Slumber Party for 14

We had 13 people sleeping in our house for the last two nights. (14 if you include Hector P. Valenti, the neighbor's hamster.)

Nothing makes me happier than having guests.

Except this cake, which is chocolate with butter cream and ganache. (I made it twice this week.)



We are considering registering our house with the city and officially turning it into a Bed and Breakfast. But it would be free of charge and would only accept guests who are charming, witty, gracious and very hungry.

Most of our guests have now left and we're down to a mere 8 people tonight (9 counting Hector) and we made everyone eat at least one black eyed pea to ensure good luck throughout the year.



Happy new year!

Jury Duty Dooty

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I was actually excited about my jury duty dooty. I saw it as a break from children. My children, that is.

I woke up bright and early on Monday morning and left the house with my book under my arm and a smile on my face. I even wore a little lipstick for extra credibility.

Seven hours later that smile and lipstick had faded and I was stuck in a windowless room with a microwave and group of people who kept making popcorn. There was nothing close to walk to during our frequent 15 minute breaks and I was bored.

At times I was too bored to even read. (Even though I really like my book.)

Finally they called my name and I was requested to report to a court room. Once in the courtroom they actually made us raise our right hands and promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

So help me God, I was freakin' out. The judge asked us to sit down and let him know if there were reasons why we couldn't serve. I had prepared my list of excuses in my head. But when it came time, I couldn't say a word 'cause I swore I'd tell the truth. (If you just mouth the words does it still count?)

We even saw the defendant (who looked quite quilty, by the way). He had done something naughty with a gun.

And the worst part? I had to report back the following morning.

After 5 more hours in the jury assembly room the next day, it was finally announced they decided to settle "our case" without a jury. Whoo-hoo! Victory lap around the room. I came home to my yelling kids and never felt so alive! This is were I belong.

Favorite quote from my jury duty evesdropping:
Older Man "Are you still seeing that special girl? The one with the hepatitis?"
Younger Man "Trying not to."

It's Too Painful To Talk About

However, you need to know about this cake.

I had to make this cake tonight. It's called the Sweet and Salty Cake
and I've been obsessing about it for days.



It was one of the most difficult cakes I've ever made. Or maybe my kids were the most difficult they've ever been. Or maybe it was just Milo.

While I was distracted with baking he "cleaned" our filthy basement toilet (the "prison potty," we call it) using my kitchen tongs and his entire body. When I found him he was soaked to the bone with dirty toilet water. (Thanks for saving the environment, Clay, by not flushing.)

I gave him a bath in the kitchen sink so I could:

A. Keep my eye on him
B. Clean him up
C. Occupy him while I finished baking

Not 10 minutes out of the bath he fell down the basement stairs, most likely trying to get back to the toilet to finish his cleaning job.



And, yes, those are blood stains on my shirt. The little guy cut his lip pretty badly.

Yup...

And the cake? It's the worst looking cake I've ever made. (See above photo.) But boy was it yummy. There isn't a slice left.

How I Plan to Get Out of Jury Duty

I have jury duty starting next week. Don't they know I'm a very, very busy woman?

I have cookies to bake and raffle tickets to buy! I also need to make a layer cake every other day. I understand it's my civic duty but here is how I'm planning to get myself excused:

1. Show up in a costume, most likely involving Goldie's tutu.

2. Declare that I'm a physic and I can save all of us a whole lot of time.

3. Nod toward the juror next to me and mouth "guilty" while secretly pointing at him/her.

4. Bring Milo with me.

5. Eat Sunchips out of their new compostable bag in the courtroom.

6. Raise my hand and ask if anyone has actually been convicted for shooting JR.

Wish me luck!

Yakivegas

We just got home from a fabulous weekend trip to visit friends in Yakima. For those of you not from Washington, Yakima is the Palm Springs of Washington. (I didn't make that up. There's a sign off the freeway that says it.)

When I attended Central, we'd drive to Yakima for dinners at Red Robin. (I have not always had the sophisticated palette you see before you now) and shopping at Nordstrom. (That one hasn't changed.) The Yakima Nordstrom, however, has since closed down. But the Red Robin is still standing.

Here are some shots our friend Aileen took this morning. There was a snow storm on Saturday that kept us there for an extra day. Apparently, Clay brought hair gel for only one day.



And I love this arty shot of Milo's reflection in a puddle: