Just off the plane in Boston and I notice a few things in the first moments in the ol' US of A...
1) Americans = much more comfortable in shorts than the Irish. I was actually a tiny bit weirded out by the amount of leg I was seeing. Ps: Anyone not in shorts is in jeans. Maybe this is just Boston.
2) People I talk to when I travel often ask me if I'm heading home. I'm starting to find this a difficult question to answer. A few of my friends know that if I say "I'm going home." I mean my place in Dublin. But if I say "Home-home" I mean actually going to the States (which may not even be MN home, just State-side)... When did the definition of home become so complicated, and when does it start to make sense again?
3) American news stations... They have all lost the plot. I mean, really, all of them. Can someone please tell me what's going on in the world without completely covering with your taint (and yes, I mean that both ways). In addition, most of the politicians are also 8 shades of crazy.
4) If Amit thinks I'm loud and angry... He needs to visit the States more.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Effing Brilliant!
That was some AMAZING tennis!...
I absolutely love watching Rafa play. And I know people were gunning for a Novak v. Nadal final. But there's something about Federer and Rafa duke it out. Crap time for the rain delay... I think that really got into Rafa's head. The tie-breaks were brilliant. Rafa needs to stop picking his butt between points. I want to learn Federer's drop shot and Rafa's forehand. I need some bright tennis clothes! In fairness to Federer, the match was a lot closer than the score showed. Brilliant tennis! Congrats to them both! Vamos Rafa!!How to make a present
So... I like a challenge. And sometimes, I look for a good reason for a challenge. And sometimes, I just make up a reason for a challenge. But every once in a while, things come together and I don't need to manipulate the situation.
Last Tuesday was Des' birthday (Happy Birthday!). Now, some of you may remember that I made some nifty cupcakes for Muireann's birthday. I wanted to do something different, but equally cool... Yeah, I'm a showoff. So here's my step-by-step guide to making a "present."
1. Make a plan. I know that's sideways, but that's what I up and did while sitting in Starbucks one day. I should have coloured my blueprints :)
2. Make sure you have all the necessary ingredients... There's nothing more annoying that getting started and finding out that you're actually missing something important. (and before you ask about the gloves... just wait...)
3. Wear an apron. Any apron will do, but if it's a fun one that you like (with a pocket for your mobile/timer) it makes everything just that much more fun!
4. Start the mixing!!! mmm... melted chocolate... There was actually a lot of mixing, because I made a lot of cake... And a lot of fondant wrap. All the fondant was white when I started, and I individually dyed the sections... Hence why I needed the gloves. I don't want to imagine the colour my hands would still be if I hadn't worn gloves!
5. Get to work... I tend to multi-task as I go. So as one was baking, I was washing dishes, or frosting, or cooling, or mixing more batter, or colouring the fondant... I couldn't tell you how long it took start to finish. I suspect about 4 hours. But that's only because I do multiple things at once. I'd dread doing something like this without that ability!
Top layer is made of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and then lime green fondant wrapping. There were teal polka-dots added after I took this picture. The middle layer is made of red velvet cake with vanilla frosting and teal fondant wrapping, kept plain. The bottom layer is chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and then teal fondant wrapping with lime green stripes. As a final touch, I made navy ribbon...
6. Stack 'em up! Now, if you notice, the other presents are "similarly wrapped." There's a reason for the colour scheme... It's a long story, but it was on purpose. So it was all matchy-matchy :)
7. The last step is to put on candles and light them. I used "angel" candles that burn different colours, and I have a photo that somewhat shows the colours... But I think it makes it look a little like a Dr. Seuss cake? Don't get me wrong, I think it looks great!, but it does look a little Seussical, no?
You do of course need to throw in a birthday boy. Preferably a happy one. And enjoy the cake!!!
Last Tuesday was Des' birthday (Happy Birthday!). Now, some of you may remember that I made some nifty cupcakes for Muireann's birthday. I wanted to do something different, but equally cool... Yeah, I'm a showoff. So here's my step-by-step guide to making a "present."1. Make a plan. I know that's sideways, but that's what I up and did while sitting in Starbucks one day. I should have coloured my blueprints :)
3. Wear an apron. Any apron will do, but if it's a fun one that you like (with a pocket for your mobile/timer) it makes everything just that much more fun!
4. Start the mixing!!! mmm... melted chocolate... There was actually a lot of mixing, because I made a lot of cake... And a lot of fondant wrap. All the fondant was white when I started, and I individually dyed the sections... Hence why I needed the gloves. I don't want to imagine the colour my hands would still be if I hadn't worn gloves!
5. Get to work... I tend to multi-task as I go. So as one was baking, I was washing dishes, or frosting, or cooling, or mixing more batter, or colouring the fondant... I couldn't tell you how long it took start to finish. I suspect about 4 hours. But that's only because I do multiple things at once. I'd dread doing something like this without that ability!
You do of course need to throw in a birthday boy. Preferably a happy one. And enjoy the cake!!!
Ps: Yes, it did in fact taste really good too.
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