tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1918895872776560732024-03-05T02:45:50.894-05:00Sweet Melissa's MusingsThis blog started out about my adventures with cakes - and believe me, working with an unstable medium is an adventure at times! But my life is more than cakes... I bake bread too!
Just kidding! Mainly this will be musings of every day life I lead as a wife, a mother and a woman in today's world!
Hey, I like to talk, so I'll spill about my life. There's a reason I had the nickname "Tangent" in high school!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-22492103512687046602008-10-15T20:34:00.002-04:002008-10-15T20:42:12.769-04:00Why Can't politicians keep it in their pants?Another congressman was caught in an affair - two at the same time actually... WHY!?!?!?<br /><br />I totally don't understand why men, especially, can't control themselves when it means DISASTER if they are found out about an affair. Not only does it ruin them politically, try repairing marriage when an affair has been made public = when EVERYONE knows?<br /><br />Now, I TOTALLY think that a person's private life is just that - private. If a man or woman has an affair, that's their business as long as no laws are broken. It is just a fact that men (and I'm using men as that's who our leader's and in the eye people have been) with power or influence or clout, tend to "get around". It used to be "hush-hush" and discreet, now it means blowing whistles.<br /><br />So, if you are a politician, especially and you KNOW that every single man in modern history who has been caught in an affair has gone down BURNING career-wise, WHY? WHY? do they continue to "do it"?<br /><br />And WHY does it always seem to be the ones that want the toughest punishments for these "acts" and those that preach family values, that seem to get caught the most? Ironic, isn't it? Thou dost protest too much!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-77170226577172933082008-10-14T08:14:00.003-04:002008-10-14T09:04:18.771-04:00Busy weekend - went to Gettysburg<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpHfu5lSS2yryWOfuAQeu4lM_SfK-hi7liJEy4pGwZtxvojo_cfQeC4JqLPqohHNSYFyo1vl5sO96eVUgsHLVFmuNA_x5i4_fAhMysA1ndPQcukeenWeWuCw_4gWXKoO3kF5LdQm3e6Y/s1600-h/Cyclorama.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpHfu5lSS2yryWOfuAQeu4lM_SfK-hi7liJEy4pGwZtxvojo_cfQeC4JqLPqohHNSYFyo1vl5sO96eVUgsHLVFmuNA_x5i4_fAhMysA1ndPQcukeenWeWuCw_4gWXKoO3kF5LdQm3e6Y/s400/Cyclorama.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256994288133767586" /></a><br />Late this summer our family realized how CLOSE Gettysburg was to the DC area. We knew it was in Pennsylvania, of course, but didn't realize it was less than a 2 hour drive from where we live. Since my older son didn't have school and my husband didn't have work for Columbus Day, we went to check it out.<br /><br />First, the Cyclorama is amazing. I had no idea that this was something made in the late 1800s and was meant to be displayed like this. I truly thought it was just a blown up picture from after Civil War, but no... it was painted to be shown like this - a panorama of the battlefield. Others were made around this time too. I guess when veterans of the battle saw it, they cried as it was so reminiscent of what they saw. Here's some info on the cyclorama: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Cyclorama<br /><br />And here is a link to a documentary (first is 4:30, second is 5:20) to the Gettysburg cyclorama: http://www.newsweek.com/id/40211#?l=1481452776&t=1482369710 http://www.newsweek.com/id/40211#?l=1481452776&t=1485308535 Supposedly there are three parts, but I could only find two (and it seems I'm not the only one).<br /><br /><br />The other really neat thing was how they have tried to keep the landscape similar to how it was during the battle time - trees growing where trees were known to be, rock fences, where they were, even groves of trees, exactly where they were before.<br /><br />There is one point where you see a painting made around the time of the battle and you are standing RIGHT THERE and you can see exactly how far the confederate troops are from the Union position. You can imagine them marching across the fields, and you can just imagine waiting, watching the mile long line getting close enough to have within range...<br /><br />The one thing that struck me the most was - how do you feed and water nearly 80,000 moving troops? How do you get everyone ammunition? Working guns? Together in those three days there were 165,000 troops.... at the end of the battle 7,000-8,000 were killed, but total 53,000 were killed, wounded, captured or missing. Can you imagine this little town? Every farm field was a graveyard, every public building, church and some private homes were hospitals. It took until late 1864 (the battle was July 1-3 1963) to move all the patients and clear out the city of all the doctors, etc. It was Nov. 1964 that the National cemetery was dedicated (with the famous Gettysburg address given by Lincoln). That cemetery is just a PORTION of the dead, most are unmarked graves scattered over thousands of acres.<br /><br />I can't say that the day was filled with tons of great walks and fun filled hoopla, but it was good and it really does give you the idea of what they faced and gives you an appreciation of several aspects of the war during that time.<br /><br />Here's the National Park site to check out more: http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htmSweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-2996503346902722522008-10-10T07:33:00.003-04:002008-10-10T08:31:57.198-04:00Why does no one decorate for Thanksgiving anymore?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4NFoq0te7wvGTyLO-veRwjVvphtTGGg_0SWJuANf_KGDP0wxRqIUohutJ_m7fUVsw21Paypzp37wRq8VQs2FJXLCC_j1_jAy0ERUZxGu3j2Wk7X0YLP5WtdxCDmJbDoA2LsUQzbQ9_w/s1600-h/tomturkey.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4NFoq0te7wvGTyLO-veRwjVvphtTGGg_0SWJuANf_KGDP0wxRqIUohutJ_m7fUVsw21Paypzp37wRq8VQs2FJXLCC_j1_jAy0ERUZxGu3j2Wk7X0YLP5WtdxCDmJbDoA2LsUQzbQ9_w/s200/tomturkey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255501080208151298" /></a><br />In my family growing up we had those paper decorations to hang in the window for EVERY holiday important to a Christian raised kid (and let me state, I am not Christian or anything else as an adult). We had decorations for: Valentine's, St. Pat's, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.<br /><br />Now that I have kids, I have a wall tree that we decorate for the holidays. I have decorations - TONS for Valentines, enough for St. Pats, TONS for Easter, Many for spring/summer, TONS for Halloween, Barely ANY for Thanksgiving, and TONS for Christmas.<br /><br />The last few days and a day last week I went into various craft stores and little stores to find some hanging smallish Thanksgiving decorations and nada, zilch, zip! Halloween stuff is coming out of every row, and a TINY 1/4 aise for Thanksgiving, and then Christmas stuff coming more and more every day, because, you know, it's ALMOST mid October and Christmas is like "right there!"<br /><br />I know there USED to be more turkeys and pilgrim stuff, but it's gone. It's all generic "fall themed" and even iwth that, no hanging decorations. I'm at a loss! I'll have to check out ebay next because my "thanksgiving tree" looks NAKED! At least Pottery Barn Kids doesn't skip over Thanksgiving....<br /><br />What a twisted world when Halloween trumps the day of giving thanks - tricking and scareing people is more "in". And then the Christmas blitz takes over even before Halloween hits. Thanksgiving is lost in the shuffle.<br /><br />Maybe I like Thanksgiving MORE than any other Holiday because it's a day to say, "thank you for all I have. Thank you to family and friends. Just THANKS!" There's no presents being exchanged, no big hoopla of anything except making plans to go to friends and family's houses for dinner and conversation. Maybe it's because religion or christianity is not at it's root (though no one can say it's not "religious" either).<br /><br />I know Thanksgivings can be a day of stress for some people, but it has always been a special day for my family growing up and now one for my kids. My 12 year old says, "it's my favorite holiday". Ah, he's my son after all! (Normally he is just like is dad!)<br /><br />Starting last year (and we will continue this year) we are hosting Thanksgiving at our house. It's MEANT to be an open house for all and I really enjoy making a feast to share with those I care about and for new friends being made. So WHY is it being forgotten in the retail stores? The most FUNDAMENTAL holiday of our nation? The day of giving thanks. Any more I think the holiday is more about shopping for Christmas than it is for giving thanks.Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-40112595490517876932008-10-09T11:45:00.004-04:002008-10-09T12:13:41.156-04:00Had a dilly of a time with this cake!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcx3b7Qsw1J1xOQBU8ZsNbAx9qHJ2gC5_TZ-Fn2fmHA43THGArqKcKMZhuYwP9ftqKub5ztGCUix1j1Hdq9LycfEMEc0_-u4rjQ1FIBowqrC4mvCvS1cNMrzWCiOE6HuOgUkQ7bsl_5M/s1600-h/50th+anniversary+and+spare.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcx3b7Qsw1J1xOQBU8ZsNbAx9qHJ2gC5_TZ-Fn2fmHA43THGArqKcKMZhuYwP9ftqKub5ztGCUix1j1Hdq9LycfEMEc0_-u4rjQ1FIBowqrC4mvCvS1cNMrzWCiOE6HuOgUkQ7bsl_5M/s320/50th+anniversary+and+spare.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255187342302924370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDfLx52FEyDtSuKEFsN2X9sb8WCzOcJWse7eTevlnOFs3Ay30jv2DOquOSahDiVzjXBA9IQ4g9zRQOnTCRc66CsLdIEq7pg3vallZn7J6cObxOgfqoTl-V6OHT3WdPghVH2fNPsR7bN0/s1600-h/50th+anniversary+cake.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDfLx52FEyDtSuKEFsN2X9sb8WCzOcJWse7eTevlnOFs3Ay30jv2DOquOSahDiVzjXBA9IQ4g9zRQOnTCRc66CsLdIEq7pg3vallZn7J6cObxOgfqoTl-V6OHT3WdPghVH2fNPsR7bN0/s320/50th+anniversary+cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255181693909061122" /></a><br />My son's best friend's mom and I have become friends and she asked me to make a cake for her IL's 50th wedding anniversary, which HAPPENS to fall on Yom Kippur, so I was a bit nervous. I decided to make TWO, one to start out on, and one to "perfect". <br /><br />I got them both put together last night to decorate this morning and I was quite skeptical. I SHOULD have taken a picture of them then to compare as you won't believe me unless you are used to seeing "naked" cakes. Last night they looked like HUGE stacked marshmallow snowmen. I thought they looked lumpy and so imperfect. This morning they didn't look so bad (I guess I was super critical last night), but still... How would those marshmallow snowmen transform into elegant cakes?<br /><br />But, let me start from the beginning: First, the cake was to be a somewhat mini cake. The bottom tier is 6" diameter. The middle is 4.5" and the top is 3". I've never worked with small layers before and it's a bit tricky. First, you don't bake them in small pans, but actually cookie cutter them out of a bigger cake (keeps them moister that way and flatter and more even.<br /><br />So, on to assembly. First, I made it too tall, like WAY too tall, so I had to chop the "spare" down to size. I doweled it and every time I SWEAR I'm going to smash my cake when I put a dowel all the way through top to bottom. NEXT, came the scary marshmallow snowmen and that's where I left it last night. <br /><br />This morning I started with dusting it gold. BUT... I got too close for air brushing and had to wipe it all off and start over (you should see the pretty sparkles on my kitchen counter now! (oops!). Then to figure out how to attach the little round balls to the side of the cake and to do the border. (I've never done drops before). For the spare, I decided to just make icing dots on the side to figure out placement (glad I did that!). <br /><br />OK, then it was time to do the real one and as I worked, I just saw it transform into a cake I'm actually proud of! It's not just the picture that looks nice - I really did a decent job of it!<br /><br />I don't think my giant marshmallow snowmen are recognizable now... I LOVE this cake... I've been making some weird (not too showy) cakes for awhile, so it was fun to do a "pretty" cake for a change. Now what to do with the spare?Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-47657302282061191612008-10-08T09:09:00.002-04:002008-10-08T09:13:31.540-04:00My 15th Anniverary is in a week - what to do?We are celebrating 15 years on the 15th. It's a week day and our weekends before and after it are tied up. Plus, our "main" babysitter, my mother in law (if you call watching the kids once every couple months regular) is out of the country until the end of October. Our other "back-up" can never be nailed down. We both keep saying we'll swap babysitting (we watch theirs once, they watch ours once), but it never happens either... so, we'll have the kids no matter what it seems.<br /><br />So what to do? It's a beautiful time of year, but I'm not feeling overly creative these days. Plus, I'm tired of being the one to plan all the time, so I haven't gotten to it. We keep saying on a big anniversary we will get away and it hasn't happened yet. I think we still should plan for some time away, but it will have to be later, but what for now? I'm so drawing a blank!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-40932650360573259582008-10-07T09:14:00.005-04:002008-10-07T09:35:22.106-04:00While cake planning - I got scared to death!On a different topic, I'm sitting on the couch next to Henry, my three year old watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and working on the laptop finalizing in an email a cake order. The couch is right next to the window. I'm typing away and then I heard a LOUD thump and saw from the corner of my eye and could hear it was a BIG bird smacking the window. <br /><br />Then I look outside and I see on our wood fence, a hawk with a bird flapping around in his talons. I think the smaller bird thunked the window as the hawk swooped and caught it... Of couse, there's a mark and slight hole in the screen now. But my heart was racing as it was LOUD! Ew!!! Hope that mark is bird poo and not bird guts! The view was an awful lot like this image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/forgetmeknottphotography/456866790/<br /><br />Our backyard backs up into a park, so we constantly see deer and fox, but I've never seen the hawks in action. It was probably a robin as the tree in front of the house is alive with robins today as the dogwood berries must be ready for eating - lots of fluttering going on there.<br /><br />While searching photos of a hawk with a prey I saw images of like hawks with rabbits, pigeons, squirrels, and a mole. And all this makes me realize there's one more reason to keep the cats in the house - besides the danger of cars and fox. I bet neither of our cats would be too big prey for hawks or eagles! Yikes!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-75317846220407250342008-10-06T16:29:00.002-04:002008-10-06T16:38:42.135-04:00The housing crisis - such a slippery spiralThese truly are musings. But, here you go. Right now my family of four lives in a townhouse in the DC burbs of Northern Virginia. My mother in law rents a one bedroom apt. 3 miles away. When we moved here, it was 2004 and prices were up and houses sold in a minute and a half. The asking price was the STARTING price. In the next 18 months we watched the house values grow another 100,000 for our house and in the last 2 years, watch it drop to where we bought the house and now we will watch it drop even lower.<br /><br />My Mother in law wanted to buy a house when she moved, but everything was out of her price range, so she invested it.. So here we are, house prices finally come down so she can buy, but even in her SAFE investments she's lost a LOT of money this year (so far)... so is it a good time to take it out to buy a house that STILL might drop in price even more? Maybe she should wait and hope.<br /><br />And here we are. We would love to buy a bigger house with a garage and space, but while we have good credit and the means to do it - even absorbing a small loss on our current house, we DON'T have the funds to buy a house without selling ours first. our house could sit on the market for a year or MORE.<br /><br />We've thought about buying a house together (mother in law and us four as MIL is getting older and needs our help more and more), but again... her funds are dropping like mad, we are stuck with a house that needs selling.<br /><br />Nearly EVERYONE is just like us - either their saved money for a down payment has dried up in the stocks, or they can't sell their house to get a new one! The ONLY people good to go are those who are first time buyers with money in the bank... And how many people is that? And as a new home buyer, are they seen as risky and do they have a harder time getting loans?<br /><br />Any way I look at it, in my very uneducated ways, I see this as a very slippery slope that just spirals out of control... people wait out of fear and because they are waiting, the problem just gets worse...scary times! So, I guess I just better get used to the idea of living in this townhouse for a few more years! And just be thankful for what we have!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-11714621926221858982008-10-05T13:05:00.002-04:002008-10-05T13:14:11.520-04:00The Halloween Costume searchI've always loved dressing up for Halloween and have done so whenever I have had a reason to do so. The past several years we have gone as a family to a party around Halloween. Everyone at the party we know through an organization we all belong to (Ethical Society), so it's fun.<br /><br />The first year we went as characters from the Lord of the Rings. My husband was Gandalf, my older son was Frodo, the baby Henry was a baby hobbit and I was a peasant from Rohan.<br /><br />The next year we went in our own costumes without matching. My husband was a red-neck, my son was a nerd, I was a "witchy" chef and the little guy was Blue from Blues Clues.<br /><br />Last year we went from characters as Borat. My husband has a striking resemblance to Sasha Baron Cohen, so we found the perfect suit and so on and he was FABULOUS (got second place at a bar's costume contest). I went as his sidekick (yes, dressed up as a man) and our oldest did his own thing going as a gorilla and we dressed the two year old as the bear from the movie.<br /><br />But how do you TOP Borat? You cannot KNOW how fabulous that costume was! I've been wracking my brain for WEEKS.. and in my sleepy state this morning I got it! We'll go as the quintessential family as Sarah Palin sees it. My husband will go as Joe Six Pack, I'll go as hockey mom and my oldest son will go as a hockey player and the 3 year old will be a hockey player in training. I think this will be SOOOOO funny as the people from the Ethical Society are ultra in tune with the political scene and well... we all think Sarah Palin is a JOKE.<br /><br />I'm having so much fun trying to come up with the most redneck-like costume I can think of for my husband... and I'm trying to figure out what to do with my hair (it's waist length)... I need to make it "hipper" I think. I never wear lipstick, but I'll HAVE to for the costume to real give it the kicker!<br /><br />So fun!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-26450518256463388782008-10-01T10:47:00.002-04:002008-10-01T10:55:19.644-04:00OK, Sarah PalinWhen her nomination was announced and I learned about her stance and lack of experience and life circumstances (even before it was disclosed her teen daughter was pregnant), I was FURIOUS that McCain could insult female voters that way - COMPLETELY insulted. If you like Hilary Clinton or not, NO ONE can really say she's not ready for office or qualified for it, but PALIN????<br /><br />I am so completely thrilled that her lack of readiness is so apparent, but still appalled with the converts. It does not say good things for the USA.<br /><br />Though, I did have to ask myself why I felt she should be staying at home with her infant with down syndrome and her pregnant teen? Would I feel the same way if it were the father? Yes and no. I TRULY believe that a woman has every right to be in the office, but ANYONE who pretends that mom and dads are the SAME are so not facing the truth. This baby NEEDS his mother - more than an average infant. Plus she CHOSE to have this child with special needs therefore she is obligated to choose HIM over career prospects right now. And as far as the teen daughter? Isn't she going through enough without her now being watched by the whole country, no WORLD??? So yes, I feel as a female she has more obligation to turn this opportunity down, but you know what? If Mrs. Palin was Mr. Palin, I would feel the same - not the time to be in the public eye and away from home. But then it is OBVIOUS she is a self-centered woman only thinking of her own prospects and not those of her children which just seems so twisted and wrong. I would do ANYTHING to nurture and protect my kids and I am appalled that Sarah and her "family values" does not see how messed up her priorities are.Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-91072344565435838562008-09-30T16:03:00.003-04:002008-09-30T16:07:17.958-04:00So, the electionsI'm not a person who gets really deeply into politics, but since Gore lost in 2000, getting democrats in power has definitely been more interest and I think we are about there in 2008 for the White House.<br /><br />What I don't understand though is HOW MANY people can stomach the republican party, McCain and his lies and then Palin? Palin will have to be a blog entry all to herself tomorrow or later this week!<br /><br />I just don't GET how people can be a republican now... absolutely cannot. They lost me way back in 1992 when the republican convention ridiculed Hilary Clinton because she was a working mom... HELLO??? What?<br /><br />I have such high hopes that things will finally improve once Obama is in office - in the USA and with our relations around the world which has suffered TERRIBLY under Bush.Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-72607016199410487472008-09-29T18:20:00.001-04:002008-09-29T18:22:28.615-04:00Oh LORDY am I behind - almost a YEAR!?!?!?Well, this year has been one of many ups and downs, but hey, aren't they all? LOL<br /><br />OK... trying to get back into posting! I promise!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-24101444867796728422007-10-25T09:53:00.000-04:002007-10-25T09:57:16.843-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.straightgoods.com/images/SesameStreet.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.straightgoods.com/images/SesameStreet.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I have a couple cakes to do for this weekend. One is for a birthday party and it will be this sesame street image... I LOVE Sesame Street so I was even willing to do an image with all those colors because well, it will be FUN to see it come together... LOVE that show... did I ever grow up?<br /><br />I'm still trying to decide what to do for the other cake though. TOOOOOO many choices for halloween! Look for some images later today and tomorrow for my inspiration!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-14707127695638094562007-10-21T09:28:00.000-04:002007-10-21T09:33:58.710-04:00Another LONG delay<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfkPtiEc3sf_k2rrca_vvErRcgKVjb9Frvo4Xs2iXCH3nHgYIz_2eqwPMr1V1D9xZUR-b7is_rB4lqj1aV3Bw7VAR1gc-pOrLxrGl-FSTWoyqYupdSVhgnua2Kd5GfJLp6MtSLzFaakc/s1600-h/IMG_2193.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfkPtiEc3sf_k2rrca_vvErRcgKVjb9Frvo4Xs2iXCH3nHgYIz_2eqwPMr1V1D9xZUR-b7is_rB4lqj1aV3Bw7VAR1gc-pOrLxrGl-FSTWoyqYupdSVhgnua2Kd5GfJLp6MtSLzFaakc/s200/IMG_2193.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123782397732263794" /></a><br />Well, we thought the computer was fixed, but it's not... so, no easy access. Plus, I've been so busy lately, I haven't had much time to write things up.<br /><br />It's been a LONG time between cake orders, but I had one this weekend and it turned out pretty cute and they seemed happy enough. The image must have looked real enough too because JUST in the nick of time I stopped Henry from trying to pick up the car off the cake (or so he thought he could do!) YIKES!!! Now THAT would have been a disaster. I was all worried about the cats (but they are great and I hide the cake away), but the toddler! He'll get the best of a cake yet, I'm sure! This cake was my first "painting" a cake too and for someone who has NO artistic talent, I think I did a pretty good job on the mountains/mesas in the distance!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-61219762279237666782007-10-11T08:41:00.000-04:002007-10-11T08:52:53.227-04:00Sorry, Sorry, Sorry!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOExrioMR4_7B0KUaj3Qdkr4JCziv6aWm9-OYZeqmroyD6g1WFftbLFgkRBz1yq6UBBVbnbyh9JOTJmAuATZNp_DIwy4iGGFbYaTBCePH8x_sQcrMFDqUqMRKlvH16Y-RgrM2FfdE-Jw/s1600-h/31EYwVDovIL._AA280_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOExrioMR4_7B0KUaj3Qdkr4JCziv6aWm9-OYZeqmroyD6g1WFftbLFgkRBz1yq6UBBVbnbyh9JOTJmAuATZNp_DIwy4iGGFbYaTBCePH8x_sQcrMFDqUqMRKlvH16Y-RgrM2FfdE-Jw/s200/31EYwVDovIL._AA280_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120061276355270498" /></a><br /><br />Our laptop died and so my convenient computer is no longer accessible. We have a great Mac upstairs, but I can't keep an eye on my toddler when I use it and then in the evenings, my husband hogs the computer... guess who's pushing to get the computer fixed ASAP?!?!?!<br /><br />Not much here though. I just got myself my FIRST set of good knives. I got just three by Global. They have really good reviews and I liked how they fit in my hand. If I really like them, I'll get more. I finally decided that enough was enough with the bad knives when I went to slice a tomato for a salad last week and realized that I had basically crushed the beautiful tomato because I didn't have a SINGLE sharp knife!!! Then I got to thinking, I cook EVERY DAY. I make everything by scratch and I slice and chop vegetables DAILY... Then WHY am I using grocery store, plastic handle knives when I have really good quality everything else?!?!? It makes NO SENSE! 14 years of marriage on crap, crap knives. I won't know what to do with a sharp knife! I'll have to tell you if they are as good as the hype.<br /><br />Still searching for that "me" bag and boy, there are some BEAUTIFUL bags out there - WOW!!!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-76423417576729662172007-10-08T07:58:00.000-04:002007-10-08T08:08:15.681-04:00Just bought a refurbished Kitchenaid from Amazon.com!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1osP3PGn1VkDgxsjB20woRqs7lI8uMcdy-Rd5tZspvSfzyoMEQT-Tzc0MM67RKAYdN_FmRnbzfabyRSEDCUw-ZiLFO7GeQjJvBmUKUFCBAPlgQ1HYOwpll4z7qRq6CZPbYjAlpVexjyk/s1600-h/ka.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1osP3PGn1VkDgxsjB20woRqs7lI8uMcdy-Rd5tZspvSfzyoMEQT-Tzc0MM67RKAYdN_FmRnbzfabyRSEDCUw-ZiLFO7GeQjJvBmUKUFCBAPlgQ1HYOwpll4z7qRq6CZPbYjAlpVexjyk/s200/ka.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118936530198472674" border="0" /></a><br />I have been waffling about getting a KA mixer for eons. Since I already have an excellent mixer, I didn't "need" one, but my mixer, while FANTASTIC for whole grain bread making and for making buttercream and cake batter (it has two separate mixing bowls and beaters), it's NOT good for getting cookie dough consistency right.<br /><br />Kitchenaid mixers, on the other hand, are NOT good for kneading really heavy doughs or fondant, but are great for cookie doughs and cake batter. So, I've been on the fence about it for about 6 months. But today I see they are selling refurbished KAs from Amazon SHIPPED for $125 and they aren't awful colors and today I decided to go for it. Baking season is upon me and I would love to have an appropriate mixer. For the LONGEST time I was tempted to get the Bosch compact mixer, but it has the same mixing issues as the DLX2000! So, what's the point? Yes, they are cheap and excellent, but it would be seriously duplicating my existing collection.<br /><br />Yay! a new toy!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-67632879301654245492007-10-06T07:04:00.000-04:002007-10-06T07:15:31.241-04:00Had a nice shopping day yesterday!I decided to go to the outlet mall yesterday. It was too hot to hang outside, so our walk was indoors yesterday. Henry enjoyed it too. He walked the entire length of the mall (and that mall is LONG) and then I convinced him to sit in the stroller. He had a drink and a small snack and then he ZONKED!!! So then it was MY turn! LOL<br /><br />I walked back the length of the mall and stopped off at stores of interest. And I was SOOOOOO good. I only got a new pyrex tote bag kit (ours died) for $10 and a few replacement pieces at the Corelle outlet store, but I ooed and ahed at LOTS of nice handbags! WOW! I saw a lot of the bags I had heard of, but never seen and boy are some just so buttery soft! Very nice and I was VERY GOOD and didn't get one.<br /><br />I did try to search for clothes for the two monsters, but I didn't find ANYTHING I wanted. Even at outlet prices, it's too much money or looks icky. I'll hit my consignment stores again... that always works!<br /><br />Later, I went to Goodwill and Salvation Army for DH's costume parts and we FINALLY have it together. He's going as Borat (DH is tall with the same kind of hair as Borat (Sasha Cohen) and similar build) He has a beard and mustache now, but he'll shave his beard and temporarily dye/paint his auburn mustache black... He can talk like Borat too... it will be SOOOOO funny and I'll definitely post pictures! Finding a suit that works is REALLY difficult though, I tell ya!<br /><br />I think for a gag, I'll get him the Borat swimsuit too. They are so cheap on ebay and he would LAUGH so hard! Our anniversary is in little over a week, so that should be FUNNY!<br /><br />Initially, Henry was going to go as a bear and I was going to go as the other dude from Borat - you know... the fat one. I still might do it, but we'll see. We are going to a party and we like to dress in "theme" if possible. Adrian is going as a Gorilla! LOL Otherwise, for Halloween Henry is going as Blue from Blues Clues and for a momsclub party I'm dressing as Magenta! LOL Can you tell we like Halloween?Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-65731139551849702942007-10-05T08:43:00.000-04:002007-10-05T08:46:48.519-04:00Feels like Summer in OctoberIt's hard to feel in the baking mood when it's nearly 90 degrees outside and it WILL be 90 some this weekend. I have a 1/2 bushel of apples just waiting for me too!<br /><br />I'm still trying to decide what to make for this business fair (very small time) with the Momsclub... I want it to be good, but not something I would have to take EONS to do, you know?<br />Of course, this head cold I'm developing isn't helping me with being motivated, that's for sure! ugh.... Now, how I'M getting the cold when I wash my hands all the time and basically have NO EXPOSURE to anything, I don't know! I can't even blame the toddler, because I'm the only one who has anything! Let's hope it stays that way!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-30464634276186144692007-10-04T09:57:00.000-04:002007-10-04T09:59:59.334-04:00Can you see me smiling?Need I say more? Ok, maybe this... things are definitely getting better and HE initiated... YAY me!!!! A little confidence HELPS!<br /><br />Other than that... Ummm... same old same old. I need to do some shopping today. BOTH my kids are growing like WEEDS! I sorted through clothes and yikes! My toddler has THREE pairs of pants that fit! Think it's time to RESTOCK! Maybe I'll find that bag for just me too!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-53657790685092553912007-10-03T08:16:00.000-04:002007-10-03T08:28:58.044-04:00Developing a new dangerous love - handbags!I know I will never spend thousands on a handbag, but I have been sucked in a bit and mostly because I got tired of carrying DIAPER bags. As a SAHM, I have to have practical bags - they have to have outside water bottle pockets, have to have easy to get to pockets for keys and phone and hopefully, one for snacks. Ideally it will have two handle types, but at least one that is adjustable. And, it has to feel good when worn - not heavy on the shoulder when full and lastly, it has to be easy to access the interior to grab what I need. Now, all of this cannot fit in a small bag, so they are bigger bags too... which is OK since bags are larger now than they have been in past years.<br /><br />And for some reason, I'm wanting a pewter colored bag? I guess all this "trying to feel better about myself" has led me to wanting a ME bag and not a "baby" bag. Oh, I haven't talked about it yet, but just by switching to a normal bra and not a nursing bra and getting new clothes (just 4 tops and three pants) that are flattering has made me feel SO MUCH BETTER! I don't feel like a frump!!! Also, I've been wearing my hair down, not tied up. ALL of this is just making me feel like a WOMAN again who also has children... not just Mommy.<br /><br />It must be working all around because while we are still are not great, DH is smiling more, talking with me more, and being a bit more affection. We have a long ways to go, but feeling better about how I LOOK boosted my confidence and seeing that it is paying off a little with other people, it boosts the confidence more - now it's the upwards spiral.<br /><br />So... that led to wanting to have a great handbag that will work as a mommy bag but that is really for ME... I've had mixed luck finding anything too! I found a great summer style bag, but would like a nice black or especially a pewter bag. I've never, ever gotten something a little flashy, and I still want it to be subtle, but I just really desire a little bling in my life!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-56559314350893996302007-10-01T06:56:00.000-04:002007-10-01T07:04:53.397-04:00Autumn is definitely here and I LOVE it!Fall is my favorite season. I love the crispness of it, the smell of it and the look of it. Spring is great and beautiful, but there's just something about fall that makes me happy. Plus, I start thinking about baking and cooking in general. It starts with wanting to bake with apples, then pumpkin and then by the time winter is in full swing, cookies and other baked goods... And not just baked goods, but soups and stews and other baked or roasted items... serious YUM!<br /><br />Saturday at the farmer's market I bought a 1/2 bushel of apples, that's a SERIOUS amount of apples (like 20 lbs!!!), but I've done that the last two years, made a bunch of baked goods (plus just normal eating of them) and we don't waste a single one!<br /><br />What I kick myself about is not getting an apple peeler/corer/slicer YEARS AGO! I can get 8 cups of cut up apples in 10 minutes now where it would take me FOREVER before and that old fashioned contraption is only $25, so there was NO REASON to not get it all those years! I guess I was just skeptical in how they worked until I saw it on some TV show and then I was sold!<br /><br />Today is now Monday and I need to sort through my youngest's wardrobe. We have some SERIOUS weeding too. He has outgrown most of his wardrobe, so I need to see what's lacking (if anything)... it's just MORE stuff for me to take photos of and SELL... I don't know why I drag my feet on getting the baby stuff sold. I'm not pining after having another baby, heck no!!! But... I hate selling small items because it's a lot of effort for not much reward! But, there is a reward for doing it, so I just can't donate them either!<br /><br />Well... time to wake up DH and get the day started.Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-62526887105852742062007-09-29T07:22:00.001-04:002007-09-29T07:28:50.134-04:00Off to the farmer's marketThe season is almost over which makes me sad! When the pumpkins and apples take over, you know the end is near. How I enjoy the flavorful tomatoes and peaches and fresh herbs in huge bunches... now it will be back to the grocery store staples. I think the farmer's markets must take a pretty big hit on grocery stores because the store I usually go to is pretty stocked all fall, winter and spring, but this summer they were seriously lacking in the variety you would expect.<br /><br />When we lived in Waterloo, Ontario, we lived near a year round market. In summer there wre TONS of outdoor booths as well as the indoor buildings, but in winter, things were still coming, except then it was the fresh mennonite meats and dairy and baked goods. Upstairs was a continual flee market. That place was FABULOUS and in summer? OMG yum!!!! We went twice a week during the summer and weekly during the cooler months... sometimes I miss living in a more rural area. The city wasn't small, but it wasn't this GINORMOUS area like here where there are millions of people all crowded together. It's expensive too!<br /><br />Well... I need to get going!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-25431403735155890712007-09-27T13:04:00.000-04:002007-09-27T13:11:09.588-04:00Got an interesting freebie issue of a magazine yesterdayI really dislike most magazines because they are so much paper for so little substance. Then I got this magazine freebie yesterday and I was impressed. First, it is 3 hole punched so I can store it whole or take it apart to store in a binder (nice!!!), then... NO ADVERTISING! Third, I actually learned some things and I'm a pretty darn good cook, but I guess I don't know it all! LOL<br /><br />This is it: http://www.cuisineathome.com/. I have never (and I mean NEVER) paid for a subscription to a magazine before. I've gotten a few free year long subscriptions, but never have I actually considered a magazine worth getting even for the minimal fee they are. But.... I think I'm going to pay the $22 for the 6 issues because it's not crap!!! Wow, what a concept! LOL<br /><br />I know, just what I need is more food stuff, but hey, I love it, right?<br /><br />Anyone else know of this magazine? Am I giving it higher points than I should? What do you think?Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-21991472106416340242007-09-26T06:36:00.001-04:002007-09-26T06:47:28.711-04:00How to test recipes and not get MORE fat!I really would like to try some new cake recipes. I have a few GREAT recipes, but my repetoire is still pretty small. I don't want to bake and give it all away (minus a few cupcakes) because what if it's BAD? I also want people to be HONEST and say, "this is too dry" or "this doesn't have much flavor" and not be AFRAID to say, "ICK!" (I know, how many cakes are "ick" but it can happen!)<br /><br />I suppose I can bring things to mom's club and ethical society and just state... "testing new recipe, tell me what you think", though... but that could be chancy! The Momsclub is my primary market so far (gotta change that!).<br /><br />The recipes I really like are my yellow cake, my lighter chocolate cake and my darker/heavier chocolate cake. I like my pound cake, but I'm not satisfied with my butter cake... a tad dry IMO. I haven't tried a great white cake recipe yet either.<br /><br />I have a really good buttercream recipe and chocolate buttercream recipe, but my meringue buttercream was a big bomb in April at home. It was like eating a fluffy stick of butter. It needs more flavor or something. The recipe is PRECISELY as in a handful of books I have, but not appetizing unless people really just want the taste of sweetened butter.<br /><br />I'm afraid to try many recipes from the Cake Bible since my super dry recipe is from there and a lot of other people complain of dryness with that book. But, at the same time, my great chocolate recipe is from that book, so I know not everything is dry from there.<br /><br />I also haven't tried a SINGLE recipe from my Professional Pastry Chef book or my European cake book. I've made most of the appealing cakes in the Croatian book though, so I'm good to go there.<br /><br />I'm talking about this and DH will kill me if I make a bunch of cakes for us to try as he just went down a pant size and he would like to stay there of course! And I'm trying to be better about my weight too! Sigh... I wish this was TRUE health food and not a healthier version of junk food that I make! LOLSweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-89356466187552184302007-09-25T08:29:00.000-04:002007-09-25T08:51:32.393-04:00No mixer can do it all I've concludedI have a heavy duty electrolux DLX2000 stand mixer. I love it... LOVE IT. It makes HUGE batches of buttercream in the 8 quart mixer and can do a double batch of a cake recipe in the smaller bown with the whisk attachment. For whole grain breads, it's hands down the best mixer as it can handle super stiff doughs. However, I've tried mixing cookie dough a few times and find I prefer how it turns out mixed by hand instead. I don't quite understand WHY the texture is different, but it is. Then, I read some reviews, and yep, that's the conclusion by experts too - KitchenAids are better for cookie batter.<br /><br />Kitchenaid mixers, on the other hand, are not great at heavy doughs. Most bread making sites say that KA motors will burn out or strain with the load of a heavy, whole grain bread dough. Many cake bakers also lament that it strains with making fondant. Yet for cookie dough and cake batters, it does great.<br /><br />But... both of these are expensive machines. Especially if you are a serious baker because the smaller KAs are too small for avid bakers. So, you are looking at $500 for the DLX and about $300 on sale for the KA Pro 6 quarts. Set aside the cost, now let's look at how BIG they are. As it is, I don't keep my mixer on the counter, because who has ROOM????? I take out that monster every time I make a cake. I don't even keep a coffee maker on the counter either because we don't use it enough to justify it to be out. Enough space is gobbled by the microwave, toaster oven and the canister set (which holds 5lbs of flour/sugar each).<br /><br />However, I know a lot of bakers own two KA mixers because when you are baking, it's nice to have more than one machine working at a time. I don't think I'll ever get there, but there are plenty of times I'm tempted to get a Kitchenaid mixer, but I think my husband would kill me as he barely thought it was worth getting the mixer I have and that was an ebay STEAL (got it for $250 SHIPPED on a mislabeled auction).<br /><br />Though, that doesn't keep me from dreaming and drooling! I have a pretty nice kitchen, but I definitely dream of an even better kitchen that can hold ALL my stuff. Of course, space would be a LOT better in my kitchen if I had a PANTRY!!! Sigh... can't have everything I suppose!Sweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191889587277656073.post-27712607642159969472007-09-24T07:12:00.000-04:002007-09-24T07:44:15.529-04:00Colette Peters book on cake decoratingAnother book I got at the library last weekend was a book on cake decorating by Colette Peters. I can't recall the name offhand, but it's her birthday cake fun book with cake themes from the zodiac and birthstones.<br /><br />I must admit, it's fun to look at these cakes as they are quite amazing, but I just wonder about these, and ALL the super big or fancy cakes, who PAYS for these? Is there a market for cakes that take tens of hours to make? And cost a lot in ingredients/supplies too. Or, are there just enough hobby people who want to make these special cakes for their own kids/grandkids?<br /><br />I like a fancy cake to look at, but I would hate to spend ALL that time on a cake and I have a quite a bit of patience, but IMO, a cake should not take DAYS to do. The only times I can see exceptions to that is for weddings and other HUGE parties/celebrations where lots of money and effort are going into the rest of the party too... but for a kid's first birthday? For a boyfriend's birthday? Um... no!<br /><br />A couple of them I think are super cool looking, but then I wonder, "how do you EAT it?" One is covered, COVERED in M&Ms in a very pretty mosiac pattern. The cake takes like 1200 M&Ms which is a really cool effect, but how would biting into a cake studded with M&Ms taste? I would have to scrape it all off to eat it. Others are covered so much with Royal Icing FLowers or gumpaste items...again, all this effort, just to be brushed aside and tossed out. By the time you can EAT the cake, it's UGLY from being disassembled. Again, just my preference, but I don't want my cake to get "naked" just to be eaten. I want people to just be able to dig in.<br /><br />So... while it was fun looking at the pictures, I would never make a cake like this - even if I had the talent to do so. That's just too much "stuff" for me to get over in the "cake should be food" thoughts. I know I'm in the minority in thinking that way, but what can I say? that's how I feel about it! LOLSweet Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05820328695275285145noreply@blogger.com3