I made cookies. They were awesome.
-Carrot Cake Shortbread
-Bittersweet Chocolate Biscotti w/ Hazelnuts
-Pistachio-Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
-Monster Cookies
-Salted Caramels
-Pecan Rum Bars
-Chai-Spiced Cookies
-Chocolate Star Gingersnaps
-Lemon Lover’s Cookies
-Cranberry Almond Macaroons
I feel like I should have more to blog about, but I don't. I was thinking about updating my blogger background and was playing around with designs and lost all my blogs I visit again. Damn it! I hate that. One of these days I should really save all the urls to a folder or something.
I missed two months on this blog. I really wanted to blog at least once a month. Whoops. Maybe if my life wasn't so boring and monotonous.
October
-Went to the Michigan Renaissance Festival with Ken and Carrie. Bought a cleavage dragon. :)
-School on Thursdays.
-Crash's on Wednesdays.
That was my month, according to the calender.
November
-Crash's on Wednesdays.
-School on Thursdays.
-Scott and Sarah's Halloween Party. Had a lot of fun. Dressed up as a cat. Bought some super cool thigh-high 5" heeled boots that went great with my outfit, but my knees did not care for going up and down the stairs all night. Or chasing the ping pong ball during beer pong so the dog wouldn't eat it. I sure do love those boots.
-Toast the Season in Traverse City. Matt and I love going to this. 16 wineries in 2 days, plus we stopped at 3 extra to try and pick up some wines we really like, but they were all sold out of them. In total we picked up 13 bottles of wine to restock our wine fridge. Lots of cherry wine too. Being in Traverse City means we got to eat sushi at Red Ginger, my favorite sushi restaurant to date.
-Thanksgiving at my parents.
-Black Friday - Bought a bunch of DVDs at Target and 3 seasons of Big Bang Theory. I also stopped at the mall, but didn't stay long. Too busy at JCP. I figure it will all be on sale again later anyway.
And lets not even mention August. I don't even have that much written in for August on the calender, but I'm sure there must have been alot of last minute things. Right?
-School Sucks. My teacher is really old. He graduated college in the 50's.
-I love Crash's Landing. I go through withdrawal if I don't go every week.
-I had a mole removed from my hand, and the pathology came back abnormal, so I had to have more cut out. And it's all good now, except the giant scar.
-I made a really cool cake for my Grandpa's 80th birthday party.
-We went back to Peterson and Son's Winery, which was the very first winery we had ever gone to, way back in the day. The 'Wine Nazi' was great. He actually seemed to remember us and we ended up being there for a really long time. Still one of our favorite winery owners.
-We went to Mackinac Island and stayed at the Grand Hotel. I loved it. The only thing that could have been better would have been if we had gotten a lake view room. I loved the 5 course seated formal gourmet dinner that we had both nights we were there. I also enjoyed the dress code after 6pm. We rented a tandem bike and biked around the island, stopped to see some of the sights. The tandem was an experience in communication. :) But we made it. Oh, and I love fudge.
- Artprize is here and it is awesome.
- Scott and Sarah had their baby girl on 9/21/10, Suzanne Adelyne Schwab.
I seem to have a running theme of busy, busy, busy and where did the time go? I can't believe that July is almost over and our summer party is two days away. As I look back at the July calender, a few things stick out as noteworthy.
We have spent alot of time at my parents lake this month. In the sun. I have gotten more sun in the last 30 days than the whole last 3 years. Good things I currently believe in good sunblock, or sun tan lotion if you grew up in my parents household. Matt always makes fun of me for that. lol
I got a new tattoo.
I started volunteering at Crash's Landing, which is a local no-kill cat shelter. Since we are not getting a new cat to replace Murdock, I decided that a good way to feel good about myself and to help out other cats would be volunteer. So every Wednesday night after work I go and hang out with 100+ cats; cleaning litter boxes, doing laundry and feeding cats.
Neil had called and Neil, Dan and I went out to a new-to-us open mic at Holiday Bar. It was a much different atmosphere from when we used to go to Billy's. It was alot of fun. There was a band that was hosting called Valentiger and they were quite good. In fact one of there songs (I think) is featured in a new Chevy commercial. And speaking of open mics, I found a musician who is still learning guitar that doesn't sing and wants a partner to go to open mics with. So we are working on learning some covers and on some originals that he has written.
We got new blinds in the basement and Matt and Travis had painting the outside trim today. The off-white needs another coat, but hopefully Matt will get to that before the party. I think that is about all the updating we have done other than some de-cluttering.
We had a really busy June. I'll cover a few highlights.
School's done for the summer for me. Surprisingly I got an A. I really didn't think I would with all the issues the teacher was having and with the structure of the class being loose. I am considering taking two classes this fall, but I don't really want to pay for it. It's kinda expensive to go to school. If I can afford it, I probably will.
Our trip up to Traverse City was fun, C3 was about the size I thought it would be, which was small. Matt wasn't quite as prepared. Which worked well for me, since we had more time to do other things. On the way up on Friday we stopped at the Grand Traverse Distillery for a quick tasting which was a bit strong for me, but Matt enjoyed it. We picked up some Cherry Vodka and some Whiskey. Also that Friday after we left a super wonderful sushi dinner at Red Ginger and a quick drink at the Chocolate den, it started to rain as we walked back to the car. By the time we were driving back to the Casino, it was a torrential downpour with gale-force winds. Fortunately I had pick up a little umbrella a couple of weeks before and my plan was to stay slightly dry, at least my head. As we were running from the car to the lobby through the giant puddles, my umbrella blew inside out and tried to fly away. Soooo alot of good that umbrella did me. It was hilarious.
We were both completely soaked. A quick change of clothes and a quick trip to the casino and it was still storming when we got back to the room. Made me wish I hadn't pick the top floor. But that's just me being paranoid. Saturday we stopped at C3 and bought a few comics and ran into some people Matt knew. Then we hit a few wineries and I overheard some people talking about a dinner experience that the Black Star Farms offered. I grabbed a brochure and we discussed it and we called and got reservations and now had planned a dinner. It was wonderful. You get 3 small glasses of wine and a plate of meats, veggies, bread and fruit to grill with cheese that you melt and pour over the cooked food. It was so much fun. Sunday we headed back, making sure to stop for some of the best fried fish ever at Bortell's just South of Ludington.
The next weekend was Ted and Megan's Wedding! Heading down Thursday, we took our time and grabbed some lunch in South Haven at Clementine's and stopped at a couple of winery tasting rooms to pick up a few bottles of wine. We had a few issues with the GPS and Chicago highways and it took us longer than anticipated to get to Woodstock. We got there in time to go to BW3 with Ted, Travis and Neil as well as a bunch of other guys for a bachelor party or something along those lines. I grabbed a quick bite, a drink, and a laugh at Neil attempting to eat 50 Blazin Hot Wings, before heading back to the hotel and letting the boys have their time together. Friday morning was disappointing, the Super 8 breakfast sucked. I don't know why I was surprised, but I was. Matt and I headed to the next town over, Crystal Lake and got a Jamba Juice and check out the stores and bought tons of liquor at the liquor stores. Alcohol is so much cheaper when not in MI. Stupid taxes. Met people at the Tux Shop to get the tuxes and headed out for some lunch at this place we passed that looked like a castle, how could we go wrong with a place that looks like a castle? As we left the neat castle place to head back to the hotel to get ready for the rehearsal, a storm was coming in. We were behind the Torreson's van at a stop light and the wind was really gusting and the clouds open downpour upon us. As we continued through the light, a light post fell over, and missed all the cars on the other side of the road and looked like it hit the Torreson's van and continued to fall. I stopped, put on my flashers, and called 911 while Matt called Ted and let him know we would be late and continued to exit the car and run over to the Torreson's whom had pulled in to the next parking lot. I stayed where I was, blocking traffic from hitting the debris and cars driving around the pole until the firemen got there to put up barrier and then drove to the parking lot where Torreson's were parked. 
We gathered our nerves, moved all the tuxes and random other stuff to my trunk and piled into my car to head on to the hotel since the Torreson's van was undriveable with a flat tire and some body damage. A quick change out of our dripping wet clothes and we were off to the rehearsal. Once we get to the church, there is no power. Great. Good thing there were lots of windows and candles. It ended up working out just fine. We took Torresons to the police station to file a report on the way to help set up the gym for the reception and the cop was a bit rough at the start, but he warmed up to us after we all drove over the the accident site and he saw the light pole and damage to the van. Once we got to the school to help set up for the reception, it was amazing to see the transformation that was underway. Megan had it all planned out and did a super great job turning an ordinary gym into a beautiful reception hall. As another storm was underway, we all headed back to the hotel where drinking and D&D was done and at some point the Lemonhead song was sung; there are pictures of tibbing as well, but I was sleeping by that point. Since the Super 8 breakfast sucked, Matt ran out to a local donut shop and got some donuts for breakfast. Matt went with Ted for some wedding morning errands and when the got back it was time for the guys and flower girls to get ready and head to the church for pictures. I kinda enjoyed relaxing in the room, not getting my picture taken, but I got bored quickly as well. Luckily I had to get Taco Bell before the wedding for the guys to eat.
So I headed out early for the wedding. It was a beautiful wedding (with power), short and sweet. Then more pictures. Off to the reception we went where there was tasty food, awkward moments and lots of laughter. 
Matt and I are heading up to Traverse City again this weekend, this time for Cherry Capital Con, a comic book and entertainment convention at the Grand Traverse Resort. We are actually staying at the Turtle Creek Casino, realizing a long time desire of Matt's to stay overnight at a casino. I don't really get it, but whatever, it's his dream, not mine. :) It should be fun. We will be stopping at the Grand Traverse Distillery on the way up. We are both looking forward to that. They have vodka and whiskey. Sweet. We will also be going to some wineries too, at some point. Probably Old Mission this time.
I'm really looking forward to out Annual Summer Party this year on July 31. I haven't starting doing too much planning yet. I try not to get to far ahead of myself, it is still 6+ weeks away. We still have some maintenance and updating to do. I like to change at least one thing between summer parties, even if it's as small as a light fixture. And the party is a good marker of how much time has passed. Time seems to be getting away from me this year.
Sometimes I overbook myself. I like being busy. This summer semester I have class on Monday and Wednesday. This upcoming weekend I have my first commissioned cake. An engagement cake for some friends of my sister-in-law Mary's mother who were at Mia's birthday party. I need to deliver it Friday. Then today, I got a call from my aunt. She wants a birthday cake for her granddaughter. Pick up Friday. I said yes. I have also told friends I would hang out Friday night. I think I will be tired. We may also be going out of town this weekend, still deciding.
I miss Murdock. He was such a part of my everyday activities. He would be waiting for me in the morning when I got up and would follow me around until I left for work. He would come running when I would come home. He would cuddle with me when if I took a nap or sit with me to watch TV and eat dinner. And sit with me at night watching TV or doing homework. He liked to sit on my feet. He would run and jump in boxes and just hang out in the box. And so many other little things. He was just so present in our life. I keep looking for him to come running around the corner and meow at me. :( The other cats have been more active and loving since he's gone. Fills the void a little. Not quite the same. But things are getting easier.
A legend has died. We put Murdock down today. He had gotten really skinny the last couple of weeks and we brought him to the vet last night and the vet thought something was definitely wrong. Blood work showed final stages of kidney failure, dehydration, and anemia, among a long list of other minor things wrong that all added up to a terminal diagnoses. We decided it was best to put him to sleep and today was the best day. He only had days or possible weeks left of getting sicker and sicker. Possibly the hardest thing I have ever done. I will miss him so much.
The month of April is here, already. This year is almost a quarter over. School is going pretty good. The class I'm in is a breeze for me, so much that I wish I'd taken two classes instead of one. I looked at my classes the other day and after this class, I'll only have 6 of the 20 I need for an Associates in Business. That makes me sad. :(
I had alot of fun making my niece's 1st birthday cake. I made my own marshmallow fondant for the first time and it turned out pretty good. People have been asking if I could make cakes for them, and I decided to pick a name, make some business cards and get a business email. So.. Taste of Fantasy Cakes is now it. Matt helped picked the name. lol
Scott, Sarah, Matt and I are all going to Chicago for C2E2 this weekend. We are all super excited. Neil Gaiman is Sarah's favorite author and he is doing a special reading we are all going to. One of my favorite vampire romance authors Sherrilyn Kenyon is going to be there. Matt's favorite comic book illustrator Alex Ross is going to be there and I sure Scott will have something he thinks is really neat too. Oh, and Carrie Fisher will be there too. :) And all sorts of other really neat people and things. We will spend way too much money, I predict.
Matt and I are going to The All Michigan "Not So Taxing" Wine Event at the BOB Thursday and then getting my free lobster dinner at Gilly's. I cannot wait. I love food and wine.
The Twilight geek in me squealed a little when I discovered one of the B&B's I've had my eye on is in Forks, WA. Anyone have $799,000 to spare?
Also this B&B is right by Rialto. Coincidence? I think not.
(And New Moon comes out on DVD Saturday)
After being a dedicated Sam's Club member for 10 years, I am thinking of switching to Costco. A few weeks ago Sam's fired all their sample people and brought in an outsourced company to work the sample booths. Sunday was the first day I had seen these new people and I was even more disappointed than I thought I would be. 90% of them were staring off into nothingness and not even acknowledging the people grabbing samples. I've never cared for the fact the Sam's is owned by Walmart, but I kinda pushed it out of my mind and ignored the issue since I liked going so much. I do enjoy the products and I am hoping Costco will have similar options. Costco is also significantly geographically closer. When we go shopping, it will save time and money to shop at Costco. Hmmm....We are going to go investigate Costco and see if we can live with this switch.
I really enjoy watching the Olympics. I think I might like winter Olympics more than summer Olympics, just for the fact of fewer events to keep track of. Summer Olympics seem to have hundreds of different events to watch, and winter Olympics feel much simpler. Ice dancing, speed skating, snowboarding, skiing, ski jumping, and so much more. So much fun to watch. Also the Olympics are in Vancouver this year, it just makes me want to visit Vancouver all the more. Maybe on the Alaskan cruise we are eventually going to go on we will make sure and have a stop here.
Our foray into the world of sushi has been slow and careful, until now. Lotus Garden, by Rivertown, has sushi included in the buffet, which is actually not too bad. We had been making a few more visits, and experimenting with different varieties here, Matt more so than I. And are really enjoying expanding our sushi world. Since the Dragon Room has supposedly closed, we are going to have to find a new go to place for sushi. It seems to be gaining in popularity in the area and downtown and Kentwood has some really good looking places we are going to start trying out. :D On our trip to Traverse City last week, we stopped at Red Ginger for dinner one night and thoroughly enjoyed every single thing we tried there. There are way to many good restaurants in Traverse City. We have a hard time choosing where to go for dinner when we are up there, but Red Ginger may become a mandatory lunch or dinner place for us.
I can't believe it's 2010. This year will be the 10 year anniversary of my graduating from high school and I am doing almost exactly the same thing I was doing when I graduated. Same house, same company, same man. :) We are thinking of making some sort of big decision this year. Not sure exactly what, but something drastic. Probably in Novemberish time frame. Planning a change for a year+ away doesn't seem very daring, but it is for us.
My resolutions from last January were a big fat failure. I didn't do anything productive in 2009, other than audition for American Idol. (Which is on TV as I type.) And I think I will audition again this year, even if Simon will no longer be there. It will be my last year I am able to try out, but I can always start trying out for X Factor. lol Recap: 1. Lose weight - Nope, fatter than ever. 2. Continue learning French - Nope, hardly touched the program all year and ever forgot some of what I had learned. 3. De-Junk House - Not really, brought a few boxes of crap to Goodwill and sold some bulky items at a garage sale, but that is all. I doubt we even got rid of as much as we brought in.
I don't have a good feeling, but I will set some resolutions again this year.
1. Lose Weight - I need too, and I will.
2. Learn French - Still always wanted to be multi-lingual. Must try harder.
3. De-Junk house - If life changing potential is to happen, we need less stuff.
4. Drink more wine - I really think this will happen.
I think this will be the year of mini-vacations. Looking ahead to the year I see a trip up North in Feb for a long weekend, a trip to PA for a long weekend in March, Ted's wedding in June for a long weekend, a potential AI audition which would be a least one long weekend, and a potential long weekend with the Markanovichs. Plus we need a wedding anniversary of some kind in May too. That's going to take most of my vacation that I have left. It really doesn't look like we are going to make it back to Maine or on a warm weather vacation that Matt promised me for 2010. Sigh, too much fun to have. I'll just have to plan better for 2011.
