Travel
I don't know why but one day I can accomplish things or go out, and the next day I just like to vegetate. So today, after the party, I am vegetating. I have errands to run and should get to them before the last minute Christmas rush, but I just couldn't get going this morning. Tomorrow will be a better day anyway. I've always felt like Tuesday is the very best day to shop, travel, or do anything, maybe because I prefer the least crowded and least traveled days. So Tuesday it is, and I will get everything done tomorrow.
There was some misunderstanding over who is the cake baker in the family. Joe, the redhead, is my youngest son. Donald who is the chef and baker in the family is my son-in-law and father of the birthday girl. I looked for some recent pictures other than the ones of Joe & Don working on my floor, and neither is a head-on shot. I found this one taken a few St. Patrick's days ago, Donald on the left and Joe on the right.
This is Joe's wife, Sarah, and I'm holding their daughter, Alyssa. Alyssa is going to be 4 yrs old on New Year's Day (I'm sure Donald will make that cake as well), and Ally has a little 2 yr old sister, Keira, aka Kiki.
Rounding off my family is my middle son, Steve, his wife Megan, and their son Liam, who now live near Monterey Bay and who will be with us on Christmas Day. My oldest son, Mike, his wife, Sandy, and their two boys Joshua & Justin live in New York. I hope to visit them this spring and spend some time in NY. I've showed lots of pictures of my daughter, Jeannie (Donald's wife) and their oldest daughter, Ara, whose college graduation I'll be attending in May. I won't go into my 7 siblings, their spouses, and my many nieces and nephews. It is fun being from a large family, although it's probably insane by today's standards. Who could afford to raise and educate so many children? I'm glad I came from a large family though, and being the oldest I learned one of the best lessons in life: Don't get too attached to material things - they can be broken in a moment by mischievous younger brothers, or a younger sister can pour out your bottle of expensive make-up in a heartbeat. People are more important than things.
Back to the cake, the very top of it was the cake part and Donald took it off to cut it. I'm not sure what the tree trunk is, but I imagine the bottom part was made of Rice Krispie treat, and he often uses that for bulk. Fondant covers the whole thing, I believe, and it is this that is the base for decoration. I have watched him work painstakingly at creating small parts to be added to a big cake. He also does strawberries dipped in chocolate and decorated, and are almost too beautiful to bite into, but it never stops me from taking that bite!
I just took Lady for her afternoon walk, and noticed my next door neighbor taking down Christmas lights from his porch railing and the tree in front of his house. He told me the wires had been cut on two different strands so he was just taking the whole thing down. I feel so bad for him - he thinks it's because there is a $100 prize to be given to the best-decorated house, but I can't imagine anyone being that petty over a lousy $100!
I've already noted that just like RV parks, half the people are very friendly and half will look you straight in the eye when you greet them and just walk past you giving no response whatsoever. And so much for Christian peace and good will during the holiday season.
- Birthday Fun
We celebrated Jeannie's birthday on Saturday. Her choice for cake was German Chocolate. Here's the cake and the baker! (Click on a picture to enlarge.) The best present Jeannie could have received was to have all her...
- Celebrating The Grad
We had a family get together today to celebrate niece Stephanie's college graduation. Of course, Donald made dessert - decorated like a cake on top but actually cupcakes. The party was at Jeannie's house and I managed to snap some...
- My Thanksgiving
Dona;d's Turkey cake! Three sisters - Julie, Marty, and Amy Sibs - Joe and Jeanie Donald and Jeannie Autumn, Alyssa, Arianna Keira (Kiki) oblivious to the camera! The meal was just like I remembered everything from childhood. Mom's recipe...
- Birthday
Today is g'daughter Alyssa's 3rd birthday. Autumn asked her a couple of days ago what kind of cake she wanted and Alyssa replied, "A purple dress!" So here is Donald's offering. ...
- And Yet Another Surprise!
I was blissfully unaware that plans were unfolding yesterday. My daughter was vague about the fact that we would all meet again at her house, but she had errands to run so it would be early afternoon. When I arrived, my son Steve & his family were there...
Travel
Resting up
I don't know why but one day I can accomplish things or go out, and the next day I just like to vegetate. So today, after the party, I am vegetating. I have errands to run and should get to them before the last minute Christmas rush, but I just couldn't get going this morning. Tomorrow will be a better day anyway. I've always felt like Tuesday is the very best day to shop, travel, or do anything, maybe because I prefer the least crowded and least traveled days. So Tuesday it is, and I will get everything done tomorrow.
There was some misunderstanding over who is the cake baker in the family. Joe, the redhead, is my youngest son. Donald who is the chef and baker in the family is my son-in-law and father of the birthday girl. I looked for some recent pictures other than the ones of Joe & Don working on my floor, and neither is a head-on shot. I found this one taken a few St. Patrick's days ago, Donald on the left and Joe on the right.
This is Joe's wife, Sarah, and I'm holding their daughter, Alyssa. Alyssa is going to be 4 yrs old on New Year's Day (I'm sure Donald will make that cake as well), and Ally has a little 2 yr old sister, Keira, aka Kiki.
Rounding off my family is my middle son, Steve, his wife Megan, and their son Liam, who now live near Monterey Bay and who will be with us on Christmas Day. My oldest son, Mike, his wife, Sandy, and their two boys Joshua & Justin live in New York. I hope to visit them this spring and spend some time in NY. I've showed lots of pictures of my daughter, Jeannie (Donald's wife) and their oldest daughter, Ara, whose college graduation I'll be attending in May. I won't go into my 7 siblings, their spouses, and my many nieces and nephews. It is fun being from a large family, although it's probably insane by today's standards. Who could afford to raise and educate so many children? I'm glad I came from a large family though, and being the oldest I learned one of the best lessons in life: Don't get too attached to material things - they can be broken in a moment by mischievous younger brothers, or a younger sister can pour out your bottle of expensive make-up in a heartbeat. People are more important than things.
Back to the cake, the very top of it was the cake part and Donald took it off to cut it. I'm not sure what the tree trunk is, but I imagine the bottom part was made of Rice Krispie treat, and he often uses that for bulk. Fondant covers the whole thing, I believe, and it is this that is the base for decoration. I have watched him work painstakingly at creating small parts to be added to a big cake. He also does strawberries dipped in chocolate and decorated, and are almost too beautiful to bite into, but it never stops me from taking that bite!
I just took Lady for her afternoon walk, and noticed my next door neighbor taking down Christmas lights from his porch railing and the tree in front of his house. He told me the wires had been cut on two different strands so he was just taking the whole thing down. I feel so bad for him - he thinks it's because there is a $100 prize to be given to the best-decorated house, but I can't imagine anyone being that petty over a lousy $100!
I've already noted that just like RV parks, half the people are very friendly and half will look you straight in the eye when you greet them and just walk past you giving no response whatsoever. And so much for Christian peace and good will during the holiday season.
- Birthday Fun
We celebrated Jeannie's birthday on Saturday. Her choice for cake was German Chocolate. Here's the cake and the baker! (Click on a picture to enlarge.) The best present Jeannie could have received was to have all her...
- Celebrating The Grad
We had a family get together today to celebrate niece Stephanie's college graduation. Of course, Donald made dessert - decorated like a cake on top but actually cupcakes. The party was at Jeannie's house and I managed to snap some...
- My Thanksgiving
Dona;d's Turkey cake! Three sisters - Julie, Marty, and Amy Sibs - Joe and Jeanie Donald and Jeannie Autumn, Alyssa, Arianna Keira (Kiki) oblivious to the camera! The meal was just like I remembered everything from childhood. Mom's recipe...
- Birthday
Today is g'daughter Alyssa's 3rd birthday. Autumn asked her a couple of days ago what kind of cake she wanted and Alyssa replied, "A purple dress!" So here is Donald's offering. ...
- And Yet Another Surprise!
I was blissfully unaware that plans were unfolding yesterday. My daughter was vague about the fact that we would all meet again at her house, but she had errands to run so it would be early afternoon. When I arrived, my son Steve & his family were there...