Getting Ready

Monday night we went for a ten mile bike ride. That might sound like one crazy workout to some. But, it's really just a crazy warm-up for Sunday. The Portland Bridge Pedal is just around the corner.

And, while we've done the Bridge Pedal before, in the past we've only been brave enough to ride over the six city bridges or 13 miles but NOT this year. We're stepping - or should I say pedaling - it up.

We're going UP 8 bridges - or 26 miles. That sounds like plenty of pedaling to me but my husband wanted to do the 36 mile ride. I wasn't sure about the extra 10 miles.

I said, "baby steps", maybe next year we can do the 36 miles and cross all 10 bridges. And, if you don't like bike riding or 13, 26 or 36 miles sounds like too much - there's also the 5 mile Bridge Stride. So, you can feel free to walk a five mile route and see the city from the top of a bridge or two. And, if you don't want to walk - you can always volunteer. Just an idea.

We don't mind doing the bridges more than once especially since the money goes to a good cause - or two of them. The beneficiaries are Providence Heart and Vascular Center, and the BTA or the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.

So, we'll be getting some exercise, seeing the city from a perfect vantage point and helping a couple good causes all at the same time.

What about you? Are you planning anything out of the usual for this weekend?

Rise of Planet of the Apes - Movie Review Monday

Loved it. I asked my kids to go but one said, "A remake of a remake..." But, I didn't care. I thought all the Planet of the Apes shows were at least entertaining. Of course, I never did see the "original" remake of Planet of the Apes in 2001.


Rise of the Planet of the Apes was sort of a Frankenstein movie but even better. I loved the concept of the ALZ-112 being designed to help Alzheimer's patients and Will's dad brought the emotional aspect that these stories need to the screen and even made the purpose of developing the "medication" reasonable and understandable.

{SPOILER ALERT}
Overall, it was a very entertaining story; however, I didn't like how Cesar was willing to leave his "Dad" behind.

But, I thought the CG was really well done and amazing. All-in-all, it was a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

I remember all the old Planet of the Apes shows. Growing up I loved Charlton Heston and the stories of the Apes ruling the world.

Earth-Friendly Friday

Want to see a boat made out of 12000 plastic bottles? Check it out here.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Plastiki from Glenn McElhose on Vimeo.

AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Good and Bad

Half of this treat is good: the strawberries are healthy and tasty
Then the chocolate is the bad (but extra-yummy part of this treat).

Here's how you make this GAD treat: Good/Bad.

Simply dip the strawberries in the chocolate for a yummy-impressive looking treat.

Making Chocolate Covered Strawberries is so simple and it looks so chic. Here's how I did it:

First I melted chocolate with a couple tablespoons of water (which makes the chocolate glossy instead of dull)

Then I put them on wax paper and cooled them in the fridge.

They look impressive and they are so easy to make

FAIL - Making Candy Lollipops

Kind of like making Lemonade out of Lemons - this was a transformation from a fail to funtabulous. Who doesn't love candy popcorn balls?

I sprayed the molds with Pam and tried to make some suckers
I made the candy out of sugar, corn syrup, water and flavoring

2 cups of sugar
2/3 cups corn syrup
1/2 cup water

I melted the sugar and corn syrup on the stove with the water. Then I poured it into the molds and let it cool in the fridge. Unfortunately the candy didn't set up so I turned it into candy popcorn balls.



They were yummy.

Kara's Graduation Party

Kara graduated from Warner Pacific College with a B.S. in Psychology.

And to celebrate I wanted to make a special cake. I wanted it to look like a cap from her graduation.

First I baked two cakes.
Then I covered them in homemade buttercream frosting.

I also used sugar paper and fondant
I piped around the space where the two cakes came together.


And just in case no one wanted cake and ice cream, we had chocolate covered strawberries too. No better way to celebrate than with some yumilicious food.