Oz's Birthday Cake

This is my latest creation. My sister's son just celebrated his 2nd birthday and she asked me to make the cake. I knew it was going to be a pirate party so we came up with a skull and crossbones. It's a chocolate cake with my cookies 'n cream filling.

She had the idea to make the eye sockets deeper so we could put candles in the cavities. It was a really cool effect when it was lit up. I wish I had a picture of that, but I forgot my camera at the party, just take my word for it...it was AWESOME!
I even made little individual cakes for Oz and his friend Parker shaped as treasure chests. These were really cute too, and really easy which is what I loved about them.

Cemetery Fun

Beautiful, isn't it? When we were younger we didn't take your conventional nature walks. If we were in the mood for outdoor adventure this was our destination. We would take the trail through the woods behind our house that would put us out here at the Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery to feed the ducks at the pond. (I don't find this morbid in any way.) I always enjoyed coming here with my mother when I was young and also when I was older whether for personal reflection or time-filling recreation with friends.
I brought my girls here to share my childhood memories of the place. We brought bread to feed to the swans and ducks. To my surprise there were several seagulls there as well, even though I don't remember there being any seagulls here when I was younger. The word must have gotten out that there was people here throwing free food.
This was the furthest Emma got from me, and only once. As soon as the ducks started coming closer for the food she came running and screaming towards me and permanently attaching herself to my leg.

The turtle population has really taken off as well. I remember the rare occurrence of spotting a turtle, but that day we say several, even baby ones. That was super cool for the girls.

This huge oak tree is right beside the pond. We had so much fun climbing on this when I was younger. It's a kid magnet. Miriam saw it's climbing potential right away and as soon as she ran out of bread she headed straight for it.
I wanted a picture of my girls sitting on the limb, but Emma was still glued to my leg at this point. Miriam loves, LOVES holding Hannah that she couldn't resist holding her while she sat there. I assure you that Hannah was wearing a full coverage shirt, the choke hold Miriam has on her has pulled her shirt up to make it resemble a pink halter. Not the case, but still that is one cute belly!

Sinful

I think my subconsciousness know when I am trying to loose weight and it comes up with all these decadent mouthwatering sinful creations that I just simply cannot deny myself of making. I don't know if anyone has had a Double Doozie before from the American Cookie Co., but they are DELICIOUS!!! They are a piece of cookie sandwich heaven. The problem was one day when I realized that they are very simple to make. Now I make Double Doozies almost every time I make cookies. (When you know how to make them this way is there really any point in just having plain cookies anymore??? I didn't think so.) I've made chocolate chip with chocolate frosting Doozies and white chocolate chip with vanilla frosting. The picture is of my newest thing, chocolate white chocolate chip Doozies. SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD! I did take these to a party, so don't think I sat there after taking this picture and scarfed them all down, all though I was very tempted.

I highly recommend making these. Simply make your favorite kind of cookie and let them cool. Pipe or spread your favorite kind of icing on the back of one and then place another cookie making it into a sandwich. I recommend eating these with your eyes closed, it enhances the flavors. Enjoy!

Twinkle Toes

I don't know what has possessed me, maybe too much "Dancing with the Stars", but I am venturing to sign Theo and I up for Ballroom dancing lessons. They offer them through the community and I would love to try it out.

The funny thing about this idea is that I have no rhythm and two left feet. But I have this memory from when I was a teenager at one of those dreaded youth dances. A Brother was there who knew how to dance and he graced some of us Young Woman on how dancing really feels like, none of that swaying back and forth in a mundane circle. He twirled and glided me all over the dance floor. Of course I did my fair share of toe stepping, but he was more than gracious about it. I felt like I was flying and I have to admit that even though he was 20 years older and married and completely not my type I fell in love a little.

So with this memory I have decided that I want that connection with my Theo. He has reluctantly but timidly agreed to humor me in joining a dance class. I still haven't committed to it myself, but the idea is there and I am almost dedicated. I just have to get over the jitters about making a fool of myself.

(Having this dress that Ginger Rogers has on would make it all well worth it, but I'm not confident enough in showing up to my first lessons in it. Maybe one day.)

Had to Share

I was reading on C Jane's blog and she included a link to this place. They make your photos look like polaroids. I tried one out and thought it was just too cute not to share. This is Hannah really enjoying her birthday cake. In fact I think she may be washing her hair with it she liked it so much. (It's what I like to do with my cake.) Isn't this just too adorable!

Rainy Days

It was funny when we first moved to California, it was sunny...every...day. No clouds, no rain. After awhile it got a little boring. I missed my summer thunderstorms. I missed seeing the lightening dance across the sky and the feeling of the cooling off the very HOT summer days. To quote the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou" I truly do believe that "Sweet summer rain is like God's own mercy.". I would curse the sunny cloudless skies after awhile yelling for some kind of a break from its perfect sunny blue.

Ever since we have moved here it's as if the southern skies are welcoming me back home. Almost every day has not disappointed me with an afternoon shower, lightening and thunder to boot. I have been in thunderstorm heaven. I've discovered that I am a rainy day kinda girl. I love the smell as the clouds roll in, the static in the air and the light breeze that cools the most sultry of days. It's exhilarating and comforting all at the same time.

It's the feeling of home.

Dreamland Skate

I haven't posted in so long that I forgot to post backwards and this jewel of a picture came up first instead of last as the last bit of evidence that my kids had a wonderful time at the Skate Center. Last Saturday Theo suggested coming here for the family time. This skating rink is right by the house I grew up in and if there were any skating parties this was the place. Let me just state for the record that I absolutely HATE skating and I am no good at it. But I love seeing my kids excel in areas that I am weak. It was a great idea and lots of fun, regardless of the picture you see above. That fit was brought on by the fact that we had to leave.
Roller skating babies.


Tobie was such a trooper. This was his first time on skates and he kept falling down. He couldn't even do the marching thing they tell you to do when you are first learning. He complained a bit, but if we ever asked if he was done he said 'no' and kept on truckin'! By the end he was really getting the hang of it.

The calm before the storm.