Back from a whirlwind tour...

So seeing Sunny Day Real Estate live inspired me to keep going with this blog. Sorry I haven't posted much lately. I should be working on homework as I type, but entering something here seems so much more rewarding. I can't concentrate really. (They are playing Diary in its entirety on 94.9 right now too!)

It was all predestined. I'm sure of it.

I'll post more this weekend.

When bad things happen to good bakers.

Baking is hard. Don't let anyone fool you. Most of the time, a "homemade" cake comes out of a blue box that says Pillsbury, and they just added some water and eggs. Even most trained chefs hate baking. Pastry chefs are a different breed, and they are really as much a chemist as they are a chef. Baking is a science with complex chemical reactions. You can't fake it and add a smidge of this and a pinch of that.

Commercial baking is even harder. A recipe that is totally delicious in its original format, doesn't turn out quite as well when you try to triple or quadruple it.

Tonight is a perfect example. I had this great new recipe for apple pie cookies. It seemed totally rad. I diced up my apples. Melted my margarine. And when all was said and done, it was the consistency of soup - not cookie dough. I baked one batch to see how they did in the oven, and they were way too fluffy - more like muffin tops than a cookie. So I added more flour. Then more sugar. Then more flour. Then more sugar. Sure, it stiffened up, but it was still not anywhere near a cookie dough.

Wahhh...what went wrong? Who knows?! They taste yummy, but they are muffins and not cookies. I wanted cookies. Back to the drawing board...

Vegan Red Velvet Cheesecake

I like a challenge. In most aspects of my life. And since Kelly sent me a link to that new Cheesecake Factory Red Velvet Cheesecake, I've been obsessed with recreating it in a vegan format. I already had 100 other vegan goodies to bake this weekend, but I just got my new mixer, and I figured this was the weekend. (I need to get back on a diet. Seriously.) This was the weekend for gluttony and excess. And man, oh man, did this cake fit the bill. It worked. In a BIG way. Now I can't say I will try the Cheesecake Factory version to compare, but I have minions who will give me their honest opinions, and I'm pretty sure I nailed it. This is, hands down, the best dessert I have ever baked. This is a perfect 10. The red velvet cake was dense, rich, and totally moist. The cheesecake was divine, and the cream cheese frosting just tied everything together in a way that is really indescribable. It is outstanding. Superb. Perfection embodied in flour, sugar, and non-hydrogenated margarine. I will think fondly of this dessert for months to come. I don't know what excuse I can come up with to bake it again, (other than the fact that I have two tubs of cream cheese in my fridge that I didn't use, although they won't expire for like a year), but surely some occasion will avail itself in the coming months.

Best dessert ever. Really. Hands down.

You wish this was your party...

Wow. I can't say this exceeded my wildest expectations, because I have pretty high expectations for myself at all times, but it definitely met them. Everything turned out perfect. There was really nothing I would have changed. The peanut butter buttercream was perfectly light and fluffy on the Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes. The Chewy Raspberry Double Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies were a little crisp on the outside and wonderfully moist on the inside. The Red Velvet Whoopie Pies were my personal favorite of the evening; a nod to our recent trip to Boston. And the Cookies n' Cream Donuts are always a crowd-pleaser - all of the flavor of its deep-fried counterpart, but lovingly baked without the guilt and the grease. It was a lot of work, but getting to actually attend the party and hear all the positive feedback was pretty rewarding. I couldn't do this every weekend, but every month or so? I'm in! Hire me!

Graduate level baking

I can't really hope to re-create this in a vegan form. Four layers?! I'm just not that gifted. I will, however, attempt a bastardized, two-layer version of it. It's going to be so decadent I'll want to die. Or eat the entire thing. I really think this is the dessert to end all desserts. I can't think of a better combination of things I love more. I've made the red velvet cake. It's chilling in the fridge along with the cream cheese frosting. The cheesecake is baking slowly at 225 degrees. I can't wait to get home from work tomorrow to assemble. It's going to be outrageous. Even if it doesn't look quite as pretty as this one, it is still going to taste delicious...

My new love...

I finally took the plunge and committed. This is my new husband.

Buffalo Exchange - Total Score

Buffalo Exchange is a pretty popular clothing resale shop here in San Diego. You may have some in your town too. They specialize in trendy clothes that the kids are into now a days. I'm a big proponent of recycling and buying used, and I tend to find things that I normally wouldn't pay for at prices I do want to pay. So yay for Buffalo Exchange.

Well, on this particular fortuitous evening, I found a lovely little merlot colored dress tucked away in the small section. Typically, I'm looking for more casual, empire waisted babydoll sort of numbers with which to frolic in the summer. But since it was kismet, and I was supposed to have this dress, my nimble browsing fingers caressed its soft, fine fabric, and it really was love at first sight. There was delicate rouching along the bustline accented with a satin sash to flatter my non-existent bosom. When I held it up, I immediately thought, "This is something Serena Van der Woodsen would wear!" (Yes, I'm a grown woman and I watch Gossip Girl.) It was so sophisticated and feminine. The dress was further perfected with a halter tie which so complements my collarbone and broad shoulders.

The brand? You might ask? Laundry by Shelli Segal. I know nothing about designers, but I did some research of course, and her lines are carried in Nordstroms and Saks. My dress, in fact, is still new with tags. The original price? $225. What did I pay for it? Umm, drop the first 2. I paid $25. And it's breathtaking on me. Not to toot my own horn, but it's really flattering.

You'd think I'd be content with all of the things I've already mentioned above, but I haven't even gotten to the best part. THE DRESS IS A SIZE 4!!!. I've never been a size 4 in my life. In fact, and one point, I was a size 24. I don't know who you are Ms. Shelli Segal, but you made my year. To look that amazing, in that nice of a dress, and have it be a size 4?! I'm wearing this dress to my brother-in-law's wedding in October. Sure, I can't gain a single pound between now and then. In fact, I had better lose 5 or so, but this dress is the ultimate motivation. In fact, it was the reason I didn't stop for vegan frozen yogurt tonight. And I always stop for vegan fro-yo. Wish I had a picture of it for you all, but I couldn't find one online. Sorry.

I also bought another little black dress with tulle (so fun) and a trashy little short, short, strapless/bustier jumper. I have no idea where I'll wear it, but if I sport it with heels I'll be six feet tall. It's totally a dancing in Vegas sort of number. Fun fun!

Heirlooms: Part Two

This was my dinner last night.
It was outstanding.

Being raw for a few days here and there feels incredible. I highly recommend it. It really does give you a clarity unlike anything else. And again, living in So. Cal., we have access to such amazing fruits and vegetables year round. Buy local! Support area farmers!

Product of the Week

This stuff rules. As a girl with chronic dry skin, this gel will take care of you. I buy the generic kind, but it does the same work. It makes your skin luxuriously soft for hours. It is still oil, so it is still greasy, but nothing close to a straight up oil. My suggestion is to take a long hot shower at night. After the shower, towel off lightly. Apply the oil gel liberally. You skin will be stoked. Then put on full sleeve/pant pajamas. You'll be slightly greasy for a few hours, likely overnight and you don't want to get oil all over your furniture/sheets, but the payoff is HUGE. You'll wake up in the morning with the softest skin you've ever known.

Try it out for yourself. You're welcome.

Heirloom Tomatoes

In Southern California, we have the glorious gift that is the heirloom tomato. For approximately four short months in the late summer to early fall, heirloom tomatoes bloom in the lush summer sun. These succulent little specimens come in a wide assortment of savory varieties that span the color spectrum from pale yellow to deep burgundy. My personal favorite is the Brandywine Heirloom. Much as the name would imply, it has a dark crimson skin and flesh, and its flavor is so sweet and absolutely divine. It will help you understand why a tomato is a fruit and not a vegetable. You can eat them like apples, but you will need a napkin. I highly recommend a simple accompaniment of basil, salt, and pepper. That's really all you need. Snip or finely dice some fresh basil leaves. Sprinkle them over your cubed, bite-size tomato tidbits. Lightly dust with some coarse ground sea salt and pepper. And enjoy!

Note: Heirlooms by definition should be organic, but of course if something is a commodity, commercial grocers are going to try and make some money. Buy your heirlooms from a local farmer's market or a specialty grocer that sells local, organic produce. The difference in flavor is worth the cost. And I'm not going to lie, heirlooms are expensive, but they are so worth the cost. You don't need cake. Forgo that cookie. Treat yourself to an heirloom for dessert! Their knobby, bulbous curves are much more enticing, and so much better for you! But they are totally limited edition. Get them while they last, and don't tell me that I didn't warn you.

3rd Generation Reality TV Spin-offs

I'm pretty fascinated by these. I would guess that people watch them, otherwise they wouldn't air them and have advertisers right?

I'll admit. I watched Rock of Love. It was great TV. I liked Poison when I was in junior high school. But Brett Michaels is a DAD. Dating a 21 year old stripper is just gross. But I guess that's what happens in rock and roll? It was mindless television.

Anyway, this latest spin off is pretty silly, but I might watch it. Just sayin'. It's been a slow summer for new TV. Our DVR is only 25% full at this point, and that's mostly with old Dateline NBC's and other more cerebral stuff that's no fun for a light Sunday morning.

Now Milla Jovovich is on VH1 Top 20 now. I *LOVE* Resident Evil and her, and her part in it. She's like the strongest female action hero, so I really want to like her in The Prefect Getaway, but so far the reviews haven't been great. It might be a rental.

Sunday Morning TV

Kelly and I are two of those annoying people that can't sleep in on the weekends. We wake up at 6 am on weekdays, so sleeping in on the weekends means a luxurious 7am. Oh that extra hour is glorious. From what I've read, this is really a much healthier sleeping pattern for an adult, but it definitely annoys others.

So in trying to do something quiet, I get up, watch TV quietly, paint my nails.

Well, this morning, being a total masochist, I decided to try and watch some videos. The VH1 Top 20 Countdown was on. (Madison is chilling on the couch with me dozing right now, and she's totally dreaming and twitching, and it's about as close to heaven as human beings can ever get. Watching a napping puppy dreaming about chasing cats and having mini convulsions while making muffled barking noises. So precious.) So of course I have a few comments about the current state of music.

Shakira - holy bejezus that girl is flexible.
Nickelback - makes me angry that these dudes have careers
Mariah - her creepy stalker is her. creepy and egotistical.
Katy Perry - adorable. still digging her.
Kelly Clarkson - love her. every woman's woman

Discussing this band called Shinedown was really the impetus for this entry though. I was completely blown away, and not in a good way. At number 11? Really? This band is fucking terrible. The lead singer is so hideous looking that they can't show his full face so you only ever see him in profile in the video. Who listens to this crap? I threw up in my mouth a little bit. It's not even mildly amusing like Brokencyde. At least you can laugh at how dumb those dudes are. Shinedown is just awful and upsetting. Awful.

Major Milestones Today

1. The winner of So You Think You Can Dance was announced this evening. Congratulations Jeanine!

2. The wireless router has been connected. I'm totally typing this from my netbook in the living room, chilling on my couch in my PJ's.

3. Sunny Day Baking Co. got hired for our first catering event! We'll be baking up a storm for a friend's housewarming party. Fun fun!

I'll tell you my dirty little secret...

I really love Third Eye Blind and so does Kelly.

Not to call people out, but so does Foose. And he's a boy.

Sound & Fury: Things I Learned

Things I learned this weekend:

1. A-ha is from Norway.
2. Sam is single.
3. Ceremony really is named for the Joy Division/New Order song. (so awesome)
4. Aram knows everyone. Really. Everyone.
5. Mindset is pretty good. You should check them out.
6. Regional Thai food gives me indigestion.
7. Fred Perry's are the new black.
8. Kids prefer donuts to cookies.
9. I have a huge bruise on my thigh, and no idea how it got there.
10. According to my astrologyzone.com horoscope, I better enjoy August, because September is going to suck.

Good night.

Sound & Fury: Wireless

Is it bad to blog from an unsecured wireless internet connection? I am pretty naïve when it comes to computer/internet security, but I would be very bummed if my new toy got a virus. Comments are appreciated.

Sound & Fury: No breakfast for Mrs. Jones

I just inquired about the breakfast bar and I, Mrs. Jones (ha! based on my room number), was informed that I did not have a “meal package,” and that I would have to pay for it. Now, I’m not above paying for things. I make decent money, and I’ll drop $80 at Native Foods without thinking twice, but I just wanted a bagel and I wasn’t really willing to pay $8 to get one. I batted my eyelashes and pulled the hot girl card and they just let me take one. Minor victories.

Sound & Fury: CNN News

As I sit here typing this in the lovely lobby of the Marriott Courtyard, LiveCNN is airing a show called Reliable Sources (which makes me think it is nothing of the sort. Kind of like when people in court start out a sentence with “honestly” implying nothing else that they’ve said has been.) and they are talking about Sarah Palin. I detest her. How is it possible that such an ignorant woman can get so much publicity? I would think that the media would move on. She’s just become such a ridiculous caricature of herself that I can’t fathom that anyone cares at all about her anymore. Ugh. Sorry, I know this is just supposed to be a fluffy blog about baking and boys, but sometimes some politics will creep in.

Sound & Fury: The early bird...

So being at a fest and sharing a hotel room with other folks is totally fun and all, but it sucks when you’re always the first person to wake up in the morning. Seriously. We fell asleep at like 1:30am. How is it possible that my body could think it was appropriate to wake up at 5:15 am? That’s less than four hours. There were blackout curtains and everything. And I think that’s about the same amount of sleep I got last night. I need to fill that prescription… My thyroid levels are all screwed up. And I’m still jetlagged from Boston. This can’t be healthy, but I also don’t really feel like I’m dragging or that I have insomnia or anything. It’s weird.

And now I have to make the decision: When do I go back up? The doors in hotels are really loud, and the fluorescent overhead lighting pours in from the hallway all harsh and obnoxious in its morning glory. I think I’m giving them til 9. That’s almost a solid 8 hours? Is that fair? This is stressing me out. Ugh. I hate picking this arbitrary time that will just bum everyone out. It’s a whole hour away… I’m bored :(

Sound & Fury: Boy Watching

Is it weird and/or inappropriate to tell a dude that he is hot? Not that you have any intention of having sex with him, but just validating the fact that you find another human being attractive? I tend to be rather liberal with my candid comments, but as a married woman, maybe it’s safe? I am of the school of thought that it’s flattering to receive unsolicited compliments from random acquaintances. Maybe the person isn’t “conventionally” hot and it would totally make their day to just hear from a casual friend or even a stranger that someone else finds them good-looking. Is that weird?

There really are a LOT of good looking guys at this Fest. I don’t remember that many good looking dudes at hardcore shows when I was going on the regular. There are also a healthy showing of older hardcore (30+) dudes. It is pretty lame that S&F always falls on my birthday weekend, but selling baked goods somehow makes it much more tolerable. And the good people watching. Okay, guy watching. Stupid chemistry.