Wash and Zoe.

No, I'm not saying this because I'm a 'Firefly' geek. I'm saying it because I felt they had the most realistic marriage I've seen portrayed on TV. They weren't over-the-top lovey-dovey, but nor were they constantly sniping at each other. Theirs was neither a sitcom marriage nor a soap opera one. Instead, they were a couple who showed love and affection, and obviously - gasp! - still loved each other after more than one year of marriage. And yes, they fought, but it was realistic and not overdone.

OK, maybe it's a little bit because I'm a 'Firefly' geek.

As promised, here are photos of my Threadcakes contest entry, complete with the redone design on top.

Many thanks to racerxmachina for alerting me to the contest!

I chose a design called "Sees the Day":


( And here's what I did with it )

If you'd like to see my contest entry page - which has many more pics of the process - check it out here.

Yet another cake disaster last night, folks. Luckily, this one was fixable (if not easily).

As I previously mentioned, I'm submitting an entry for the Threadcakes decorating contest. I decided to do yet another Frozen Buttercream Transfer, as I am usually very pleased with the results of that technique. Because I am crazy, I chose a design with lots of tiny details on it that had to be done with the #1 decorating tip - AKA "the writing tip," AKA "the tip with an opening the size of a flippin' pinhole." Piping frosting out of this tip is NOT easy. Doing the detail work for this design took well over an hour, even though it was only one color, between fighting to squeeze out the icing and resting my aching hand. Eventually, though, I had the details done, the background frosted, and the transfer in the freezer.

A few hours later, I took the FBT out of the freezer to put on top of my cake. I was working to loosen it from the plastic wrap, didn't realize I wasn't supporting the transfer, and ...

Splat.

Half of the FBT snapped off and hit the floor, breaking into several more pieces. I was shocked, stunned, and couldn't believe I had been so careless. And then, the realization hit me: I was going to have to do that slog of a design ... that painful frosting job ... all ... over ... again. Today I've actually been getting shooting pains in my hand and arm from squeezing than damn icing bag so hard.

Thank heavens for Tom. He calmed me down, first of all - I'd have probably been a sobbing wreck if not for him. Then he mixed up more frosting for the background while I re-did the detail work, washed all the dishes and cleaned the counters, AND massaged my aching hand. (And, like all good boyfriends, told me he was sure the second one would turn out even better than the first one, anyway.) I love that man. :-)

So, tonight I'll CAREFULLY place the new FBT atop the cake and finish decorating it. Photos tomorrow!

So what if it's two days late? It's got MUPPETS!

Happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans!

Happy Birthday, William!

And most of all, Happy Anniversary to Tom and me. We met one year ago today at rackstraw's beach party. A year on, we're still going strong. I love you, sweetie.

Anyone have suggestions for how I can make the hat pictured below?



(Also: think I can get my hair to do that, or should I buy yet another wig?)

Actress Mollie Sugden dies at 86

I loved "Are You Being Served?" growing up. I still love it, though I've seen every episode multiple times.

Even though our kitty came to us pre-named, I maintain that she was named Mollie after the actress who played the cat-loving Mrs. Slocombe.

She will be missed, and I am unanimous in that.

This Saturday, join the Bawdy Caste at THE ROCKY HORROR SOCK HOP SHOW!

July 4, 2009 - MIDNIGHT
Guild Theatre
949 El Camino Real
Menlo Park
Tickets: $8.00

1950s attire encouraged! Don't miss it!

Happy Canada Day to all my Northerly friends!

Happy Birthday, therobbergirl!

OK, I know I've got some photography experts on my flist, so I turn to you for some advice, please:

I've had a digital camera for 6 or 7 years now. For the past few years, I've discovered that it freaks out in natural light. If I take a photo outdoors - or even near a window - the whole photo washes out. Even my sun-free pics tend to have a greenish tinge to them (usually fixable in a photo program). I've tried to figure out what the problem is, to no avail.

So, does anyone have suggestions? Might this be a simple matter of a meter set too high or something, or is it beyond hope and I need a new camera?

If I do need a new camera, any suggestions there? I don't need anything fancy; just something I can take some snapshots with - and cake photos, of course! I'm entering an online cake contest soon, and the photos have to be crystal-clear!

My Admin Director was given about a dozen handcrafted "decorator dishtowels". They're two identical towels attached by a weird lace collar. They look like doll clothes that still need to be sewn up the sides. Very chintzy, and my boss has no idea what to do with them.

I took one home to find some ideas ... and really, there's only one thing you can do with this:


"I hate you."

( More pics )

I know I overlooked the other two notable passings last week, so here are tributes to them in cartoon form:


by Glenn McCoy


by Bruce Beattie

All right, celebs ... if you're around age 50, just don't go anywhere without a doctor, OK?

TV Pitchman Billy Mays found dead

Happy birthday, Rob and Devon!

I don't care.

I don't care about controversies, or weirdness, or lawsuits, or multiple plastic surgeries. I don't even care that I'm more emotional about this than I expected to be.

Yes, I was a fan of Michael Jackson. A big fan. I listened to "Rockin' Robin" over and over as a child. I danced to "Beat It" in a talent show as a 6-year-old - sparkly white glove and all. Thriller, Bad and Dangerous - I loved them all and listened to the cassettes (and, in the former's case, the vinyl) over and over. I watched him become Wacko Jacko, I whispered about the allegations along with everyone else ... but I still loved the music.

So, once again: I don't care about the bad stuff. Maybe later I will. Right now, all I care about is that the man whose music I loved for half my life is gone.

Godspeed, Michael.

If I were a role-playing character, I believe I would have the "Meant Well" flaw. I always try to do the right thing, but somehow it always seems to go wrong. Work, family, Rocky ... seems I always take leaps of faith and land flat on my face.

I think Frozen Buttercream Transfers are becoming my "thing".

It's kshandra's birthday (happy birthday, sweetie!), and she asked me if I'd decorate a cake for her. Well, of course! I had three keywords that I knew described her interests: "purple," "mice," and "karaoke". Thanks to some clipart and a steady hand, here's what I did:


I had some trouble with spacing the writing, but I'm thrilled with how that mouse turned out! I even managed to make her look a little furry!

My co-worker told me about a new radio station: 103.7, "The Band". I loved it, so I thought I'd pass it along in case any other Bay Area citizens were interested.

They play a great mix of 60s/70s/80s music - same stuff as 98.5, but I don't have to sit through Greg Kihn's political rants to get to the music. In fact, the DJs don't talk too much at all. They also advertise "10,000 songs in a row - no breaks, no commercials." Great for commutes!

So check it out if you want - and if you like it, spread the word! It's so hard to find good radio stations these days ...

I hate to post a sad entry in the middle of all my post-con, pre-Clue gushing, but a tribute needs to be made - as does a plea for caution.

I'm sure many of you remember the litter of kittens my office mates and I raised last August before a co-worker took them home. Said co-worker adopted out Bob and Steve, and kept the mama cat and the last kitten, whom she named Monster.

( The sad news )

( A farewell photo tribute )