is also my 20 year HS reunion.. yes you can do the math there. =) We also have Alex and Jake's birthdays on Aug. 4th and 5th. They will be 15 and 12. Come January, I wont have anymore children in single digits. Wow.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;">A lot has gone on or is going to happen in the near future.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">We have a wedding to attend in 2 weeks and the next day we have a big post wedding reception for another couple. They had a small ceremony before he got sent to Iraq. Now that he's home they are having the celebration. It's also the dedication for their new baby girl! </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">We put a cover over our back deck last month. What a difference. Our back yard is northern exposure but the sun is on the back yard all day long and the setting sun in the west is pretty gruelling until it hits the tree line. This cover lets us use our deck so much more now. We also built a fire pit in the yard for a fun summer twist. We've only used it a few times so far, but it's been nice and looks good out there. Who doesnt love a good weenie roast and S'more-a-thon? </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">This next school year is bringing lots of changes for the kids. Alex will be up at the HS, and she's really excited about it. She's taking French this year, that should be fun! Jake will be at the Jr. High, taking lots of hard classes. Sam will be at the newly built Elementary school. We're excited to see it at the open house, it sounds like it will be a really nice school!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;">Till next time; whenever that may be......</span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-22005441592296711452009-03-16T08:39:00.000-07:002009-03-16T09:06:12.996-07:00Weekend and Vacation Ramblings...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I'm so excited! Only 9 days until our Disney trip. I want to have a clean house when we leave so I dont come back from vacation and have to do a bunch of work. I expect to have laundry but the rest I'd rather ease into. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">We had a pretty good time this past weekend. Saturday was a very busy day. Alex had a choir ensemble contest. It was 3 girls singing a beautiful song in another language. I need to ask her what language it was, it was very beautiful. They got a 1- for their score. A 1 is perfect and lets you qualify for State. I'm not sure they'll get there with the minus but it's still a great score and I guess I cant say it enough, they sang beautifully! </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">From there we headed over to a fundraiser for a coworker of Tony's. It was at a Glow mini-golf center. We had a good time, it was really neat in there. It was pretty weird seeing the fuzz on your shirt, that you didnt even know was there in regular light, show up like you just washed your sweater with a Kleenex! LOL. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">There are three 18 hole courses inside. We had the time and sanity to do 2 of them. Tony and I bet each other for Holes in One. I got the first one.... and the second one..... oh yeah, and he didnt get ANY. So guess what? That's right, he's making dinner tonight! Woohoo. He even offered me a double or nothing bet after my first one but I was too scared I'd lose! I'm soooo not a gambler. =)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">So from there, we had to get Jake to a swim/birthday party. All of these places were pretty far apart and not near home. We dropped Jake off and the 4 of us (Me, Tony, Alex and Sam) went to Red Robin for dinner. We still had time to kill before the party was over, so we walked around Borders for a while and picked up some new Calvin and Hobbes books. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">So we finally made it home around 7:30. A very long Saturday for us. And thankfully Sunday was a stay-in-your-pajamas-and-dont-shower-until-2 kinda day.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Now, I'm trying to fight a cold. I'm actually doing ok keeping it on the mild side with Airborne and Zicam (probably just jinxed it now...). And I'm sort of glad I got it now, getting it over with before our trip. The kids all had colds last week and the week before. I'm really hoping this is from them and not something new that they will now get from me (just in time for the trip...). </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Today I need start making my neurotic 'To Do' lists for this week and our trip. Plus my coffee grinder quit on me, so now I have to go out and find one of those, too. I had JUST enough ground coffee in my tub for half a pot. I have plenty of beans. Oh, and just so you know, a Kitchenaide food processor doesnt grind coffee beans.......</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-25994479729823110722009-03-01T08:26:00.000-08:002009-03-01T08:45:25.771-08:00Spring Things<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Wow, March 1st already?? Tony just got back from a 6 day trip to Phoenix for work. The kids were excellent for me while he was gone. I had such a hard time sleeping while he was away, though. I slept in until 9 his first day back! We all missed him SO much!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">As much as I love winter, at least the snow part of winter (which we dont get much of here, usually), I'm really excited for Spring! We've gotten teased (like we do every February) with a few, very pretty sunny days, making me want to throw open the windows and spring clean. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">My tulips are starting to emerge. I'm kind of excited about that, since they are my favorite flower and I just planted them this year. I hope they bloom. My last attempt a few years ago were duds. I think I got 2 blooms out of all of them, the rest were just the leaves. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">We are soooo excited, we are taking the kids to Disneyland for spring break! We'll be there for 8 days. It's been 4 years since our last trip. It was a great trip but with the kids all being that much older now, I think it will be even more fun. Plus, before, it was their first trip there ever. They have memories of things they liked now, so it's nostalgic for them, like it is for Tony and me. Emilee isnt able to come with us because of her work and college schedule. I feel bad leaving her but she seemed to be ok with it. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">I really need to get my iPod up and running. I got Emilee's hand-me-down when she replaced hers with a better version. It will replace my 'old school' Shuffle. I think that will be my goal today. Off to find the cord.....</span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-57225988931316242462009-01-28T19:08:00.000-08:002009-01-28T19:21:54.544-08:00In sickness and in cars....<span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Well, Sam's strep got better with a 10 day course of antibiotics. He had his Pirate birthday party that went rather well considering we had 9 kids here ages 8-11; mostly boys.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Unfortunately about 3 days after he was done with his medicine, he got a new fever and swollen tonsils. We went back to the doctor that day and they gave him a new (different) antibiotic. She said it was definitely tonsillitis and she could do the swab to recheck for strep, but since she said she would treat him with the same medicine either way, I didn't put him through that painful step.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So now we wait. He has his yearly 'well child' (hopefully) check up on Tuesday and we'll see how he looks then. Hopefully this is the last of it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In other news, we're thinking about buying a new car. We have a van now that isn't in terrible condition but we've had it 5 years and we'd really like something else. With my oldest 19 and driving herself everywhere anyway she never rides with us anywhere. We don't need 7 seats anymore. We've decided we really like the Jeep Liberty. Tony and I test drove it today and we both love it. So, we'll see.</span></span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-66073399556511014432009-01-12T14:25:00.000-08:002009-01-12T14:38:28.279-08:00January Updates:<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">My little guy is sick. Well he isnt so little anymore. He'll be nine on Wednesday. NINE? It cant be possible. He was just born in 2000.. has it really been 9 years?? </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Well now he has strep. Home from school, miserable. He seemed a little better this morning before we went to the doctor but I knew the ibuprofin was keeping his fever down and knew better than to second guess it. About an hour after we got home, he was in tears with how bad his throat hurt. It's been hurting since yesterday but this was the worst he's felt it. Thank God he has the antibiotics started so he can get some relief soon. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">We had a good set of holidays. Thanksgiving was yummy, as always. Got to see family we only see twice a year, had a nice visit with everyone. Christmas was a little different this year. We got so much snow and ice right before, so some of the family wasnt able to make it down to the in laws. It was a very quiet Christmas but special all the same. We had a big New Years party at our house and all the family that couldnt come at Christmas made it down for that. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">The New Years party was a blast. We had a wig party. Most everyone wore a wig or fashioned their hair in some fun way. LOL. There was a contest and we had 5 big winners. So much fun! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">So now the next 2 events are Sam's party this weekend. A pirate theme. We have a couple of games and a couple crafts planned. Hopefully he'll be back to his old bouncy self by then. After that is the Superbowl. Still not sure of the menu or how many people will be here. I dont think it will be as big as New Years, that was 31 people, I'm sure it will be a little less. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Gotta run check on Sam, till next time....</span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-11048043556854242222008-11-04T18:01:00.000-08:002008-11-04T18:13:06.161-08:00Latest from me<span style="font-size:130%;">Whew... it's been a while since I posted. I worked at the subbing job for 2 weeks. I did apply but the principal let all the applicants know that there were displaced employees that have first stab at the job, and if none of them wanted the position, then the process of hiring would start. But someone did take it, so I'm back at home. Not too broken up about it either. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Hubs and I are having a wonderful week together. He had a class last week that was far away so he was gone for 4 days and we missed him terribly. So now he's home and he doesnt go back to work until Thursday. So we've been spending time together just hanging out, catching up on our favorite shows from while he was gone and a little shopping (his favorite...not). He likes to play Warcraft so one of my favorite things to do in the evening is sit in his office with him. I'll use the laptop and get online (usually on Club Pogo, LOL) and we can catch up about the day or the kids and still take that time for ourselves relaxing with something fun.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So that's about it from here. I hope everyone was able to get out and vote!!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-15248392466541857542008-10-13T17:17:00.000-07:002008-10-13T17:33:45.493-07:00A little work update<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> <span style="color:#003333;">Today the school called about that subbing job. It took a while to get going because the girl who's leaving doesnt start at the new job until this Wednesday. They want me to start tomorrow to shadow her for a day so I know what I'm doing. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"> The job was posted for that position last week and I did apply. I weighed all the pros and cons and feel, at this time, it would be best for us financially and I am willing to commit to those hours through the end of the school year, then we'll reevaluate in June. The posting closes on Wednesday and I assume they will start on the interviews after that. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"> My dreaded fear.... the interview. I'm very self critical. I know everyone says this but I am one of those people that thinks of what I wanted to say WAY after I should've said it. And no matter how well I may do, I will rip apart the entire thing in my head for a couple of days after it. I'll think of all the ways I should have answered this question or that. It's annoying. I truly have anxiety whenever I think about it. I printed out sample interview questions for this line of work and have been writing things down so it's more commited to memory what I'd like to say. I feel it will help me keep the frame of mind I need. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"> The funny thing is, I know the people interviewing me, they were my bosses last year and very nice. This really shouldnt intimidate me at all, I think it's just that natural fear of public speaking and since I do know them, if I totally bomb and look like a fool, they are people I see on a weekly basis when I'm at the school for other things.. its not like I'm never going to see them again. </span><br /><span style="color:#003333;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> I'm rambing (as usual) but need to get these things out of my head. I just want the process to be over with.... yesterday!</span> </span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-26128608419921650632008-10-02T10:23:00.001-07:002008-10-02T10:38:15.172-07:00Tidbits<span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">It's interesting how things come and go. I mentioned that I got a new sub job that could work into more. Well I worked for 4 days... 4 long, exhausting, emotional days. I dont know if it was me not being used to working, the mental/physical stress of the job or a combination of both. On that 4th day, I was going to mention to my boss how taxing it was and that if the position became a permanent one, I probably wouldnt be applying for it and before I could, they came to me and said they couldnt get the district to pay for my subbing and they had to find someone internal who is already being paid to be there to do it. So I'm back at home for now, and I didnt have to burn any bridges in the process.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">They did call with another offer for a different subbing position working in the Resource room with small groups. It's probably a 7-10 day job until they hire someone permanent. I could apply. I'm weighing my options on it. It's the room I worked in before so I know everyone there. But it's more hours than I originally wanted. More hours means more money, yes.. I get that, and that would be great. But I'm trying to consider other things in my life as well. I really enjoyed working for 3-4 hrs before, getting home before anyone else and having time to do the things I need/want to do around the house. I dont like getting up and rushing around to get everyone out the door, including me, working the school day and coming home with everyone in tow and rushing to get homework and dinner done before collapsing at night and starting all over again. And still feeling like nothing got done at home. I've always been a homemaker. My heart is here, my thoughts are here. I know that the day to day grind is sometimes the only option people have. I've always been fortunate enough to be here most of the time without having to work or only having to work part time. SO basically the options I'm weighing are how I feel about getting into more hours and how I'll be as a mom/wife. I dont want to be naggy, griping and grumpy just to make a few more dollars at the end of the month. </span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-51500524882367422762008-09-24T20:40:00.000-07:002008-09-24T20:55:51.400-07:00New Job<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">I work in the education field as a paraeducator. I stopped working last spring when the student I worked one on one with moved to another state. I've been looking at job boards for the two nearest districts the past few weeks. I've been fortunate not be so desperate that I can be a little picky about what I'm looking for and what schools I'd want to choose from. My first choice is the school I worked at last year because it's also where my boys attend. Close to home and no schedule conflicts since its the same hours as them.<br /><br />Well that school called me yesterday and offered me a job! It was a nice surprise when the secretary called. She says... "Hi Angie, we were wondering if you wanted a job?" I said.."Well, yes, actually, what are we talking about?" It's only a temporary position for now. They need a one on one assistant for a kindergartner. He will be assessed fully Oct. 24th. After the assessment it will determine if he needs to go to an early primary class at another school, in which case my job would be over and I'll start looking again. Or he could be staying and just need an assistant to be with him all day where I would become full time again. I'm not sure yet which I would like to have happen.. I'll get back to you on that after I've worked with him for a week or so. LOL.<br /><br />This came at a very good time. We were just saying it may be time for me to step up my job search and branch out to other areas. This seems to be how my job opportunities have always come to me... just when I need them to, with little effort on my part. I'm not bragging, I'm just very thankful!!</span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-44882964067666293512008-09-23T16:33:00.000-07:002008-09-24T20:22:03.639-07:00The land of coffee and lattes<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">So, I got a bunch of Bed Bath and Beyond gift cards for my birthday back in May. My mom gave them to me for a new coffee pot since mine was so old, descaling was not an option anymore. After MUCH research, I finally settled on the Bunn with thermal carafe. I really like it. After my coupon and gift cards I still had money left over (yay me). So, yesterday I went and picked up a Krups espresso maker. Now I can make my own lattes too! (We've been trying to cut back on all things unneccessary, like Starbucks $4 lattes...). A friend of mine has this same machine and she is, admittedly, a little neurotic. She did all the figuring and found out at that making a latte at home costs only 75 cents!! That's using good coffee, milk and vanilla flavoring (or any flavoring, really). What a bargain compared to $4! Since the machine was practically free (I paid just over $9 after gc/coupon), it's a friggin' steal! I also like how cute and petite it is. It doesnt take up much counter space at all. It's sitting right next to the coffee pot and is <em>very</em> easy to use. (not making commercials today... just saying...)</span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-73908354908131380842008-09-16T11:13:00.000-07:002008-09-22T21:18:15.172-07:00Fall and Free Fair Fun!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Life has been going pretty well around here lately. The weather is still really nice, but I hear fall is around the corner. With the kids back in school, it's been pretty quiet all day long. Makes for a boring, but cleaner, house. Hubs and I are doing so well. Nothing more has come of his work situation. It was 'over' when I first posted the story on here, but I felt the need to get it out of my head at the time. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">I'm looking forward to tomorrow. My mom invited me to the fair. She had 2 free tickets and didnt want to go alone. We used to go all the time together since Hubs doesnt like going, he doesnt care for crowds too much. It's been a few years since I've gone. I'm not big on rides (except Disneyland, because face it, those arent rides, they are experiences!) but the food, the animals , the exhibits and even the 'infomercial style' vendors are so much fun! My favorite part, that I'm the most looking forward to, are the scones! It's tradition to get one first thing and get a bag to take home at the end of the day. My mouth is already watering! =D</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-7347532964038312442008-09-12T16:43:00.000-07:002008-09-17T22:17:50.283-07:00not just words<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">i am<br />calmed by his touch<br />comforted by his smile<br />entertained by his humor<br />safe in his presence<br />he is<br />lovingly honest<br />adoringly caring<br />faithfully passionate<br />forever on my mind<br />we are<br />ambitious dreamers<br />wholly devoted<br />truly committed<br />together forever</span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-57802808198743149022008-09-06T11:50:00.000-07:002010-02-01T19:46:32.934-08:00You can let go....<div align="left"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">I was bored this morning and flipping channels. I came across this video on CMT:</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #073763;"></span></div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=532jxGDRjGY"><span style="color: #073763;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=532jxGDRjGY</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">I lost my dad when I was 16. He died from an aggressive form of cancer. He was never able to walk me down the aisle, like in the song, but he did help me ride a bike and my heart did break many times seeing him in the hospital. This was over 20 years ago. I didnt go up to the hospital the last night, I dont remember why. My mom told me it was probably good that I didnt, since he had a far worse day than the day before, when I last saw him. I remember always praying he would get better; just a little bit longer, hold on, you can get through this. On that last night, I went to bed and finally prayed that if he needed to let go, please help him realize it was ok now. We got the phone call in the wee hours, that night. I knew what it was, as soon as I heard the ring. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">Now, I know I have no divine intervention and I dont pretend to be religiously spiritual. I have a relationship with God, I call myself a Christian. But I know, that one small prayer was more for me than anything else and it is something that I've taken with me all these years as a comfort and healing tool in getting over the loss of my father. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: 130%;">So to the writers of this song: Thank you. I've had a good cry and I've relived the old memories of the good days, for that, I'm grateful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: 130%;"></span></div>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008924748409835743.post-18473904619365535332008-09-05T10:28:00.000-07:002008-09-05T16:04:12.793-07:00beginning to ramble<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Well, here is my first post as a blogger. That's a corny opening. Whatever.<br /><br />I realized the other day (and many times on many other days) that I have a lot going on in my head. And sometimes, I need an outlet for these things. So, rather than bother my husband with my ramblings (to which he really doesnt mind, but I know he's got a lot on his own mind, he doesn't need my stuff in there too), I figured I'd vent it all here, for my sanity and his.<br /><br /><br />First order of business: If you like what you read or not, feel free to let me know, but please don't bash me. I have enough crap to deal with on a daily basis than to sit around and weed through hate mail. I can take criticism but I wont tolerate trash.<br /><br />With that being said, thanks for checking this out. :D</span>Ramblings Of Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596625343809410983noreply@blogger.com0