Happy Birthday, Ben & Ryan!

Ben and Ryan are my cousin's little boys. Their birthdays are 10 days apart from each other. We normally go to their joint birthday party every year, but now that we're 1,000 miles away, it's not as easy to get there.

This year, I've decided to send them a little present in the mail. See below for pictures!

I hope they enjoy their treats!

Happy Birthday, Grampsie!

Today is my grandfather's birthday. I sent him a package last week with a new puzzle and some chocolaty treats in it, since he "hates"chocolate. He's been having a tough time since my grandmother has been in the hospital, so I figured that he'd enjoy something sweet.

A great present for him on his birthday, Granny was transferred to a different hospital today. One that specializes in respiratory therapy, which will help to wean her off of the oxygen machine, and get her away from using the tracheostomy. I hope that all goes well, and she is able to come off of the machine quickly.

OMG, Hobby Lobby

So, on the East Coast, as far as I know, there is no such thing as Hobby Lobby. Here in the Midwest, it's big, like really big. And the one near me, is huge, and I'm talking massive. It's so big, there's furniture and finished pieces in there, along with all the craft and project stuff.

Anyways, I went in the other day to see what it was like, and see what kind of baking stuff they had. And they have an entire aisle for baking. I got so much stuff, and total was less than $100. It was awesome! Here's what I got:

4 10" pastry bags
1 8" pastry bag
1 12" pastry bag
4 #3 pastry bag tips
4 pastry bag tip clamps
3 other pastry bag tips (can't remember the #s)
2 bags lollipop sticks
1 bag milk chocolate candy brown melts
1 bag milk chocolate candy red melts
1 package of Cars theme sugar candies
1 package of duck theme sugar candies
1 package of Cars theme cupcake liners
1 plastic pastry bag tip container
1 large plastic baking tools container
1 fondant cutter
1 set of three cooking paint brushes
1 container of white pearl dust
1 container of silver pearl dust
1 cookie cooling rack
1 package of four cardboard cake bases

WOW! So excited to use all of these items! Hobby Lobby may just be my new favorite store. And, to top it all off, it's closer than both Michael's and Joann Fabrics!

IttyBittyKitty

Obie is no longer the little tiny kitty that he was when we got him on my birthday. We've really started to notice how big he's been getting, and how his face isn't the little smooshy kitten face it once was.

This picture was taken two days after we got him:

This is a picture of him taken two days ago, basically 6 months later:

I know the pictures are taken at different distances and zooms, but just take a look at the distance between my hands. It's pretty significant.

I don't want my little to grow up!

Operation Baking GALS - Andrew Marshall

April is here already! And the start of a new month means the start of a new round of Baking GALS. This month's soldier is a young man that I went to high school with. Andrew is a 23-year-old Corporal in the US Army. Andrew grew up in Tiverton, Rhode Island, and after graduating from High School, started college. After one year of school, he realized that he wanted to do something more, so he joined the Army. In the last 3 years, Andrew has been deployed twice to Iraq. His latest deployment began in December 2009, where he was sent to Afghanistan, and is scheduled to be there until February 2011. Andrew loves baseball, soccer, and lacrosse, and also enjoys spending time with friends and family. When he finishes with his duties in the Army, Andrew hopes to complete his degree in Forensics. Please be sure to not send Andrew any products that may contain olives, as he is allergic to them.

If you would like to take part in this round of Baking GALS, please go to www.bakinggals.com and sign up for a free account. When you have done so, go to the Join a Team page and click on Amanda's Team Orange. Here, you will find my contact information and can email me for Andy's mailing address.

If you have any questions at all, please contact me through the Baking GALS site or by leaving a comment on this post.

Thanks!!!

Happy Easter!

We had a few friends over for Easter since it was going to be too much money to travel home for the holiday. A very un-traditional Easter, as we ordered Indian food, but to make it feel a little more Springy and Easter-y, I made some delicious sugar cookies. We barely ate any of them, but that's ok, because they didn't last more than two hours at work today.

Happy Easter everyone!

30 Day Shred - FAIL!

Yep, failed at that attempt.  Maybe I'll try in another few weeks, but it's really hard to get into a routine.  But, I really want to fit into that MASSIVE pile of pants I have folded so nicely and sitting on the floor at the bottom of my closet.  There are some really nice pants in there, and they would look great with the new shirts I have bought...

NEED MOTIVATION!!!

30 Day Shred - Day 3

Is the worst. Ugh, I don't want to move.

But I did, and got day 3 under my belt. Feels good to get moving again, and to have started working out, but man, I wish it were easier on my muscles.

Day 4 tomorrow.