I Scream-You Scream-We all SCREAM for ICE CREAM...CAKE

Here's how to make an ice cream cake. One tip worth taking to heart is to use a cake spinner when you ice and decorate a cake. It makes the process so much EZ'er.

Ruby Tuesday

Have you ever wanted to go green...? How 'bout red--like a red-head? Well, this is a 'toon my son did for a friend of mine who blogs over at ECOwomen.net. Pop on over and get some tips on how to help protect the planet.

Plus, remember it's Ruby Tuesday. So celebrate by reading a few fun blogs.

FOOD FINAL--FAIL: FROSTING DISASTER

It was a disaster. And, a food final FAIL. Well. . .almost. I actually passed the class but only by an inch.

One night my frosting was too thin then the next night my frosting was so thick my piping bags burst from the pressure. You can tell by looking at my day lilies: I worked all week and then went to cake class . . . tired. And of course my frosting had to be a total fail that week - with Friday as my final.

Okay, I know, a food final is no big deal in the scheme of life but when you've spent a boatload of time preparing frosting and flowers, it's hard to have things flop. But that's the way the cookie-Um, I mean, cake, crumbles.

Well, I muddled through as best I could and on Friday I finished my cake. It wasn't how I'd envisioned it but it was fun and oh well, it was the best I could do. I guess I'm going to have to accept the fact that I'll never be a match for Duff or the Cake Boss.

My teacher said my cake looked like an explosion - of flowers. Not a compliment. Plus she said no one would want to eat those colors. She says, "People prefer pastels."

I told her, "My kids will eat it." And they did - at least some of it.

Plus, here's a preview of what I hope to have on my blog this week: How to Make an Ice Cream Cake. This cake turned out much prettier - at least that's what I think.

Of course, my teacher also said, "No one wants to eat a blue cake."

I'm such a rebel ;)

And, Mackenzie came to the rescue with her ice cream skills. Mackenzie used to work for Baskin Robbins. So she got paid to learn how to make cakes - while I paid to learn how to make cakes. Shows you who's smarter.

So, if you're interested in learning how to make a cake for a hot day that will surely satisfy the senses, come back and watch my vlog (video-blog) with Mackenzie doing the ice cream culinary-licious work - later this week. I ran out of time to upload it to Youtube. But here's a small taste of what's to come:

Green Your Summer - and Save a Little at the Same Time

There are so many ways to save a little money (and the planet) this summer.

1) Take a walk - rather than a ride in the car
2) Pack a picnic - using "real" dishes - rather than paper plates and plasticware
3) Use a "reusable" water bottle when you go for a bike ride - rather than a throw away
4) Start a compost pile - rather than fill up the landfills
5) Hang a load of laundry outside to get that fresh-air feeling - rather than using the dryer
6) Go for a bikeride and feel the wind in your hair - rather than sitting in front of a fan
7) Read a book - rather than watch a movie
8) Have a candlelight supper - turn out a few lights around the house

And, if you're interested in suggestions on how to go green around the office, check out this site.

Hope you all have a Sunny Summer!

100 Most Often Misspelled Words

It's funny but Misspelled is one of the most often incorrectly spelled words.

Here's a list so you can see the others. Take a peek - Eye think U'll get a kick out of what you mite fined

FREE EVENT FOR WRITERS

DAVID MICHAEL SLATER is giving a presentation on voice for writers.
July 12th, 6 - 7:45 p.m. at the Hillsdale Library. Please feel free to spread the word/invite other groups or individuals. I'm soooo looking forward to it!


Check out some of his books here

Thought you might like to hear about a free, fun and informative event :)

A Snail Tale

A Snail with a Tale. This is the story of a pest who lives in the garden. He uses his radula or tongue to rip leaves apart so he can eat them. These little mollusks are common garden pests but they're kind of cute too. Just take a peek at Steve one of the snails living out in my yard. These little guys carry their homes around on their backs and are thought to be lazy but imagine if you had to carry your home around with you :) not a minor task. If you want to read more, check this link out.



How 'bout you - any pests you have around your house that you think are kind of cute? Or am I the only one who doesn't like to kill the little creeping, crawling, critters?