5 Months.

So apparently you can see a difference in my face versus say... five months ago in November.  After posting a random picture of myself driving [the car was at a complete stop and there was traffic...] on Fbook... it was almost immediate that I got at least 4 responses on how much skinnier I looked.  I j/sat there scratching my head trying to figure out how they could tell I look skinnier if it is j/a picture of my face?!  And not a very clear one at that. 

Well, after pulling up one of my more recent picture on Fbook w/the same face angle and putting it side by side to the one taken today... Yup... I can see a change... and I LOVE IT.





Why was I driving w/a bathen suit top on you ask?  Easy!  Because I went to Navarre Beach!  Why was I there?  Not so easy... hanging out with Marks Parks [And Furey] one last time before he left on his deployment. It was a good time.  The sun was nice and hot.  Cold beers, thanks to Amy leaving them here.

However, the Water was cold as well... I have no clue what these boys were thinking?!

Furey, being Furey, began to get hungry so we decided to try the restaurant near the bridge once you get on Navarre... right when I was turning I saw IT... a CRX that looked JUST like the one Austin used to have, bleh.  Same color and everything... j/needed a huge dent in it and some missing pieces I am sure.  Man I hate that car with a passion!

 I also forgot to mention... TA-DA!  I received me certificate of completion of Decorating Basics Course!  Woo Hoo!

I found my icing calling as well... ROSES!  I can kick some butt in roses let me tell you what... never mind... let me SHOW you!

Riding Dirty

After an hour drive, 3 hours of talking, and another drive I finally came home with a new car.  It has to be beyond one of the most stressful things I ever had to do in my ENTIRE life.  That is why I only want to do it every 10 years.  Same car as before, RIP, but different color.  It is taking some getting used to but I kind of like the new color.  Trying to think of a new name for her, Rhett was the last one and before that there was Jake the Jetta.  This is definitely a girl though... maybe Reese/Reesie?

I am going to have a pretty boring weekend.  I am determined to get ALL photo sessions DONE.  Clean the house from all dog hair and dust.  Attempt to carpet clean.  Do laundry and put it ALL away.  Ice Austin's sugar cookies for his care package and ice a cake for class.  Mail out a disk.  And get over my cold.


Care Package in the making...

I have been pretty good about staying away from naughty foods. (Minus last weekend when my sister came to visit)  30 pounds down since Jan!  I want to lose at least 30 more. But it is so hard when you see yummie things like Cappuccino Muffins with step-by-step instructions...


Please let me eat you...

 

Christmas in July?

I have just recently been introduced to the idea of "Cake Pops."  I had no idea what the heck they were or how to make them.  Well!  I j/learned!  You bake a cake, crumble the cake up, add almost a whole can of icing, mix it up, roll into balls, put it in the rig/freezer, and then shape, dip into chocolate & decorate!

You can read about it all here.

I am already thinking ahead for Christmas ideas.  Originally I was going to try to learn how to do a loop rug... but I think if I do crazy cute custom gift baskets w/all homemade treats it may be appreciated more.  It is definitly on my list of things to attempt to try.  I may even pick up a book on how to do it.  Hum... thinking of that I really need to take a trip to Best Buy to return something...

Cupie-Cake

I decided to go to the icing class yesterday.   I didn't want to miss the lesson and I didn't want to start over next month.  (and my back was VERY upset with me afterwards.)  But I learned how to make balloons, circles and a cupcake!  Next Monday we will learn how to ice a cupcake and how to make flowers.  Although, cake class is not an ideal situation when you are trying to watch your calories... it is teaching me a lot and I am happy that I finally decided to do it.  (Even though I am doing it by myself.)

I do wish we had a class that focused more on how to make really pretty cookies.  What do I mean?  Like these!

Even though I am very anti WV... I have a GA and a VA cookie cutter and I think I could use to make it my own!  Love the monogram cookies, love the strawberry cookie- great idea for the summer and LOVE the ruby red slippers.

P.S. LOVE this cake!  So darn cute!

Carrot Cake

So after going through multiple cook books I came up with the perfect recipe!  I still need to try it out... but I think it will be a hit.  I may try to make it this weekend?

Whitney's Carrot Cake:
Carrot:  2 1/2 Cup
Flour:  2 Cup
Sugar:  2 Cup
Salt:  1 Teaspoon
Baking Soda:  2 Teaspoon
Baking Powder:  2 Teaspoon
Cinnamon:  2 Teaspoon
Oil:  1 1/2 Cup
Egg:  4
Walnuts:  1 Cup

Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes.  Mix the dry ingredients together.  Mix the wet ingredients together.  Mix the ingredients together.

Whitney's Cream Cheese Frosting:
Butter:  1/2 Cup
Cream Cheese:  8 oz.
Confectioners Sugar:  1 lb.
Vanillia:  1 1/2 Teaspoon

So Icy!

I finally decided to sign up for the Wilton's Icing class.  I figured it would be a fun way to occupy my time while Austin is away.  There are 4 courses and 4 classes in each course.  Every Monday from 5:30-7:30. (in other words it will keep me busy for 4 months)  Austin even went and bought me a fancy kit to go with it...

This week we were taught how to dirty ice a cake and how to do "stars".  Here is my end result from the "star" section...

I already invision needing a revolving cake stand, a cake leveler, a big tip & a bigger bag.

Once Austin comes home I will have no excuse for his birthday cakes to look like this anymore.  Although, it was made with love and good intentions... it didn't look so good.



Hum, maybe I will attempt a 3 layer birthday cake...

Heaven made into a cookie?

Is it possible to have heaven made into a cookie?  I saw these Macarons today on the CakeJournal and they looked simply yummy.  I will have to invest into a new pastry bag to make these for my old one was pitched.

Picture from CakeJournal

I have been inspired by Harry & David gift baskets.  Maybe I can learn how to cut cookie recipes into 1/8.  That way I can make only a few and have none left over for "samples".  It would be just enough for me to send an assortment to Austin.  But then again... the temptation is too great.  For I am one of those bakers that licks the spoon when I am done with it... or licks my fingers when I am done messing with it.  Sorry Austin, no goodies for you this deployment.

But why must I see such tasty treats when I found out yesterday that I lost 8 pounds since my last doctors appointment... and I found out today that I lost another pound!