destination lottery

I decided to take a trip to Malad today to try my hand at the lotto. It's something I used to do often that I haven't done in a long time. Here are a few pics from along the way.

Mint Morsels and Large Explosions

A cupcake a day keeps the doctor away. This weekend I didn't go the traditional 4th of July celebration route as a theme for my cupcakes. I opted for something easy, and this time, out of the box. Chocolate cupcakes with an Andes Mint surprise baked in the middle, mint frosting and some pink nonpareils. And while the cupcakes may have not fit the spirit of the holiday, the other photos should speak loud and clear. I hope you all had a happy fourth!

Little things.

Little things all around, growing into big things. Life is a splendid and beautiful thing, and comes in all shapes, colors and sizes. Andy and I planted a big garden in our backyard this year, and it has been so fun seeing things take shape and grow. I imagine it is much like watching a child grow in some ways. Day to day something just a little different. So here are a few snapshots of the 'little things' from around the yard.

She dreams in hues of Lavender

Just Like Peas in a Pod

Master of my Own Domain

What's the Dill-e-o

In a hurry

Has anyone seen where I put my brain?

So, it has been a rough couple months. Work has been insane and there has been no time to come up for air. Day's come and go, and quite frankly, as of lately, I don't seem to know the who's what's when's and where's outside of work. Needless to say, I did the one thing, I hoped I would never do. The one thing I am always hounding my brother about doing a better job at! I FORGOT MY MOM's FRIGGEN BIRTHDAY! The most awesome woman in the world, the female I most look up to, the best Mom a person could ask for, and I totally spaced her friggen birthday! If it had not been for her being the most understanding person I know and dropping me a hint, I am afraid to say, I probably wouldn't have recognized my ignorance until who know's when. She knew I was on another planet (metaphorically speaking) and she sent me the cutest e-mail letting me know, but assuring me, that it was no big deal, for she knew if I recognized my error a month from now, I would have been mortified! So, I took her special request and made her lemon cupcakes to make up for it. Unfortuneatly I don't have pictures of them, but they were lemon cupcakes, with Lemon Pastry Filling in the middle, Lemon Frosting, and to top it off, white chocolate flowers with mint chocolate leaves for decoration. She said that they were her favorite so far, and dad liked them too. Ah, Sweet Redemption. So, Since I don't have a picture of the cupcakes, I will post a picture of the two of us from a while back. I love you Mom.

This picture was taken a few years ago on our trip to Vegas to see INXS play. 'Twas a blast! **What the Eff is 411** ha ha ha, oh man, good times.

Birthday Flop!

So, there is a reason why I make cupcakes...it's because real cakes are not my bag. I attempted to make a kick ass cake for my Brother's Birthday, and well, it just didn't turn out. The middles kept sinking in, the possible causes of which were endless, and I was out of time. I should have known that morning the whole process was going to be a challenge, why? you ask... A) My mixer quit working in the middle of preparing the batter and B) the microwave BLEW UP! Like as in ZAP! BANG! BOOM! 'OMG there is a fire' sort of blew up. Needless to say, I had made plenty of batter, so after several failed attempts at making the tiers for my cake I resorted to what I know I am capable of...little miniature delights, it's a cake aint it? They were chocolate cupcakes with white chocolate buttercream frosting, topped off with a milky way mini. I had all the best intentions of making a phenominal first cake, but hey, what can you do? These little things turned out tasty enough, and the bro liked them...the most important part.

So here is the failed attempt at the 'cake'

And here is the 'cake' as it ended up. =)

Would you like one?

Latest Creations and Goings-on

I was really hoping for some sunshine to take this picture in, but it doesn't seem as though that's going to happen. It seems like all it does is rain around here lately. But, this here is my latest cupcake creation. It's strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting dusted with pink glitter and nonpareils. I also made the rose on top out of fondant and then coated it with pink luster dust, sadly the picture doesn't pick that up very well. This weekend I will be trying my hand at my first tiered cake, so we will see how that goes. I think I might go for a topsy turvy theme, and I am a little skeered about it, hopefully it wont be a complete disaster.

And on another note, here are a few pics from around the yard over the past few weeks. I think this ladybug was doing more than just hitching a ride. =) I can honestly say I have never seen anything quite like this, it was pretty amazing watching them zoom around on the rock like that.

Saint Jude watching over the garden. Poor guy has an aphid in his beard. On some of the other pictures it was on his forehead and then on his mouth, I didn't even notice it until I had the pictures downloaded.

And last but not least, how about some blue skies with Iris'. I sure would love to have blue skies back! At least with a picture, we can pretend.

4 Little Robins

Andy and I recently witnessed something pretty awesome. Baby robins from eggs, to birth, to flight, all in our own backyard. Here is a time line, for the most part, of their journey.

And so it began. After hanging out in the nest for a few days Momma robin finally laid her eggs.

After a few days of constant nurturing from both momma and papa Robin, the babies finally hatched. This is day one of life for these 4 little creatures.They have an awkward charm about them, and although they look like something from a horror movie, you can't help but say 'awww'.

Day 2 and their transformation already begins. They start to change color and the fuzz on their bodies becomes more prominent. They spend all their time sleeping, getting ready for the busy few days ahead.

Day 3 and these little guys are nothing but HUNGRY! Any small movement or sound around them triggers a symphony of open mouths, hoping for a juicy worm.

Day 4 and they continue to sleep a-lot! It seems as though they have a schedule. Up until about 6:00 pm there isn't much movement in the nest, but momma and papa robin begin feeding in the evening hours, and it's then that chaos begins. Each little creature vying for the biggest piece of the worm. They've started making little chirps by this point, but their eyes remain closed. It's absolutely amazing to see the physical transformation that has happened over the past 23 hours! Their wing feathers have started to come in!

Day 5 and momma robin didn't feel like having any visitors. It was a stormy day and she opted to keep a close watch throughout the evening. Papa robin would check in on occasion to make sure all was okay.

Day 6 and it's not hard to see that this little one, "chubs", ALWAYS gets the first worm. If you notice in every picture he always has his mouth open; Awake, sleeping, rain or shine, this little bugger always managed to get fed first.

Day 7 and the little ones finally begin to open their eyes. I love the fohawk each one of them sports, they are cute little fellas, not so alien-like anymore.

Day 8 and my presence at the nest becomes more of a curiosity for them. Each one of them with eyes now open, start to consume the nest and it's clear that they wont be staying for much longer. Their coats have continued to change dramatically overnight and throughout the day, and yes, "chubs" still has his mouth open down there in the right hand corner.

Day 9 and the nest no longer looks comfy and cozy. Momma and papa robin continue to take excellent care of the group and seem to thank Andy and I whenever we turn the sprinklers on. We have made worm picking pretty easy for them. (Yes "chubs" we know you are hungry.)

Day 10 and it's looking like a pile-on at the end of winning sports game. You have to feel a little sorry for the little guy on the bottom. "Chubs" has been well fed and it's apparent he is still wanting more.

Day 11. It's the day before take off and "chubs" has decided he would like a 'closed-mouth' closeup before his departure. Looking as though he has gained some wisdom over the past hours, it's a silent understanding by all that it's getting close to the big day.

And this is where I get a little angry at myself. On day 12, 3 of the 4 little robins slowly made their way out of the backyard. "Chubs" was the first one to depart no doubt, and was never seen again. The other 3 continued to hang out in the back for a while, spreading their wings slowly and getting used the notion of flight. I had pictures of them perching in the backyard, but upon uploading that batch of photos, something happened and they ended up getting deleted. Left behind, was the runt of the group, the poor little guy that was always on the bottom and last to get the worm. Frail but determined, he spent the next 3 days in the backyard.

On day 14, Andy and I spent time in the backyard, watching the many pep-talks between mother and child. Momma robin would pick out a juicy worm and sit on the fence egging the young robin to 'come and get it'. The young one would then run along the fence line in the garden chirping with the utmost determination. He would flap his wings with all his might and would flutter back down to the ground before making it to the top. Momma would then come down and give him comfort and a juicy worm and remind him, that nothing is worth giving up on.

After about 4 hours of watching this little one give it everything he had, and witnessing mom console and cheer him on, he finally made it. Now perched on the fence line and wobbling to and fro he made it to a lilac bush and hasn't been seen since. We can only assume that he has become strong enough to fly like the others, and go on to make a family of his own.

It was really incredible to watch! Andy and I were amazed everyday at the little changes that happened and how each one of them was so different. Also amazing was the incredible amount of dedication momma and papa robin gave to their young. Momma robin is already frequenting the nest again, and it will be interesting to see if she has another batch. I will keep you posted on what happens.