The cake is complete!

So after two weeks of reading up and experimenting the party is over and the cake is done.

Taryn came over Friday night and we decorated the cupcakes. I sent her home (to get things ready for the party) and I finished up the cake. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

So I learned how to color fondant, make butter cream frosting, I did a little piping and had my first go at frosting a cake. I LOVED IT. It really makes me want to pursue the idea of pastry school...

My first cake decorating project

My friend Taryn's daughter, Naftalia's first birthday party is coming up next weekend. I've been talking about wanting to start some sort of party planning, baking, cooking of some sort of adventure, so Taryn jumped on it and asked for my help. She is a very creative person and could totally do this all herself so I thank her for including me in the plans.

We talked about food and what to do for the b-day cake and of course I offered up making the cake. Now, let me put this up front and out there... at Easter this year, I baked my first cake - it turned out ok but definitely not a masterpiece. I'm usually a pie/tart girl. Cookies, no problem. Scones, I love to make, but cakes I don't have much experience with, so here begins my adventure.

We decided on a small cake (for the b-day girl) surrounded by cupcakes. Perfect. Butterflies and flowers are the theme. So this week I worked on some ideas and Saturday I went to Cake Art in San Rafael and worked through the ideas. I think I got some good stuff. So I'm off to experiment.

Dahlias

For the past few weeks I've driven by this beautiful display of dahlias in front of a home and have wanted to stop and take a pic, but for some reason (family of the house outside, late to get some where, etc.) I have not. But today was a nice mellow day and as I was cruising by I decided to pull over and take a few pictures. It's a good thing I did, these babies are about to go. They just bring a smile to my face.

4th of July

Spent a lovely day up in Petaluma, enjoying the company (once again) of my friend Lauren and her family. I finally met the infamous Gordan... what a two-year old cutie!

Tonight I went up on my roof and watched the fireworks display over the bay. The fog 'held' off for the most part, just a thick layer up above. I posted just a small part of the show... it was an impressive 25 minutes long. I also reminisced about the good old days at Lake Quivira... the all day reveling at the dock, picnic lunch and dinner and fire works galore. Ahhh to be 8 again.

Yep, those are my toes!

Today I had a lovely day with my friend Lauren. We went and had lunch at a charming little pizza place in Potrero Hill called Pizza Nostra. Followed by a little slice of heaven... a pedi at Tiptoes. Ummmm what a great day!

French Mixed Greens with Bacon and Poached Eggs

YUMMY! I made this salad last weekend for my mom and I. It was a recipe I found in Cooking Light. I would have to say that we both devoured it.

Speaking of last weekend, I had a wonderful visit with my mom. Her visits seem to revolve around good food and lots of conversation. We had dinner at Spruce on Friday night, sushi at Sushi Rock on Saturday and oysters at Hog Island Oyster on Sunday. No complaining here!

Year and a half hiatus

So I've decided to take another go at the blog thing and am starting up my happy moments again.

Miss Sydney

Last night I got a call from my friend Lauren Haas. She moved to Sydney about four months ago for school. She sounded so happy. I'm glad that she is enjoying herself. So far this experience had been great for her and given her the change she needed and is allowing her to grow.

The call brought a smile to my face and made me feel a happy buzz. Now I need to figure out how to get myself over there for a visit!

jack o'lantern

I love this guy. Every year these people have him up on their roof. Tonight I walked out of Whole Foods and there it is. Happy Jack O'Lantern.

Nice pour

Tonight I had a belated birthday drink with my friend Bo. It was nice to see him again. It's been awhile. We went to a wine bar by my house called Amelie. The staff was knowledgeable about the wine and the nibbles were satisfying. The atmosphere is warm and comforting... it is a relaxing place to go after a hectic day.

It was a great evening of good conversation, wine and um yeah, some so so Indian food.

A little catch up

So I have missed a few days and here is my recap of my happy moments:

10/23
Back to school... if you want to call it that. Tonight we had cooking class again. I really wasn't really looking forward to going but I just went. I had a wonderful time with the girls I've been cooking with - Eva and Tanya, fun girls. And this time we had a good joiner - Asit. he was a nice addition and the four of us had a great time cooking.


10/22
Today crazy but true, both Michelle and Stacey called me with in about 15 minutes. I was so excited to hear from both of them and it reminded me of the days we use to work together at Via. Ahhh those were the day.


10/21
I met my friend Annie today in the Mission to go to Open Studios.
We went to our friend Lilly's studio. I have to say I really enjoyed her art, she has grown as an artist. Here is her site http://lilymartine.com

But what I really enjoyed was my time with Annie.

The time I spend with my close friends really reaffirms why I work so hard at the friendships I have. I love my friends and cherish the time I get to spend with them. It is work and the thing I have come to understand is that I do not have a husband or kids and therefore have the ability to take the time to work hard on these relationships.

10/20
Today I went for a run. I haven't been on a run in about three weeks - it was a bit rough but in the end it felt good. I guess you could say... it made me happy.

two today

Today I had two happy moments and here they are:

1. today I was in a meeting with my boss and out the window I saw this single bubble floating through the ski. It totally brought a smile to my face and I had to stop talking about what I was talking about and say something (I was discussing what was going wrong with a project I am working on so it didn't seem normal to break out in a smile)

2. tonight it was raining on the way home from work and even though I had an umbrella in my bag I decided to walk in the rain.
I loved it.

Whoo Hooo!

5lbs!!!
It's a start. It made me very happy.
Just need to keep focused and keep on trudging on.

All gone

I love this yogurt. I have really never been able to say this about yogurt. But this stuff is so good. It is called Spega from Italy, Trader Joe's carries it. So far I have seen it in Ginger and Cinnamon, apricot and mixed berries. Tonight I had the Ginger and Cinnamon. And then there is the cute little glass jar.
umm umm good!