Food, glorious food....

My mom sent me this awesome little pie maker this week. I think I was using it within 2 hours of it arriving in the mail. I made an apple pie here, but am anxious to try to make a chicken pot pie or something else.

This was dinner the other night for my roommate. The punk of course thought the health factor was a bit over the top. I made salmon, cauliflower (mashed potatoes), and oven fried zucchini. I only ate the zucchini and will admit it tasted pretty healthy.

Last Friday, my roommate was also working at home and needed an afternoon snack. So, of course, I stopped doing what I was doing and made a treat! But, wait, no eggs! NO problem! I made these with a cup of sugar free applesauce, then I used that cup to measure milk, and then I guess about 3/4 c. water. I used Betty Crocker white cake mix and, (shameful, I know) frosting from a can. All that matters is, they were YUM! I wish I would've kept count how many times I've used my cupcake maker. I love it! I got it for Christmas last year from my mom (who else?) who I think thought it would totally be a novelty.

The good with the bad

I had a horrible day training. HORRIBLE. But, in an attempt to myself happy by seeing someone else happy, I tried my hand at something that would hopefully turn out better than my day before the track, at the track, and even after. Success, even though it was rushed--freezer cooling to frost it in a hurry. This is a mini layer cake, in case it looks small, that's because it is.

Baby Shower prep....

Desperately trying to stay ahead of the game. Here's everything laid out. I'm hoping there's enough supplies to make this come together. I made one of these before but of course kept no notes as to how many diapers I would need, how much ribbon, how many things for the outside, etc. And, I didn't consult the web as I should have before setting out to collect what I'd need. So, I cross my fingers and begin.... The first layer done! The middle of the first layer. I cheated a little by filling it with some wipes. How many diapers can this kid really need anyway?

Due to camera issues, I had to quit taking step by step photos. So, this is like the miracle of TV where they use swap outs and suddenly have a completed creation! The top layer is not of diapers but of a brown and pink onesie, a bottle of liquid powder, and baby washcloths.

Here's the back. You can see all the little things stuffed in around the sides: toys, pacifiers, socks, spoons.

Ah, that was fun!

A real cupcake!

Happy Birthday, Josh!!!

I was going for the less is more cake until he saw it....."no frosting on the bottom?", "do you have any left?"......

No, but, I guess I can find some even though it was really something that should've been done before the top, it is his birthday! So, while I'm totally disappointed in the job, he's glad he got more frosting and that's all that matters. In hoping to make the lower piping a little less sorry-looking, I added fish to the "sea". (blue is the birthday boy's favorite color)

Another attempt....

Still trying to figure out the perfect cake, or in this case, cupcake! There's a birthday at work this week, hence the Happy Birthday on the cake plate. What a boring household--I have no candles! UGH! I really wanted to put a candle in the center of this one to make it a little more convincing that it is in fact a cupcake! But, since there are never enough hours in the day, this one got beaded sprinkles again. This one is slightly improved with scent! It has a vanilla bean scent that actually smells like cake! While I'm making one cupcake, I'm thinking of the next. I was thinking today that although these are probably a little silly, they could really come in handy. They're just kind of fun to have around and pull out to make someone's day a little more special. Even better, this cake will never get stale or mold so it can show up birthday after birthday, at the breakfast table, someone's desk at work, or even at your friend's gym locker and then they can pass it on once it has brought them a good day.

Green cupcake wrapper? YES! I am so ready for Spring! It's 10 degrees and there's more snow on the way.....

Confection #2.....

Another crocheted confection. This one sits so pretty because it's filled with rice! I used cotton yarn for the icing to make it look nice and creamy and personally, I really like the sprinkles!

Secondly, I'm posting a skirt I finally started working on. My mom has been waiting patiently for this all winter. Today, it finally hit me that since the fabric is wool, I better get to work on it. She's been so understanding while it's been put aside for wedding preparations and other personal interest projects. It started out having big circles in different grays all over it, but I obviously bagged that idea. So, then, I thought crocheted flowers would be cute. Then, bagged that idea too. Finally, I combined the ideas: fabric + flowers =

It still needs a zipper, a waistband, and a hem, so hopefully, she'll get to wear it before Spring. Sadly, I'm often easily distracted.

Happy Anniversary!!

Six years ago, I got to be the maid of honor in my best friend's wedding. In her honor, I made her this everlasting cake!! Afterall, she picked the best bridesmaid dresses I've ever seen or worn!