"Attempt" is the key word.

I ordered a book today...albiet a cookbook. Well, not even a cookbook, a "cake"book. Yes, a book filled with instructions on how to bake, frost and decorate your own fancy cakes. I can't wait for it to arrive. I have no idea what special tools I'll need, how many eggs will be required or how fat I'll become from taking up this pipe dream of mine, but I've always wanted to bake and decorate a real fancy cake. Ordering this book was the first step.

Over the years, I've perfected many recipes. (Some are still in stages of perfection, like the perfectly frosted cut-out cookie, and lemon cookies.) But, etched in stone are: my perfect chocolate chip cookies, a darn good pumpkin pie...and recently (thanks to C.H.F.) the fluffiest pancakes in the world! Yes, my secret baking quest will always be there. I'll always want to buy more powdered sugar than I need at the store, and I will always have the dream of filling my kitchen with the smell of something sweet and delicious.

So, in an ATTEMPT to say aloud "Let them eat cake!" and be "oh so crafty" and also edible... I am going to try my hand at a fancy cake. I hope. I have to read the instructions first. And if it doesn't become a fancy cake, perhaps fancy "cupcakes" instead. I also got the new Martha Stewart cupcake book that just came out. The funny thing is, I don't really want to eat the cakes, I just want to make them and take pictures of them (chance are I will be eating some though - who am I kidding.) I only wish I had the recipe of the cake that Jason and I had for our wedding. That cake was delicious!

Goodbye Goldie and other signs of change.

Had to say goodbye to a longtime fish-mate of mine. The Golden Severum we named "Goldie" who swam like a grump for 10 years in our 55 gallon fish tank. We bought those two golden severums way back when we were in Illinois. I think we got them at a pet shop in Champaign, IL. They always had better shops and eataries there - and Jason and I would make roadtrips to get homebrew supplies, shoes, pet supplies and eat lunch at this wonderful resturant called The Great Impasta. God I miss that place. Remember the noodle salad? To DIE for. So, Jason and I estimate that fish was around 10 years old. And from some quick research, thier life span is 5-10 years, so that fish lived a long time! As I mentioned, the other severum died a long time ago. The funny thing is there are fish in that tank even OLDER than the severum. Two silver dollars and a sucker fish. Plus this little (well now it's pretty big) red-eyed tetra which has managed to survive somehow. For the first time ever, I witnessed that little tetra swim out into the middle of the tank. Funny - he'd never do that with the Goldie in it's path for fear of being eaten. So, that big yellow fish is off to a better place, leaving my 55 gallon very empty!

The strange thing is, we were just about to move that fish tank and put it behind the couch. That plan is still in the works, and now it looks like I will be revamping the entire tank. I was thinking of just taking it down all together, but Jason talked me out of it.

On another note, I'm feeling all grown up and sophisticated these last few days. We painted our bedroom over Memorial Day Weekend and it's looking great! We went with a brownish/bronze called Tiki Hut. We also got two new bedside lamps. So for a total of two cans of paint and two new lamps, our bedroom has a whole new look! I really like the way it turned out. I'll have to post some pics.

Speaking of change, the construction on the 14th street bridge hasn't started yet. Meaning, the nightmare hasn't started yet. Jason now uses the metro to go to work so I'm using his car for my commute - it is awesome! However, I'm not looking forward to the construction. It will begin any day now. Ugh.

Thanks to the following things that make me smile:
1. Pretzel Goldfish
2. Leia
3. Coleslaw
4. Strawberry shampoo
5. Arctic Bars
6. Jason's car
7. new paint
8. Kung Fu Panda
9.

Snickerdoodle Bundt

I don't know if I mentioned it, but Leia is better now. There was a two week period..actually the last 1/2 of April where we were trying to figure out what was up with our sick dog. But, it seems we are back to normal now. Only one vet visit. Thank goodness.

Last weekend the farmer's market opened down the path from our place. It was pouring rain, but there was still a lot of people there. Not enough veg though. My favorite veg place seemed to be missing from the lot and we had to accept a damn dog treat from that lady who makes them from scratch. Please tell me she's not going to force dog treats on us all summer long. It wouldn't be so bad, but Leia doesn't really like them :) Which makes me laugh. We did get some fresh cheese, hummus and strawberries. The strawberries went well with a Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake I made last Saturday night.

Painting!

Before: The walls were white before we painted!

After: I really like the new paint in our house. It makes it feel more like home. The color is "Outerbanks" by Sherwin-Williams.

Gettin' a jump on the day!

I thought I'd get a jump on the day and get rollin' early, so I woke up at 3am! Well, not by choice really- Leia was squeeking from the livingroom and had to go outside. She's sick. Usually Jason goes outside with her, but with only an hour or two till he had to wake up for work, I figured I could go this time. (I wake up at the same time he does...so I don't know what I meant by this.) Just trying to be nice I guess.

It's very peaceful in our neighborhood at 3a. I didn't see a soul. And becuase it was 90 yesterday, it was nice an warm out still. Not a horrible experience at all.

I just can't figure out why Leia is so sick. It's been this way for 1 1/2 weeks. We've been to the vet (Friday), we're taking medication, changed her diet, eliminated all treats, and still, no results. I started calling around to the two different specialty dog food shops where we get a brand called The Honest Kitchen. Did they change their ingredients? The food is a dehydrated raw, and you add warm water to make the food. I did notice some extra chunks in this batch (purchased about 2 weeks ago) - so that might be it. I am getting worried that this is carrying on.

We were busy this weekend painting. Yay! We picked a color called "Outerbanks" from Sherwin Williams and spent the weekend with paint brushes in our hands. I was on trim, and Jason used the roller. We make a great painting team and are pretty happy with the outcome. It looks good (we think!)

Next up, our bedroom walls. That will require moving our bed - ugh. It's so heavy! It's one of those 1/2 mattress, 1/2 memory foam NASA beds. But, there's no other way to paint unless it's out of there. I'm sure Jason can't wait to move it :)