What did we learn on the show tonight, Craig?

Aaaand... NaBloPoMo is finished for another year.

I feel there should be some sort of formal closing ceremonies or something. Maybe I'll make medals out of paper clips and yogurt lids later. (Probably not.)


--

We now resume our regularly scheduled blogging.

Caramel (Apple) Cake

My first Daring Bakers challenge. This one is Shuna Fish Lydon's Carmel Cake, chosen by our hosts, Doloras, Alex, Jenny and Natalie.

I think as far as first times go, this wasn't bad. Especially considering that, as one of the many alternative bakers, the challenge becomes a bit more challenging when you have to make changes to the recipe from the start. I didn't get too crazy... just soy margarine, soy milk and Ener-G egg replacer. (Plus apple cider vinegar and a little extra baking powder, as suggested by Catherine.)


Also, as promised... the October Cake of the Month. (Which is really just the same cake as above, topped with apple pie filling.)

Originally yellow cake with vanilla frosting, apple pie filling, and a caramel drizzle... it was called a Michigan Apple Cake. I thought the yellow cake/vanilla frosting combo sounded a little dull, and was a bit intimidated by veganizing a caramel sauce. Quite honestly, I wasn't planning on actually making it. And this was just the second round of my Cake of the Month series...

Of course, when I saw the Daring Bakers challenge for this month, I figured it was somehow Extremely Important to the universe that I make caramel.
Universe: 1 - Cody: 0

Vermont, Take Two

I think the plans are set. Now all there is to do is start making reservations and putting down deposits. Which is actually a little terrifying, to tell you the truth.


STONE HILL INN
We're sure about the bed and breakfast, just not sure on the room. All rooms have the fireplace and Jacuzzi combo... which was actually a huge selling point as I was looking at places to stay. The only difference is the decor and the view from the patio, which are as follows;

Sterling
water gardens and water fall

West Branch
woods, moss-covered rock outcropping

Sugar Maple
perennial gardens

There are six more rooms, which can be found here, if you are interested. These are just our top picks. (Sleigh beds and four-posters, OH MY!) The Sterling is by far my favorite, but it's probably best to have a back-up choice or two.

SPA AT STOWEFLAKE
One of Brad's few complaints about a B&B sort of setting is that he wants an indoor pool. (I prefer outdoor, but I don't know if May will provide ideal outdoor pool weather.) We've decided to satisfy this desire by spending a day at the Spa at Stoweflake.

There is an indoor and outdoor pool in the fitness center, as well as a hydrotherapy waterfall and mineral pool in the spa itself. I've been looking into spa treatments, as I've never actually been to a spa... and I can't think of a better time to go all out. (Maple sugar scrub and body butter massage, anyone?)

PICS, OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN
I've already contacted a photographer about getting photos done at some point during our trip, but not for the actual ceremony. I just want a record of where we were and what we looked like around the time we got married.

I'd also love to get another set done back home, in the city... with much more casual clothes and an urban sort of feel. But, honestly, I can't justify the expense. Brad says we could consider doing it for an anniversary somewhere down the road... which, considering most folks get family pictures done every so often, doesn't seem like a terrible idea.

kthnxgivingbai

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate, Happy Thursday to those who do not.

We planned to inform the family of our intentions today... but as I still don't have my engagement ring, and the only members of Brad's family we saw were his brother and sister-in-law, we've decided to wait. Again.

I smell like smoke and there is leftover turkey (for the cat) in our fridge.

Holidays are weird.

Worst. Post. Ever.

My brain is fried from work, and I think I may have broken my toe last week.

more animals

Dress Redux

I've been saying all along that I wasn't going to wear white, that I wasn't going to buy anything "weddingy" that I couldn't wear again, and that I wouldn't spend more than I would on any other outfit... so why-oh-why do I love this dress?



I have a few concerns... one being that it looks a little too short. I'm afraid that I'll look back on the pictures and think "Holy crap... what were you thinking?!" (Isn't that inevitable, though?)

Another issue is that by going with something more traditional for myself, it seems that Brad would have to go that way, too. He likes the slim-fitting suit and skinny tie look that fashion blogs keep relating to Reservoir Dogs... and though I don't have any particulary strong feelings about Mr. Pink, I do think the look is generally... extremely hot? on skinny boys. BUT! I don't think this is going to be cheap.

--

I still love the black-and-white polka dot dress, and make it my goal in life to have an occasion to wear it, I just don't think the "rockabilly" look goes well with a Vermont B&B setting. (Yeah, yeah... I can wear whatever I damn well please. I just think this works better.)

Either way, the dress purchase is a long ways off. First is making reservations at the B&B, then booking the photographer for an after-ceremony shoot... and, you know... telling the parents at some point.

I miss summer already...

I found this on the camera when I was getting the previous post ready.

...is winter over yet?

Cherry Cordial Cake

This is the Cake of the Month for November. Chocolate Cherry Cordial.

As per usual, it's just the VCTOTW Basic Chocolate Cupcake and Chocolate Buttercream recipes, tossed together with cherry pie filling in the proper fashion.

It's not any more complicated in its original form, trust me... and at least my cake doesn't taste like a lightly-sugared dish sponge. (I know my livelihood currently depends on it and all... but, paying upwards of $20 for a grocery store cake is mind-blowing. Learn to bake, folks. Your tastebuds will thank you.)

In any event, it's yummy. And, for the record... replacing vanilla and almond extract with Amaretto works just fine.

On a related note, I've noticed that lately I've been replacing the first few steps of most baking/cleaning/housekeeping projects with "Turn on Music, Make Cocktail." Not a particularly good habit to develop... but, hey. I spend forty hours per week baking and cleaning, I need something to convince myself that it really is my day off.

You may have noticed that I skipped the October Cake of the Month. It's coming...

B is for...

Heather Rose gave me the letter B. If you want a letter, just say so in your comment. Then list your ten favorite things beginning with that letter.

1. BRAD - We've been together seven years, living together for three... and we're getting married in May. I think it's safe to say we dig each other.

2. BAKING - It's my hobby, it's my job... it's what I'm going back to school for, once I can afford to cut my hours. Moving on...

3. BOOKS - I've mostly been into craft/food/wedding non-fiction lately, but I do so love books... sure, you can find more than enough information online, but books are awesome. I can't imagine what my apartment would look like with just a Kindle and a laptop, instead of three bookcases, plus a few stragglers on the coffee table and shelves.

4. BOXES - I realized at work the other day, upon opening and snooping through the newest DecoPac delivery, that I just love boxes. Especially if I don't know what's inside. (Unless it's, you know... the severed head of Gwyneth Paltrow.)

5. BAGELS - They can be sweet, savory... breakfast, lunch, snacktime... and they're the only thing at work that's vegan.

6. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S - It took me 22 years to finally sit down and watch it, but I love the movie. The book is wonderful as well, in a completely different sort of way.

7. BUS RIDES - Unless there is someone falling asleep on me, or an unpleasant, unidentifiable smell in the air ... I rather like the bus. I felt the same way when I was in school. I tend to get really lost in thought, and hate when the ride is over and have to return to my real life.

8. BRUNCH - We've started a tradition of going out for brunch on Thursday, our mutual day off. I'd love to have a nice brunch-style party for our wedding shower or after-elopement celebration.

9. BATHS - I love baths... that's all.

10. BLOGGING - I've been blogging in one form or another since I was fourteen. Nearly ten years, three LiveJournal accounts, five domains and a few ill-fated attempts at MySpace, Virb and Vox... here I am.

Michigan Theatre

Michigan Theatre by OZinOH

Michigan Theatre Balcony View by Joey Harrison

Michigan Theatre Auditorium by Joey Harrison

As I've mentioned before, one of the coolest things we could imagine doing for an after-elopement celebration would be to rent out an old theater and invite everyone to a movie.

The pictures above are of the Michigan Theatre in Jackson. There is another Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor that is somewhat similar, but the chances of our extended families coming into "big city" are slim-to-none.

To be perfectly honest, we probably won't be able to pull this off. Which sucks, because it's actually been a mini-fantasy of mine for quite some time.

In keeping with the fantasy, here are our top movie picks... if the age and interest-level of the audience, as well as the availibilty of the movies, were a non-issue.

My picks;

Breakfast at Tiffany's
The Breakfast Club
Pulp Fiction

His picks;

High Fidelity
Wall*e
Jurassic Park

--

What would you show, if you could throw a movie party?

Library Book Birth Announcements

From papercupdesign. Click to enlarge.

So, yeah... I have absolutely no need for a birth announcement, as HumanBoy and HumanGirl do not plan to create a HumanChild.**

After brunch today, Brad and I wandered around downtown and ended up in Borders. I was browsing the craft section when I came across Handmade Hellos. Since I'm a bit of a mail-addict lately (and I'm a sucker for anything with the Chronicle Books glasses on the binding) I decided I had to check it out.

The bestest, most awesome thing I found were these Library Book Birth Announcements from Paper + Cup. I can't decide if they would hold the same level of awesomeness if they were changed to wedding announcements... although I'm pretty dead-set on having postcards printed with our picture on the front to use as announcements. ('Cause, obviously, I love me some postcards.)

--

Somewhat related, I want to try my hand at these handmade bubble mailers for a swap sometime soon.

**Although, seriously. HumanChild.com would be awesome to have. If it weren't already taken... and didn't require going through that whole pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing thing.

I has teh nausea.

I hate to do this... but, I really can't post anything worthwhile tonight. My head is pounding and I'm nauseated as hell.

So, just watch this.



(Brad believes Max would do this if we bought a Roomba. I believe Max would move out.)

(Not) Chick Lit

I got another BookMooch delivery today. This time, it was This Is Not Chick Lit. I haven't really looked at it yet, as I'm still working my way through Altared.

Obviously, I have a bit of a thing for anthologies of the "top female writers on [insert subject here]" persuasion. I have quite a few more on my to-read list... including Cat Women, She's Such a Geek, and Behind the Bedroom Door, and Choice.

So, yeah... I'm a girly-girl. I like anthologies about weddings, romance, sex... and cats. And I will fully admit that an essay from Altared made me cry. A lot.

Big whoop, wanna fight about it?

On Video Games...

I'm going to level with you: I have a shiny new copy of Animal Crossing City Folk** I'm dying to bust out, but I had to get this whole NaBloPoMo thing out of the way first.

I am definitely what you would call a "casual gamer." I like video games and all... but, I can count the number of games I have actually beaten on my ten little toes. Even then, some of the SNES/N64 games took two years to complete, as I would often get frustrated and let the console collect dust for months when I couldn't get past a certain boss.

I tend to prefer games with no real ending, and/or no real-time action... like Animal Crossing, The Sims, Harvest Moon, or Sim City.

I am in a very sad state right now, since my PC crapped out on me just after buying The Sims 2: Free Time and SimCity Societies... and my DS broke a few months ago, leaving me Animal Crossing-less. Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility is all I've had for months.

So, onto the list. (Then onto the game.)

The Ten Games I Have Beaten

1. Super Mario Bros. (NES)
2. Super Mario World (SNES)
3. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES)
4. Super Mario Sunshine (GameCube)
5. Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
6. Donkey Kong 64 (N64)
7. Kingdom Hearts (PS2)
8. Mario Kart 64 (N64)
9. Mario Kart Double Dash (GameCube)
10. Mario Kart DS (NDS)


**Brad traded in a bunch of stuff at GameStop and procured it for me while I was at work. He's awesome.

...Vermont, FTW?

I think we're going with Vermont. Maybe.

As I described it to HumanBoy, it's warm soup. Or, technically, I suppose it's warm porridge... but, as I'm not entirely sure what porridge is... and I like soup. In any event, we're talking Goldilocks, ya dig?

Mackinac Island is cold soup. It's the cheapest, easiest, most convenient... and the least interesting.

Boston is hot soup. It's got all manner of interesting things, but it just might be too much. Too expensive, too much to do... hot soup.

Vermont is, in this analogy, "just right." It's got stuff to do and eat... but isn't overwhelming, and leaves lots of downtime. It's warm soup.

--

Can you tell I don't have much to say tonight?

Detroit Urban Craft Fair 2008

Today was the third annual Detroit Urban Craft Fair.

Stuff I bought;

Realli Vanilla Rooibos from Herb + Ginger
Vegan Mac-n-Cheese and Roasted Sweet Potatoes from Detroit Evolution Laboratory

Stuff I wanted to buy, that you should check out.

Prints from All Things Grow

Postcards from RarRar Press

--

(And yes, the first picture was taken under my Christmas tree. Yes, it's before Thanksgiving. No, I don't care if that offends you.)

Machines Suck.

Back in April, I bought a sewing machine. I got it set up, I bought a few books... Brad's mom bought me all the stuff to make a retro apron for my birthday. Seven months later, I haven't sewn a single thing.

Tonight, I set out to finally learn how to use it. All my practice runs went fine, but as soon as I brought out the material I bought yesterday... everything went to Hell. I got so frustrated that I gave myself a headache and had to shut it off.

I'll see you in another seven months.

--

We might be going to the Detroit Urban Craft Fair tomorrow. I imagine most of them can work a sewing machine.

Door Number Three: Boston

Last on our list of possibilities is Boston.

This was sort of randomly decided upon after I said I'd like to go to the coast, and Brad said he'd like to check out a new city. Three travel books and several dozen websites later... it's definite that we're going, just undecided as to whether it will be for an elopement or an anniversary.

The Albee Room, Encore B&B

The Albee Room, Encore B&B

Nine Zero

Advantages

• Tons of veg-friendly options.


• Plenty to do.


• Convenient airport.

Disadvantages

• Expensive. (Or, no romantic hotels in our budget, no desire to stay in a Days Inn for our honeymoon. Too much we want to do.)


• Three day waiting period, health examination.

Things to Do

• Shop. A lot.


• Public Gardens.


• Duck Tours.


• New England Aquarium, whale watching.


• Visit Salem.


• Eat.


• Walk Freedom Trail.


• ...and other things.

Other Things

• Gay marriage legal in Massachusetts.

Door Number Two: Vermont

The second of our three elopement options is Stowe, Vermont. It almost makes me want to push the wedding back to October, just for the fall colors... but, my impatience and budget won't let me.

Sterling Suite, Stone Hill Inn

Jacuzzi Bathroom, Stone Hill Inn

Advantages

• No waiting period, no witnesses, no blood test.


• Inn can accommodate our diets, local restaurants seem veg-friendly-ish.


• No charge for elopement at inn.


• Couples-only. No kids, no guests for weddings.

Disadvantages

• Somewhat pricey.


• 12-hour drive from home, or 40min taxi from airport. No train.

Things to Do

• Shop.


• Stoweflake Spa.


• Hike Green Mountains.


• Visit sugar house/cider mill.


• Ben & Jerry's factory tour.

Other Things

• Civil unions for same-sex couples legal.

Door Number One: Mackinac Island

Long story short, we've narrowed the elopement location down to three choices; Mackinac Island, Vermont, and Boston. I think "profiling" each one might help me compare them a little better.

Bay View Bed and Breakfast

Main Street Hotel by Gary Simmons

Advantages

• Getting married in Michigan would mean being able to pick up the marriage license downtown before even going out to the Island.


• Relatively cheap.


• Great views from most locations.


• Could drive most of the way.

Disadvantages

• Michigan law requires two witnesses, and we were hoping to go solo. (Plus, getting married in our home state would make a solo trip harder to get away with.)


• There are very few vegetarian food options on the island, and I imagine vegan options are practically non-existent.


• I looked into meals at the hotels, but Main Street Inn and Suites doesn't seem to have a kitchen or restaurant, and Bay View Bed and Breakfast still hasn't replied to my inquiry, three weeks later. (I realize they are now in their off-season, but I need a reply *before* reservations open up for 2009.) - They replied, and can accommodate us. I think I just got kfisher'd


• Must pay for parking on the mainland.


• Couldn't find a secular officiant online.

Things to Do

• Shop.


• Visit Grand Hotel, Fort Michilimackinac, and other tourist venues.


• Visit Lake Huron, Mackinac State Park, and other natural venues.

Other Things

• My brother and his ex-wife considered getting married here.

Twenty things Max is afraid of...

Twenty things Max is afraid of...
(He yawns in terror.)

1. rain
2. thunder
3. plastic bags
4. banana peels
5. the vaccuum
6. the door bell
7. baby bunnies
8. blankets
9. Barbie's High-Stepper Horse
10. Limber Louie
11. squirrels
12. children in wagons
13. sudden movements
14. unexpected sneezes
15. uneven surfaces
16. things on his bed
17. the dryer
18. the shower
19. giant teddy bears
20. the kitchen table

Fictional places I'd like to live...

Fictional Connecticut

When I was little, I read the Baby-Sitter's Little Sister series. When I was a little older, I read The Baby-Sitter's Club. Older still, I got into California Diaries. (A lesser-known young adult series about Dawn and her life in California after leaving Stoneybrook.)

I wanted to start a club, make Kid Kits, have meetings... be friends with Claudia, Stacy and Dawn. I wanted to take part in weird, Scooby-Doo-like mysteries, and be thirteen forever. (I was ten at the time, thirteen sounded like it might be better.) I inexplicably liked Logan, if for no other reason that the fact that he was a boy... and a boyfriend.

Then, several years later, came Gilmore Girls. Town meetings, constant festivities and relationship drama, oh my! I don't necessarily want to be a Gilmore... I just want to live in Stars Hollow.

(By the way, Claudia Kishi and Lane Kim should really get together. I think they'd have a lot to talk about.)


Shangri-LA

Los Angelos, as told by Weetzie Bat.

I think I may be the only one in the world who just plain doesn't care for Witch Baby. Aside from a few good lines, I find her stories nearly unreadable. It took me three tries to finish Missing Angel Juan.

Anyway. I like Cherokee Bat. And Raphael Chong Jah Love. In fact, I think I'd venture to say I had a crush on Raphael when I was thirteen or so. For some reason. Even with all the drugs and girls throughout Cherokee Bat and the Goat Guys.

I love the idea of friends-as-family, dogs with silly names... making movies and music and art. The genie was a little over the top, but I do like the notion that magic sometimes does exist.


Shermer, IL

...no comment.


"The Other Realm"

I'll admit it... I liked Sabrina the Teenage Witch for the first few seasons. I even read the books based on the television series. Oh, how I wished (still wish, really) that someday I'd discover that I was a witch in the Sabrina/Hermione sort of way.

I think I've said too much.

On Joey McIntyre...

Among the many bewildering musical choices at my place of employment is Joey McIntyre's 'Stay the Same.'

Prior to starting this job, I hadn't heard the song since that one week in 1999, when I was still watching TRL after school. It wasn't particularly popular then, and I was under the impression that no one else remembered Joey's brief stint as a solo artist at all.

Now, I hear it at least twice a week, sandwiched between Wham! and Amy Grant.

It sometimes strikes me as odd that no matter how generic and automated the playlist might be in a corporate superstore... someone, somewhere had to choose the music. And someone, somewhere chose Joey McIntyre.

--

Today I had a mild giggle-fit during this song, whilst imagining myself going home, tossing a Haggenbath bomb into the tub, and putting this song on repeat.

Today's Scorecard / Some Stuff I Found

Work
+ I got a raise today.
- I did my first Barbie doll cake. It sucked.
+ I have three days off this week.

Mail
+ I received my package for the 'Get on Your Soapbox' swap.
+ I got my second BookMooch book. (Summer Crossing, Truman Capote)
- No wedding rings.

Food
+ I have cake.
+ I am about to eat tacos. (Again.)

Play
- I had to go to work.
+ I am going to play Harvest Moon later.
+ I have books from the library. (The Knot Guide to Destination Weddings, An Explorer's Guide to Vermont)
- No good TV tonight.

Home
- The apartment is a mess.
+ The cat hasn't broken or thrown up on anything today. (Yet.)

Final Score
+ 4

---

Some stuff I found;

Live puppy cam.
Get fabric printed from your own designs at Spoonflower.
Audrey Robots on Flickr.
Let Freedom Ring @ Eating Out Loud

Tacos are great.

Tacos are awesome. Obama agrees.

I went to Chipotle tonight and had the usual... crispy vegetarian tacos with black beans, rice, corn salsa, guacamole and lettuce. It bums me out that none of the locations around here have limes anymore, as I used to squeeze them over my tacos.

Anniversary!

Today was our seventh anniversary.

November 4th, 2001... a fifteen-year-old HumanBoy and a sixteen-year-old HumanGirl were talking over MSN Messenger. Right before heading off to bed, he informs her he'll have her friend ask her out for him the following day at school. (He claims it didn't happen this way. It did.)

November 5th, 2001... at lunchtime, the following conversation occurs between HumanGirl and a friend of Humanboy's;

FoHB: Are you going out with Brad?
HG: I... don't know.
FoHB: He said you were.
HG: Okay. Then yes.


...Teenagers are so lame.

--

We went to the mall, had dinner and watched Religulous at the State theater. (Neither the movie nor the theater impressed me much.)

He bought me a new winter coat from H&M and some Lush goodies. I brought him home donuts from work, and bought Lego Batman.

Good times.

I Voted!

We got up at 5:30, got to our polling place at 7, waited in various lines for an hour and a half... and now we both have to work for eight hours. Yay, Election Day.

I have a bunch of Election Day special orders at work, including an Obama sheet cake and four dozen red, white, and blue cupcakes. It makes me think I should pick some stuff up on my way out to have our own little party tonight, but... I know I'll have no desire to bake when I get home. I should have thought of that when I decided to work in a bakery...

And remember kids, if you don't vote... Sean Combs will find you.

Moo Cards!

I got my ten free mini Moo cards today. I don't have the slightest clue what I'm going to do with them, but I think they're pretty neat. Aside from just liking free stuff and small stuff pretty equally... I also wanted to see Moo's print quality, for future postcard projects. I think they'll do.

This was one of many things I'm expecting in the mail... including all four of my BookMooch requests and, most importantly, our wedding and engagement rings. Moo cards are cool and all... but, jewelry is better.

...and now that I've uploaded a picture of cards made from pictures I've previously uploaded, I think I should probably quit the internet all together. We've spent enough time in life together.

Pet Pen Pals Plus

I was waiting until the end of VeganMoFo to add this, as it contains a NSFVegans items, so... it's a little late.



This is my Pet Pen Pals Plus package from Harry Rex and Molly, along with their human "Salfra" on Swap-bot. Max got all kinds of goodies... including toys, tuna, catnip and two separate letters from the dogs. (And I thought I spoiled him.)

I love pet swaps. I don't know why there aren't more of them. I plan to host a handmade cat toy swap at some point.

This is me.

It was brought to my attention that some of you may not know what I look like. Not that it's terribly important, but... eh. I always like to know who I'm talking to.

The above is the most recent picture I have of myself. It's a (legitimately) candid shot on the balcony. I was going to use it for the newly-rearranged sidebar, but I thought it looked too faux-candid and Myspacey.

Speaking of MySpacey...





I get bored when I have a new haircut, okay?!?



This picture was taken around the time I graduated, 2003. I just found it on a backup disk... and it seemed vaguely interesting at the time, as I'd just had a conversation with a coworker about how long my hair used to be.



Another from the same day. Holy crap, I used to tan...



Lastly, I found this taped inside a Brownie badge handbook that I stole from my mom's house. The shoes are awesome, no?