Following up on a birthday cake and gardening...

This is my copycat version of tuxedo cake. It has six layers, alternating chocolate and white, filled with vanilla mousse, then frosted with buttercream frosting and topped with chocolate ganache.  I shaved white chocolate on top and dark chocolate around the bottom.  Hubby said he wanted something decadent, so voila. OR wa-la.? You KWIM!  I neglected to take a pic of the lovely layers. Next time.  Standing next to the cake, is the first bouquet of the season.  Very slim pickings so far.
But, I'm really doing a fine job growing slugs and snails.  Those despicable creatures are causing me to go broke.  My kids earned $24 picking slugs in less than half an hour.  Almost 500 of those bad boys.  OR girls.  They are non-gender.  And I've awarded them the title of the most disgusting creatures on earth.  No arguments there.

*pop* goes my sanity....

Real therapy.This was last week in the garden, when it was warm and sunny.

I probably could be a candidate for a new reality show. Called 'On the brink. Daily brushes with insanity.' Even tho we don't watch TV.  Wait a minute, this isn't a show.  It IS reality. CA-rap!!!  Here it is, almost June.  I haven't even started my new years resolution to get organized.  All this clutter and junk and school papers and Barbies and half finished projects! ARgh!  ~bre-e-eath~  'Kay.  Time to quit sitting and get busy.  Put a load of laundry to go, start hubby's birthday cake, and start on the mountain of mail piled in the basket.  Oh, and if the sun decides to grace us today, all bets are off.  I'll be out in the garden.  Ah, WHO needs a psychiatrist....?

Here's the verdict...

Lemon Poppyseed Scones

De-lish! Perfect texture and oh-so-lemony! The dough is not super sweet, so, in my (ever so humble) opinion, the glaze is a definite must.  Just lay it on thick. I actually doubled the amount of glaze the recipe called for.  As far as a rating, almost a perfect 5.  I still prefer the blueberry scones recipe I found one Sunday in the newspaper.







In other baking adventures,  there is the Barbie cake.  If I had taken the time to do some research, I might have found out that two round layers are required as well as the batter bowl top.  I had to build up the skirt top with frosting because Barbie was too tall.  And, true to form, we lacked birthday candles so I had to construct some from tea-lights.  But, Willa was thrilled.-;) Thank goodness three year olds are easily delighted. (And, the terrifying twos are behind us) Fingers crossed.

What to do...

Here we go again.  Miserable rain, fire in woodstove.  Yes, this is Seattle, known far and wide for its abundant rainfall.  But this is ridiculous. On the upside, it forces me to focus on inside things.  So today, I am going to try out the Annie Sloan chalk paint.  I've heard nothing but good reports on the stuff, so I'm wading in with high expectations.  At a whopping $35 per QUART, (yes, ouch!) very HIGH expectations!  The dresser in the girls room is due for a revamp.  Bur first, I have to try the lemon poppyseed scones that were featured in the latest issue of Country Living.  Heard from my sister Mary that they are THE BEST ever!

Whew! Two feet on the ground...

All those morbid thoughts for nothing! I couldn't have asked for better flying, just as smooth as glass both ways.  And Elinor was like a champ.  Somebody up there heard my fears, thank you! Oh it's so good to be home and getting on with life.  Minneapolis was a nice little long weekend getaway, though it was COLD and yes, it even snowed on May 1st.  I DON"T miss that. Don't mind the rain that much, really.  Now it's time to get some stuff done, I'm so inspired after seeing the shop set-up over at Jux99 in Buffalo! That is the PLACE to go for exciting finds at great prices!