Got Cake?

We do!

Finished Course 1 a few weeks ago and this was my final cake - Loved making Wilton Roses once I figured out how to hold the tip.



Now we're on to Course 3, I'll take course 2 next.

This class introduced me to fondant - not so sure I like working with it but mine turned out awesome. The teacher was shocked at how well I did.

So without further ado I present my present


Anyone want to place an order?

One year later

It's hard for me to believe but one year ago today my town was totally flooded. We were trapped in our little neighborhood and only had access to one fourth of the town. At least we could still get milk and bread at the good convenience store. :)

Today as I was driving home I wanted to cry, thinking of and seeing all of the remaining devastation. A church that's been there for all of my life is now closed and will be torn down. So many homes are sitting empty and waiting for demolition. Luckily most of the small businesses are reopened, several in new locations. The remaining empty store fronts have been cleaned. Seeing the yellowing paper in the windows is just sad. Yesterday one of the playgrounds that was affected was finally reopened - it was totally rebuilt over the last few weeks. One of our schools is empty and will never be used again. The students are now attending class in an old strip mall. My teacher friends hate it because there is no privacy and it will be 2+ years before a new school will be opened.

So many people affected in so many different ways. My heart goes out to everyone, especially those from the smaller towns and those who did not have advocates.

Sweet Sunday!

Top 10 things I love about this Sunday!

1. Being home with Boyd and Buddie.

2. Sleeping in

3. Waking up to a treat for breakfast

4. Spending the day out on the back patio reading a book

5. Playing with Buddie in the back yard - he loves to play ball and just run around.

6. Having all of the windows open and keeping the house cool

7. Making up a quick supper from scratch and having it turn out wonderful. Baked chicken breast doused in Italian Herb salad dressing with fried potatoes and onions.

8. Sitting in the sunshine and not getting to burnt.

9. Quick visit to my Mom's

10. Knowing that I had the best weekend possible and I'm rested, relaxed and refreshed.

Memorial Day

In honor of all military personnel and remembering family and friends we've lost.




Boyd had a pot luck at work today which worked out great for my surprise. I was making him a cake to take to work. I took it in this morning and he had a great time showing it and me off.

The reports I've heard is "everyone thought it was store bought" and "we will take any cake donations".

Catching up

Wow it's been almost a month since I updated the blog. Time sure does fly when you're having fun!

I started taking a cake decorating class in May with a friend from work. It's been fun and I'm sad that this week will be the last one. I had so much fun I'm taking another one in June. =)

Here's my first cake



We enjoyed this one at home.

Here's my second cake - the teacher told me it was an awesome improvement.



I took this one to work and the guys enjoyed it.

This weekend I'm working on a bunch of projects around the house and taking time for me too. My goal is to get the main living area totally picked up and mostly organized. So far I have the living room finished. Dining room half way done and the kitchen just started. I wish Boyd was here to handle wiping down the counters - he has more patience for that than me.

I hope that everyone has a nice and relaxing weekend. Remembering those we've loved and lost and those in the military who are supporting our freedom.

Oh by the way anyone want to buy a cake? hehehe.

Little projects

I can't believe all of the little projects we got accomplished tonight! There were a few more I wish I could have completed but I knew we wouldn't be able to get them finished in time for me to relax before bed.

When I got home from work Boyd had a plan for supper - burgers and fries. He did the burgers while I did the fries. We make such a good team!

Then it was outside to play some ball with Buddie and talk about where we wanted to plant the little birch tree I got from work. We decided on the corner of our lot, kind of close to another tree that needs to be taken down.

By that time it was 7 and time for American Idol. I'm not as into it this year so after hearing Allison sing I decided to work on another project. I've had a goal for the last few weeks to clear out a small corner of our mud room on the garden level. It involves moving things between three different rooms and all levels of our house. Needless to say I've been procrastinating.

Tonight I was motivated to unload the book shelf and move all of the books up to my old home office. I had an extra bookshelf up there so it was a great trade off. Plus I gained another bookshelf for my scrapping area. Double plus. So now all of the books have a new home and the book shelf is in place in the scrapping area. And I got some exercise in making all the trips up and down the stairs. Of course my boy had to follow me everywhere I went. Silly boy!

My goal for the corner is to add a comfy chair and side table. I'm looking forward to making it a comfy place to relax while scrapping or just to curl up and read.

Then Boyd said we should go plant our little tree. Again we worked well as a team.

Even after all of that I still had the energy to work on a little scrapping project. We are headed to the Hotel M this weekend and I want to make some note cards for my sister in law as a thank you for the hospitality. I used my Cricut to cut some cute little scalloped squares and circles.

I'm realizing that I spend way to much time online and before I know it the clock reads 9 and it's time for me to wind down. Tonight I forced myself to close the laptop just before we ate. That made a huge difference.

So I still have a little work to do in my relaxing. Not sure when I'll get back to them - lots of plans for the rest of the week. I figure if I do one little project each week I should have it done in a month. =)

Here's hoping we have more nights like this soon. I like it when we work together to get things done.

life in pictures

This morning I woke up to a rainy & cold day and decided to hang out in bed and get my digital pictures organized. Boyd was asleep in the recliner but he had a cappuccino waiting for me - woo hoo! That made me smile!

As I moved through my pictures, picking out my picture of the day and organizing the rest by month (thanks Martha!) I came across this picture again and realized how much I love and hate the image.



I love how it shows such happiness. Boyd and Buddie picked me up from work. We were just past Janseville and Buddie kept reaching over to give me kisses. I was laughing so hard. I thought it would make the best picture for the day. I like it so much I wish I could enlarge and frame it.

I hate the image because it is my real life example that shows how life can change in an instant. An hour and a half after this picture was taken we learned my brother in law was being rushed to the emergency room and his condition wasn't good. Later that night he passed away.

There are no pictures to show our deep sadness but I see and feel the contrast in my heart each time I see the image. Because of this I know I can't have my happy picture hanging in my home.


Amid tears and laughter, I made it through all of my February and April pictures and I'm half way through March. I have February updated on my 365 project blog and will do the rest another day.

Now it's 11 and I guess I should roll out of bed and get the day started. =)