Cake Confidential

Have I ever told you how much I love cake? I adore all sweets, actually, but cake and I have always shared a special bond. My mom likes to tell a story about my two-year-old self sneaking into the house during a 4th of July party, tearing the plastic marching band off the top of the cake, and digging into the fluffy white frosting. I'm still willing to go to great lengths for a slice...

Karl and I got married in late September of 2008. On Labor Day weekend that year, we went boating with some friends on the Wisconsin River. We stopped for dinner at a restaurant/bar/supper club overlooking the river, where there happened to be a wedding reception happening. If you're anything like me, the word "wedding" immediately brings to mind a much more important word: "cake."

Naturally, I wandered in to the reception area just to look around-- you know, to get some ideas for our wedding (which, three weeks away, was fully planned, mind you). I made a hopefully subtle beeline for the dessert table. The groom was standing nearby. I congratulated him and explained that my fiancee and I were planning our wedding and trying to decide on a wedding cake vendor. Where had they gotten their cake, I asked, and were they happy with it? I totally wasn't listening as the groom told me which bakery had supplied their cake. Price, delivery, flavor options, blah, blah, blah... My ears perked up, though, when he said the magic words and my plan fell neatly into place: "You should try a piece!" Oh, no, I couldn't. It's your wedding. "No, really, you should try some. Here, let me cut you a piece." Well, okay, if you insist (sneakily grinning inside as he lopped off a humongous slice). Mmmmmm....

And that, my friends, is how it's done. See if you can score some free cake for yourself this weekend!

Today

Today I am meeting my husband for lunch!

Today I am regretting not bringing my raincoat to work... and considering trying to bike with an umbrella.

Today my suitcase is packed for a weekend conference in New Orleans.

Today I'm loving salads from our garden.

Today I chose my next knitting project.

Today my lunch is full of strawberries.

Today I am already missing home a little bit, even though I haven't left for New Orleans yet.

Today I'm thinking about craft projects and book clubs.

Today I need to remember to pick up hand soap.

Today I'm wondering how July is almost here.

Today my go-go dance group will shimmy and giggle together.

Today I'm bolting out of here right this instant because the sun finally came out!

Recipe for a Happy Husband

When you saw the title of this post, did you think it was going to say something like, "Mix one cup of love with three kisses, a pound of compliments and a generous scoop of laughter"?

Gross.

Maybe your husband likes cheesy things like generous scoops of laughter, but mine is perfectly happy with the following, as I found out last Friday when I ventured down to campus to meet him for lunch.


Find a beautiful, sunny day.



And a Peruvian food cart.

Make sure your husband wears some kind of Peruvian t-shirt (no doubt he's got several). Get him the sweet potato/chicken/pork wrapped in a banana leaf and an Inca Cola (which tastes exactly like bubble gum).

Watch him eat and smile and eat and smile and eat and smile. While he's doing that, think to yourself how cute he is. Because you have to admit, he is cute. Especially with that big smile and that Inca Cola.

Bake for one hour at 350.

Kidding!!! I'm totally kidding!

Out With the Old

.... and in with the new (nameplate, that is). That's right, I have a new title. Here's my new, improved nameplate along with my old one (on its way out). Truthfully, though, I'm keeping the old one. I just love the word "Librarian."

Shoe Karma

Last week, I was very very very tempted by a Groupon to a fancy local shoe store. But in the end, I didn't have $50 sitting around, and I didn't exactly need a new pair of just-for-fun shoes, and I have big feet so I wasn't even sure they would have my size, so (in a show of extreme willpower) I passed it up.


Two days later, on my bike ride to work, I stopped at a yard sale. Wonder of wonders, I found the most adorable pair of pink Dansko sandals in my size for $5! Five dollars! Danskos! Pink! My size! It was instant love. I of course wore them out to dinner that very night. My feet have never been happier- or cuter.

I truly believe that if I would have bought that Groupon, I never would have found these shoes. Maybe that's ridiculous (but maybe it's not!). In any case, I'm in love with my new pinkies.

Sunday Morning in Madison

On Sunday morning, I loaded up the canoe and joined my friend Laurie and her 5-year-old son for a Floating Circus. What's a floating circus? Well, it's just what it sounds like: a ton of people of all ages in canoes and kayaks, wearing costumes, playing instruments, singing and having fun.



The weather was perfect. We floated down a little stretch of the Yahara River, between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. These crazy, fun events are something I really appreciate about living here.


Laurie is an amazing artist and happened to have three badger hats sitting around, so our costumes were really easy!

Ten on Ten: June

Post-bike ride pile in my cubicle :: To-do list :: Raindrops hanging on from last night :: Lunchtime stop at the co-op :: Ready for some weekend canoeing with friends :: Lap swim :: My favorite part of the pool area :: Pizza toppings :: Little treats :: On the kitchen table

See more ten on ten here!

Ride the Drive

On Sunday, an event called Ride the Drive took over the city of Madison. Some of the main roads were closed to cars, and bikes rolled freely. It was glorious. I went with my go-go dance/bike group, the Greasy Gears, and we stopped along the route to perform. We've got a sound system that we pull in a bike trailer (the kind you put kids in) and a few spiffed-up bikes. Here's a little peek:

Dancing go-go in front of the Capitol

Fancy schmancy glitter bike (and my fishnetted legs in the background!)

Taking a break for a group photo

Messin' with the cops... as usual.

I have:

a. Never worn such a short skirt in public before, and

b. Never had so much fun before.

If you're in Madison, be on the lookout for a turquoise and silver glittery streak... it could be the Greasy Gears!

Auction, May I Take Your Bid?

This was quite possibly the best weekend ever. Karl and I went canoeing on Saturday, I biked all day with my go-go dance group on Sunday, and I volunteered for two shifts at the Wisconsin Public Television annual auction. Today I volunteered with a group of eleven staff members from the library. I absolutely adore the auction and look forward to it every year, so I was thrilled to be able to rope so many of my coworkers in to it this time!




I only bought one thing from the auction while I was volunteering: a much-needed set of bike lights, at a bargain price. Can't wait to try 'em out!

Karl and I also went on a DATE on Friday! A date! Can you believe it? Don't worry, it wasn't planned or elaborate or particularly romantic. It was just dinner out at a very Wisconsin-y place on a lake. The fish fry wasn't even very good, but eating outside by the water was fantastic. Here are a few photos for your enjoyment...

I Guess I Never Told You

I got a new bike bell! Isn't it cute? And it's so dingalingy. I don't know how I went so long without one.