Walk in the Rain, Cozy by they Fire

That title sounds romantic doesn't it?  When it pertains to Rusty, it is anything but...

He didn't get his walk in on Sunday - we slept in.

It rained all day Monday, so again, no walk.

It was raining again this morning, but he was fed up and driving me crazy, so I finally agreed to walk him despite the rain.

 Now he is enjoying drying off by the fire.  He has it so tough.

Spoiled Dog!!!!

Damask Wedding Cake

This is a cake I did for my cousin Rindy.  I love how elegant it looks.  

The calle lily's on top were so pretty!

Rusty (It's a love/hate thing)

My friends and family know that I love my coonhound, Rusty.  But I also am quick to tell them how much I can't stand him as well.  

For instance....

He constantly raids my recycle bin and frequently litters the back yard!!  

He never picks up after himself - EVER!!

He his sooooo naughty when he thinks no one is looking.  If you aren't careful, he will lick the butter dish dry.

A closer look...

The other morning I kept hearing him bark (actually howl - he's a hound)  but couldn't find him.

Eventually his howling led me to the side of the house where he had gotten himself tangled up in my tomato cages.  Yeah, that was not fun trying to get him out!

But it made me laugh and I guess that's why we keep him around.  

He definitely makes us laugh.

Orange, Fun, Birthday Cake

Here's a fun cake I did for my friend Diane.  

Fall Baby Shower Cake

This was a really fun cake to make.  I love the colors and flowers.  I have a hard time molding people out  of fondant.  She did have a neck at one point, but it collapsed and so she is neck-less.

Electric Guitar Cake

This is the cake I did for my brother-in-law's birthday.  Super fun cake to make!!!  

Circus Birthday Cake

This was a fun cake with a "circus" feel to it.  Chocolate cake with peanut butter buttercream.  

Oh so good!!

Mind over Body - St. George Recap

Eight years ago, I ran the St. George Marathon.  Two weeks later I was at the doctors office being told I had an autoimmune disorder and would need to take medication for the rest of my life.  That really knocked the wind out of my sail.  Not only did I not feel in control of my body, I didn't feel good.  I was tired all the time.

Fast forward 8 years.  My friends signed up for the same race.  I thought why not.  I figured I wouldn't be able to run it, but I would go for the experience and just be happy I was there.  I ran a few long runs with them about half way through training.  My knees were hurting.  I just keep telling myself I would walk, and it would be okay.

Race day.  I am waiting at the start line with thousands of other runners.  The energy is intense.  All the sudden, I decided that I was running this race no matter what!  The race began and so off we went.

Mile 6 I was aware of my knees - darn that tight IT band!  I decided I didn't care and I was running anyway.  It was exhilarating to push myself, force my body to do what it was screaming it didn't want to.

Soon I was at mile 13 and feeling pretty good.  I had this!

By the time I hit mile 23 I couldn't feel my legs.  Really!  I started to get emotional.  Not because of my legs, but because I was in charge of me.  I felt so empowered that I was able to overcome my body.  I felt like I was in control again.  I am in charge and I will say when enough's enough - not my body.

I could hardly contain my tears as I crossed the finish line with my good friend Kaye.  Not only did I finish the race, I ran it 3 minutes faster than I did 8 years ago.  

What a wonderful day!  I still can't walk up the stairs or sit down very gracefully, but I conquered!  I am strong!  It makes me happy!

 Kaye and I in the back seat driving up to St. George.

 Dinner that night before the race with Ruth, who was there to cheer her hubby and the rest of us on!

 Tim, Billy, and I waiting to load the bus to take us to the top.

 Here's the whole gang waiting in anticipation for the race to begin!

 Kaye and I stuck together the whole race.  It was fun to have a friend along the way.

 I was about to fall over in this picture, but I was leaning on Kaye pretty heavy.

So happy to be done!

Big Bow Wedding Cake

I always like a white wedding cake.  This one was so pretty with a big bow and some bling in the front.  It even tasted good as well!

Volleyball Cake

Here's a cake I made for my daughter Allison's volleyball team at the end of the season.
Some of the balls are missing around the bottom of the cake cause
 some of the girls couldn't wait for the picture.  

They had a great season and made some great friends!

Flowers and Butterflies 90th Birthday Cake

Arizona in the Summer

Yes I tend to get a little salty and bitter when the Arizona summer temperatures creep up to the + 110's.

But when those beautiful, loud monsoon storms hit in August, there is nothing like it anywhere else in the US.

My son was actually inside playing on the computer, and I demanded that he put on his suit and get outside and enjoy the storm.

He gave me the " Ahh Mom" bit, but I would have none of it.

He was going to play in the rain and that was that.  I am such a mean mom!

It's these sweet moments that make the summer's bearable.  It's these sweet moments that make motherhood so fun!

Hawaii Trip 2011

In April we went to Hawaii with 3 other couples.  The first day we hit the shrimp truck.  Mmmm good.  Garlic breath the rest of the day!

I think we signed the truck somewhere!

Posing in front of the Hawaii temple.

We took a quad tour through a ranch where several movies were filmed.  So pretty!!

Shane left his helmet on due to his fear of falling rocks.

The girls and I reenacted the Jurassic Park scene where they jump behind the fallen log.  Apparently I was the only one who heard them say "jump"!

Jeff was shaking it at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

It was a fun evening and great entertainment!

Yummy treats and shopping with Meredith!

Jeff and I snuck away and took a helicopter tour of the island.  Soooo scary!!!!!!

I loved it, but I was so scared!  Jeff had them take the doors off the helicopter.   Good thing I was in the middle!  

Bummer I didn't get a picture of the beach house!  It was beautiful and right on the ocean.   

Our last night we had a nice dinner at the Turtle Bay Resort!  Good food, good friends, wonderful night!

Can't wait to go back again!  Kauai next time I think!

Making the Cut

I had a friend ask the other day why I took her blog link off my blog.  I felt terrible that she thought she didn't make the cut. (As if being linked on my blog is something to be desired)  

The truth is, when I redid my blog a while back, I just never took the time to finish adding all my blog links.  I still had them where I had access, just to lazy to finish putting them in on my sidbar.

Well, as you can see, I have changed things up a bit, and added as many of my friends and family links as I can think of.  I was checking on you even if you weren't listed.

But I will say, if you drop off the face of the planet in the blogging world (Eldon), you might just get cut after all!

Little cute cakes

Here are three cakes my cousin Alice requested for three retirees at her children's school.  I thought they were simple and very cute!