I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again….the White Chocolate Strawberry cake they make at Simply Desserts in Fremont is worth the money.

Since today was the spouse’s birthday, and they were going to be closed until tomorrow, I had to pre-order and then pick up this delicious delight on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Talk about torture.

Now, anyone who’s anyone and knows ANYTHING about cakes (my dad was a baker that first learned how to make European pastries) will tell you that this could be the kiss of death to a bakery item. But not this one. Because of the large white chocolate content in the frosting (not a drop of fondant is to be found ANYWHERE on this cake I might add), and the all natural ingredients along with the fresh strawberries lovingly sliced and layered with homemade whipped cream filling, this cake was still moist and even fresh tasting.

Now that we’ve started this cake, we’re going to have to finish it…fast… the seal has been broken and the task before us daunting, but I think we will rise to the occasion. It’s going to be really easy actually….every bite is like a little bit of summer in our mouths…not too sweet and not too heavy. Just perfect.

If you don’t already know, ThreeSixtyFive is a group of folks that commit to taking self-portraits every day for one year. I have been thinking about doing that, but I don’t know if I am that committed.

Not to mention the fact that I don’t think I am very photogenic, yet I love to take pictures. But then there’s also the fact that I enjoy taking pictures of what I come across at that moment, so would something like this be more like a task rather than something enjoyable?

I have seen some great shots by folks who have chosen to attempt this feat, which then doesn’t help the natural insecurities that pop up to talk me out of it. Dunno…gonna have to think on it for a while…. I can start whenever I want…or not.

It was fairly simple. I prepped the grapes, celery and dressing for the Waldorf Salad on Wednesday night before going to a cake event at 7pm. Was up early enough to chop up all the apples (thank goodness I bought a handy device for that 2 years ago with many different chopping plates), toast the walnuts and get it all ready for final assembly once at the folks house.

We arrive, after leaving the highway due to 3 accidents in 10 miles or less to arrive almost on time at the folks house.

The one Aunt and two Uncles that always cause the grief are not there yet – and all are hoping they DON’T show. We get all the food prepped and served, everyone at the table and dinner finished before that Aunt and one of the Uncles arrive. She did call and say they were baking the rolls and would be there afterwards so don’t wait for them. We didn’t.

Made them plates in the kitchen after everyone else started cleaning up and leaving the table. It was all going somewhat smoothly, until the Aunt asked Grandma about her insulin. Then all hell broke loose. Grandma didn’t bring needles because the staff at the home give them to her to monitor her doses (since she can’t remember between taking her injection and writing it down if she took them), and it sent the Aunt into a tirade for an hour at Grandma about “not bringing a carry over dose”, “you should know better”, “I’ll have to go get it for you now”, “Your level is at 451? Does it have to be 551 or higher before it’s important to you?”, “That’s it! No Pie!”…. blah blah blah.

My little sis was finally able to get a word in and remind the Aunt that yelling at her was not going to help the situation and maybe she should try a different approach. Maybe we should see if we can provide a solution for her?

Other than that, everyone got along… we all left around 6pm to drive home for us, and other siblings to alternate in-laws functions. Even though there were no leftovers to take home from my dad’s, we did get leftovers from our friends dinner that my mom went to! Gotta love that!

I think I’m going to make lunch now….

I just answered this Featured Question; you can answer it too!

Same as always…listen to music, read books, watch a movie or two.

Have a happy, healthy and hungry holiday!

Thanksgiving holiday is one of those “obligatory-phone-the-host/ess-and-find-out-what-you-should-bring” type of holidays that can be fairly amusing.

Usually, I bring a salad that I got from a James Beard cookbook eons back that involves olive oil, lime juice, sugar, fresh roasted chesnuts, green onions and raw halved cranberries. It’s awesome, tasty and colorful, but can freak out your traditional meat and ‘taters type o’ folks. My family is used to me bringing it – some love it, others hate it.

This year, I decided to see what other item would be suggested if I called and asked what to bring, and I was tasked with the Waldorf Salad. Okay, I can do that, but since 75% of my family is close to obese (not circus fat mind you, but fat), I thought I’d look for a low-fat version.

After scouring recipe books and the web to see what traditional and non-traditional versions there were, I decided on one and am sticking to it. The only question I had for my step-mom was in regards to a traditional ingredient in a Waldorf Salad – what follows is part of my phone conversation:

Her: “Hello?”
Me: “Hey there! Quick question regarding the Waldorf Salad.”
Her: “Okay”
Me: “If you had your druthers, which would you prefer – grapes or raisins in your Waldorf?”
Her: “Grapes or raisins? “
Me: “Yeah”
Her: ” I don’t put either one in my salad.”
Me: (pause) “Okay… Well, you aren’t making it this year. I have been tasked with that, so which would you prefer?”
Her: (laughs) “I guess I’m not making it this year.”
Me: (laughing back) “Nope. So, which would you prefer, grapes or raisins?”
Her: ” I guess grapes.”
Me: “Okay, thanks!”

Wait until she notices that I’m not using Mayo and whipped cream in it either!

Lookee what I got today!

…… not as cool as the KAWS statue jw1976 got , but still up there in my book.

So far, it’s been a pretty seamless transition between my old phone to this one. Considering I never had a Crackberry, this is amusing to learn, but I’ll get it yet! Already have a messaging thread going with my mother-in-law in SoCal which is amusing to say the least.

The OS runs really well and have had no crashes or major freak outs with it yet. Stay tuned….

Update 11/25/08: Still loving it!

Just got a call from my sister regarding my dad going back into the hospital for an infection in one of his legs (he just recovered from double knee replacement surgery)….it’s MRSA.

So he’s going to be staying in the hospital until it’s contained and gone… let’s hope they caught it early enough to keep it from doing any major damage… argh.

As my sister and I both said, that’s one way to A.) get out of going back to work and B.) a cheap attempt at not having to cook on Thanksgiving.

Have a happy day!

Update: Let’s not discount the BLOOD CLOT they found behind his LEFT KNEE – he just to me about THAT one! Parents!

I have noticed a trend in the job application process that has been developing over the past few years which somewhat intrigues me. From what I’ve heard from a few pals in other parts of the country, it’s similar to getting your kids into pre-school anymore.

It used to be one could walk in the door of a retail company, fill out an application, get a call back and go in for an interview and know within a week or less if you actually were hired.

Nowadays, not only do you have to fill out an online application and submit either a resume or a C.V., you also have to include a cover letter and usually pass a thinly disguised personality test. More importantly, they want you include the percentages of worth you provided to the previous corporations you worked for (i.e. I improved overall sales by 23% in my department.)

And all this just for a standard retail position. Being an adult, who used to work in the Fortune 500 world in both support and managerial roles, I get some of it for higher level positions…but sales floor retail? Wow. I can see where in a large corporation, with all the meetings and reports generated to help justify everyone’s positions and pay grades you might actually have that kind of information, but not usually in basic retail when you work the floor or a check stand, like at a Fred Meyer store.

The other thing that I find amazing is the overall lack of communication from these corporations after you provide them with the information they requested. Some don’t tell you that they only hire 1-2 times a year (Costco for example) and they won’t tell you what time of year that is…you have to know someone to even get hired most of the time. They also rarely acknowledge to you when the position is filled or even thank you for applying.

I feel a bit sorry for folks that are now looking for gainful employment that might barely cover their expenses, or a kid just out of high school or college trying to find an interim job … I really do. No wonder so many stick to food service type jobs. I guess being self-employed isn’t such a bad thing after all!

Went to see one of my favorite local bands of all time, Uncle Bonsai friday night with my sister in the Knights of Pythias Temple (If you are unfamiliar with this group, you can read about them HERE). They are an amazing group that sings satyrical and poignant songs about “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as we like to say in our house.

The Venue

The Group

The male in the group has a high tenor voice, so can do some amazing and sensitive ballads, and I forgot about this song until he sang it for us, because usually it was sung by one of the gals.

I thought it was a great song that needed to be dedicated to the “uber” faithful out there, to help provide a little perspective and understanding outside of their respective bubbles.

Just One Angel
My Rhapsody Playlist
Every Sunday God wakes up to everybody’s problems
All those voices asking for forgiveness
Half asleep he waves his hand to quickly mass absolve them
Wondering why he constantly relives this
I don’t want to take that time away
From someone who might really need
A sign from God that day

Angel Michael on his knees
Trying to find the time to help us
I don’t need such expertise
I could never be that selfish
Isn’t there a minor angel
Not an angel one might miss
I can talk to, I can turn to
There to handle this

Sunday mornings in the choir
I’m the one who’s singing off key
By my bedside in the darkness
I will say my prayers so softly
Isn’t there a lonely angel
Not an angel fully booked
I can call on, I can sing to
Someone overlooked

Just one angel
Just one angel
Angel only I can see
Just one angel
Just one angel
Watching over me

Sometimes when my heart is full
It makes me feel a bit frenetic
Fallen angel takes the bullet
Wouldn’t that be so poetic
Isn’t there a private angel
Unremembered, underused
Second angel, No one’s angel
Someone God excused

Just one angel
Just one angel
Angel only I can see
Just one angel
Just one angel
Watching over me

All those days and nights
God slaved to give us creature comforts
Why would we have free will
If he thought we’d always call
Maybe it’s a lack of sleep
That keeps him feeling vengeful
Maybe he’d be sweet and soft
If he could have his Sundays off

Just one angel
Just one angel
Angel only I can see
Just one angel
Just one angel
Watching over me