Coffee... where for art thou Coffee?

I woke up today totally missing Coffee! Didn't help that the smell from the pot brewing in the kitchen lingered into my bedroom!

Not that I'm Catholic but I gave up Coffee for Lent.
I am spiritual and thought that giving up an indulgent

and using it as a time for prayer or meditation when in times of

craving was a good thing.

And so tomorrow marks day 21, 3 weeks from Ash Wednesday.

I was o.k. until today.

3 weeks, 1 day to go...

*lol*

is that bad that im counting?!

****

On another note, I had a talk with a friend last night

who's given me some good advice

about school and the move and all

I'm glad we spoke.

He's a great guy with allot of wisdom.

I'm at peace right now, letting what ever happen

with this move, my goals and dreams

f a l l

into place.

I'm more stressed about this transformer bumblebee cake

I have due Thursday.

Its a shame I haven't even started it!

I tried to sketch it out last night but

there are

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo

many many many

many many

details!

Aye dios mio!

Please pray for me!

I swear I should be grey now from all the stress of

Cakes!

**lol**

I'll be sure to post a pic in the Slice of Delight blog for all to see!

So if your not following that blog, do so now!

The little things

I have to say... Mondays suck! But there are a few little things that make me smile and ease the blues out of a typical Monday..

And they are

** Good Morning Text messages!**

** Reading Molly's blog **

** Blogging **

** Making lunches for the boys **

Simple things in life make me happy! OH and the fact that I have a short work week, yeah, that's just a BONUS! *hehe*

So this past weekend was pretty laid back. Ran sum errands, went to my friends new beauty shop like 30 min away to finally get my good shampoo and other products that I've missed so much since the last place closed! Went to the store then back home n chilled...

My dad has been sick with this yucky head and chest cold and so I wanted to make him something yummy and feel good in hopes that he would finally recover after having this cold thingy for a week.

After much debate and some advice from a friend, I went with my original plan of *****OXTAILS!***

Now mind you, I have never eatin let alone seen an oxtail before but apparently my mother has made these for him in the past and as a California southern boy, he loves them. But I knew it had been a while since she made him any. My original thought was Chicken Soup, perfect for a cold I know but if you know me.. im soo off the norm.

So Oxtails it was.

After some recipe research, I decided on a Caribbean inspired recipe and took from about 2 or 3 different recipes what I liked, and what I had on hand and began cookin.

Wish I started earlier in the day as they take a few hours to simmer but after about 4 1/2 hours they were done!

Ok so not very appealing in the pot but I had my mom make rice and you serve them over rice and i tasted a bit before I left to deliver the goods and YUM o YUM they were goooood! Spicy but not overwhelming, rich and flavorful, beefy and just plain goodness! I hope my dad enjoyed them and if they didn't shake his cold, I know he felt good from all the love that was poured into this dish!

*******

Sunday was my lazy day. As much as I wanted to get done and get motivated to do... I just couldn't. I didn't even put make-up on!

I took a shower, finally shampooed my hair with the good stuff (btw, my hair smells WUUUUN-DAH-FUL now! Thx NIKKI!! xoxo)

grabbed my sketch book, reading book and french book and ended up laid out on the couch with them all sitting next to me! *lol*

I didn't move until half way through the Academy Awards when I realized I was starving!! Got up and went to get some Chinese n came back to grub, finish the awards, watch Barbara Walters last special and crashed in the bed only to fall asleep an hour later from a pounding headache...

What a weekend, huh!

Thus begins yet another work week, Cake start up again this week and another weekend get away!

**HAPPY MONDAY LOVES!**

Lately...

I've been in a kind of blah state.

Not really into much, just

here.

I think that this whole shift in life's grand plan has me rotating off my axis. Then again, maybe its because I have no cake orders until next week. :)

Either way, I'm ready to be focused and determined again.

BUSY again! And work ain't cutting it!

I've come to realize that blogging bout me is almost impossible without cake! *lol*

We are as one after all but I think I can focus on more of the me life and where I'm at in other ways as well as my future endeavors.

So this weekend, is my last weekend for a few weekends of relaxation, no cakes, nothing to do.

If it was supposed to rain this weekend I'd head out to the Marina.

I love the water. The ocean especially since I grew up in San Francisco.

Weekend trips to the pacific ocean were some of the greatest times!

Then getting ice cream at Pollyanna's! I was in kid heaven! I always got bubble gum!

********

Sitting here in my last 28 minutes of the work week thinking **what shall I do tonight** and come up with a whole bunch of nothing and realizing I am such a HOME BODY NOW!

**uughh* is that what happens after 30?!

Well I know my list of real friends has been severely cut over the past year and most of

the ones who were spared my blade are too far or busy for a girls night or

drinks...

So, I guess I'll *warning nerd notation approaching* READ and

get a bottle of something and chillax this weekend.

*end of nerd notation*

:)

Maybe I'll go see Alice in Wonderland.

Hopefully I can get my wireless going this weekend, Comcast is B.S'in and I'm running out of patience with them! T-Mobile for that matter as well..

Hope all have a lovely weekend this weekend if I don't get around to posting!

Ciao!

My extended Blog

I'm at it again! I swear, me and cake should be married! We are soul mates!

Ive come across so much new information on organizations and local venues and magazines and blogs (thanks Proova!! my new Pastry friend!!) that I think I will add an extension to my blog specifically for my Love of the Art!

This will remain my main blog, about me, my journey, my struggles and triumphs but my Pastry love will be fed into a separate blog, and I'm sure, they will cross paths here and there!

So stay on the look out for my new blog, a more detailed look into my world of pastry, confections and CAKE!

A shift in thought

Lots on my mind these days. Never thought that anything could make me change my mind about Chicago, but... never say never right?

I'll continue to read and enlighten myself

on all aspects of the Pastry Art field.

With the thought of a possibility

of an opportunity

that may present itself

right

...

here

****

Who woulda thunk it!?

=D

****

I honestly don't know what to do! Excitement overcomes me when I think of Chicago, the move, the school, the opportunity...

and yet...

this,

This new conception has

almost brought me equal elation

with just the thought.

hmmmmmm.

on another note, no more meds after today!

*yessssssssssssssssssssssss*

Gonna sketch tonight,

read up some more and call Comcast and find out what the hell

happened to my router!!! I need wireless darrmit!

Winter Weekend

Guess I can still offically call it winter since it was in February! Here are a few pics of my Tahoe weekend!

I had a blast and cant wait to go back, maybe next time Ill get to snowboard!

The three story townhouse we rented!

My name written on the pier at the lake



On the pier looking back at the townhouses




View from the porch




Its Snowing!!!



Driving down from Heavenly





Sledding!



Evan had a great time despite his cold feet!





Dru had a blast!




Tyler tryin to sled-ski! It was hilarious!

My snow Chick!

Me n my snow Chick!

Sun setting on Lake Tahoe

Mon-Daze

Today is simply blah. Going from fun and excitement to work just drains out any remnants of good times from my system. But, it must be done.

Getting started on planning this cake for my niece! Alice in Wonderland! I cant wait to see the movie and get some motivation for the cake! I imagine it being Topsy and turvy and whimsical and fun and colorful and BIG!

I just hope I plan it out and scale it right!

As far as my plans... still not sure where I'm at

or what I'm feeling about this

move, school and what not.

Its crossed my mind more than not

about the what if's...

What if... I stayed here and grew my business?

What if... I found a school local enough to do and still keep my job?

What if... I just took some classes and built from there?

What if... this move isn't the best move right now?

What if... I don't move and miss out on an opportunity I don't know is there?

What if... the book was wrong and I can become successful in Chicago?

What if... a great opportunity presents itself in Cali?

What if... I don't make the right decision, for me or my family?

So many "what if's"

So I have resorted to

just not thinking

about school

the move

Chicago.

For now anyways. I think I needed this mental break.

I've been so focused and stressed off applications

and scholarships and grants and relocation,

that my brain is overloaded.

Shut down.

Reboot.

Fresh start, clear and open mind.

*AHHHHHH*

Ooooooh yes, another thing, I have come across a couple books I want to buy aside from

Eat, Pray, Love (which is next on my list!)

But the books are written by Eckhart Tolle; A new Earth and Power of Now

I may even bump A New Earth up because I hear

its a GREAT read!

hmmmmm, think I need a book list! :)