changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Each year, just about the time everything in the southeastern United States is covered in a yellow-green haze, teenagers around the country throw their arms in the air and joyfully scream "SPRING BREAK '_(insert year here)_".

Ok, and maybe a few over-zealous twenty-somethings who brilliantly chose the best career ever do too.

And yes, I know what you're thinking.

Those of you who have been stuck in an office for the past week are cursing my name for reminding you that I have spent the last week basking in the sun on a radiantly white sand beach, listening to the waves crash against the shore, while sipping a deliciously refreshing frozen concoction that has relaxing powers enough to make you forget your own first name...(so, I may exaggerate...a little...) 

To you I only have one thing to say.  Life is all about choices.  Sorry yours aren't as well thought out as mine.

Now that we have that out of the way...

This year I got to share a part of my childhood with two of my favorite people: T, and our other gifted-decision-making, teacher friend, Shanna.   With their over-stuffed luggage in tow, the three of us made the 7 hour drive south to Apalachacola.  Years ago, my grandparents bought and restored a historic home in the small town.  Being a historic home, the walls preserve memories of the distant and not-so-distant past, from military housing to wedding receptions.  My family has made this piece of "forgotten coast" our vacation home every summer for as long as I can remember.  Once both of my grandparents retired, they packed up their home in Atlanta and made Apalach their permanent residence.

In a town of just under 2,500 people (and limited cell phone reception), time seems to move a little slower.  In fact, after a few days in the "small drinking town with a big fishing problem," you realize you have no idea what time it is, little recollection of what day it is, and quite frankly, you like it better that way.

 

I throughly enjoyed showing the girls around town and getting some much needed days of relaxation.  I'm also glad that I was able to spend time with my grandparents, who did everything they could to help us feel at home.  We spent a day at the beach, explored some interesting shops in town, ate fantastic seafood, took the boat up the river (after a few failed attempts and with the help of a determined Pawpaw), and even attend an exclusive 'Deacon's meeting.'  I only hope that T and S enjoyed themselves as much as I did--and their little glimpse into the small town life of an oysterman.

The preacher man himself

this man

For Easter, a co-worker asked me to make some cake pops for her and her family.  She always gives me fun projects to try-I baked for her son's bar mitzvah too.  This time she requested cheesecake and brownie pops (my personal favorite).  After a quick search of Bakerella's site for ideas, I decided to make chicks and Easter eggs.  Here's the final product.

je t'aime

It's that time again.  Yes my friends, wedding season is upon us!  And, with all of those weddings, you're going to have lots of showers.  And with all of those showers, you're going to need eat lots of cake!  [think If You Give a Mouse a Cookie]  That's usually where I come in. I'm pretty much clueless when it comes to anything wedding/shower related, but sugary goodness-that's right up my alley!

This time the shower was for my best friend/college roommate.  Her wedding is in June, so this was the first of her long line of showers.  For her cake I decided to try Pioneer Woman's chocolate cake recipe.  I think it was our mutual love of chocolate and belief in its magical healing powers that tied us as roommates for four years (and could possibly be responsible for a few extra pounds...jury's still out on that one though).  Thanks to the help of our very own resident design major, the shower was beautiful!  It was a wonderful time to reconnect with old friends, and with 18 years of memories, there were lots of stories to share!

bad moon rising

The signs were all so clear.

I should have seen it coming.

Last night, on our ride home, T and I marveled at the moon.  It was big, bright, and....terrifying!
Ok, so at the time it wasn't terrifying.  It was actually quite beautiful.  One of those 'beautifuls' that assures you of God's presence and reminds you that you are but a speck in the vast universe.

...or maybe that was just the Bible study talking....

Either way, it was only foreshadowing what was to come.  Unfortunately for me, I didn't realize that until it was too late.  It's like in those horror movies when the young, beautiful, unsuspecting girl is about to open the door and you keep yelling at her not to, but she doesn't realize that opening a door that leads to a dark basement, in an empty house, with creaky floors, in the middle of the woods, during a thunderstorm was probably a bad idea until its all over and done with.

Yeah.
Today was just like that.

It had all the makings of a good horror story: 31 32 students, 6 instructional days until CRCT, the week before spring break, a fire drill, and a full moon.  I'll save you all the gory details, and quite honestly, it could have been worse--there were no casualties (although it was touch and go there for a second).  But, today I needed the patience of Job and all I could seem to muster up more resembled Ursula from The Little Mermaid (I'll give you a second to visualize that.....got it? Good.)  Oh well, in the words of Scarlett, tomorrow is another day.  Thankfully there are only 64 hours standing between myself and a week of work-free, sunny (fingers crossed) bliss.  Just enough time to recharge my patience for the last 6 weeks ;)

stir it up

For the past several months Tiffany and I have stayed after school twice a week to work with small groups of students who need a little extra help with reading and math.  Today was the final session, so we decided to combine our groups and celebrate.  Tiffany made her famous brownies and I decided to take this opportunity to try something I probably wouldn't get the chance to make again for a while.  I ran across this cake a while ago on a blog and have wanted to try it ever since, but there are few occasions that a tie-dyed cake is needed.  The cake is just a mix and is divided up and dyed.  Then layer the colors, bake, and voilà-you have wonderfully rainbow colored creation!

 Now...what will we do with all of those free afternoons?

have i told you lately

Just a quick game of catch up...

In December the girls and I took a trip to Chattanooga, TN for Ashleigh's bachelorette weekend.  This is her cake...and more importantly, the newest addition to our group, Omar.

For our class holiday party my students decorated gingerbread cookies.  Everyone brought in something to decorate with and they had a great time designing their cookie creations.  They also went home with sugar comas ;)

This is a cake that I made for a co-worker's baby shower.  The cake had to be gender neutral because the mommy-to-be isn't a control freak like myself and thinks that a surprise sounds like fun.

something for cat

This past summer, while browsing through Blue Frog Imports on my way home from a morning run (oh, how I miss summer and morning runs), I fell in love.  There, stacked on top of cinder blocks among a multitude of lawn ornaments, sat a cast iron tub with the front side cut off.  It was old, rusty, and avacado green.  It was perfect.  At the time I couldn't justify such a nonsensical purchase-I mean a sofa tub, really?  Months passed and with nothing on my Christmas list (yes, my parents still insist on me having a Christmas list-some things never change), the tub became mine. Here are some before and after pictures of my Breakfast at Tiffany's inspired new furniture!

Before...

 

and after...