Because I like to make lists.

Here are the things I will miss:

1. Talking about what is for lunch. Usually beginning around 10:00 am. WTFIFL

2. Never having to worry about saying something inappropriate.

3. Being in an environment where saying inappropriate things is encouraged.

4. Being around some of the most talented and interesting people in the world.

5. Morning coffee stops, alternating between Biggby, Dunkin Dounuts, and Starbucks. But never the Hot Spot.

6. Snack time.

7. My snack time friends.

8. The coolest bosses ever (no, I'm not just sucking up, I really mean it)



Here are the things I won't miss:

1. "The Mondays". This is what I refer to as our monday evenings. Baby starts yelling 10 minutes after I arrive home and doesn't stop until she falls asleep. Every. Monday.

2. Driving by the Hot Spot. I don't know why that place annoys me so much. Maybe it's because they started advertising "topless tuesday".

3. Traffic. Construction Traffic. Snow Traffic. Rain Traffic. Accident Traffic.

4. Having two jobs and feeling like I'm not fully committing myself to either one.



Things I am looking forward to:

1. Not missing anything that my daughter is learning. These days are really flying by so fast.

2. Never feeling jealous of the time somebody else is getting to enjoy with her.

3. Hopefully feeling a little less overwhelmed with trying to manage this house and family.

4. Learning some new skills and revisiting some skills that I haven't used in a while *more info on this to come*

5. Giving myself fully to this crazy job and this incredibly demanding (but oh so cute) boss.


I know I'm not the only person who has come to this decision. It was not an easy one. Part of who I am has always been what I do. And I am one of the fortunate ones who loves what I do and the people I work with.

oh dear

Oh, you sweet, sad, lonely blog.

If anyone was reading you before they have long forgotten about you by now.

It is not that I have forgotten about you. I think about you often. I have written so many interesting, heartfelt blog posts in my head. If I had actually typed them out it would make your head spin. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little. I have come up with some great topics, though, and if I was a good writer at all they would have been so interesting.

My lack of writing is inexcusable. So much has happened and I don't want to forget these little moments. They are going by so fast. I will try to be better. Please forgive me, dear blog.

Lucy ate a dog biscuit and I stole some shoes

Friday was a bit of a calamity. It was one of those days when I felt like I was totally losing my mind. Several times throughout the day.

They day started with a quick trip to Target. No big deal. Just running a few errands. It ended in disaster with Lucy having a complete meltdown. Being the mean mom I am, I wouldn't let her suck on the straps that hold her in the shopping cart (eww). Then to make it worse I took away the dog collar that we were purchasing for Ellie (that she was also sucking on). She lost it. LOST IT. People were actually peeking around the corner of the pet supply aisle, certain to find a woman abusing her child. UGH. I took her out of the cart, screaming, wiggling, pushing and straighting her body making it almost impossible to hold on to her, and quickly headed for the checkout counter. On the way there we encountered Ms. Crabby Lady who actually grunted in disgust at me for not swerving my cart out of her way. Um, hello? I'm trying to push a cart jam packed full with one arm while holding little melt-down girl with the other. So sorry to inconvenience YOU. I got through checkout ASAP and quickly headed for the car. Lucy got strapped into her car seat and smiled at me and said "mama". Nice. She obviously had no idea what she had just put me through. I unloaded everything from the cart and noticed a pair of baby shoes tucked under her diaper bag. Not paid for. No, I didn't unload her and take her back in to give the shoes back. Don't look at me like that. Yes, I will take them back because the guilt is bothering me.

After we had been home for a while I decided to go for a long walk with Lucy and Ellie. Before we left Winston needed to go out so I started getting everyone organized. Trying to put a leash on an excited, very large puppy while holding a wiggly toddler isn't easy. I opened the door and Winston, Ellie and the cat all darted out. I grabbed a bag of dog biscuits because that almost always works for getting both dog's attention. By this time Winston had the cat pinned down in the middle of the yard. Awesome. Lucy grabbed the dog treats out of my hands and started shaking them. Dog biscuits all over the garage. The dogs came running and started fighting over them. So I strapped Lucy into her stroller and started grabbing biscuits off the floor as fast as the dogs were eating them. I stood up just in time to see Lucy happily jamming one of the biscuits in her mouth. Of course she swallowed before I could pry it out. gross. At least it was an organic dog biscuit.

puppy love

Winston came to live with us two weeks ago. Seventeen pounds of wiggling, spotted puppy love. To say that he is a good puppy is an understatement. I was expecting the worst. Sleepless nights, stains on the carpet, biting and jumping up, etc. Winston might be the calmest, sweetest puppy ever. Of course, having a new puppy in the house isn't easy but he has gotten the routine down quickly and already become a part of the family.

We had been considering getting another dog for a while now. The timing just wasn't right and probably never would have been. (Yes, people have been telling me that I am crazy for getting a puppy while i have a baby). I have been wanting another big dog ever since my doberman passed away three and a half years ago. There has just been something missing. I miss that big dog head resting on my lap asking for a pet. I miss feeling safe when I'm home alone or going for walks. Of course, Ellie would try her hardest to keep us safe if she needed to but she has no idea that she only weighs 7 pounds and would be completely ineffective.

We decided in the spring to start looking for a puppy. I felt passionately about going through a rescue group because there are so many puppies out there that need homes. I learned a big, heartbreaking lesson about back yard breeders with my Doberman. Way back then I didn't know the right way to get a puppy from a breeder and that there were irresponsible breeders out there. He came from a newspaper article. Now I know that should have been a red flag. He was AKC registered which I now know means absolutely nothing. He developed almost every known problem that is common to the breed. He died when he was only 6 years old because his stomach flipped over. Surgery wasn't an option because he was born with a bleeding disorder that is hereditary. Both of his parents should have been tested for the disorder before they were bred.

I first saw Winston's sweet face on Petfinder.com. Jimmy and I had both said we like German Shorthair Pointers and he looked just like one. We know he has some of that in him and the rest is a mystery. Someone had dropped him off at a shelter with his 4 brothers and sisters. They were scheduled to be euthanized because the shelter was full. Thankfully, someone at the shelter put a call into the rescue groups in the area. Even though they didn't have any room or fosters lined up, Canine Companions Rescue in Clarkston took these guys in. I am still in disbelief that if it weren't for these rescue groups these beautiful puppies could have been put to sleep.

I'm excited to see Winston and Lucy grow up together. Although Winston is growing at a much much faster pace than Lucy. I think he has already doubled in size since he came to live with us!

baby cakes

So in my party planning frenzy I decided to make the cupcakes and baby cake for Lucy. I might have bit off more than I could chew but it was fun! I spend the whole day on friday baking, mixing, decorating and covered in flour and frosting. It was amazingly awesome.

I've had a few requests for my amazing new buttercream recipe I discovered. In the weeks prior to the party I tried out a few recipes for cake and frosting. These were the best I could find!

The buttercream recipe comes from cakejournal.com. For more detailed directions go here.

Italian meringue buttercream (IMBC).

Makes 8 cups.

1/2 cup of cold water (120ml)
2 1/4 cups of caster sugar (530ml)
1 cup of eggwhites (10) I use pasturized eggwhites only!
1 1/2 pound of soft unsalted butter (680gr)
1 tsp of vanilla extract
Kitchen stand mixer

First set the timer on 7 mins & pour the eggwhites into the kitchen mixer with whisk attachment.

Step 1:
Place sugar & water in a casserole and bring it to the boil and start the timer.
Note: I like to turn down the heat just a bit so the syrup dont get brown

Step 2:
When the sugar syrup has been boiling for 5 mins. Start the kitchen mixer on full speed and whisk the eggwhites for the last 2 mins. When the timer is up the sugar syrup is done. With the mixer still going on high speed slowly pour the hot syrup down the side of the mixing bowl.
Be carefull not to get burned.

Step 3:
When all sugar syrup has been added it should look like thick cream. Stop the mixer and change for the paddle attachment. To avoid meringue splatter all over your kitchen place a clean tea towel over the mixer. Set the timer on 10 mins and beat on high speed. This is how long it takes in my mixer for the mixing bowl to be cool to the touch.
After 10 mins. You should now have a lovely thick meringue like on the photo.


Step 4:
Now its time to add the butter. Start the mixer on high speed and with a knife cut pieces of the butter and add it to the meringue. When all butter is added it will not take long for mixture to turn into nice thick smoothe buttercream. When that happend slow down the mixer and add 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Stop the mixer and scrape down the bowl and start again. I do this two times. You should now have a bowl full of lovely Italian meringue buttercream.


Note: If the IMBC wont combine just continue to whip whip whip. It will eventually get smoothe. If you are still having problems, put the whole bowl with paddle attachment into the fridge and let it “cool” down a bit and then whip it again.
Also if you have taken it out from the fridge or freezer then bring it back to room temprature and whip it smoothe before use.

AS ANOTHER NOTE: Unless you have a ginormous industrial mixer do NOT attempt to make a double batch. It will make a mess. All over your kitchen and you. I know this from experience. If you have a normal kitchenaide mixer like me I would recommend doing half batches. That meringue gets HUGE!



I made both vanilla and chocolate cake. Here's the recipe for the vanilla. When I had made my practice cake it turned out way more moist (eek, I hate that word) but it was a little dry for the cupcakes :(

Heavenly White Cake

INGREDIENTS
2 3/4 cups sifted cake flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 egg whites
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

DIRECTIONS
Measure sifted flour, baking powder, and salt; sift together three times.
In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Add 1/2 cup sugar gradually, and continue beating only until meringue will hold up in soft peaks.

Cream butter or margarine. Gradually add remaining 1 cup sugar, and cream together until light and fluffy. Add sifted ingredients alternately with milk a small amount at a time, beating after each addition until smooth. Mix in flavorings. Add meringue, and beat thoroughly into batter. Spread batter in a 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan which has been lined on the bottom with parchment paper.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool cake in pan 10 minutes, then remove from pan and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. This cake may also be baked in two 9 inch round pans for 30 to 35 minutes, or in three 8 inch round pans for 25 to 30 minutes.

And the chocolate cake...

HERSHEY'S "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" Chocolate Cake
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
"PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING(recipe follows)
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING. 10 to 12 servings.

VARIATIONS:
ONE-PAN CAKE: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.

THREE LAYER CAKE: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.

BUNDT CAKE: Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost.

CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.


I used (mostly) natural, organic ingredients including the coloring for the frosting (found at whole foods).