2 Cakes and a Prize

I made cupcakes for my last class because I thought it would be less time consuming. I was sure wrong about that. My oven decided to turn itself off in the middle of baking and I didn't realize it until much later I just figured they were cooking really slow (just a bottle brunette). Once I got that all worked out I put in the second batch which came out much better. However, icing the damn things was very precarious. I will grant that my icing consistency wasn't right but it was very hard to get that icing to stay on the cupcake and take the cupcake with it. Anyway we learned how to make clowns which I wasn't very excited about but they turned out pretty cute. (The head is plastic)

We also learned how to do these cute flowers which I incorporated onto a cake I made for my friend's birthday last night. Man that was an arduous night too. My first cake bubbled up way to much that after leveling it only left me with about an inch and a half of usable cake so I rushed out and bought another cake mix and another pan and did another cake using two round pans. This allowed me to make a three-layered cake. Then the icing of the cake began. I haven't quite perfected this yet. I don't think I scrape enough icing off and so some hours later it's too heavy to stick to the cake and it bubbles out until I push it back in with a spatula. This one was doing that a lot. The writing was difficult and not what I had planned but it's not too bad and my flowers are pretty cute I think. And I did this one all my own.

I was feeling pretty blah today: could be that I woke up late or could be that the time of the month started today. Actually, I'm not loving my outfit choice but I only had half an hour. I've been wearing black nylons all week: could be that they are warmer or could be that I haven't had time to shave my legs in the last 2 or 5 days. Basically the only skirts I have (you all know that I have to wear skirts to work everyday) that would go with black nylons are black skirts or mostly black skirts, but I felt I had exhausted that avenue and I wanted to try something new. Black and brown go together now. I have seen it done. So I decided to do a black sweater top with dark green collared shirt underneath with a chocolate brown skirt, black nylons and brown shoes. I only had time to evaluate my look for a minute and called it good, oh did I mention my hair is in a bun and I have virtually no make-up on-it's left over from yesterday. I think the brown shoes was overboard but pretty much the whole outfit looks terrible to me. Luckily there is nobody to impress around here (well, there is one single, pretty cute guy here and luckily I haven't seen him all day).

So here is what perked up my day a little: I won shoes from here and I found another amazing blog. I've only read a few posts so far but I am already in love. I'm going to read from beginning to end because it is so enjoyable so far. That's only four years of posting. I'm sure I can find the time somewhere. (; Anyway check her out if you are so inclined: warning mostly for singles but I think you married folk will get a kick out of it too.

Still looking for someone who knows how to do a second sidebar. Booklogged where are you?!

I've Fallen Off the Wagon (and other things)

The Crown Burger Wagon that is. It has probably been about two months since I have eaten at crown burger which is just kitty corner to my office. But something drew me there this week and I've eaten there every day for lunch. I alternate between their cheeseburger combo and there chicken strips dinner. Oh it is so good. But I have every intention of getting back on the wagon for next week. I can't seem to kick an addiction for long. (not that I would call Crown Burger an addiction, mostly it's just fast food) I try for a while and do pretty good but I almost always break down. I like to call it short-term willpower. Anyway that is my guilty pleasure for this week.

Last night I went to watch Loralee record her first two songs for her album. It was really interesting watching the process. Her sister and I critiqued her a little to help out but mostly we just enjoyed listening to our favorite songs. And she used my guitar to record with because it is so nice (and in the best condition of all the guitars at the moment). I am her official roadie and Melanie is her financier. So my duties last night were to carry her Ukele, move her car and give her a back rub. You'd think I'd get a free c.d. out of this. I'm excited to get a c.d. of her stuff (which I will pay for, support the artist people). I don't get to hear some of her lesser known songs that much and I know she is putting some on there. Her newest song is called "What do you do when you've got two" or something like that. If any of you have tuned into the Loralee drama hour with me then you can guess what the song is about. I love it. It has become one of my favorites.

Last but not least y'all need to go see Waitress. It is fantastic and you pretty much can't help talking with a southern accent as you exit the building and drive home and the whole night until you go to bed. I speak from experience.

P.S. Can anyone tell me how to add a second sidebar to the left of my page? Thanks.

My First Decorated Cake

We decorated our first cake in class on Saturday. Being a perfectionist I didn't finish and had to finish at home. The night before I made my cake (vanilla from a box) and then made tons of icing. I iced the cake trying to get it as smooth as possible but it just wouldn't get perfectly smooth but it was still pretty good (I would go to say the smoothest in the class.) But it took a while to get it there. Julie and Alyson were good sports to watch me while I did it and made all the icing (they liked to taste test the icing as well). I was pretty exhausted by the time I was done. Then I stayed up talking until 4:00 but it wasn't hard to wake up the next morning to get ready for class. Taking the cake to class was worrisome. I was ever watchful to make sure it didn't slide around but on a few turns I had to rescue it and so I put a couple small dents in the icing but oh well.

We practiced making stars, rose bases, and writing. The teacher came and looked at my progress from time to time but not very often. She told me later that if I felt she was neglecting me it was only because she felt like I was really getting it and didn't need as much help but be sure to let her know if I needed any. I'm a star student! Okay here is the picture.
The reason it's a rainbow is because we needed to practice pattern tranfers and so she wanted some of us to do the rainbow that was provided in our book. My writing needs a little work but I'll just have to practice. It tasted pretty good too.

Some pics of the newborn

Letter to my new nephew

Dear Lincoln,

So you finally arrived yesterday (sorry it had to be on a day associated with a national tragedy) at 5:30. We haven't met yet, but I am really looking forward to it today. I am your Aunt Cassie (and I think it would be fun if we did the correct pronunciation, you know where it rhymes with launch), soon to be know as your favorite aunt. I hope we get along as my experience with children hasn't been that great but I expect to spoil you as long as you don't cry or be annoying. Is it a deal?

I already can see us playing together when you get a little older and your parents let me babysit. Of course I will have to drive a little since you will move to Logan here shortly, but I'll do it for you. I am so excited to see you. Welcome to your life.

Love,

Aunt Cassie

Last week I was in France...

Last week I decided to listen to just one artist on my Ipod which is unusual for me since I am almost always in shuffle and skip mode. All day Saturday, I was listening to Edith Piaf, the french singer from the '40s. I love her voice so much. The next morning I to had to be at church early for a meeting (7:45). Normally, I would turn my radio to the "Soft Sounds of Sunday" to get me into a spiritual mood but I figured Edith's lovely voice would be just as fulfilling, even though she could be saying any number of vile things (I doubt it, her songs are too beautiful) and I wouldn't know it. Did I mention all her songs are sung in French? It was at the point in the morning where the sky is somewhat gray because the sun hasn't fully come out yet, definitely a sign of Fall. I was driving north on 900 east and while listening to Edith I imagined that I was driving in France on some road in a small city like I had seen on my visit last year (around this same time). There was a man on bike with a cart making a delivery of some kind and the trees lined both sides of the road. There weren't that many people on the road which added to the effect of my fantasy. I realize that Salt Lake is a far cry from France but at that moment I felt it and it was so wonderful.

This week I tried to recreate the effect by listening to Josh Groban sing Italian but it wasn't the same. It was later in the morning so the sun was up, Josh isn't really Italian and I had too much on my mind like going through every detail of the mingle I was planning for after church. I was a little sad and then realized that beautiful moments should be cherished and then filed into memory somewhere. Easier said then done.

Speaking of France, a girl at church had this little conversation with my roommate Loralee yesterday.

Girl: It's so nice of you to let Cassie borrow your necklace to wear.
Loralee: (in confusion) What? (then she looks over to where I am standing afar off)
Loralee: That's not my necklace, that's Cassie's.
Girl: Oh, I just thought it was something you would wear.

The necklace was the one I bought for myself in Paris, I was going to post a picture and then I forgot. Some of you have seen it. Is it wrong that I was a little offended?

Info on Cake Decorating Class

Okay for those of you Salt Lakers out there interested (Kristen) here is the information on the class. There is a schedule you can get at the Joann's on 5790 So. Redwood Rd. (just right off I-215 west). They have lots of different types of craft classes too. Specifically on the cake decorating there are three classes (beginning, intermediate and advanced) The classes are $30 plus supplies and are four, two hour sessions at various times. You need to sign up early because I guess they can fill up quickly. The next beginning class session starts September 18 and then it is every Tuesday night for the next four weeks from 6:00-8:00. The next time after that is Nov 20 on Tuesday nights as well. You can register there or over the phone. Their number is 982-7600. They do these classes every month but their schedule are just for the upcoming three months so if you can't make it this fall check out the winter and spring schedules.

So if anyone wants to get in on the Sept 18th class (Kristen) then you will be finished to join me in the intermediate class which starts Oct. 16. If you want to sign up I would check to see if they have discounts on classes. I was lucky enough to sign up when they were giving a discount on class prices and a discount on supplies. A tip my teacher gave was to look for coupons from Joann's to save on some of the more expensive supplies. Also, Joann's takes Michaels and Roberts coupons so look for those too. I have probably spent about $80-$90 (if not $100) on this class with more spending to come I'm sure but not as much. Our teacher warned that this was the most expensive class out of all three because you are gathering your supplies. So there you go. I would love for anyone to join me if you so choose.

First Day in Cake Decorating

I woke up earlier than I usually would for a Saturday because I had my first cake decorating class today. I drove out to Joann's in West Valley. I was a little early so I decided to glance through my student book to see what we would be learning today. Our teacher whose name was Kristen came in with a little Joann cart with her stuff. She is very cute. A typical young Utah mother, pretty and skinny. Of course someone like her would be teaching this class. Not only is she lovely she's talented too and extremely nice. She demonstrated how to make icing in the three basic consistencies and then she iced a cake. She showed us how to use our various icing bags and shortcuts for making the process easier. It was very interesting. I bought a few more items for next week's class. This is proving to be quite an expensive endeavor but I'm still really excited about it.

I decided to go to the store right then to pick up some items to make my own icing and practice a little.

It was pretty fun. I'm not sure my consistency in my icing was quite right and my coloring didn't work quite like I wanted but I will keep working on it. Next week I have to go to class with a cake completely iced to decorate. Should be fun. I think I need to make some sort of calendar to keep track of all my projects.

Don't Let the Craft Bug Bite!

It's too late for me, however. It has bitten and the venom is spreading through me. I'm sure it will eventually dilute but until then I must succumb to the illness. I would never have really called myself crafty (I wouldn't really call myself that now either). I guess I dabble and maybe that is what is happening now. I've made a couple quilts, cross-stitched, and even knitted, but now I am moving into sewing again. In fact, I just bought myself my very own sewing machine. It's nothing fancy. Though I have very specific projects in mind for specific purposes, there are dreams of other things I can make lurking in my mind and trying to figure out how to do it. I think it's blogging that has created this in me. I read so many blogs of women who are crafty and they are so inspiring. Why I think I could be the same as them, I'm not sure but I guess I am going to try for now. I've also become obsessed with fabric. I have spent so much money and time on fabrics it is crazy. They were all on sale. I have been to Joann's more times in the last month then in the last three years. I want to have a craft day with Alyson (well I kind of did except she did homework while sewed and we got obsessed with a show on the Discovery Channel called Dirty Jobs, it was fascinating). I also want to have a baking day where we just bake all kinds of stuff all day and then give it away. Do you think my inner homemaker is trying to come out even though I am not married nor have my own home? The full-time worker woman keeps her pretty stifled so only a few things are coming out, which is why my dinners have been on the fritz lately (with every intention of getting them back). Anyway, here are a couple of my creations.

I made this apron from a pattern. It turned out pretty cute as long as you don't look too close at the stitching. That rick rack and binding was tough.

This apron was made from a man's button up shirt that I bought at D.I.. I found a tutorial of how to make it so I did. It has a detachable bib. I think the next one will be better.

Oh I almost forgot to mention that I registered for a four session cake decorating class at Joann's. It starts tomorrow. I'm a little nervous and if I hadn't done it so spur of the moment I would have tried to get someone to join me but I knew if I didn't sign up while I was right there and then I wouldn't ever have. So I'll let you know how it goes.