Wood Floors

While Dave was getting ready for scout camp, I finished pulling up the carpet in the living room. There are a few problem areas, but overall I think they look pretty nice.

I went to RC Willey last week and picked out a carpet remnant. I had them bind it so we could use it as a rug. I wish we would have done this 3 years ago when we moved in. I think it feels a lot homier.

Preparing for Global Warming

I was behind this truck yesterday on Bangerter Highway. I couldn't help but stare at the map of the US on the back. I thought it was a bit odd that they left off California, Oregon and Washington. The only explanation I could think of was maybe they are anticipating those states to be under the ocean before it's time to design new graphics. Very Strange.

Hibiscus Cake

This is one of my favorite little cakes. I've made it a couple of times. The first time was for my mother in law's birthday last year.

I like the idea of piping on fondant. I feel like I don't use piping anymore since I discovered fondant. So every few cakes I like to add some piped details. It's nostalgic I guess.

Katie's Destruction

I guess Katie didn't appreciate the fun trip we took to Idaho Falls. While we were gone she wanted to get out so bad she tore up the carpet around our front door. Most people would probably have been upset seeing 8 feet of carpet pulled up from the tack strip but I was thrilled. I've been wanting to get rid of the old carpet in our dining and living room to expose the wood floors. I've put it off because I wasn't sure what shape they would be in. I knew there were big chunks missing from the floor where there was once a wall making the dining room a bedroom.

About 7:00 last night I decided to take out the carpet in the dining room just to see how bad the floors were. Here is the result. Yikes the bottom of my table is dusty. Please don't judge!

I think they look pretty good . There was some damage under the piano where we think a closet used to be. Until I get a chance to patch it a rug disguises it just fine. Later this week I'll tackle the living room and the hallway. Hopefully there won't be too much damage. I eventually plan on sanding them down and staining them a different color. But for now I think it's livable.

Weekend in Shelley

We had a great but busy weekend. Dave and I headed to Shelley for the fourth. There is nowhere I'd rather be than in Idaho Falls for the forth of July. The day started with the Idaho Falls parade then a barbecue at my parent's house with the whole extended family. And of course we went to the Greenbelt for the big fireworks display. Somehow Idaho Falls has put together the largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi. (that's their words not mine). Over 100,000 people attend which is crazy because I think that's twice the number of people who even live in Idaho Falls.

On Saturday I had my 10 year high school reunion. I moved to Salt Lake right after I graduated so it's been hard to keep in touch with my friends from High School. I was really looking forward to catching up. Here I am with my good friends Sally and Melanie.

And Jamie and Sally (again).

Hopefully it won't be another ten years before we get together.

Surfer Cake

I made this cake a couple of years ago for Dave's cousin Braden. He loves to surf and at the time he had some crazy amazing long black hair. So I made a little surfer out of fondant with long black locks. I made it so he was swimming on his board rather than standing because I didn't have time to let the fondant dry. Dave added the shark chasing poor Braden who is trying to swim away. I think it's pretty funny.

Best Dam Bike Tour

We did it! On Saturday we got an early start to avoid the heat. Russ, Sarah and I rode together for the first 40 miles. At that point they took the 100 mile route and I stayed on the 75 mile route. I had my best time yet this year. I was done by 1:30 which was perfect because I missed the hottest part of the day and had time to visit some of my favorite places in Logan.


I ditched out of the Sunday ride. I know it's terrible. I just wasn't feeling up to it. Russ and Sarah did complete the 75 mile ride on Sunday.

Famous Faces

I'm usually the last to stumble across these silly Internet games. So if this has been around for years please don't roll your eyes at me.

This site is pretty funny. You upload your image and it determines which celebrities you look the most like. You can also upload pictures of your kid and see which parent he/she resembles the most.

Here's my results.



Here's Dave's. That's funny, I've always told Dave I think he looks like Topher Grace. I'm not sure who a lot of the other guys are though. I hope people don't think he looks like Bob Saget. Yikes!

Ganache Cake

Here's a little cake I made awhile ago. I covered the cake in ganache. Ganache is basically melted chocolate and cream. So freaking good. I think I'm going to start covering everything I eat in ganache. But then I'd have to ride more than one big bike ride a year and I'm not interested in that.

So back to the cake. It's covered in ganache then I used some leftover fondant to make polka dots and a bow. I always have left over fondant. If you store it in something airtight it can last for a month or so.

If you choose to mix ganache and fondant be careful. Ganache is very runny and messy. Once you place your fondant on the cake that's were it will have to stay. No second guessing yourself with the method. If you can call it a method.

Trip to Vegas

Kimber moved to Vegas earlier this month. I left on Saturday to go see her new home and got back almost in time for work this morning. We had a really good time shopping, talking and watching movies. Kimber's turned into quite the cook and I was lucky enough to try her culinary creations.

Yesterday we went to a cactus garden. Here's a couple of pictures. Please ignore my squinty eyes.

Here's my cutey nephew Chase. He's such a good little boy.

Thanks Kim for such a fun weekend.

Little Golf Cake

My little sister, Kimber, asked me if I had any ideas for a golf cake that would be simple to make. Here's one that I created a few years ago. Very little fondant was used for this cake and you could definitely omit it. I used a tip that resembles grass. It's the same process as the car cake I made a few months ago. I made the golf ball out of fondant but you could use a real golf ball instead. The flowers are fondant but it would be cute with real or silk flowers. Maybe add a flag on top for a more complete look.

This cake was pretty tasty. Fondant has a weird flavor to it. Sometimes I prefer a cake with regular chocolate and/or butter cream frosting.

MS Jerseys

The MS Ride is sneaking up on me. I only have two more weeks to prepare. Yikes.

Well the jerseys I designed finally arrived. Here is what I came up with for this year. Since the ride is in Cache Valley I wanted to design something reminiscent of the beautiful scenery. The tire tread on the side of the jerseys is actually the Cyprus logo repeated.

You can donate through MS' website on my behalf.

The Meanest Man in Jefferson County

My grandpa was the self proclaimed "meanest man in Jefferson County" or on a special day the "best looking man in Jefferson County." He always made me feel like I was his favorite grand kid. But now that I think of it, he made all of his grand kids feel that way. I've always felt so lucky to be so close to my grandparents.

Dave and I visited two weeks before Grandpa passed.


My brother Russ and my cousins were the pallbearers.

Golfer Cake

Sorry I haven't blogged for so long. I was in Idaho last week for my Grandfather's funeral. I'll post about that later this week when I have more time. I rushed home on Friday and started work on this cake.

I made this cake for my friend Jessica's mom's 50th Birthday. I hope that it's obvious that the two cakes resemble a "50" with a golf theme on top.

Tin Foil Dinners

Nick and Hailey came over on Saturday night for a tin foil dinner cookout in our backyard. Despite how much I hate smelling like campfire, I have to admit that tin foil dinners are one of my favorite summer treats.



I had no idea that Dave was so good at making s'mores. He has a talent for roasting marshmallows and melting the chocolate to the perfect point.